I did it! I finally did it! Ladies and gentlemen, here is chapter 9 at last! I'm really sorry its taken this long and if you're still here after this hiatus, thank you so, so, so, SO much!

Let's get started!

~Chapter Nine~

"Why do I have to wear this coat, Maman?" Adam asked as his mother buttoned up said coat.

"Because this is a very special event where everyone needs to look their best," Cinderella answered, "You want to look your best don't you, mon petit?"

Adam shrugged. "I dunno. I mean, you always say it's what's inside that counts, right?"

"Well... yes, but-"

Just then, Josette burst into the room, decked in a deep green velvet gown with billowy sleeves and diamonds adorned along the collar. Her long, golden hair was covered by a veil of peacock feathers all connected by beads.

"Adam! Adam!" Josette cried as she twirled around, "Look! Isn't it beautiful?!"

"You look... like a bird," Adam said.

Josette crossed her arms. "Well... you look like a leprechaun!"

"The most magnificent bird and most handsome leprechaun in the world," Cinderella assured the children, "You two will be the perfect pair walking down the aisle."

"Merci, Aunt Cindy!" Josette said with a bright smile.

Alycia walked in the room at that time, dressed in the same green bride's maid dress as the princess. "Your Highness, Drizella is ready now. Are you?"

"Yes," Cinderella said, "Adam? Josette?"

The children nodded and followed Cinderella and Alycia to their places. Adam frowned when he saw his aunt in her wedding gown with the feather in front of the pearl circlet.

"What is it with her and feathers?"

The music started and the cousins walked down the aisle to the altar set up by the willow tree, Josette scattering red and white rose petals along the way. Adam could hear people whispering about them.

"Look! Aren't they precious?!"

"Prince Adam is growing to be a handsome lad! His father would be pleased."

"Josette is so beautiful!"

Adam found he preferred the compliments directed primarily at himself and couldn't help holding his head high as he heard them. But then, he was surprised to hear a rather different comment.

"What do they think they're doing putting that orphan girl next to the crown prince?"

Adam glanced at his cousin. It didn't seem she had heard the comment and, even in all his innocence and naivete, he was able to come to the conclusion it was best she hadn't. As for himself, the young prince was confused by the comment. Orphan girl? What were they talking about? What did that mean? And what was wrong with walking next to an orphan? Oh well, it probably wasn't that important. At least, it wasn't as important as Charles becoming his uncle.

Meanwhile, the bride had to hold back tears as she walked down the aisle. She was really doing this. The moment every little girl dreams of was happening to her now. Her eyes met that of her soon to be husband and the rest of the world faded away. In his grey suit, he looked almost like a handsome knight. Her knight. As she took her place at the altar, she was so entranced by the groom's gaze that she almost didn't hear the priest begin.

Anastasia smiled as she caught the look Charles gave her sister. She recognized that look. It was the same look Aubin had on their wedding day. She wished Drizella could've been there. But Cinderella had made quite a lovely matron of honor, wearing a simple but elegant pink dress with elbow length sleeves and a little lace around the cuffs and hem. Anastasia had insisted she wear something more grand, being the princess and all, but Cinderella was determined not to outshine the bride. Secretly, Anastasia felt her stepsister still outshined her in that simple dress. She had done the same today, choosing to wear the same light green dress as all the rest of the bride's maids. But she was such a rare beauty that she seemed to steal the spotlight anyway.

Of course, humble as she was, Cinderella did not bask in any attention she may have been receiving. She only smiled as she watched the ceremony proceed and held back a laugh as she noticed her son looking like he was very bored.

"The rings, please," said the priest.

Adam didn't hear, too busy looking down at his polished shoes.

"Adam," Cinderella whispered.

"Huh?" Adam looked up and everyone started laughing as his mother discreetly pointed to the priest. The little prince blushed as he brought the rings up to the couple.

"With this ring, I thee wed," Charles said as he slipped one ring onto Drizella's finger.

Drizella echoed his words as she put the other ring on his finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest said, "You may now kiss the bride."

Charles gently unhooked the front veil from the circlet and placed a soft kiss on Drizella's lips.

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"Give her back, Peter!" Emily yelled as she chased after her older brother.

"You'll have to catch me first!" Peter cried, dangling the rag doll over his head and sticking his tongue out.

Emily kept running after him, but she was no match for the taller, older child's speed. Peter laughed as he noticed Emily was starting to slow down from exhaustion, not paying attention as he bumped into a shelf and knocked over a delicate vase. The sound of sculpted clay smashing on the polished floor echoed throughout the hallway.

