As Charles defeated Zaral and his assistant Blade, who rolled down the main staircase, Cinderella stared at him from the green galleries upwards. Then Alex reported the king and queen were safe. She couldn't believe her eyes.
'I must be dreaming... How can it be that my Charles is actually the prince of Emerald castle?'
Charles turned around and stared at her from the stairs.
'But I saw it with my own eyes...'
Charles' tired and stern expression suddenly lightened up.He smiled and invited Cinderella to join him, but she bid him goodbye and ran away while he called her several times. As she vanished into the gallery, he climbed the stairs, crossed the gallery, and pulled out the green curtains. He eventually found her lost in that corridor, ran to her, and put his hands on her shoulders.
'Cinderella, please, stay. I need to talk to you…'
'I'm sorry, your highness, but I must leave, or my stepmother will punish me', replied Cinderella.
'Don't call me "your highness". I'm Charles. Please, just let me…', insisted he.
'Please, leave me', she squirmed as he pulled her against him.
'Cinderella, please, I know you don't want to leave', asked Charles.
'I am very grateful for everything you did for me. I truly am, but that's all. I am sorry if I implied something more', apologized Cinderella, 'Please, don't follow me, don't visit me. Just leave me alone.'
Charles widened his eyes and faced her.
'You are not telling the truth. Look into my eyes', asked Charles.
Cinderella avoided him for a while. Then she gained strength to look in his eyes.
'With all due respect, I find rather unfair to hear that I am not telling the truth', replied Cinderella.
Charles widened his eyes and looked down. They stood there for a while without saying a word. In the meantime, Alex, the soldiers, the king and Hans, Charles' tutor, were calling for him.
As all those voices increased, Cinderella closed her eyes and squirmed. She released herself from him and ran away as faster as she could. When she arrived at the entrance, she headed towards her carriage and found Marcel in the way.
'Oh, you must be so happy!', exclaimed he, 'You're going to be our princess! No, you will be our queen!'
Cinderella burst into tears and closed herself in the carriage. Marcel widened his eyes, feeling awful about his remarks. Perhaps Charles was not that in love with her as it seemed. Perhaps he was too naive to think that a Crown prince would marry a girl dressed like a servant. Perhaps she was in shock. Something wrong should have happened there in the castle.
Despite his attempts to chat with her, Cinderella refused to talk. Then he hopped into the driver seat and took her home.
'A revolution!?', Richard and Snow White exclaimed in surprise.
Charles smiled, whilst Cinderella was absorptive, and king Conrad pondered. The five were gathered in the secret passage of the castle where Charles used to meet his uncle.
Conrad was listening carefully and remained silent for most part of the conversation. Richard and Snow White showed some apprehension, whilst Charles spoke confidently with sparkling eyes. Cinderella struggled to keep a strong mask through all the meeting. She totally supported urgent action. Yet she was crying inside at the thought of Charles' imminent departure.
'I am not sure if this is wise...', feared Snow White.
'Who is behind this?', asked Richard.
'Mainly university students and some hard-working people with the support of influent, progressive aristocrats', replied Charles.
'Catherine's husband, I mean, one of my brothers-in-law is among them', added Cinderella.
'Alex started to attend the meetings to get to know them and their intentions better', added Charles, 'He suspects there a few military officers and soldiers that are plotting against Rudolph as well...', replied Charles.
'I only hope it does not lead to chaos. What if they abolish monarchy?', feared Snow White.
'I don't know. I must be there to make a better assessment', smiled Charles, 'Actually, I'm not afraid of that'.
'I see you're willing to back up the revolution no matter what', calmly said king Conrad.
Charles smiled.
'I'm proud of my people for fighting against tyranny', he promptly replied.
'And after the revolution?', asked Conrad.
Charles gazed at Cinderella, and she gazed at him in return. Then he held her hand.
'We will be honored to serve our country, should it be the will of the people. Otherwise, we will gladly step aside and resume our lives here'.
King Conrad smiled.
'Today the people might be united for a good cause. However, and you know it very well, the mob is often moved by darker motives and can commit the worst atrocities. Therefore, you must be cautious and critical in your support while leading all those groups to rebuild the kingdom', warned the king, 'Anyway, we will respect your decision and assist you in everything we can'.
Charles and Cinderella smiled tenderly.
