Charles's decision
One afternoon after Isabelle's runaway with Melville, duke Zaral was in his castle when a valet announced the arrival of prince Rudolph, duke of Tamp. Zaral immediately hid all evidences of the conspiracy, and prepared his chess board in a small table in the office, near the window.
'Send him in', approved Zaral.
While waiting for the unexpected guest, something must have come up in the duke's mind that completely changed his confident mood. Zaral stood pensive by the chess game until a deep, glacial voice entered the room.
'Please, enter, your highness', welcomed Zaral, 'What a great surprise! You finally accepted my invitation.'
Rudolph of Tamp came into the light. The young duke was wearing an impeccable emerald suit with red and silver embroidery. He was thiner and taller than Zaral. His dark brilliant hair and impeccable moustache contrasted with the extreme white skin and the light green eyes. Although he appeared most kind and enchanting, Rudolph made the atmosphere uneasy, by speaking very slowly.
'Would you like to play chess with me, your highness?'
'What a brilliant idea, Zaral!'
Zaral pulled up a chair, invited Rudolph to sit down and they started to play. Rudolph chose the white pieces, whereas Zaral picked the black ones.
'I came for your advice. Prince Charles is about to be 17. Since you spend most of your time with him, I think you're the best person to assist me finding a gift for my cousin.'
'Well, everybody knows how much the prince appreciates fencing, horse riding and hunting.'
'How I would like to challenge him to a duel… in an amicable way, of course.'
Zaral laughed and Rudolph's king made a good move.
'Don't mock me, Zaral... I won the last fencing competition.'
'Oh, yes, I heard about it. Congratulations!'
'As you see, my cousin and I have some interests in common. I also enjoy riding and hunting.'
'I see… Well, recently Charles developed a sudden passion for reading. He has been devouring all books on politics, philosophy, history, literature and art. He disappears from balls and other important ceremonies to go to the library. A few months ago, he had a completely different attitude. His tutor is very glad.'
'His library must have all the books…'
'Oh, yes. The king is very generous and allows me and other members of the court to borrow books.'
'Yes… well, it would probably be irrelevant to offer a book, but if I did, what do you think he would prefer? Machiavelli, Shakespeare?'
'Certainly, Shakespeare. The prince is not very keen on Machiavelli; he is more into Plato, and I know he is reading rather subversive political theories…'
Zaral's bishop made a good move.
'I heard Charles was going to marry soon. Is it true?', asked Rudolph.
'Honestly, I don't know…'
Rudolph seemed concentrated on his move and Zaral continued.
'He often leaves the castle incognito… I knew that a while ago and I suspected he had an affair.'
'He wouldn't be the first prince to do that.'
'He managed to keep his secret for a long time, but this week one of my men found out he regularly meets a girl in town… a young servant... Please, keep it to yourself. If someone spreads this, it will be a scandal.'
'Oh, you can trust me. But… if I were you, I wouldn't be so worried.'
'Why not?'
'He is our future king… Charles knows perfectly what is the proper thing to do, the proper person to wed.'
'Charles knows what is the proper thing, but he will do otherwise and test all the limits.'
'Checkmate', smiled Rudolph.
'That was amazing, your highness!'
The valet entered and announced the arrival of Gandhis, Charles's fencing teacher. Zaral paled, but tried to keep natural.
'Let him wait. Can't you see I am playing chess with his royal highness, the duke of Tamp?'
'I know, sir, but he says it is urgent.'
'Oh, Zaral, please, I don't want to disturb your affairs. You must be the busiest man in the kingdom.'
No matter how much excuses Zaral invented to stay, Rudolph convinced the duke to leave. Rudolph himself put his chair back in its original place. While doing so, his handkerchief fell below the desk. Zaral kneeled to catch it, but Rudolph caught it first.
'Thank you for this pleasant moment, Zaral.'
'The pleasure was all mine. You should visit me more often, your highness.'
'It would be a pleasure to have you in my castle as well.'
Zaral accompanied Rudolph on the way out, and returned to the office to meet Gandhis. During the meeting, Zaral was still recalling of Rudolph's visit. Gandhis was constantly repeating important details, while Zaral hardly focused. Suddenly, his eyes sparkled and he called the valet.
'Call Blade, please.'
When Blade arrived, Zaral was reconstructing the chess game in the office.
'The first phase of your plan has been accomplished as you instructed, duke Zaral.'
'Good. I hoped to avoid any violence, but the king might put up a fight.'
