10

After Kit's rather jubilant performance of leaving his room in colorful clothing, the palace went into a frenzy. Prudence marched into His Majesty's study to demand just what it was he was up to. Kit was just finishing off the letter of his first decree when she swooped in.

"Ahhh, Prudence!" he cried happily, grinning at her. "I was just about to send for you."

The Royal House Keeper stilled. "Were you now? Whatever for, Your Majesty?"

"The time for mourning is passed, Prudence," Kit declared. "I want the drapes open, fresh flowers in the halls – preferably blue with small yellow accents – and the staff dressed in cheerful colors. Though the season is turning into autumn, I want the colors in the palace to be bright for at least a week. Can you make that happen?"

Prudence simply stared. "Of course I can," she muttered. "But… Your Majesty… has something… happened?"

Kit grinned. "Yes, my dear Prudence, something has. I am going to take a wife!"

"W-What?!" she spluttered. This was the last thing she had been expecting to hear from the new king. "But your father hasn't even been given the full amount of mourning you asked for."

"I asked for nothing," Kit corrected kindly. "I was too grieved to do so. The Grand Duke made that request not I. I say the mourning is over and therefore it is. It is time for a change, Prudence. It's been a while since a Queen has graced us."

Prudence frowned. She'd been the leading lady of the castle who kept things running ever since the late queen's death. She knew the rights to these things belonged to the Queen but she wasn't happy not knowing who would hold the title.

"May I be so bold as to ask who the lady is that has so captured the heart of our king?" she inquired.

Kit smirked and stood, holding up the long piece of parchment containing the royal seal. "This decree will answer that question, my lady. The announcement will be made today in the square, midday."

"And I and everyone else are to be kept in the dark until then?"

"Not everyone," Kit corrected with a smirk, enjoying the fact he was causing Prudence a little frustration. The woman was so fun to tease once in a while. "The Royal Herald, Captain Alistair, the Grand Duke, and you will know before that time."

Prudence's eyebrows rose. "I am to know?"

Kit chuckled as he walked around his desk towards her, carrying the Royal Decree. "Prudence, you are what keeps the castle running. My queen is greatly going to need your help so it is only fair that you know who she is before the others."

A miniscule grin crossed Prudence's face. "Very well, Your Majesty."

The doors to the study opened again and Captain Alistair – now sporting his bright blue uniform – the Grand Duke in his usual black, and the Royal Herald also wearing black entered the room. The Grand Duke and Herald looked confused but Captain Alistair was all smiles.

"I see the Captain has been notified of the change in attire," Kit said in good humor.

"Your Majesty, why are you not dressed in the color of mourning?" the Grand Duke wondered.

"The time for mourning has passed," Kit informed with a bright grin, "And my first decree as King has been made." He held it out to the Herald who took it with curious hands. "Please read it aloud, Nigel," he requested.

Nigel cleared his throat and began, "Know that our new king hereby declares his love for the mysterious princess who wore glass slippers to the ball and requests that she present herself at the palace whereupon, if she be willing, he will forthwith marry her with all due ceremony…" he trailed off, astonished.

Kit had a huge grin on his face as the others stared at him with a mix of emotion. The Grand Duke was trying to contain his disapproval, Prudence and the Herald were shocked, and Captain Alistair was beside himself with happiness.

"Thank you, Nigel," Kit said feeling quite chipper. "I want this declaration read throughout the Kingdom today. Send riders to every town to deliver the news. Nigel, I want you to go to the main square at midday."

Nigel nodded, still slightly stunned. He of course had heard of the woman the king had chased after as a prince at the ball but he hadn't thought she had left such an impact upon him. Prudence was beside herself, unsure how she felt about a princess that belonged to a mysterious kingdom becoming the queen. How was she to help the girl if she didn't know what culture she was coming from? Captain Alistair was merely content, rolling onto the balls of his feet with a deep smile on his face. The Grand Duke, however, was livid.

"You can't do this, Your Majesty!" he protested.

"Grand Duke," Kit said a little forcefully, "need I remind you that the royal seal is already on the document?"

"You haven't consulted with any of your advisors, let alone me!" The Grand Duke pointed out.

"The King has every right to make a proclamation known whenever he wishes," Kit replied. "This matter concerns me personally more than it does the state, Grand Duke, and therefore I have every right to make it into a decree without decisions from men who will not be marrying the lady in question at all."

