The Hopeful Slipper
Chapter 7
The Search
The Next Morning
The House of Lady Linda
Despite the fact that she had managed to leave the ball in a very unladylike fashion last night Regina had to admit it had been a wonderful night for her. For just a few hours she had been dressed as a lady and treated like one instead of a servant. When she got him she had practically danced around the kitchen just thinking about the lovely time she had and the fact that a prince had kissed her.
Finding out Mister Adam was the Prince was indeed a surprise too. Although she had suspected he was wealthy she wasn't expecting him to be wealthy enough to be a prince. However, he was still the same man she had met all those weeks ago in the forest. The fact that he had managed to make her feel more alive than she had since her father died made her like him even more.
She remembered how he had kissed her as they sat on the bench in the garden. It had only lasted for a brief moment but it had been wonderful. He was such a gentleman that it made her heart swell. Then afterwards he had begged to know her name. She would have gladly told him if it hadn't been for the fact that the clock had struck midnight just as his father's advisor had entered the garden telling Prince Adam that his father requested an audience with him and her.
Regina wondered how that audience with the King would have gone. Would the King laughed when he discovered that she was just a simple servant girl posing as noble lady or would have he felt bad for her situation and congratulated her for capturing the heart of his beloved son. Would he have welcomed her with open arms or would he have sent her on her way ordering her never to return.
She had spent the following hour after returning home pouring her heart out to her dear little friend Walter who just laid in front of the fire with his paws out in front of him. Although he was a dog and couldn't say anything she knew that he was a good listener and was happy that she at least had someone to talk to about the wonderful feelings that she had. She lamented that maybe she should go back to Prince Adam to explain everything but was unsure how he would react.
After about an hour of lamenting to her dog Regina then decided to go to bed. Pleasant dreams had entered her mind of that night. When she awoke the next morning she hummed a pleasant tune as she started the fire in the fireplace that morning and went about with her morning chores.
It was shortly after nine in the morning when the voice of a very demanding woman distracted Regina from her gardening.
"Regina!" shouted the voice of Lady Linda as she lay on her bed sniffing a vial of smelling salts. "Regina where are you girl."
Regina quickly rushed into the house and up the stairs into her stepmother's bedchamber. "Yes stepmother." she said as she entered the room. Her stepmother was clutching her head with her hands. It was obvious she had a headache.
"There you are you wretched girl. I have been calling you for a long time. Why do you not come when I call." Lady Linda rambled on.
Regina choose to ignore that last comment. "Is there something you need stepmother?"
"Yes I want you to make me a strong cup of tea. I have the most awful of headaches and my smelling salts can only do so much." Lady Linda lamented as she clutched her hands to her head.
Regina nodded to her stepmother and was about to leave the room when both Laura and Isabella came walking into the room slowly. They were still wearing their nightgowns and had dark circles under their eyes. Regina stuck around to see if they needed anything.
"Morning mother." Both Isabella and Laura said in a tiring tone. It was obvious they were too tired to start any sort of argument between them.
"Morning my beauties. Be sure to bring the breakfast trays as well Regina." Lady Linda commented.
"Oh mama. I had the most fitful time trying to sleep. I'm going to assume it was from the excitement from last night. Why I haven't had such a great time in forever." Isabella
Explained as she attempted to sit bedside her mother on the bed.
"Isabella darling do not sit on my bed. Go sit on the chair. I have to much a headache to put up with another person so close to me." Lady Linda snapped at her daughter.
Isabella sleepily nodded and sat on the chair near her mother's bed.
"You know Regina you would have been amazed by everything if you had been there." Laura commented as she took a seat on another chair that was near her mother's bed.
"I'm sure I would have." Regina said with a small smile. Luckily her stepmother and stepsisters didn't notice.
"My girls were indeed a triumph. Had it not been for that lady who was a late arrival I am certain that his highness would have made his choice between my two darling girls." Lady Linda explained as she casted affectionate looks at her two daughters.
"What lady was that?" Regina asked just to keep up the appearance of the charade.
"No one seems to know." Laura said softly.
"He seemed quite taken with her. Almost like he had met her before." Isabella explained before blowing her nose.
"I mean she was striking but she wasn't as pretty as I am. Don't forget my breakfast." Laura commented.
"Of course. I will do it straight away." Regina responded and then quickly left the room with a smile on her face.
"Oh just think mama. We were actually at the palace." Isabella said with a look of awe.
"Where you belong my dears. Hopefully the Prince will make a call for you soon." Lady Linda said with a smile.