'Thank you, dear uncle', replied Cinderella.
'Cinderella, dear, I think you and the children should stay here with us whilst Charles is away', suggested Snow White.
Charles and Cinderella looked at one another and smiled.
'Thank you so much, dear, but we want the children to live as normally as possible while we still can', declined Cinderella.
'Besides, that would arise suspicions. I'm also thinking of keeping my fencing lessons by the competition in April. Until then, I will make short trips to meet with the revolutionaries', explained Charles.
'I see...', smiled Snow White.
'We will find you an escort for your trips and someone trustworthy to protect Cinderella and the children', offered Richard.
'Thank you, but there's no need', declined Charles, 'Samson and Paulette are traveling with me and we're thinking of asking Jack to assist Cinderella and the kids.'
After pondering, Cinderella changed her mind.
'Actually... I've been thinking about it, darling. The children will miss you, Paulette and Samson so much... Paulette must go. I'll feel much safer, knowing she's with you, but Samson... He almost a grandfather to the children. I think his presence will help to keep our routine, whereas Jack might enjoy visiting the Emerald kingdom'.
'I find it a great idea', agreed Richard.
'Of course you do', joked Charles.
Snow White blushed while Richard discreetly glanced sideways at Charles. He was chuckling with his eyes closed, when Cinderella discreetly pinched him. Then Snow White turned to Charles and Cinderella.
'I will ask Jack myself. May I reveal your identity?'
Charles thought for a while and nodded yes.
'I trust him', he smiled.
Daniel and Peter were strolling in the park. Peter was eating a roll bread packed in a piece of paper, while Daniel was attentively watching every corner of the park.
'Too bad you had to fall for Frederic's cousin...', remarked Peter with his mouth full.
Daniel ignored him and kept examining every person around them. Near a wooden gazebo, he noticed a small girl dressed in white in the company of maid. They were walking in their direction.
'There she is!', exclaimed Daniel with shiny eyes.
'She seems nice', praised Peter grinning with his eyes closed, as Daniel glanced sideways at him.
Daniel accelerated the pace and Peter followed him. Then they slowed down as Mary and her maid crossed their paths.
'Hello, Daniel!', greeted the girl with a bright smile.
'Hello, Mary!', greeted Daniel, 'I hope you're feeling better. I apologize again'.
'Please, don't. Nothing twisted or broken. I'm perfect', assured Mary.
Daniel smiled and they gazed at each other without knowing what to say until Daniel decided to introduce Peter.
'By the way, this is my best friend Peter', introduced Daniel.
Peter and Mary greeted each other, and Mary introduced them to her maid, Giorgia. After another moment of silence, she turned to Daniel with a bright smile and sparkles in her eyes.
'Is your father around today?', asked Mary.
'No, he had to do some stuff', replied Daniel.
'Your father is very special! You're so lucky to have him...', emphasized Mary.
'Indeed. I couldn't have a better father', proudly replied Daniel.
'What does he do? Is he a teacher?', wondered Mary.
'I'm sorry to interrupt, miss, but we must go now. Your uncle is awaiting', reminded Giorgia.
'Oh, well, see you later, or at school, I guess', said Mary before leaving and waving at them.
'See you at school...', said Daniel in a blue tone.
As Mary and Giorgia walked down, Peter hesitated for a while before speaking.
'I'm sorry to disappoint you, but she seemed more interested in your father...'
Daniel sighed and kicked a stone in his way.
'Oh, don't be upset... Let's join the guys by the lake!', encouraged Peter, as Daniel walked away.
After the meeting with Richard, Snow White and king Conrad, Cinderella led Charles to the refugee tents installed in the northern outskirts of the city. Snow White quickly provided temporary tents, whilst she worked on a better solution with her father.
As she entered, Cinderella was surrounded by children. She bent down, caressed them, and held hands on the way to Father Albert, who would give her instructions. Charles watched the two rows of tents, people waiting and competing in the line for soup, amid children and old women crying. Then he stopped contemplating and joined Cinderella and the parishioners, who were organizing clothing and food. Once they finished that task, the couple gave food to the sick refugees assisted by a doctor and two nurses. Among them, there was Jiri, who spoke the dialect of the Emerald kingdom.
'They destroyed us, like it happens in a war... But what you do here... this generosity... goes beyond imagination...', said Jiri looking deeply into Charles and Cinderella's eyes.