"But, Your Majesty, these things are usually done through the council."

"Just because it's what's done doesn't mean it's what should be done," Kit replied, smirking as he once more used his princess's words for his benefit. "In this case," he added.

The Grand Duke took a deep breath. "May I speak with you in private?"

Kit motioned for the others to leave. The second the doors were closed he turned his attention solely on the Duke who became a little less formal now that they were truly alone. "Your Majesty, I have already promised your hand to the Princess Celina of Zaragosa! She was waiting until your bereavement term ended before returning to the palace to accept your hand!"

Kit frowned. "Then you have made a grievous error, my friend, for I have always intended to marry the mystery princess."

"But the King –"

"My father's dying wish was for me to marry for love. He told me to find the girl who wore glass slippers to the ball. I am acting on that wish, Grand Duke, for it is not only his but mine."

"But what if you don't find the girl?"

"The proclamation will be read today," Kit said stubbornly. "She'll come."

"And if she doesn't?" The Grand Duke pressed.

"I will not discuss this further," Kit snapped, whirling around. "My father's last words as king of this land will be heeded."

Knowing that he had almost crossed a line, the Grand Duke sobered at once. Bowing, he sighed. "Very well, Your Majesty. Make the decree."

Kit nodded, dismissing him. It took all the dignity of practice and precision for the Duke to leave in a fashionable manner. Kit knew he was upset but he felt his mood would pass. Prudence, Captain Alistair, and Nigel were on the other side of the door, waiting to hear if he wanted to give further instruction. Kit walked towards them.

"Prudence, please see to the things I asked of you earlier."

The woman curtsied, "Yes, Your Majesty," before walking down the hall.

"Nigel, be sure to have the people's attention," Kit ordered. "I do not want a chance for the mystery princess not to hear the decree."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Nigel said with a bow and a smile. Jittery with excitement, he turned on his heel and quickly walked down the hall with the royal decree in hand.

Captain Alistair glanced at Kit. "Nervous, Your Majesty?"

Kit smirked. "A little," he admitted. "Come on, Captain. I fancy a fencing match."

"Something to pass the nerves while waiting for your future bride to come forward no doubt," the Captain rejoined in good spirits.

Kit remained silent, confirming the Captain's words. He really was nervous. Her letter said she would come to him when he said he was ready. Would she really? Or would something prevent her from reaching him? What would he do if she didn't come? The Grand Duke was sure to pressure him into marrying the Princess Celina.

"What will I do if she doesn't come, Alistair?" he asked several minutes later.

The two of them were in a huge room, changing into fencing attire. The other fencers were already in the middle of their practice so the room was devoid of any other listening ears.

"I would have thought you'd have a plan should that be the case," Captain Alistair confessed.

"I haven't thought of anything," Kit admitted. "But I need to for if I don't the Grand Duke will try to coerce me into marrying the princess of Zaragosa."

"She wasn't all that bad for a princess."

"No but she's not my princess," Kit stressed.

The Captain chuckled. "This I know, Kit. Well, if she doesn't come, what information do you have that could help you search her out?"

Kit frowned, thinking hard. There was his theory about the fairy folk but would the Captain scoff? It wouldn't hurt to try. "I have a theory," Kit muttered.

"Oh?"

"Captain, what do you know of the fairy folk?"

Captain Alistair stared. "You're not suggesting that your mystery girl is a fairy? Kit, there will be many who believe you under some kind of spell if that were the case!"

"I'm not under any spell," Kit gently reprimanded. "And I'm not sure if she's a fairy or not."

"Then why are you considering the possibility?"

"Everything I know of her is a mystery. I met her in the middle of the woods riding a horse without saddle or bridal. Fairies treat creatures as equals. She disappeared from the ball due to reasons concerning lizards and pumpkins and things. No ordinary person would associate with things such as these. And then the flowers I found in the tree with the note appeared to be fresh as if picked the same day though the letter had clearly been written right after my father's passing."

Captain Alistair pulled on his white glove, frowning. "Well, she definitely seems different from what one would consider normal."

"Yes but it isn't repulsive," Kit defended. "She's…"

"Enchanting?" Captain Alistair suggested.

