When I first danced with the lovely young lady, I felt I would never again so much as glance at another woman. We were married, and despite a few attempted retaliations from her stepmother and stepsisters, we were happy in our new life together.
However, after a few years, I began to wonder what had brought us together. There was a time in our lives when it seemed all we did was quarrel, especially over things that usually didn't matter.
I began to think perhaps it would be easier if I had our marriage annulled, either remaining single for the rest of my life or taking the time to make sure the next woman was everything I expected before I married her. With these thoughts in mind, I stepped outside.
"Isn't this where you and Cinderella walked under the stars after you danced together for the first time?"
I was startled by the unexpected voice. Glancing to my right, I noticed an old woman in a blue hooded dress with a pink bow under the chin.
"It is, madame," I answered.
"Is this how happily ever after goes, giving up when you hit a rough patch?" she asked.
"Forgive me, but how is this any of your business?"
Ignoring my question, the old woman continued, "Until these quarrels began, did you ever doubt your love for Cinderella? Romantic feelings come and go, just as the flowers that bloom in spring and flourish in summer will fade in autumn and die in winter, but true love will take root and weather storms, like the mightiest oak tree. Would you really turn away the woman who held your heart in her hands as you held her glass slipper to your heart? Would you give up on such a wife just because you seem to be having a few quarrels right now?"
I considered her words. She had certainly made several good points. Finally, I made up my mind what I should do, but when I turned to thank her, I noticed she had vanished.
Wasting no time, I hurried to the castle, where I found Cinderella sitting near a windowsill, talking to a group of mice. She seemed to be wiping away tears.
"Can we talk?" I asked gently.
My wife nodded.
Taking her hand, I promised, "My dearest love, I know we've had our share of disagreements lately, but we're going to get through it. We're going to start talking things over calmly, and everything will work out. I love you, and I took you as my wife for better or worse, and now everything's going to be better, and once again, we'll realize how much we truly love each other."
She threw her arms around me. "I was so afraid you'd leave me!"
"Never," I answered, lightly kissing her head as I stroked her hair. "I will love no one but you for as long as we both shall live."
Cinderella smiled. "Are you sure you can't love anyone else?" She took my hand and placed it on her waist. "What if she has her father's eyes or his hair is the same color as his mother's?"
Unsure how to respond, I smiled and kissed her. It wasn't until the next day that I realized what she had been trying to tell me.