25
Kit stood in his private study, his eyes focused on the palace grounds displayed before him through the windows. He'd sent out the royal decree this morning concerning the matter of the new royal changes in staff as well as the official announcement of his engagement to Ella and their wedding day. Last night at dinner, he and Captain Alistair answered all of Peter's questions concerning his new position; his wife Jane was not present, still being sick with fever. Peter assured them that it was nothing serious, just a slight illness the doctor surmised would be overcome in the course of a couple days. Ella had been fairly quiet through all of dinner but that was because she was listening to Kit and Alistair's answers with just as much rapture as Peter. The adorable thing was trying to learn as much as she could. She really was an overachiever. Again she had eaten very little but Kit had been told by the royal physician that it would take a few weeks for Ella's eating habits to change. He suggested pushing her every few days to eat a little more so her stomach could slowly expand and Kit had done so.
Thinking of Ella, Kit wondered when she would arrive. He'd spoken to her instructors the other day about treating her better, listening to her opinions, and being open to try different things. Today had been the start of those newly refined lessons and he was eager to learn how they went. He glanced at the clock. Ella should have finished her morning lessons by now. Where was she?
Just then there came a soft knock on the door and Kit's face broke into a large grin. Striding to the door, he pulled it open and there she stood; his angel. Her outfit was positively stunning, a gown made for a queen. The bodice and skirt were bright yellow, a cerulean blue sash wrapped around her waist separating the two. Exquisite embroidery in the same blue climbed from the base of the skirt up towards the waist, the floral pattern decreasing into points, the spaces between each about a foot apart. A sapphire necklace and tear drop earrings – his gift to her for today – decorated her neck and ears. Part of her hair had been pulled up into a little bun while the rest trailed freely about her shoulders.
"Ella," he said fondly, pulling her into a sweet embrace. "You look lovely."
"Thank you," she smiled.
"How were your lessons? Did the instructors treat you better?"
She nodded. "They did. They promised they'd try their best to listen to my opinions and debate over who was right and who was wrong."
"And did they?"
"Yes!" she answered happily. "It was actually kind of fun."
Kit smiled. "I'm glad."
Ella's eyes lit up as a small laugh escaped her. "I just noticed... we're matching."
"What?" Kit asked.
Ella giggled. "We're both wearing yellow and blue. Was that planned?"
Kit blinked before looking down. Indeed they were matching, he wearing a blue jacket, yellow cravat, yellow vest, and white pants – the jacket having yellow embroidery on the cuffs and collar. "I think the servants schemed this," he muttered, amused. "I don't blame them. We are introducing you to the nobility today and what better way than to have the two of us sporting the colors of the royal family?"
Ella swallowed; her nerves apparent on her face. "I do hope I don't embarrass you."
Kit gently took her hand and kissed it. "You could never do such a thing."
She smiled gratefully at him before stepping into the room. "I'm the first to arrive then?" she asked when she found the room empty.
"Yes, which is partially laughable since women tend to wear more layers than men do," Kit chuckled as he followed her inside.
Ella grinned. "It is reasonable for them to be late. They are having to dress differently than they are used to. I know how they feel…" she trailed off quietly. "They must be nervous. The state of your dress speaks volumes you know."
Kit looked upon her before coming up from behind, sliding his hands over her hips. "For what it's worth, the first time I saw you what spoke to me was how lovely you were. I cared very little about what you were wearing then because you captivated me with your words. You may now be wearing a very attractive dress, Ella, but what makes you who you are is what's inside."
"Words of wisdom, Your Majesty."
Kit turned around to find the new Grand Duke staring at the pair of them with amused eyes. He sported a lovely olive green jacket embroidered down the center in fine black thread. A lovely white sash crossed his chest, the star of the Grand Duke resting over his breast, the tail ends of the sash tied together against his hip. A lovely sword rested against his other hip, black pants and boots covering his legs.
"You look superb, Alistair!" Ella complimented, smiling widely at him.
Kit could tell his old friend appeared a little nervous but tried to hide it in his smile as he expressed to Ella his gratitude. Another pair of boots walking against the polished marble floor caught Kit's attention and he looked over to see Peter coming into the room. If Alistair was nervous, it was nothing to the state of terror Peter now displayed. The poor man showed his feelings like an open book, his discomfort apparent in his averted gaze and tugging hands on his new uniform.
Kit admitted to himself that it was going to be hard not addressing Peter as Alistair since the man now wore the same outfit he'd always seen Alistair in. Even though he appeared uncomfortable, the blue uniform fit Peter well.
"Peter," Kit greeted with a smile, "How are you feeling?"
"Like I might destroy your rug, Your Majesty," he replied honestly. "My stomach has been churning something awful the last half hour."
"You'll grow into your new role over time," Ella soothed, speaking as one who was currently going through that herself. "You look rather charming though."
"Thank you," Peter replied, swallowing painfully.
"Nigel should be returning with news from the town any time now," Kit muttered. "We'll learn of the people's response concerning your changes in status. Hopefully it will be a positive one."