Zaral took down the white king with the black rook, and watched the chess piece falling and breaking in the floor.
'It's best to be prepared.'
In that evening, someone from outside fired several shots at Rudolph's bedroom. Inexplicably, he survived. The following day, someone tried to shoot Zaral in his carriage. It was on the eve of Zaral's first attempt to take the throne.
'I'm sorry for this turmoil, Mr. and Mrs. Bloch', excused Charles while the prince insisted in giving him soup in the bed.
'Oh, honey, stop it!', reprimanded Cinderella, grabbing her son, 'You're messing everything up…'
'You can stay here as long as you wish', added Mr. Bloch.
'How can we ever thank you?', asked Cinderella.
'It's enough for us to see the king safe and sound', smiled Mrs. Bloch.
'Do you think he could stay one more day or two? The king needs to rest', prescribed one doctor.
'But of course he can, doctor, and I can dress him! It seems to me that King Charles wears the same size as my son,' replied Mrs. Bloch.
Everybody laughed.
'We will let you rest for a while', said Mr. Bloch a few moments later.
'Eh… wait, Mr. and Mrs. Bloch, have you heard any news from the Emerald castle and city?', asked Charles.
'No. This morning I bought some groceries from our village and I heard nothing. Of course I didn't mention your attack, as you asked.'
'Thank you.'
'Now we will leave you. Make yourself comfortable', said Mr. Bloch grabbing his wife, who was baby talking to the prince. The doctors and servants also followed them to the kitchen.
'There are no signs of attempts to take the throne… It's so strange...', wondered Alex.
'As I thought…', muttered Charles.
'As you thought?', inquired Cinderella.
'Do you know who is behind this?', asked king Lewis.
'I was thinking about that during the journey, father.'
'Do you think they are Zaral's followers?', asked Thomas.
'I don't think so', replied Charles.
Patch, Papy, Chew Chew and Bingo sit down near the bed and looked attentively at Charles.
'It seems as they are anxious to know your theory, dear', remarked queen Caroline, making Charles, Cinderella and Paulette smile.
'If everyone in this room disappeared, who would succeed in the throne of the Emerald kingdom?', inquired Charles.
'Your uncle Conrad, possibly uniting the kingdoms again', replied Lewis.
'Or…'
'Your cousin Rudolph…?', tried Caroline.
'Exactly.'
'Rudolph? He is a nice boy…', rejected Lewis, 'and he has been abroad since your wedding...'
'I never liked him', confessed Caroline.
'Why don't you never share those things in due time? You said the very same thing after we found out Zaral was a traitor!', protested Lewis.
'I couldn't say nothing without proves! It was an intuition...', replied Caroline.
'Keep your intuitions to yourself, then!', disapproved the old king.
Charles and Cinderella smiled at each other.
'But… Charles… what are you planning to do?', asked Alex.
'In fact, I don't have any proves either, but Rudolph is the one who would benefit from our disappearance, and he has always puzzled me... Tomorrow we will return to the castle and we will start investigating Rudolph', decided Charles.
'Maybe we could start it today, if we send some of our men there', suggested Alex.
Charles stood pensive. Acknowledging the king's concerns, doctors recommended rest. Thomas invited king Lewis and queen Caroline to chat in the living room. Hans, Alex and Paulette followed them, leaving Charles and Cinderella alone with their son and the animals.
The little prince grabbed Cinderella's arm and pointed at the window. She smiled and stood up carrying the toddler as they approached the window. Then the prince opened both arms, leaned over and started a tantrum.
'I think he wants to go outside', guessed Charles.
'He is captivated by a butterfly', smiled Cinderella, 'Maybe if we open it, the butterfly will visit us, don't you think, honey?'
As she opened the window and the butterfly entered, Cinderella felt dizzy, almost fainted, and instantly put the toddler in the chair next to her. Charles stood up immediately and grabbed her.
'Cinderella, what happened?', worried Charles heading her towards the bed, 'I'll call the doctors right away'.
'Oh, I felt like this yesterday, but I was reacting to the shock...', told she while sitting down, 'And... I've been nauseous lately...'
Charles smiled with his eyes wide opened.
'Again...?', he looked into Cinderella's eyes and put his hand in her belly.
'It is too soon to know, but I feel so...', smiled Cinderella blushing.
He was leaning to kiss her when, suddenly, the sound of broken glasses echoed throughout the house. Charles and Cinderella immediately run to their son, who was playing with Patch. Cinderella grabbed the toddler, while Charles unsheathed the sword.