"Well, yes!"

The Captain bit his lip. "Kit, though I have no problem with a fairy princess… there are bound to be several people who are very wary of those belonging to that particular race. There are some areas where magic is considered taboo."

"I understand this," Kit replied, frustrated. "But I don't believe my princess has any ill intent."

"Yes, I know, you've said before, you believe she desires to be loved for who she is."

"The people just need to become familiar with her," Kit encouraged. "Once they meet her and see her how I do, they will understand the strength, goodness, and positivity she will bring as queen, fairy princess or not."

Captain Alistair couldn't argue with him there. The people would let their voices be heard. He just prayed that their words would be positive instead of resentful. He wasn't sure if this princess was of the fairy race or not but the way she always seemed to appear and disappear gave him great suspicion that she was. He would reserve his judgments of whether she was worthy of his best friend or not after she acted on the royal summons sure to be read in a few short hours.

Kit and Captain Alistair fenced for nearly two hours before Kit decided to take a break for lunch. He ate alone, being too jittery to eat with the other noblemen and lords. He was halfway through his meal when there was a knock on the door. Kit glanced at the clock in the corner; it was passed noon. His heart flew into his throat and he practically fell over himself as he rose from his chair and ran to the door.

"Yes?" he asked, throwing it open.

The Royal Herald leapt away from the door in surprise. "Wow! Oh, Your Majesty, my apologies. I wasn't expecting the door to open like that."

"Sorry," Kit muttered, regaining his composure. "Please, Nigel, come in."

The herald walked inside and stood in front of the table while Kit returned to his seat his meal now forgotten.

"I apologize for interrupting your meal, Your Majesty."

"Think nothing of it," Kit said with a wave of his hand. "Was the message delivered?"

"It was."

"How did the people respond? Did anyone come forth?" Kit demanded breathlessly.

Nigel had to contain a smirk. The King sure was eager. "The decree was well received, Your Majesty. The people let out exclamations of joy and I have no doubt that everyone will know of the news by the end of the evening."

"But no one came forth?" Kit muttered, leaning back into his chair.

"Not just yet, Your Majesty," Nigel answered, "But the decree has only just been heard. I'm sure when your fair lady has heard the news she will come speedily to the palace."

"I pray you are right," Kit sighed. "Thank you, Nigel."

The Royal Herald bowed before leaving the room. Kit let out another sigh. He no longer felt like eating. His princess could arrive any time. He knew he shouldn't be too upset that she hadn't magically appeared right after the proclamation was read. He needed to give her time. Running a hand through his hair, he realized he probably didn't smell the best as he'd just come from fencing practice. Frowning, he decided to refresh himself.

Ten minutes later he was in the tub, his head leaning against the lip, his eyes staring at the ceiling. He had given the orders that he was not to be disturbed unless someone was bringing news of the mystery princess. What would he do when she arrived? Should he get down on bended knee and declare his love or should he discuss things diplomatically with her and then propose? Should he throw a huge party or have a private evening instead? Should he have a gift waiting for her? What gift would it be? What should he wear?

Kit's thoughts continued to fester in his mind for a solid hour as he soaked in the water until it was uncomfortable. Getting out, he dried off and threw a crimson robe over his shoulders. Now that he was King his man servants had tripled and though he preferred Lance and Henry, he didn't have the heart to turn the other men down who were more than willing to serve him with just as much devotion as they. Pulling on the rope near the door, Kit waited until George and Samuel appeared.

They were older than Kit, men in their forties, with kind countenances and severe loyalty to the royal family. They had both served the previous king for many years and were more than honored to continue that service to the new monarch.

George, tall and thin with bushy brown eyebrows and small brown eyes, bowed to him. "What may we do for you, Your Majesty?"

Samuel, a slightly rotund man with a cheerful demeanor and beady blue eyes nodded encouragingly, displaying his eagerness to serve.

Kit smiled kindly at the two. "Has there been any word?" He hadn't meant to ask that but the question was on his mind.

George contained a knowing smiling as he shook his head. "I know you are eager, Your Majesty, but I'm afraid none have stepped forward just yet."

Kit sighed. "Very well. Samuel, will you kindly bring the documents on my desk to me? George, help me pick out something to wear. I fear I can't think very well at the moment."