The couple smiled tenderly and held his hand.
'It still needs improvement... Once it starts raining and snowing, there must be an alternative', said Charles.
'We will work on it', encouraged Cinderella.
While Charles exchanged a few words in Lohemian with Jiri, Cinderella cleaned her tears and resumed unpacking clothes from boxes.
'Please, my friend, do come in', invited the count of Bartak, 'I have something important to tell you'.
Suddenly, Charles feared for his job and widened his eyes. Then he composed himself.
'Actually, I have something to tell you as well, Sir', confessed Charles.
'Then, please, go ahead!', encouraged the count.
'No, Sir, you first', declined Charles.
'No, you first', declined the count.
'No, you first', declined Charles, trying not to laugh.
'Well, if you insist: The thing is Anthony will inherit this manor, and Benjamin and Thomas will inherit other two manors in our homeland. Now that they are older, they need to spend some more time there, get instructions about the houses, and know the culture and people. Therefore, we will spend some time abroad this year. Moreover, the houses are old, and they will probably need some maintenance work. We will surely be here in early October, so the lessons will start in October, as usual. But we will leave in the second half of November. Then we will probably spend Christmas with our family abroad and we will be back from January onwards, because the boys must do some good training until the competition in April. Thankfully, we live near the border and the journeys won't be so harsh', explained the count whilst walking back and forth.
'I see', smiled Charles, 'In that case, I think you should lower my salary. I will have more free time'.
'Not at all, my friend, we don't want to lose you. That's why I wanted to talk to you. So far you have worked exclusively for me, but I know you have many job offers. I think you could accept a pupil from a different level of my boys, so they cannot compete in the same session', suggested the count.
Charles smiled tenderly.
'Thank you. You're very generous, Sir', slightly bowed Charles.
'It is my pleasure. You're the boys' favorite tutor, you know... And everyone in this house appreciates your company very much', smiled the count.
Charles turned blue and nodded yes. He was bidding farewell to the count, when the countess entered, and they greeted each other. While the count sat down in an armchair and savored some sweets in the shape of flowers, the countess sensed the fencing instructor looked more serious than usual. As Charles opened the door, the count reminded.
'I almost forgot! You said you wanted to tell me something'.
Charles widened his eyes. He could travel to the Emerald kingdom whilst they were abroad, so it wasn't necessary to ask anything from the count.
'Eh... well... I...', hesitated Charles.
'Please, don't be embarrassed', smiled the countess.
'Well... Sir, my wife was really impressed by the winter garden. Therefore, I would like to ask for your permission to visit it with her during the day', asked Charles.
'Oh, we would be delighted! Please, visit us whilst we are here', welcomed the count.
'It will be perfect in October', smiled the countess.
'Yes, we will meet again in October...', smiled Charles.
Charles thanked them, made a bow, and left the room.
That afternoon Ben, Tommy and Albert challenged Charles to fence, and he gladly accepted. When they finished, Charles and boys sat in the grass and ate some snacks. The boys were somehow puzzled by Charles' quietness that day.
'Is everything alright, Andrew?', asked Albert.
'Of course, why not?', replied Charles with his hand behind his head and his eyes closed.
'You seem worried...', said Ben.
'Well, nostalgic, perhaps. One day you hide yourselves in the gardening cart, the next day you are five feet and a half and have deep voices', said Charles.
'I don't have a deep voice...', complained Tommy with his arms crossed, 'It's always squeaking and cracking... I hate it!'
'Mine too', complained Albert.
Charles and Ben laughed.
'That's temporary', comforted Charles.
'But, Andrew, don't be sad. We will always be your pupils', comforted Albert.
'Yeah, you still must teach me to cut an enemy in a half like a samurai!', reminded Ben, making everyone burst into laughter.
Then Charles reminded himself of his youth.
'You know, my favorite tutor got emotional very often. Maybe I learned this from him', smiled Charles.
'I bet he was a great swordsman', guessed Tommy.
'Not really. I was referring to another tutor', smiled Charles, 'I didn't get along very well with my fencing instructor', revealed Charles.
The boys listened with surprise.
'Perhaps he envied you, because you were more talented than him', wondered Albert.
Charles laughed and bit an apple.
