Disclaimer: I don't own Cinderella.
Hi! Many, many thanks for all the interest in this story – it's so encouraging to see as an author. This chapter is actually the first one I ever wrote and is the inspiration for the entire story. I hope you enjoy!
"Captain!" Ella called, hurrying down the hallway towards him.
"What is it, your Highness? Are you alright?"
His eyes dropped to the Queen's slightly swollen middle.
"I'm fine," Ella answered. "Do you know where Kit is?"
"I believe he is in the grand ballroom, can I be of assistance?"
Ella nodded.
"Send for the physician, Rose has been taken ill."
The Captain's face grew serious.
"Right away, your Majesty. Where is the young princess?"
"In her bedroom with Nanny."
"I'll seek out the doctor at once."
The Captain bowed and hurried past Ella, who continued down the hallway towards the ballroom.
"Kit!" she called, going through the doorway and down the same staircase she had once descended to meet her Prince Charming on the dance floor. This time, however, she didn't pause to take in the grandeur of the chandeliers, marble floor, or windows draped in fine fabric. Ella could see her husband across the room with the Grand Duke.
"Kit!" she called again. Kit looked up and seeing his wife running towards him, rushed to meet her.
"Ella, what is it? What's wrong? Are you alright?"
"It's Rose," she said. "She's taken ill."
"Where is she? What's the matter?"
The couple began hurrying towards the main staircase.
"Nanny is with her and the Captain has gone for the physician," Ella answered. "I went in to wake her from her nap when I noticed she was very flushed. She didn't want to be woken and told me her throat hurt. She fell asleep again almost immediately."
Kit felt relief flood his mind – after all, Rose was almost three years old and caught illnesses like any other child – but he didn't slow down.
"Rose has had fevers before," he said. "I'm sure she'll be alright."
"You didn't see her, Kit. I have never seen her so pale and her temperature is much higher than it's ever been before. She was hot to the touch."
The fear in Ella's voice was enough to erase the relief Kit had felt and replace it with worry. Rose was their third child and Ella was a caring, devoted mother who knew to expect and care for simple childhood ailments. Kit had enough sense to know that if Ella was worried, he should be as well.
"Where are Chloe and Amber?" he asked.
"Chloe is still with her tutors," answered Ella. "Although I expect she'll be done soon and Amber is in the stables for a riding lesson."
Kit didn't answer and the King and Queen made the rest of their hurried trip through the palace in silence. When they arrived in Princess Rose's chambers, they found the physician already there and the Captain standing guard at the door.
"How is she?" Kit asked, taking in the sight of the physician bending over his little girl. Chloe and Amber both inherited his dark hair and blue eyes but Rose took after her mother; long blonde locks were strewn across the pillow.
"Your Majesties," the physician said, straightening. "Pray tell, has Princess Rose been acting like herself the past few days?"
Kit nodded.
"She was perfectly healthy last night," he said.
"Hold on," Ella interrupted. "No, Kit, remember she didn't eat much of her supper and she fell asleep before she'd even been put to bed."
"Princess Rose also slept late this morning," Nanny spoke up from behind the doctor. "I was very surprised I got her to sleep for her nap."
"What could it be?" Ella asked the doctor. The physician sighed.
"It is always hard to know with young children," he said. "They can have extreme reactions to very simple problems. This may be nothing more than a case of flu but it could also be something much more serious. She needs to be monitored for a few hours. If other symptoms occur, it could point towards what is the cause of the fever."
"Are you going to stay with her?" questioned Kit and the physician nodded.
"Yes, your Highness."
Kit nodded his approval.
"Is there anything you can do for her now?"
"We will try to bring her fever down," the physician answered. "And if she wakes up, it would be good for her to try to eat something."
Kit nodded again and his eyes rested on his little girl. Rose was a spirited child who was always cheerful; it was unnatural to see her looking so lifeless. Kit was pulled out of his thoughts when the Captain cleared his throat.
"Your Majesty," he said quietly. "Your next appointment has arrived. Shall I send them away?"
"Yes," he said.
"No," Ella objected. She looked at Kit. "I know you're worried, I am too, but there is nothing to be done for Rose right now. I'm sure these poor people have waited weeks to speak with you and it wouldn't be right to make them wait any longer. I'll stay with her and send for you if anything changes. It will do you good to keep busy."