"Uh-oh," he said as Emily caught up to him and Prudence and Diane came from around the corner.

"Peter! Emily! What is the meaning of this?!" Prudence shouted.

"It's his fault!" Emily said, pointing at her brother, "He stole my doll and ran off and then while I was trying to get her back, he knocked over the vase."

"I didn't mean to," Peter said, "I just wanted to-"

"That's enough!" Prudence said, "Peter, you don't need to be taking your sister's toys without her permission and neither of you are to be running in the halls for any reason! You're acting like a pair of wild animals! Now I want you both to get a broom and sweep up this mess. I'll be informing your parents of this behavior. I don't ever want to see this again! Do you understand?!"

"Yes, Prudence," the children said in unison before walking away.

"Prudence, you needn't be so harsh with them," Diane said once they were out of earshot, "They're just children."

"Children need to be disciplined, Diane," Prudence said, "If they don't learn now, they never will."

"But you could be a bit gentler," Diane argued, "Like how the mistress is with the young prince."

"Oh Heavens no!" Prudence said, aghast, "Her highness spoils that boy far too much. He's going to grow up thinking he's entitled to the sun and moon."

"Perhaps she's a little indulgent with him," Diane said, "But your rigidness is no way to go about things either."

"I'm no more rigid than my parents were with my brother and I," Prudence argued, "And we turned out just fine."

"If by 'fine' you mean insufferably inflexible and tightly wound, then yes. I'd say you turned out perfect!"

Prudence narrowed her eyes. "Oh, joke all you want. But its for the best. My mother was governess to the most spoiled and unruly set of twins on all the British Isles. Not a shred of punctuality, attentiveness, or gratitude. And then there was father, who went to a university full of revolutionaries that were always questioning society and trying to break tradition. A bunch of spoiled brats who couldn't appreciate all they were given. My parents were determined to see the same didn't happen to us and they succeeded."

Diane sighed. "Prudence, of course I don't want any of the children in this castle to grow up without any regard for rules and regulations. But they also need love."

"If I didn't love them, I wouldn't be strict with them."

"Yes, yes. But you also need to show them some affection," Diane said, "Otherwise they'll only see you as a bully."

Prudence was silent a moment, thinking over what her friend was saying.

"I suppose you're right," she finally said, "I could be a tad bit softer with them."

Diane smiled. "Glad to have that settled at last. Now where were we?"

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Watching all the couples waltz to the small orchestra's music was a bittersweet experience for the princess. She was overjoyed for the newlyweds, but there was a certain someone she wished could be there to see it, a dashing young someone to sway with her to the music as they all celebrated this moment together. Cinderella recalled the grand ball that had taken place after her own wedding and her first dance with Charming as his legal wife. The choreography was very much the same as the night they met, but it was still special in its own way because now they were married. As she'd gazed into his warm, brown eyes, she knew this was the beginning of a perfect life. Her dreams of happiness had finally come true. After more or less being an orphan for nearly ten years, she finally had a family again.

Tears came to Cinderella's eyes as she remembered her fantasies of the two of them raising children together and growing old together. How she wished she could see him again and be held in his strong arms just once more.

She then caught Adam and Josette from the corner of her eye. The two were trying to show off what they'd learned in their lessons but still had a long way to go. Cinderella smiled. She could never stay upset for long with her son there. He had the exact same build as his father when he was a boy, according to the king, and would likely grow to reach his height. But other than that, the princess seemed to see more of herself in him each day. Smoothing out her skirts, Cinderella stood up and approached the cousins, tapping Josette's shoulder.

"Excuse me, mademoiselle," she said playfully, "May I borrow this young man for a while?"

"Oui, Your Highness," Josette said, playing along.

Cinderella knelt down and lifted the small boy in her arms, spinning him around and making him laugh.

"Are you having fun, Adam?" she asked.

"Uh-huh!" he said, nodding, "When are we gonna have the cake?"

Cinderella laughed. "Later, mon petit. After dinner."

"I want cake now!" Adam complained.

"Adam," Cinderella said in a more serious tone, "Patience is a virtue. You'll get your cake at the same time as everyone else."

Adam huffed. "Okay, Maman."

"Papa, Papa!" Josette shouted as she ran up to her parents, "Dance with me? Please?"

"Of course, ma belle," Aubin said as he copied his royal sister in law's actions.

Josette closed her eyes for a moment, just listening to the sound of the orchestra before opening them again and looking at her father.

"Papa," she said, "I want to learn how to play music. Can you teach me?"