"We know that they will definitely approve of the future queen," Peter said kindly.
Ella remained doubtful. "Even knowing I am not of noble birth in any way? The original declaration stated the king would marry the mystery princess but I don't hold that title."
Kit squeezed her hand. "Ella, they'll love you no matter what."
She sent him a smile but it didn't reach her eyes. Kit was going to say more when the door opened after a distinctive knock, announcing Nigel's presence. His face remained neutral until all eyes were upon him and then a light grin split his face. "The people rejoiced over the news, Your Majesty, particularly concerning your marriage to the Lady Ella Ezzell."
Kit filled with elation as he turned to find Ella smiling just as happily as he, relief in her eyes. "I told you there was no reason to fret," he chuckled, pulling Ella into an embrace and kissing her right in front of the other three men. Ella allowed a small embarrassed smile to climb her cheeks as Alistair cleared his throat a little. Kit wasn't in the least bit embarrassed.
"Thank you for bringing the news, Nigel! Let's celebrate!"
"But not too much," Ella suggested, "since tonight we have a huge party to attend to."
"Ahhh yes," Kit sighed in mock displeasure, "The stuffy nobility that demand to be introduced to you even though all of them saw you dance with me at the ball."
Ella smiled. "Be kind."
"I'll try, darling," Kit responded, kissing her cheek.
"Besides, they may have seen you dance with me but neither of us lingered. I spoke to no one but you that night – and your father when I bumped into him in my haste to get away."
Peter cleared his throat. "If it is not too much to ask, why did you run that night Lady Ella?"
Kit glanced at Ella who shifted uncomfortably. Neither of them had really discussed explaining what happened that night. Alistair knew but the discussion of magic was something they weren't sure they should make known to the people.
"Um… you see…" Ella began but faltered.
"She couldn't stay," Kit hedged, faltering as well.
"You don't have to keep it a secret if you don't want to," a woman shrilly put in behind them.
A collective gasp rang out as everyone spun around. Munching on an apple behind Kit's desk was Rhoswen, her whole person giving off a faint glow, her dazzling smile and twinkling eyes displaying her inner happiness. Peter and Alistair immediately became defensive but Ella surprised them all by letting out a squeal of delight.
"Fairy Godmother!" she rushed around the desk just as the woman stood to take her hands. "It's so good to see you!"
"My darling Ella, you look superb," Rhoswen complimented. "It is good to see Kit is taking good care of you. If I'd found you otherwise, he would have been turned into a toad before he knew what hit him."
Kit chuckled nervously, shuffling his feet. Ella came to his defense. "I pray you never do such a thing, no matter what he does, Fairy Godmother. Nobody deserves to be a toad."
"I can think of someone who does," Rhoswen countered with a soft smirk, "but your beloved took care of them already."
Ella shook her head with an exasperated smile. "Fairy Godmother…"
Alistair shuffled forward and whispered in Kit's ear, "Um, Kit? Care to explain how a woman magically appeared in your study?"
"Oh, yes, how rude of me," Rhoswen cried, hearing the Grand Duke's question. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ella's Fairy Godmother but you can call me Rhoswen if you'd like."
"Fairy Godmother," Peter muttered, taking a step forward, intrigued. "You're a fairy?"
"Last I checked, yes," Rhoswen smirked. "Don't worry, dear, I'm used to seeing men with dangling jaws."
She glanced at Kit who openly laughed. "You can't blame me," he defended, "You transformed from an old woman to your true self before my eyes without warning."
"You've met her before?" Peter asked curiously.
"Yes," Kit replied. "Rhoswen has been weaving her magic in many ways to help Ella and I find each other."
"And you two have been a lot of work!" she put in.
"We're sorry you've had to go to such lengths," Ella apologized.
The fairy waved her hand. "No need for that, dear. It was positively thrilling to help you get to the ball that night and sow the seed into the king's mind to join the search himself."
To answer Peter's confused expression, Ella quickly explained, "The night of the ball, my stepfamily tore up my dress and refused to let me come. My Fairy Godmother appeared after they left and used magic to transform my dress into what you saw me wearing that night. She also made a pumpkin into a carriage, changed the mice into horses, the lizards into footmen, and Mr. Goose into a coachman. But there was a catch. The spell would end at midnight."
"Thus my beautiful princess ran off before I could get her name and refused to stop even when I chased after her," Kit put in.
"But why did you run?" Peter wondered, enthralled by the tale. "I'm sure His Majesty would have accepted you even if he saw the spell wear off."
"I would have," Kit admitted. "But Ella's stepfamily…" he broke off, unwilling to continue.
Ella put a hand on his arm, courage in her eyes. "It's alright. Peter can know."
Kit searched her face. "Are you sure?"
Ella nodded before turning to Peter and admitting, "I left because I didn't want to be discovered by my stepmother. She would have beaten me if she had and I'm sure it would have been most severe for she would have known it was I who stole the prince without giving her daughters a chance for his hand."