Kit studied Ella for a moment. His wife had barely aged despite having three-soon-to-be four children and was more beautiful today than she had been the day they met in the forest. Their eyes locked on each other and finally he nodded.
"Very well," he said. "When I am through, I will find Chloe and Amber and tell them what has happened."
Kit turned away from his wife and went to the small, child-sized bed. He knelt down on one knee and gently kissed the little girl's forehead.
"I'll be back, sweetheart," he murmured, smoothing back her hair. He stood again and kissed Ella's cheek on his way out.
"Captain," he said once in the hallway. "Stay with them and send for me if anything changes."
"Absolutely, your Majesty."
The Captain went back into the chamber and Ella glanced over her shoulder. He nodded at her and she smiled to say she knew why he was there.
"Nanny," she said. "Can you please fetch compresses and a basin of water?"
Nanny hurried out of the room and Ella sat on the edge of the bed, stroking Rose's hair.
"Rose," she said quietly. "Rose, can you wake up for me please?"
The little girl stirred but her eyes didn't open.
"Rose, the doctor is here to help you feel better."
Rose's brown eyes finally opened and Ella smiled at her youngest.
"There we are," she said. "How do you feel, darling?"
Rose's face screwed up and her lip trembled.
"Poorly, Mama," she said as a few tears slid down her cheeks.
"Now, now," Ella said softly, moving so that she was sitting next to Rose in the bed. Rose clung to her mother and buried her face into Ella's chest. "Don't cry, Rose. You'll be alright."
The words did little to comfort the girl and she continued to sob.
"Shh," Ella mused, rocking gently. She began singing the same song her mother used to sing. "Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, Lavender's green …"
Rose quieted down quickly with the familiar song and she nestled further into her mother's embrace. Nanny returned and Ella took a cool compress and pressed it against Rose's forehead.
"How does that feel?"
"Cold," Rose whimpered. "Stop it."
"I can't stop," Ella said patiently. "This will make you feel better."
Rose muttered something unintelligible and Ella continued her ministrations. After a few moments, she moved the sleepy child to be lying down and readjusted so she was sitting on the edge of the bed again.
Over the next few hours Ella cared for her youngest child while the physician stood in the corner and watched. Kit, true to his word, finished with his meeting and sought out Chloe.
"Papa," she said as he came into the room. "Where is Mama? What's wrong with Rose?"
It was clear that she had been waiting for him. Kit sighed and led his eldest to the armchair by the window. He sat and pulled her into his lap.
"Mama is with Rose," he said truthfully. "And Rose … well, the physicians aren't sure why she is so ill. They are watching her very closely."
"Is she going to die, Papa?"
The six year old's eyes were filled with tears as she looked innocently at her father. It was all Kit had to keep his voice from shaking.
"No, darling, she's not going to die. Come, we need to fetch Amber."
Kit kissed the top of Chloe's head as he stood up. He held out his hand and Chloe, biting her lip nervously, took it and the two of them walked through the palace and out to the stables. They found Amber and the riding instructor leading the horse back to the barn.
"Papa!" Amber exclaimed. "I'm learning to gallop, do you want to see?"
Kit smiled.
"Of course we do."
Amber guided the hose back to the arena and the instructor helped her on. Kit squeezed Chloe's hand, smiling down at her, and then focused on the ring. True to her word, Amber urged the horse from a trot to a canter, and then into a gallop. Once she slowed down, she steered the horse close to the fence.
"That was wonderful, Amber! How did it feel?"
Amber beamed with pride.
"Great. I love going fast."
Kit laughed.
"Come, Miss Amber," the instructor said. "I daresay this horse has earned a rest and you must get cleaned up for supper."
Kit let go of Chloe's hand and met the horse at the entrance to the arena. He lifted Amber off but kept her in his arms, unbuckling the helmet with his free hand. The instructor took it and led the horse away.
"Why is Chloe here?"
Chloe disliked the stables – she was scared of the horses – and only came when she absolutely had to. Childlike reason told Amber something was amiss simply because her sister was at the stables with their father.
"Well," Kit began slowly. "Something bad has happened. Rose has been taken ill."
"Does she have flu?"
Kit smiled sadly.