Aubin laughed. "I'm afraid I'm not a very good musician. But your mother could teach you the flute, or your Aunt Cindy can teach you the piano."

"Hmm... I think I want to play the violin actually," Josette said.

"Well I'm sure that can be arranged as well," her father said, "We have quite a few talented violinists in the royal orchestra. I'm sure any one of them would be glad to teach you."

"Merci, Papa."

Time went by quickly. Flowers were thrown and toasts were made until, to the children's delight, it was time to cut the cake. The couple had been given an elaborate wedding cake made by Cinderella, Aubin, and the Potts couple. It was seven layers of red velvet and vanilla with green frosting and edible flowers to match the forest theme. To top it all off was an exact replica of the newlyweds on top, standing under a canopy of roses with cupids looking down.

"Its so pretty, Papa!" Josette said as the couple cut the cake, "You always make the best cakes!"

"Merci, cheri," Aubin said, "But remember, I had quite a bit of help from some other talented bakers."

"Whoa!" said Adam, "You made this, Maman?"

"Some of it, yes," Cinderella said with a smile.

Adam was so entranced by the intricate decorating, he almost didn't notice the cake being served. But when he did, he scowled.

"Hey! What about my cake?"

"Don't worry, Adam," Cinderella said, "You'll get your slice. Just wait your turn."

"I'm the prince!" he argued, "I should get the first slice!"

"You're a child. The adults get their slices first."

"But I'm not just any child. I'm a prince!"

"Adam..."

"What?" he asked, annoyed.

"Don't take advantage of your status. Its not nice."

"Je suis désolé, Maman," Adam said quietly in shame.

Cinderella kissed his temple as they waited for their turn.

"Merci, Madame D'Isigny," Alycia said with a wink as Drizella gave her a slice of cake.

Drizella laughed. "You're very welcome."

"Have you gotten used to it?" Alycia asked, moving out of the way slightly so others could have their slice, "Being a 'Madame?'"

"Oh not yet," the bride said as she and her husband continued handing out slices, "But I'm sure I will eventually."

"It'll take a few months at the very least," Alycia said, "I speak from experience."

"Its funny, really," Drizella mused, "My own wedding is the first I've been to since I was sixteen."

"That long?" Alycia said, "Why?"

Drizella shrugged and said, "We were just never invited. I think people got tired of our attitudes, especially Mother's. She would always critique something about the wedding. The clothes, the location, she'd even compare the statuses of the couple."

"Oh dear..."

"Mm-hmm," said Drizella, "She was the proudest and most haughty woman ever seen. But I'd rather not think about that right now."

"Indeed," Alycia said, "The past is in the past. Today marks a new beginning for you."

"Aunt Drizella?" said a small voice.

The bride turned and looked down to see her nephew smiling sweetly, almost a perfect replica of her stepsister as a child.

"Well hello Adam," she said, "Would you like a slice of cake?"

"Oui, s'il vous plait."

Drizella cut a smaller slice of cake and gave it to him.

"Merci," he said as he walked away.

"Adam," Cinderella said with her arms crossed as she approached the table, "Didn't I tell you to wait until it was the children's turn?"

"Oh its alright, Cinderella," Drizella said, "I think its time we start giving the children their slices anyway."

"And he asked very politely," Alycia added.

Cinderella sighed. "Oh... very well. I suppose its not a big deal."

Adam took his slice over to the children's table and sat down between Josette and Alycia's son, Oscar.

"Well?" Josette asked after he'd taken his first bite, "How is it?"

"Its delicious!" Adam said, "Maman is the best baker in the kingdom after all!"

"Don't forget my Papa and Mr. and Mrs. Potts helped too," Josette added.

"Whatever," Adam said.

Josette scowled. "What do you mean 'whatever?'"

"Well," Adam said as he took another bite, unaware of the icing and crumbs falling onto his clothes, "I mean, yeah, they helped with all the easy stuff like the mixing. But Maman did the fancy stuff like picking the flowers."

"I beg your pardon, but I believe it was my Papa who came up with the design for the cake topping!" Josette argued.

"Yeah," Adam said, crumbs falling from his mouth as he spoke, "Like I said, all the easy parts."

"That's far from easy!" Josette shouted, "And stop talking with your mouth full! Its disgusting! Did you forget you're a prince?"

"No I didn't forget! So stop telling me what to do!" Adam shouted back as he threw a fistful of cake straight into her intricately styled hair.

Josette gasped. "Adam! It took hours for my Maman to style that!"