That morning, Snow White visited the dwarfs at the mine, and put on a red cape with a hood on top of her white and pink dress to visit Jack. She was walking towards Jack's house when a girl crossed paths with her. The girl was cute, dark blond, dressed in light brown and covered with a purple shawl. As she walked in a quick step, she giggled all the way until she faced Snow White. Even without recognizing the princess' identity, the girl suddenly seemed embarrassed and bowed. Snow White slightly bowed and continued to walk towards Jack's house. When she knocked on the door, she waited for a while.
'Who's there?'
'It's me, Snow White', she replied.
He quickly opened the door with the key and invited her to enter. His hair was all messed up and there were traces of kiss marks in his cheeks. The small house was completely chaotic.
'What a surprise! You haven't visited me in what... twelve years?', joked Jack.
Snow White smiled, shily, and entered.
'I suppose you would like to have some tea', offered Jack in a pompous voice while watching the pile of dishes to wash.
'No, thank you', declined Snow White with a smile, 'I won't take you long. I need to talk to you about Andrew and Susanna. They need our help'.
'What happened?'
Snow White looked deeply into his eyes and smiled.
Cinderella was in the cathedral, organizing the charity donations in rows of food and clothing, when Father Albert approached her.
'The coast is clear... You can speak now, if you will...', assured the priest.
Cinderella looked deep into his eyes, and he led her to the confessional.
'I'm a terrible queen, father', she whispered.
The old priest laughed.
'My dear, if all the queens were so terrible like you, we would definitely live in a better world'.
'I mean it. I watch the refugees, and I am still capable of stopping Charles from leaving', countered Cinderella.
'You are human. That's all. And you both must dissolve that guilt in your hearts. You did not start this war. You did the best you could, your lives and your children were in danger, and you left. You had the right to do that', pacified the priest.
Cinderella burst into tears and the priest left the confessional to comfort her.
'I found out his identity in the midst of an attack... Later I knew they exploded a bridge when he was passing by, they tried to shoot him, then they tried to poison him on our wedding day... Two years later he avoided the shooting, thanks to a ballet-proof vest, but he was poisoned and almost died... This is too much…
On the one hand, I was not prepared... I was not noble enough... After all our adventures and all his tender approaches, he became unreachable to me. On the other hand, his life was under constant threat... That was too much...'
'He will be protected this time... And we will have the Lord by our side. Have faith, my dear. Have faith and think positive... You must believe and he must act. We all must act', encouraged the priest.
Cinderella watched the image of Christ in the Cross with tearful eyes for a while. Then she leaned her head on Father Albert's shoulder and they held hands.
'I can't believe we start school in a few days...', complained Peter sliding down the tree trunk while Daniel threw stones at the lake.
Daniel and Peter were under the shadow of a tree waiting for the fish to bite, whilst Jimmy, Lucy and Marianne were catching pine nuts.
'Stop complaining and do something', scolded Marianne, 'Dan, you'll scare away all the fish like that'.
'What's wrong with you today?', asked Lucy.
Daniel rolled his eyes and Peter grinned.
'He's in love with Frederic's cousin', explained Peter.
Daniel frowned at Peter.
'Say it louder. I think they didn't listen in the castle', snarled Daniel.
'Poor Dan...', comforted Lucy.
'I hope she isn't like Emily', wished Marianne.
'No, she's cuter and nicer', promptly replied Peter, making Marianne frown.
'Yes... Unfortunately, she has a sad story. Her father was arrested because he was against a tyrant king', explained Daniel.
'How awful!', exclaimed Lucy.
'I bet she comes from the Emerald kingdom. Their current king is evil', guessed Marianne, 'Anyway, I'm sure she will feel welcomed here and that she will quickly fall for you as well', encouraged Marianne with her eyes closed.
'Well... she only talks about my father...', complained Daniel.
Lucy and Marianne exchanged glances and giggles.
'What's the matter with you?', asked Daniel.
'Well, Dan... your father...', began Lucy.
'... is so charming and handsome... I don't blame her', continued Marianne.
'What? You too?', shouted Daniel, whilst Peter frowned.
'Actually, we can say the same thing about Dan's mother. She is gorgeous and sweet...', teased Peter while Jimmy giggled, making Daniel furious and Marianne frown.
'You too? Enough! You'll never see my parents again!', exploded Daniel.