"I don't know, darling, the doctors and Mama are tending her."
"Can we visit her?"
Kit glanced at Chloe and saw she was also waiting for his answer.
"Not right now," he said. "Rose needs her rest and Mama and I don't want either of you near her in case it's catching."
"But won't Mama get ill if she's with Rosie?"
The terrifying thought crossed Kit's mind but he forced a smile for the sake of his daughters. After all, he knew Ella wouldn't think twice about tending her sick child regardless of what danger it put her in. She had spent many hours nursing the girls and it never seemed to negatively impact her … why should now be any different?
"Mama will be fine," he said confidently. "She's never gotten ill from taking care of you girls."
Amber pondered this and then seemed to brighten up.
"I wonder what's for supper," she said and Kit knew that the four year old didn't fully understand how serious the situation was.
"Let's find out," he answered, setting Amber down. Together, the three of them walked back into the castle.
"Grand Duke," Kit called once inside. The Grand Duke, never far away, appeared seconds later. "Can you please take the young ladies back to their rooms to wash up for supper?"
"Certainly, your Highness," the Grand Duke answered. "Come, my Ladies."
Kit smiled as Amber slid her hand into the Grand Duke's and he hurried past them. Rose's room was silent and sombre when he entered.
"How is she?" he asked, ashen-faced. A tired-looking Ella looked up.
"No change. Did you tell Chloe and Amber?"
Kit nodded.
"The Grand Duke is bringing them back to their rooms to change for supper." Kit looked at the physician. "Do you have any more insight?"
"No, your Majesty," he said quietly.
Kit looked at his daughter again and then his wife. He felt the lump rising in his throat and he turned to the physician.
"Will you please leave us a moment? Everyone," he added.
The room emptied out and once the door closed, Ella sought refuge in Kit's arms. He held her tightly, taking as much comfort from her as he was providing.
"I'm scared, Kit," Ella whispered. "We can't lose her."
"And we're not going to," Kit whispered back, although a tears ran down his cheeks. "We simply need to -"
"Have courage and be kind," finished Ella. She pulled away and looked up at Kit.
"Just so," Kit said, brushing Ella's tears away. "Shall I sit with her for a while? Chloe and Amber would like to see you."
Ella nodded.
"I'll have a supper tray sent in for you," she added.
"Thank you," Kit replied. Ella left and Kit knelt by the edge of the bed. He took Rose's small hand in his and brought it to his lips. Rose's eyes opened a crack.
"Papa?" she asked, rolling onto her side. Kit smiled.
"Hello," he whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear. "How are you feeling?"
Rose shrugged listlessly.
"Where is Mama?"
"She's gone for some supper with Chloe and Amber," answered Kit. "But I'm going to stay with you."
Rose nodded and Kit knew she was already falling asleep again. He pulled the blanket up around her shoulders and then sighed deeply, rubbing his eyes.
"Your Highness?" the Captain asked quietly and Kit looked up and smiled sadly at his friend, the one who had always been there for him. "Can I get you anything?"
"Is there any way to find a magic spell to cure her?" he asked. The Captain looked kindly at his king.
"She will be alright, Sire. She's got the same feisty spirit as her mother."
Kit couldn't help but chuckle because it was true.
"Is the physician still here?"
The Captain nodded and motioned into the hallway. The doctor stood before Kit a moment later.
"Is there any chance that Ella could catch what Rose has? Could it harm her or the baby?"
"There is no way to say, my Liege," the physician apologized. "Until I know what the princess has, there is no telling if it is harmful to those around her."
Kit frowned and looked at his daughter again.
"Nanny and Captain," he said. "I want you to leave. Ella and I do not want to put anyone in danger by having you near Rose."
"With all due respect, your Majesty," the Captain said. "But I will not leave the young lady's side until I know she is better. While it is my duty to ensure no harm comes to the royal family, I must admit that I stay for selfish reasons beyond those of my job title."
Kit, touched by what the Captain had said, looked at Nanny.
"And you?"
Nanny bowed her head.
"I am not leaving, either. Miss Rose is like my own daughter. I would do anything for her."
"Then please," Kit said, motioning to the empty sitting area around the fireplace. "Sit. It will be a long night. I do not want Ella coming back to stay with Rose. Until we know what is wrong with her, I do not want to put the baby at risk."