"Well she did a terrible job," Adam said, taking another fistful and aiming at one of her puffed sleeves, "You look better this way!"

"Stop it!"

Oscar giggled innocently at the fight taking place and Adam turned to him.

"Here," he said, giving the toddler some of his cake, "You try."

Oscar threw it, hitting the bodice of Josette's dress.

"Both of you, cut it out!" Josette yelled, her eyes filling with tears.

"Oh come on Josette! Live a little!" Adam said as he then tossed his drink in her face, followed by another fistful of cake from Oscar.

Josette coughed and spluttered before running off in tears, heading straight for the princess.

"Wait!" Adam called, running after her, "Josette it was just a game! Just throw some cake back at me and we're even!"

Cinderella was talking with her two stepsisters and their husbands when they heard the cries of a little girl. As they turned to see the source of the sound, there was a collective and audible gasp.

"Oh Josette!" Anastasia exclaimed, "What happened to you?"

"Adam," she said sniffling, "We-we were arguing and he started throwing his cake at me. And then Oscar joined him!"

Cinderella was immediately taken back to many years ago, when her most prized possession, her late mother's dress, was torn to shreds in a fit of jealousy.

"Adam," she said, turning to her son, "Would you care to explain yourself?"

"It was just a game," Adam said quietly.

"It was not a nice game, Adam," Cinderella said, "Look at how upset your cousin is."

Adam glanced at Josette, taking in how she sobbed into her hands, refusing any hugs from the adults so they couldn't get cake on them. She looked utterly miserable and he had caused that.

"I... I'm sorry," he said, bowing his head in shame.

Normally Adam's guilty face was enough to melt away his mother's anger. But this time was different. Her son had humiliated her niece in a way that was all too familiar and she was not going to let him get away with it.

"I'm not the one you should be saying sorry to," Cinderella said, crossing her arms.

Adam timidly walked up to Josette, her back to him as she let her mother try to clean her hair and dress.

"I'm sorry, Josette," he said.

Josette glared at him for a moment before turning back to her mother.

"I said I'm sorry!" Adam repeated himself a little louder.

"You will have to give her time, Adam," Charles said, "She's still very upset."

"Well then why am I saying sorry now?"

"That's enough Adam," Cinderella said, "We're going home now and we will discuss this more on the way."

"WHAT?!" Adam shouted.

"You heard me," Cinderella said, "Go get your cloak and wait for me at the front door. I'll be with you in a moment."

Adam scowled and stormed off without a word. Once he was gone, Cinderella turned to her niece.

"Josette," she said softly, "I'm so sorry Adam treated you this way."

"Its not your fault, Aunt Cindy."

"Its not like we were any better," Anastasia said sadly as she wiped the last of the cake from her daughter's gown, "There! All gone!"

"And I'm sorry we have to leave so soon, Drizella," Cinderella said to the bride.

"No, no. Its alright," she said, "Do what you need to do."

Cinderella sighed and went after her son.

"Perhaps if we were taken home early for misbehaving we would've turned out better," Drizella said once she was out of earshot.

Cinderella found Adam in his cloak, right where she told him to be. Finding her cloak on one of the racks, she threw it over her shoulders and then took his hand.

"Come."

"So soon, Your Highnesses?" the coachman asked as they approached.

"I'm afraid so," Cinderella said in a tone that made it clear she did not wish to give her reasons.

The coachman nodded respectfully and got to his seat while a footman opened the door for them.

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The ride was silent at first, Adam too afraid to speak and Cinderella not quite knowing what to say. She couldn't believe what her son had done. It could be argued that it wasn't as bad as tearing a dress beyond repair. But looking into her niece's eyes, she recognized the same humiliation and despair she had felt years ago.

"Adam I'm very disappointed in you," she said, "What you did tonight was cruel and, worse than that, you set a horrible example for Oscar."

"But I said I was sorry and she was still mad at me. What's the point in saying sorry if she's just gonna be mad still?"

"The point is its the right thing to do," Cinderella said, "Even if someone isn't ready to forgive you, you ask for it because that's the right thing to do. And eventually Josette will forgive you, but because of what you just said to Charles, its probably going to take her much longer now."

"Oh why does it even matter? Its just a dress! It can be washed!"

"Not right away it can't," Cinderella said, "She still has to wear it the rest of the night and now there are dark, wet spots from where you and Oscar threw cake at her. Josette was very excited about getting to wear that dress and now you've ruined it for her."

Adam was once again overcome with guilt. "I didn't mean to make her so upset. I was just trying to have some fun."

