Upon being told by Aunt Laurice that everyone has been talking about and recognising Cinderella to be the mysterious eligible maiden whom the Prince chose to dance with all night at the ball, not to mention that some huntsman had finally spotted him coming to the the Bliss family chateau by way of the forest, their royal romance has become the most widely known since the marriage of the King and Queen more than thirty years ago. Just a wave of Fairy Godmother's wand has turned Cinderella overnight into a fairytale Princess and it was all more than what she could ever hope for.
Even Aunt Laurice was not spared from this contagious miracle magic...All her youth, she fell for young men who had never once returned her love and no gentleman has ever pursued her before. She may be plump but she was certainly much sweet-looking and ladylike when she was at Cinderella's age. She was never the fortunate one like all her siblings whom her parents could afford to send to school. Thus, with the little simple math her mother taught her, she has always been the most skillful one when it came to bargaining at the marketplace. Though technically illiterate, she could still write at least three short sentences of greetings and heartfelt confession in every love letter she would send to the guys she used to fall head over heels with. Now, just this afternoon when all seemed nothing beyond the ordinary, who would have imagined her secret admirer sent in her very first loveletter(through the hands of the Prince) and she has been humming and singing her favourite love song ever since...
Cinderella knew all too well to let the mesmerised lady enjoy her happiness and so helped with the chores while Aunt Laurice was dreamy enough to not notice so. When they could finally call it the day, Cinderella spent some moments by herself in the music room. She could still vaguely remember how her 'once' stepmother and stepsisters rehearsed the sweet nightingale tune in here. Coming to the piano and seated herself down comfortably in front of it, she swept her fair fingers over the keys, being careful not to make the slightest of sounds as it was close to midnight. At this hour and this day in particular, she could not manage to get to bed, thinking through all the times she had spent with Andrew and how she has just accepted his proposal...The emotions within her heart were unsettling, and she guessed it could be the unimaginable happiness flooding all over...She sat back a little and closed her eyes, then clasped her hands tight together to say a prayer of thanks. She never knew that God could be this kind towards her and He has given her so much more than she would ever anticipate.
She could hardly contain such brimming gratitude as she opened her eyes again, a little teary from reminiscing over everything. Turning to a little instrument she had brought into this quiet room with her, Cinderella picked up a small flute which Andrew had not forgotten to leave her with before he returned to the castle. She smiled upon realising his cute habit of giving her a special part of his own whenever he became reluctant to part ways with her. This time, perhaps it was because of her refusal to take his mother's engagement ring that he just has to let her keep the most-prized first birthday gift he ever received from her, a silver flute meant for an early child learner in music. Andrew managed to teach her some beginner's basics this afternoon and Cinderella could still recall every bit clearly. Walking over to the window, she was tempted to play a little with it, but refrained due to the late hour of the night. She could only quietly feel its unblemished mirror-smooth surface, a connection with his touch that spoke much deeper than words.
Cinderella could not be more grateful for his love, as she began to imagine how a talented and devoted child he must have used to be...How he listened closely to and obeyed his mother and father...She found herself treasuring him more and more each day...The beautiful gleaming night sky through the window was clearly reflected by the lovely piece of flute held dearly in her hands...Cinderella looked out and up, and true enough, that familiar bright star towards the north which always seemed to appear the brightest during midnight was shining strong and majestically each time she gazed out of her bedroom window...Was it a sign of her Heavenly Father attesting and affirming her miracles and destined love with Prince Andrew?
Megan Lyle: Thanks for all your reviews!