"Very well, your Majesty," the Captain said. "Shall I send word to her Highness?"
Kit shook his head.
"I'll go," he said, standing. "I will be back shortly."
Kit left the chamber and found his family eating supper and he joined them, though he didn't eat anything. Ella kept shooting him concerned looks but Kit didn't say anything until after Ella had shooed the girls off for their baths.
"What's happened?" she demanded. "Why are you not with Rose?"
"I'm sorry for not saying anything as soon as I came in, I didn't want to frighten the girls. Nothing has changed but I wanted to say goodnight to Chloe and Amber and …" he trailed off, knowing Ella would not like what he was going to say next.
"And what, Kit?"
"I will stay with Rose until we know what is ailing her," he said. "The physician cannot guarantee that there is no risk posed to you or the baby if you tend her and I will not have you put yourself or our child at risk."
"I can't not take care of her!" exclaimed Ella.
"I will be stay with her," Kit replied calmly. "Ella, please let me do this. I want to be as good of a father to her as you are a mother and a loving father would put himself at risk for your sake, Rose's sake, and our unborn child's sake. I can't lose you – Rose, Chloe, and Amber can't lose you, either – so please let me take care of her."
Ella studied Kit's blue eyes intently and finally nodded.
"As you wish," she said. "But please send updates throughout the night. I will not sleep until I know all is well again."
"I promise," Kit said, knowing it was useless to encourage Ella to rest. He wouldn't be sleeping much, either.
"You should get back to her."
Kit nodded and pulled Ella into his arms, kissing her gently.
"I will see you tomorrow, Ella. Tell the girls I love them."
Ella smiled.
"Kiss her for me."
Kit nodded and left the dining room. He returned to the bedroom and the four adult occupants settled in for the night.
The night was uneventful. Kit pulled one of the armchairs from the window next to Rose's bed and sat vigil, replacing cool compresses as Ella had done. The sun was just beginning to rise when Kit blinked tiredly. He realized he must have dozed off and his eyes fell again on Rose. At first glance, it looked like there had been no change but then he looked more closely. The little girl's nightgown had shifted during the night and Kit could see a rash covering the back of her neck.
He leaned forward and moved her golden curls.
"Doctor," he said loudly and, in the background, Nanny and the Captain stirred in their seats. The doctor hurried over.
"Look at this," he said, showing him the rash. The physician smiled and Kit looked puzzled. "What is it?"
"It is the sign we have been waiting for, your Majesty," he said. "Princess Rose is suffering from scarlet fever."
"Is it dangerous?"
"It is serious," the doctor admitted. "But I daresay Miss Rose has had luck on her side. The fever should break within the next twenty-four hours but the rash, unfortunately, will spread before it begins to disappear. However, I think Miss Rose will make a full recovery."
"Is it contagious?"
The doctor nodded.
"Most children, if they do not have it by age ten, will not contract it at all. Adults rarely come down with it but Misses Chloe and Amber should be kept at a safe distance."
"What about Ella and the baby?"
The physician thought for a moment.
"If her Highness was not with child, I'd say she could nurse Miss Rose without fear but I would advise she also stay a safe distance until the disease is no longer contagious."
"How long will that be?"
"About five days."
Kit nodded.
"Captain," he said. "I need you to clear my appointments for the next five days. Ella will want to be here but the best I can offer her is my around-the-clock attention for Rose."
"Very good, your Majesty."
"Also send word to Ella," Kit added. "And tell her of the diagnosis."
The Captain nodded and left the room. Nanny left to fetch a tea tray.
"May I please have a moment?" Kit asked the doctor, who nodded. Once he was gone, Kit moved to the edge of the bed and carefully picked up Rose. She curled into his chest and he kissed the top of her forehead.
"Papa?" she mumbled and Kit smiled.
"It is I," he answered. "But close your eyes, sweetheart, and go back to sleep. You're going to start feeling better soon."
"What's wrong with me?"
"You have something called scarlet fever," answered Kit. "And it means that Mama or your sisters can't come near you for a few days but Nanny and I will be here for every moment."
"I love you, Papa," Rose said quietly, nestling her head against Kit's chest. Kit held on tightly to her and he felt tears come to his eyes.
"I love you, too."
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