'Stay behind me no matter what.'
'Oh, Charles...'
'Don't worry, Cinderella.'
They could hear queen Caroline and Mrs. Bloch screaming, while the guards were fighting outside, and Alex defending them in the living room. During the attack, Paulette helped preventing pistols from firing. Nevertheless, two men entered the bedroom occupied by Charles, Cinderella and their son.
'Surrender and no one gets hurt.'
'You cowards!', shouted Charles.
Charles furiously defeated the men with deep stabs in their arms. Then he forced them to confess who was their master. As they persistently denied, Charles threatened to kill them.
Cinderella had never seen such rage in Charles's eyes. She was feeling unwell with all that violence and begged him to spare the bandits. Alex entered in that moment and captured the injured men. By that time the guards had already controlled all attackers, who were tied with ropes and put in the kitchen under surveillance.
Seeing Cinderella shaking, Charles asked the doctors to check up on her, and he sat down looking at the window with the little prince on his lap.
'They won't stop,' said Alex.
Charles nodded, absorbed in his thoughts.
When Cinderella returned, Charles gave her his place and put their son on her lap. They chatted for a while and called everybody to share an announcement.
'Although I can easily put my life in jeopardy, I can no longer allow my family and my friends to face this kind of danger...', started Charles, 'If I return to the Emerald Castle, I will have to become a tyrant, in order to accomplish my projects under these circumstances. Any sign of discord should be eliminated… In this scenario, freedom can become a crime punished by force... I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I could never rule like that'.
'What do you mean?', asked king Lewis.
'I renounce the crown, father,' decided Charles.
Everybody looked at him stunned.
'You cannot do that! You are not the kind of man that gives up easily', reacted Hans, 'What do you think, your majesty?'
'Charles, Cinderella and my grandson's lives lie above the kingdom', replied king Lewis head down.
'I think Charles has done everything he could. This kingdom should be grateful to him,' replied Thomas smiling at Charles and Cinderella.
'Oh, thank you, father,' cried Cinderella.
'If ruling means this constant threat... Oh, I couldn't survive watching Charles dying...', cried queen Caroline.
'Mother...'
'And what about you, Alex, what do you think?', probed Hans.
'It is unfair...'
'Please, Charles, think wisely...', insisted Hans.
'You know I was never attached to power in itself. Moreover, renouncing the throne doesn't mean I will stop serving my kingdom and standing for my ideals.'
Cinderella held Charles's hand and smiled at him.
'I am sorry to say this, but you will never be free, if you stay. They will always persecute you', warned Thomas.
'But...', hesitated Charles.
'Even disguised as a servant you are brave enough to resist and fight a king, in case he destroys what you cherish the most. You will always be a menace to them... inside or outside the Emerald castle...,' added Alex.
Charles looked at Cinderella and the little prince for a while, then he gazed at the window.
'We will move to the Green-Valley kingdom, then. We need to raise him safely, and I've always wished he had a humbler childhood than mine. But… if things go wrong around here, I will return,' decided Charles.
'Oh, Charles…', cried Cinderella while standing up and hugging him in tears.
Then they started to plan. Ideally, the entire family and the closest friends of the royal couple should move to Green-Valley kingdom. However, the journey was going to be tough. They would have to cross mountains, in order to escape the control in the borders. King Conrad, queen Caroline and Hans couldn't walk that difficult track, and Thomas couldn't travel leaving Helène, Catherine and Jeanne in the city. But these obstacles couldn't delay Charles, Cinderella and their son's mandatory run away. Thus, the group was split in two. The young couple and their child would travel with Miss Paulette and the animals, while king Lewis, queen Caroline, Hans and Alex would stay at Thomas's house pretending to be his relatives. Eventually, they could try to run away to Green-Valley kingdom later, but Charles and Cinderella's journey was urgent.
Soon after planning the escape, the group had to change clothes, in order to avoid suspicions. Charles and Cinderella were in the bedroom when he took off his bordeaux garment and his yellow cape and threw it to the fireplace.
'It is strange… I wanted to get rid of them so many times, and now…', confessed the young king, 'Do you think I am a coward?'
'You are the bravest man I've ever known,' replied Cinderella.
Charles caressed her face and Cinderella leaned on his chest, while looking at the cape being consumed by flames.
In the meantime, Alex asked the guards, the doctors and the servants to return to the Emerald castle and inform that the royal family had been attacked and disappeared without leaving any trace. He also told Mr. and Mrs. Bloch to do the same. When the royals were about to depart, Charles insisted in offering them a reward of fifty golden coins, but the old couple persistently refused.