Samuel speedily left the room while George walked over to the closet. "Was there a certain style you were leaning towards, Sire?"

"Anything will do," Kit sighed as he walked over to his bed and sat down beside the table displaying the glass shoe, flowers, and note.

"Perhaps something to impress, Your Majesty?" George suggested with a smirk. The king was completely head over heels for this girl and it was somewhat endearing to the servants to see him filled with such longing for love.

"That would do," Kit muttered, distracted.

George lightly chuckled as he pulled a handsome dark green jacket, white undershirt, and black breeches from the closet and a marigold cravat from a drawer. Kit changed into the attire without really paying attention to what it was he was dressing himself in. George tied his cravat and helped him slip into the jacket before retrieving a pair of shiny black boots for him to wear.

"Thank you George," Kit muttered, still staring at the glass slipper.

George shook his head, smiling as he remembered what it was like falling in love with his own wife. Kit was acting the same way he had and it was kind of euphoric to see. He hoped the mystery princess would arrive soon before the king went into an even greater fit of sighs and dazed expressions.

Samuel returned with the documents and set them on a small desk next to the window. Thanking them both for their service and once more requesting not to be disturbed unless there were news, Kit walked over to the desk and tried to distract himself by poring over forms that needed his approval.

Time continued to tick by and with each passing hour, Kit's heart fell another fraction for none had knocked on his door. "Where could she be?" he wondered aloud, getting up from the desk and walking to the windows. Leaning against the wall, he stared out at the setting sun. The landscape had been painted a magnificent shade of red and orange from the glowing orb and the beginnings of evening were fast approaching from the east. The palace gardens were open before him, the fountains below flowing with a steady stream of cool water.

"Perhaps she will not come today," he mused. "Perhaps she has to travel so far that she will be delayed until tomorrow?"

This hope had to be reiterated several times as the day continued to press into night. Lance and Henry came to his room around nine, worried when he hadn't requested anything for dinner. Kit merely asked for something small to be brought up while Henry helped him into his nightclothes. Both servants continued to silently worry as they left him alone once food had been brought.

Kit ate the salad before him without really tasting it, his thoughts clouded with worries and doubts he didn't dare voice aloud to anyone. She had said in her letter that she had not forgotten about him, that she would come when he was ready. Surely she would have heard of the proclamation by now? It had been hours since it was given. Kit was sure it would have traveled through the land and the neighboring kingdoms like wildfire. This wasn't your average piece of news.

Picking up the note she'd left him, Kit read it again. He found it odd that she wrote circumstances prevented her from coming to him before. Was that the case this time? But what could prevent a princess from doing as she wished? Her parents and an overbearing advisor just might do the trick. But this was a royal summons and even if she was from a different country, it would be highly rude to refuse such a request from another royal. It could even bring about ill will and contention between the kingdoms involved. No, even if her parents did not approve, they would have allowed her to come to him even if it was to reject him under their orders.

There had to be another reason why she hadn't arrived. Maybe she didn't want to be found. Maybe she was terrified of entering into a commitment of marriage. If that were so, he desperately needed to see her again to convey his love and assure her that he was willing to wait as long as was needed in order to secure her hand. Maybe by relieving the pressure she would change her mind? But how was he to find her and say these things to her if she were hiding from him?

Rubbing his eyes, Kit flung himself back onto his bed, thinking. A small bit of light from the candles flickered causing the glass slipper to glimmer and catch his eye. Kit slowly picked it up, running his thumb gently across the clear cut surface. It was then that he remembered he'd sent Master Brom's apprentice hunting through the entire land for a glass shoemaker. He'd completely forgotten about it since his father's death occurred right after he'd given the order.

He looked at the clock and frowned. The hour was too late to call upon the Royal Shoemaker. He would have to wait until the morning. But what if Alys had returned empty handed and his mystery princess continued to be elusive? What would he do if it came to that? The slipper was still in his hand when an epiphany came to his mind. The slipper! He could use it to find her! If every maiden in his kingdom tried on the shoe, it was bound to fit someone, surely? And if it didn't, he'd have it travel to the neighboring kingdoms until a match was found. The idea was quite thrilling, actually. Making up his mind, Kit replaced the shoe on his bedside table, blew out the candles, and retired for the night in good spirits hopeful for the morrow.