The boy ran after them as the friends laughed and escaped. After climbing and sitting in the branches of a tree, Marianne grasped the situation.
'You, boys, are so silly... If her father is in prison, the girl is not interested in you or in anyone. She just wished to have a father by her side like you do', she shouted, making Daniel and Peter reconsider.
While most part of the servants had already finished lunch, Myriam, Malik, and Gertrude were still in the kitchen, attempting to give Abla soup. After so many tricks, Myriam was very tired, when Charles dropped by and Abla jumped to him.
'Now it's your turn', joked Malik.
'Yes, she is all yours!', asked Myriam.
Charles looked puzzled and Gertrude explained.
'Lately it is very difficult to make her eat soup, any soup. I've tried so many recipes...', sighed the cook.
'Oh, Abla... I'm very disappointed at you...', said Charles while walking and holding her, 'It makes me so sad when my children refuse to eat my soup...'
The toddler looked down for a while, then she looked up and caressed Charles' face.
'I could eat your soup if that makes you happy...', she suggested, making Charles smile tenderly.
Gertrude, Malik and Myriam giggled.
'Let's leave that for other occasion', Charles smiled with his eyes closed, 'The point is that Gertrude's soup is much, much better than mine. Perhaps it is one of the best soups of the world...'
Abla looked surprised at him. Then she turned to Gertrude with her mouth wide open.
'Really?'
'Indeed, and you're making her so sad... It is very unfair to make such a great soup and get such a bad treatment', explained Charles.
The little girl reconsidered and asked Charles to sat her at the table. The parents and the cook smiled tenderly at Charles and praised him for the accomplishment.
'I'm very sorry, but I have to leave now. I have so many things to do...', apologized Myriam before leaving, 'See you, Andrew. Thank you so much'.
'It was my pleasure. See you, Myriam', greeted Charles.
Then Malik sat Abla on his lap and fed her spoon by spoon. She swallowed slowly and got constantly dirty, but the father patiently cleaned her mouth. In the meantime, Charles offered to assist Gertrude by removing the last dirty dishes from the table.
'The count has already told you about their trips this year?', Malik turned to Charles after cleaning Abla.
'Yes', replied Charles, 'I suppose you'll stay, right?'
'Yes, due to Abla… And this garden is quite demanding. I cannot leave it for a month', replied Malik.
'And I guess you'll stay as well, Gertrude...', supposed Charles.
'Yes, my dear', Gertrude smiled tenderly while washing the dishes.
'So, you can still pay us a visit', invited Malik.
'I'll try to, but I will be a bit busy next month... I'll be giving intensive training to a friend of mine and I might accept one more pupil', excused Charles.
Then Gertrude widened her eyes and opened a cupboard filled with jars. She spilled a few sweets from a jar and filled a tiny bag.
'I hope your lady is better now', smiled Gertrude.
'She is, thank you', smiled Charles.
Then the cook put the bag on his right hand.
'I'm sure you two will enjoy it very much. These ones are made of chocolate and cherries', offered Gertrude with her eyes closed.
'Oh, they must be exquisite. Thank you, dear Gertrude', smiled Charles.
'I believe this is the right portion for a month', added Gertrude.
As Charles melancholically watched the bag, Malik and Gertrude had a strange feeling.
'What? No, I can't believe it! How can Andrew be a king?', asked Jack in shock.
'Currently, he is a former king', corrected Snow White.
'Still...'
Jack processed for a while sitting in his chair.
'So, I've been learning fencing with a king... Worse, I've been mocking his cooking skills', recalled Jack with his eyes wide open.
'Don't be worried about that...', smiled Snow White.
'Now that you tell me, I realize there was something strange about it. They, even you, Richard, the dwarfs seemed to be hiding something from the children...', recalled Jack, 'The children don't know it yet, right?'
'They will probably tell Daniel and Frances this year', revealed Snow White.
'So, Daniel doesn't know he is a Crown prince...', Jack stood up and approached the window.
Likewise, he was not aware of his real identity as prince and keeper of the Forest until he was fifteen.
'Would you like to join him and Paulette, protect him and visit the Emerald kingdom?', asked Snow White.
Jack turned to Snow White with sparkles in his eyes.
'Oh... I would love to... but who would take care of the forest?'