"I wonder what the Prince is doing today?" Laura asked.
King Benjamin's Castle
Prince Adam had hardly slept the night after what had happened. He had managed to see the girl from the forest all those weeks again again and she had just vanished once again. Not knowing who she was disturbed him. Whoever she was he wanted her to be his wife. He had begged her to tell him his name. Although she was dressed as a lady he couldn't help but think back to that day in the woods when she was dressed plainly.
Was she afraid to tell him who she was in fear of others knowing. She didn't say a word if she had any family nearby. He remembered her saying that the people who she lived with treated her as well as they could. What did that mean. Did the people she live with treat her cruelly.
The only thing he had of her was the glass slipper that she had left behind. It was a most peculiar shoe afterall who wears shoes made of glass. He smiled as he remembered her comment of saying how comfortable they were.
He was attempted to post that sketch that he had drawn all over the Kingdom but honestly he refrained from doing so mostly because it was personal to him. Also it was because he was worried that if someone who knew her saw it they would most likely find a way to do away with her which would result in making it even more impossible to find her. There had to be another way to find her.
So here he was the next morning sitting in the library with his father, the Lord Chamberlain Candy, and the rest of his father's advisers who looked like they were all going to fall asleep from the events of the night before.
"Son you have to face the facts. You do not have a clue who this girl is. She arrived anonymously and left the same way. You don't even have a clue that she truly does exist." King Benjamin explained.
Prince Adam glared at his father as he paced around the room. "Father I know she exists and I have to see her again. I would have gotten her name if it hadn't been for that idiot over there who scared her off." casting his glare over at Lord Candy.
"Your highness you can't blame me I was only doing my job." Lord Candy said feeling slightly offended.
"Adam don't pick on the poor man he was only doing his job. Besides Sir Roy Coffee and Sir Clem Foster are in charge of our police force. They might be able to find something out." King Benjamin explained.
"Father no offense to Sir Roy and Sir Clem but our policeman couldn't find a missing haystack if they tried." Prince Adam grumbled.
"Hey it's not our fault. It's so hard to find good help these days." Sir Roy Coffee complained as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Besides the only proof you have of her existence is the glass slipper that she left behind. Which is actually quite out of the ordinary because who wears shoes made out of glass. It's also a very tiny shoe about half the size of your mother's. If you want my opinion, I think you should just marry one of the Princesses from the ball and call it good." King Benjamin explained hoping his son would get the notion to put an end to all this arguing.
"Father I did my part last night with those girls and they were as dull as they came. This girl was different from the others. I don't know what I will do if I never see her again." Prince Adam explained as he pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers.
Sir Joseph and Sir Eric had been silent for most of the meeting but however along the way they had thought of something together. Now they only hoped that no one would make fun of them for this plan.
"Your majesty and your highness. Eric and I have been doing some thinking and since the only clue this girl left behind was her shoe we thought maybe it would be best if we could use the slipper to find her. By that we mean we try the slipper on every girl on the Kingdom and the one who fits that slipper is the girl who Prince Adam can marry." Sir Joseph explained.
Prince Adam's eyes nearly lit up at the idea "Joseph that is the most brilliant idea I have ever heard of. Father with your permission of course I would like to take myself along with Sir Joseph and Sir Eric throughout the Kingdom to every house to have the young ladies try the slipper. Whomever the slipper fits that girl will be my bride. I hope you can abide by my demands." Prince Adam explained.
King Benjamin sighed. "Adam you may do as you wish. However, I do not want you to be disappointed if you come up empty with this search. Go about searching the Kingdom but do it wisely."
Prince Adam nodded. "Of course father. Come on Joseph and Eric we shall fetch Hank and head to the stables to mount our horses."
Prince Adam took the glass slipper and left the room with Sir Joseph and Sir Eric. Lord Candy watched as they left the room with a worried look on his face.
"Your majesty you must think of what he is doing. Suppose he doesn't find the girl. What are we going to do? I mean should we actually let him go through with this?" Lord Candy asked the King.
King Benjamin held up his hand to the advisor before he began. "Candy let him do what he wants for right now. However, I will tell you this if he doesn't find the girl or if the girl isn't up to our standards he will be marrying one of those Princesses from our list."
And so Prince Adam along with Sir Eric, Sir Joseph, and Hank made their journey throughout the houses in the Kingdom of the Ponderosa. Each house they went to they had the young ladies try on the shoe. Every girl who tried it had no luck because their foot was too big.