'Thank you very much, your majesty, but we have our lives settled and I think you will need it from now on. Please, keep it,' declined Mr. Bloch.
Charles and Cinderella hugged Mr. and Mrs. Bloch and started bidding farewell to their family.
Cinderella cried on her father's chest and Thomas caressed her hair.
'Please, try to join us, Papa…'
'I'll do my best. Write me once you arrive,' asked Thomas.
'I promise…'
'I am sure Charles will take good care of you. Be happy.'
Cinderella looked at him and put her son on Thomas's lap. In the meantime, Charles hugged his parents and Hans, who was desperately crying.
'I hope to see you before dying', wished the old tutor.
'Don't say such nonsense, Hans. Of course you will,' comforted Charles, 'Thank you for everything you have taught me.'
'Charles, don't forget to meet Conrad as soon as you arrive,' insisted king Lewis.
Charles nodded, yet he seemed not very convinced. He kissed his mother's hand and caressed her face once more. Then the old king and queen said goodbye to their grandchild.
'Please, protect them and take care of yourself, Alex', asked Charles, 'Try to join us. It might be dangerous for all of you to stay. I am also worried with Marcel, Ian, Laura and Nicholas…'
'You can always rely on me,' reassured Alex, 'We will miss you, my friend.'
They hopelessly tried to hide their tears during the hug.
The sun was rising. The vegetation was filled with dew and the flowers were beginning to push their way to the earth, releasing pleasant scents in that early spring dawn. Charles and Cinderella would never forget the smell of wet earth in the moment of departure. They climbed a humble carriage and took Patch, Papi, Chew-Chew and Bingo with them. Miss Paulette insisted in driving and, when the carriage disappeared from the horizon of their family, Hans and Alex, she cast a spell that made the vehicle invisible until night. They never left the carriage, where they slept for a week, until they reached the mountains. Then they took two horses to ride until the tracks demanded only walking. Charles hunted and fished, while Paulette taught them to make fire. They had to slow down the rhythm, because Cinderella was very tired and nauseous. When they stopped, they played with the little boy, who was enjoying the adventure. He only complained when he was fond of a little detail that made him want to stay. Realizing how he was improving his speech, the young parents and the godmother taught him a word every day. Mountain, tree, flower, rabbit, track, apple, cave. He loved every time they found a cave to sleep. Cinderella used to wrap him in a blanket they took with them and the little boy felt asleep clinging to his mother, while Paulette and Charles were surveilling the cave with Patch.
'Go sleep with them, Charles,' insisted Paulette.
'No, you have already watched over us so many times,' refused Charles.
'Don't worry about me. I rest during our breaks,' reassured Paulette.
'I cannot find the words to thank you, Paulette…,' confessed Charles.
'I promised Frances I would always protect Cinderella. I couldn't let you go alone,' told Paulette.
'Thank you…'
'Come on, join them, dear.'
Charles finally consented, entered the cave and sit next to Cinderella, who was tenderly looking at her son.
'I still deeply sorry I have caused all this mess…', apologized Charles.
'Oh, Charles, don't say such a thing. He's loving this trip. I know it is dangerous and that we must be very careful to keep him warm and to prevent colds, but we will overcome this, I am sure,' smiled Cinderella, 'And I am so happy to have you by my side safe and sound.'
Charles intertwined his hands with Cinderella's.
'Remember how we dreamed to visit your family in the Green-Valley kingdom...', continued Cinderella, 'After all, your diplomatic trip become a much more interesting thing.'
'But that meeting was important…', disagreed Charles.
'I know…'
'One day you had everything you desired, and now you are crossing and endless mountain chain with nothing.'
'Have you forgotten how you, inspired by the statues of the fountain in the main square, encouraged Nicholas to forget everything and run away with Laura?', reminded she.
'They didn't have a child and so many responsibilities… I will miss that fountain…'
'Do you regret having said that, Charles?', inquired Cinderella.
'No, despite all', smiled he.
Cinderella leaned on his chest.
'And I am happy to meet Charles, the liar, once more…'
Charles laughed.
'You realized that, from now on, you will have to lie like I do.'
'Oh, no…'
'We will have to hide our identities from everybody, even from our children…,' reminded Charles.
'I am such a bad liar…'
'I will help you…', smiled he.
Cinderella laughed and they kissed.