"Well, what's fun for you may not be fun for other people," Cinderella said, "You need to think about how your actions affect others."

The carriage pulled up in front of the castle and the footman opened the door.

"Merci, Monsieur," Cinderella said as they got out before looking to Adam expectantly.

"Merci, Monsieur," he said quietly.

"Back already, Your Highness?" the Grand Duke said to the princess as he and Prudence, arm in arm, crossed paths with the mother and child.

"Yes, Your Grace, unfortunately," Cinderella said, "Adam here has been a very bad boy and will be going to his room now."

"Aw Maman! No!"

"Yes."

Adam hung his head, knowing not to argue with his mother when she spoke in that tone, and followed her as she led him to his bedroom.

"Its about time that child was shown some discipline if you ask me," Prudence said.

"I've never seen her Highness in such spirits," said her husband, "The boy must have done something very bad in order to be punished this way."

"At least she's finally putting her foot down."

Adam wasn't quite tall enough yet to reach his door handle, so Cinderella opened the door for him.

"Now you're to go straight to bed," she said, "No playing with your toys or doodling."

"But I'm not even tired," he said.

"That's too bad. Unfortunately your actions have consequences."

Adam sighed as he changed into a nightgown and then got under the covers before turning to his mother expectantly. "Will you still kiss me good night?"

Cinderella couldn't help but smile as she walked over to the bed and kissed his forehead.

"I love you Adam," she said, "Its your behavior tonight that I didn't love."

"I love you too, Maman," he said as he watched her walk away before remembering something, "Maman?"

"Yes, Adam?" Cinderella said, turning around.

"What's an orphan?" Adam asked.

"An orphan is a child whose parents have died or gotten rid of them. What makes you ask?"

"I heard someone call Josette an orphan today," Adam said, "But that doesn't make sense. Aunt Annie and Uncle Aubin are still alive."

Cinderella walked back to the bed and sat on the edge.

"Adam," she said, "Your aunt and uncle are your cousin's parents. However, Anastasia didn't give birth to Josette. The woman who did give birth to her died and the man that was married to her wasn't able to care for her properly."

"Why couldn't he take care of her properly?" Adam asked.

Cinderella was silent a moment before letting out a sigh. "Adam, there are some things that we have to wait until we're older to have explained to us. This is one of those things."

"Okay, Maman."

Cinderella smiled, gave her son one last kiss, and then left the room. She let out a deep sigh once she had closed the door. What an unexpected turn of events. She knew Adam could be unruly at times, but this was not something she ever would have expected from him. Prudence had warned her that she didn't discipline Adam enough. Was she right? Cinderella sighed again as she walked down the hall to her own bedroom. Perhaps it was time she took a different approach in her parenting.

When she arrived at her bedroom door, Cinderella found Bruno patiently laying in front of it, waiting for her. Upon hearing her footsteps, the bloodhound tiredly raised his head, wagging his tail as he saw his mistress approach.

"Aww, were you waiting for me, old boy?" she asked.

Bruno nodded, wagging his tail faster.

"Oh, you didn't have to do that," Cinderella said with a small laugh.

"Yes, I did, Mistress," Bruno thought.

His time was up. He could feel it in his bones. The bloodhound wasn't sure why his mistress had returned home so early, but in the end he was glad, for he wasn't sure how much longer he had and wanted to spend his final moments with her if he could.

Cinderella opened the door and walked in, Bruno slowly following. She frowned, noticing how weak he looked lately. It seemed his joints were getting worse. She'd have to see about having a veterinary checkup soon. Getting onto the large bed, Cinderella grabbed the book on her nightstand and opened to where she had left off, patting the space next to her.

"Come on, Bruno. Let's cuddle."

Despite the ache in his bones, Bruno hoisted himself up and curled up next to his mistress, laying his head in her lap as she stroked him with one hand. He sighed. This was exactly where he wanted to be, with the wonderful woman who he'd known his whole life. The old bloodhound closed his eyes and the next stroke he felt was from a different hand. It was stronger, but still gentle. It was the touch of a hand he had not felt for many, many years, but that he still remembered oh so well.

I was honestly starting to think I would never get this chapter done. I knew exactly what I wanted to put in it, but just didn't know how to write it out. This is the last chapter taking place at this time. In the next chapter, we're moving another few years ahead. What will have happened by then? How will married life treat Charles and Drizella? Will Adam gain more cousins? Will Lumi find a new girl? Stay tuned to find out.

To quote Wotso Videos: Have a magical day!