"Like they had a chance," Kit muttered.
"Horrible woman!" Rhoswen snapped. "If I wasn't satisfied with her fate, I would have turned her into a cockroach!"
"You were beaten in your own home?" Peter asked, outraged.
"It's over now, Peter," Ella comforted.
"And it will never happen again," Peter replied fiercely. "I swear on my life I'll do everything I can to protect you. Sire, I suggest we appoint a special guard for the queen."
Kit thought about this, nodding after a moment. "I find that would be a good idea."
"I don't want to be surrounded by an army every time I wish to go somewhere," Ella said fiercely. "That would be too confining."
"I agree," Rhoswen put in. "We women need to be able to move about and we can become rather fierce if kept in a cage."
"But it wouldn't do to allow the Lady Ella to wander around without protection," Alistair stated. "She is now a potential target for any who has ill will towards the king."
"Who feels this way?" Ella asked, looking at Kit with disbelief that any would consider him an enemy.
"There are always men against the crown, Ella," Kit sighed. "Some even harbor ill feelings without a specific reason."
Ella frowned. "That's deplorable."
"It's sadly fact. Ella, I know you may not like it but it would bring me peace of mind if you had men with you when you venture out into town."
Her eyes widened. "You mean, I can leave the castle whenever I wish?"
Kit smiled. "Of course. That was one of the things bothering you, was it not? I don't want you to feel like a prisoner. If you want to leave the castle, you should have every right to."
"So long as I have a royal guard with me," she guessed a little unhappily.
"Yes," Kit admitted. "I don't even venture out without an escort." Alistair coughed. Kit rolled his eyes, amending, "Except for a couple of times when I have acted irrationally," knowing full well Alistair was hinting to the time after his father's death when he'd left the palace and headed into the woods.
Rhoswen put a hand on Ella's arm. "I suppose I need remind you that the magical community is also watching over you?"
"You are?" Ella wondered, intrigued.
"Of course," Rhoswen laughed. "We're not allowed to get too involved but in the darkest of times, we'll appear when you need us."
"That actually puts me at greater ease," Kit admitted.
"I feel the same but I still think a small group of our most devote men should be assigned as Lady Ella's bodyguard," Peter supplied.
"I agree with this," Alistair said with a firm nod.
"Ella?" Kit prompted.
Letting out a sigh, she smiled. "Oh, very well. But I don't want too many men watching over me when there are other more pressing situations they need to devote their time to."
"Ella, don't think you're worth is so miniscule," Kit gently chided, "You are the most important person in this kingdom."
She frowned. "I can think of several who fit that description better than I."
"That's because you have yet to see what the rest of us already do, darling," Rhoswen said with a kind smile.
"I shall see to it that a small number of men are chosen, my lady," Peter assured, "so you do not feel overwhelmed. If it would ease your mind, I'll even allow you to sort through the candidates and choose whom you wish to have watch over you."
Ella's frown deepened further and she looked at Kit, unsure of what to say to that. Kit stepped in. "If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll help you choose."
Ella's fear lessened. "Is that alright?"
Kit smiled. "Of course, darling."
"Right, now that that's settled," Rhoswen muttered, cricking her neck, "I'd best be off. Oh! I almost plum forgot! Ella, Kit, if you desire to tell the people of the involvement of magic, you may do so. The fairy guild has decided that it would be a lovely way to promote our existence. Even though we wish it understood that this doesn't mean we are going to solve everyone's problems. If you do share your story, please make it abundantly clear that our work among mortals takes place only when the greater fates allow it."
"We'll be sure to pass along the message," Ella promised while Kit nodded.
Rhoswen sent her most dazzling smile their way. "I know you will. Take care, my darling. I'll visit again soon." She turned to Kit and winked. Kit tried to hide his smirk as she walked passed them towards Peter and Alistair. The two men took hesitant steps backward, unsure of what she might do. Rhoswen stopped before them. "Hmmm, you both possess kind souls," she commented. "I can trust Ella in your care when I am absent. I pray you won't disappoint me."
Peter and Alistair both hastened to assure her.
"We wouldn't dream of it, my good lady," Peter replied.
"She is meant to be cherished," Alistair added.
Rhoswen chuckled. "No need to be so wound up tight, gentlemen. Not all fairies turn people into toads. I'm sure in years to come you'll find I'm not something to fear. Take care of my girl."
And with that the fairy walked past them towards the door, her light laughter echoing around the room as she disappeared in a wisp of vapor.
Peter and Alistair held similar expressions of disbelief. Kit, however, caught Ella's eye and the two laughed.
"I think we should expect to have surprise visits from now on," Kit chuckled.
"A wise assumption," Ella agreed, laughing.
Next up: Ella and Kit travel to the Ezzell estate in search of bluebirds... and things get a little steamy. :)
Oh, and the chapter is going to be a long one! :D To all of those who have requested a little bit of hardship for this wonderful pair, I can tell you there may be some in the near future. Don't worry; it won't be anything too serious. Reviews are love!