This event went on for nearly a fortnight with no luck. By the end of the second week they were down to a few houses and they would soon be out of luck. Prince Adam was starting to get discouraged but he remained hopeful that something good would come out of it. On the morning of the second week Prince Adam sat in the dining room eating breakfast with Hank, Sir Joseph, Sir Eric, and Sir Griff.
"It's been nearly a fortnight I have seen her last. What torture love can be." Prince Adam sighed.
"Adam you need to face the facts. We are running out of options. You know what she looks like. I think you should start showing that sketch around. You never know someone might know her." Sir Eric suggested.
Prince Adam set down his spoon before beginning. "I have thought about that Eric but at the same time I can't help but feel that maybe there is someone who doesn't want her to be with me. If I did that someone would try to sneak her out before I attempted to see her again."
"Oh course forgive me for being so forward." Sir Eric apologised.
"No forgive me. This is starting to become a loss for me. Tell me Hank have you seen the Lady Abigail lately?" Prince Adam asked his companion.
"Yes I have. What torture love is. If only my father had been a chancellor her ladyship would be a proper wife for me." Hank said as he stared down at his food.
Prince Adam took this as an opportunity to exercise his power as a prince and he stood up from the table."Hank I should have done this a while ago but never got around to it. As prince I do have the power of promoting anyone who pleases me. Now Hank stand up and kneel before me."
Hank who was confused by the whole matter did what he was told.
Prince Adam cleared his throat and pulled out his sword and tapped Hank on both shoulders. "Hank I dub you as a knight of the realm. With this you are now able to claim the hand of the Lady Abigail. You may arise Sir Hank."
Sir Hank stood up from the ground. "Thank you, your highness."
"Your welcome. Now go see your lady and tell her how you feel." Prince Adam told him.
Sir Hank thanked him once again and then left the dining room in search of his love.
"Adam that was a really thoughtful thing to do." Sir Joseph commented.
"It was. However, I am now without a companion at arms." Prince Adam explained he then glanced around the room and saw a servant boy with brown hair clearing the table. "What is your name boy?" He asked.
"His name is Andy Walker your highness." Sir Griff told him.
"Can he not answer for himself." Prince Adam asked.
"It's not his position to do so your highness." Sir Griff explained.
"Oh of course. Andy I shall be promoting you to my companion at arms. You'll have the privilege of having dancing and singing lessons. You'll need a sword too however you can take mine for now. Griff help him fasten it on him and then you can show him to his new chambers. Come Sir Eric and Sir Joseph we have much work to do." Prince Adam explained. They were about to get up from the table when Lord Candy came in.
"Your highness, we need to talk about the searching you have been doing. Now almost through and haven't found her yet. We need to start discussing your future." Lord Candy explained.
"Candy I already know what my future is and I am going to find it. Now if you excuse me we have work to do." Prince Adam explained as he and his friends left the dining room leaving the bewildered advisor behind.
The searching for today was starting to become a disappointment today as well. No matter where they went each house proved to be a disappointment as none of the girls fit the slipper when they tried it on. It was early afternoon and they were running out of houses to visit and they would soon be disappointed.
"Your highness another day has passed and we have still not found her. We will soon have to give up." Sir Eric commented.
"I cannot give up until I find her. Please tell me who we have left for houses?" Prince Adam asked.
"We have the house of Lady Linda Lawerence The Countess of Chadwick and her two daughters." Sir Eric explained.
"I have heard stories of that woman. She is terrifying but we can only hope that she will not be as terrifying as Lady Elizabeth Sue Hightower." Sir Joseph joked.
Both Prince Adam and Sir Eric laughed at the memory. Lady Elizabeth Sue Hightower was a noblewoman who was as tall as Sir Eric and had a fiery temper. She had been cross when the slipper hadn't fit and then had proceeded to try to get Sir Eric to stay with her to be her husband. It was a miracle that they had managed to get out of there alive. They then started down the path that would lead to the Lawrence house.
Isabella was standing by the window when she saw three horses starting to arrive in front of the house. "Oh mother he's approaching."
"Oh mother and I took like a sight. Laura complained.
"You look fine girls. Remember this is your last chance do not blow it. Regina go down to the kitchen and start cutting the vegetables" Lady Linda ordered.
"Stepmother. Please let me stay I would like to catch a glimpse of him." Regina asked.
Lady Linda's eyes flared with anger before grabbing Regina's arm to lead her to the door of the kitchen. "You do as your told girl. You will stay down there until the Prince leaves." She pushed Regina through the entrance and slammed the door. Locking it.
Lady Linda then composed herself and answered the front door. "Welcome to my home your highness. May I present to you my daughters Isabella and Laura."
"Charmed I'm sure. Let the fitting proceed." Prince Adam explained.
Laura sat down in the chair and slipped her shoe off her foot. Sir Joseph then kneeled down to try the slipper on . Of course it didn't fit because her foot was too big. "Oh mother I won't go on and it's hurting me."
"That's because it doesn't fit you idiot. Get out of my way." Isabella screeched and she pushed Laura out of the chair. She tried the slipper but her foot was too big as well. "You shrunk it you idiot."
"Isabella compose yourself. A thousand apologies your highness." Lady Linda told him.
"Are there any other young ladies in this house." Prince Adam asked.
"There is no one else." Lady Linda told him.
All of a sudden the window to the parlor flung open and Ann appeared with her arms leaning on it. "What about Regina."
"Nonsense." Lady Linda snarled.
"Who's Regina?' Prince Adam asked.
"She's nobody." Lady Linda answered
Prince Adam glared at her. "Madame I have orders to try the slipper on everyone."
"Try looking downstairs in the kitchen." Ann answered and then she was gone.
"Sir Eric please follow Lady Linda down to the kitchen and fetch the girl Regina." Prince Adam ordered.
Lady Linda was terrified that the Prince had ordered the larger man to follow her. She walked to the door that led to the kitchen and unlocked it. She then walked down the stairs with Sir Eric following her.
Regina was sitting in her chair when she saw her stepmother approaching her with a tall man who was following her. Sir Eric paused when he saw the familiar face.
"As you can see she is no one of importance." Lady Linda pointed out.
"Be silent. Miss you have been requested to present yourself to his highness. Please follow me at once." Sir Eric explained.
Regina nodded and stood up. She was about to follow the man when her stepmother spoke up.
"Regina I forbid you to do this." Lady Linda told her trying to be sympathetic.
"And I forbid you for trying to stop her. Who are you to stop an advisor of the Prince." Sir Eric told her.
"I have been a mother to this girl. I know what's best for her. Regina give your mother a hug and don't go through with this foolishment." Lady Linda told her.
Regina looked at her stepmother with dark eyes before speaking. "You have never been and you never will be my mother." she said calmly. She then linked her arm with Sir Eric and she led her up the stairs.
When she got up the stairs she walked into the parlor. Prince Adam was staring out the window while Sir Joseph was sitting in the chair admiring the slipper. Sir Joseph was the first to see her and his eyes lit up in recognition. He got up and walked over to Prince Adam and tapped him on the shoulder. Prince Adam turned around and his eyes lit up and a smile formed when he saw her.
"Tell me your name." Prince Adam asked as he walked towards her.
"My name is Regina Darien your highness. But I must tell you, your highness I am no princess. I have no parents, no title, or dowry. I'm not even sure that slipper will fit me. The only thing I have to live by is hope and kindness. If the slipper does fit will you take me as I am a simple girl who loves you?" Regina asked.
Prince Adam approached her and stopped. His hand reached out to stroke her cheek. "Of course I will. As long as you take me as I am. A rebellious apprentice monarch who is still learning his trade. Please come sit." He then helped her into a chair.
Regina sat down on the chair. Prince Adam took the slipper from Sir Joseph and knelt down in front of Regina. He gently lifted up her foot and slipped off her shoe. He then put the slipper on her foot and it was a perfect fit. He stood up and took Regina hands in his raising her off the chair. He slipped off the bonnet that covered her hair and tossed it aside. He then placed one arm around her waist and the other behind her neck and pulled her into a passionate kiss.
The kiss only lasted for a moment and when they pulled apart Prince Adam rested his head on hers and smiled. "Come we must return to the palace." He spoke to both her, Sir Eric, and Sir Joseph.
As they walked out of the house Regina cast a look her stepfamily. "In my happiness I forgive you all." Prince Adam then placed her on his horse and they rode away.
Lady Linda and her daughters stood by the entrance of the house in shock. "She forgives me. How dare she."
"Oh my goodness." Laura said and then she fainted.
"Laura get up you stupid girl." Lady Linda said angrily. However it was no use as she still remained there. "Montague fetch me my smelling salts."
"Mother, Montague doesn't work for us anymore. You fired him remember?" Isabella said nonchalantly
To Be Continued.
Just to be clear there will be at least two more chapters with more Drama. After all the course of love was never that smooth. See you next time.