'Charles will keep his fencing classes here. At this stage, he will be absent for short periods (a month, maximum), so you don't have to worry much about that. Besides, the dwarfs and I could do it...', smiled Snow White.
'Thanks, but you are very busy. I'll ask Flora', suggested Jack, 'She assists me a lot'.
'As you wish', smiled Snow White with a slight trace of disappointment.
Jack walked back and forth, scratching his head in a turmoil of thoughts. Amid his excitement, he frowned, puzzled.
'How can he possibly do something in a month? I mean, the trip must take so much time...', he wondered.
Snow White smiled.
'Well... that's up to Paulette', she said with her eyes closed.
Jack squinted his eyes.
'So, how did he react?', asked Charles.
Charles and Snow White were chatting in the dwarfs' bedroom while most of them, except Boss and Jolie, were in the mine. In those days the dwarfs had kindly offered their house to host meetings to plan Charles' departure away from the children.
'Oh, he is thrilled to join you and Paulette. I'm sure he will love the Emerald kingdom', smiled Snow White.
'Wasn't he surprised?', wondered Charles.
'Oh, yes, of course! He was shocked. He's embarrassed for having a king as fencing instructor and for mocking your cooking'.
Charles laughed with his eyes closed. Snow White laughed with him for a while, then she contemplated the view.
'I think he might be courting someone…', guessed she.
'Not that I know... Or maybe he is hiding her from us. When I fell in love with Cinderella, I hid her for a while... even from Alex', recalled Charles.
Snow White contemplated the view again.
'It's strange when someone stops loving you...', confessed Snow White.
'Actually, I felt quite relieved when Isabelle realized her feelings for other person...', replied Charles as he stared at Snow White in absorption, 'Are you jealous?', asked he after careful observation.
Snow White suddenly turned to him.
'How could I?! I love Richard.'
'Well, you were much closer to Jack than I was to Isabelle... She was more infatuated than in love with me...', analyzed Charles.
'Don't forget she was almost your fiancée... Have you seen her again?', asked Snow White.
'No, she eloped with her fiancé some months before my engagement to Cinderella', replied Charles.
'You and Cinderella must be extremely careful if she returns. She might be mad about your marriage and try to revenge Zaral', warned Snow White.
'Yes', agreed Charles in a more serious tone.
On that moment, the cousins heard Jolly and Boss welcoming Cinderella and went down. Snow White greeted Cinderella. Then Charles and Cinderella gazed at each other, as he caressed her hair and shoulder blade. Snow White noticed how Cinderella was sinking in blue thoughts, indifferent to everything whilst Boss spoke, and invited her to chat in the dwarfs' bedroom.
'I find it so sweet that they kept my bed in the exact same place after all these years', said the princess while caressing the top of the bed near the window.
'Indeed. They are so gentle...', smiled Cinderella.
'At the beginning, it looks like the end of the world, but we must be optimistic and believe we will meet again and live happily in peace', continued Snow White, 'I know it made me stronger'.
'From the day we first met, Charles and I have always been together. When we should be apart in the first yours of his trip to Lohemia, he almost died...', recalled Cinderella looking down.
'You must think this time it will be different. He will be protected, and he has many supporters', encouraged Snow White before looking at the window with tears in her eyes.
'Richard had just introduced me to his father, and I was so happy. I thought my life would finally change, but he had to study abroad, fight in the battlefield, and be knighted. I was so devastated I nearly missed our farewell meeting. Luckily, Richard waited enough time, and he gave me all the hope I could get. A few days later, Samson warned me about my stepmother's intentions. I felt into despair. Where could I go? Worse: how could Richard find me, or write to me from that moment onwards?'
Cinderella approached Snow White and comforted her. Then Snow White cleaned her tears and smiled tenderly at her.
'One year later and after several discounters, destiny brought us together again... by the lake'.
'That lake always make me so happy', smiled Cinderella.
Snow White smiled with her eyes closed and held Cinderella's hands.
'I'm sure everything will turn out fine with Charles and we will do everything to support you. I overcame many, many obstacles, thanks to my friends...', encouraged Snow White.
Cinderella nodded yes with a confident smile and sparkles in her eyes.
'I admire you so much. If I had to be apart from Charles for so long and suffer all those attacks, I would hardly survive...'
Snow White closed her eyes, evoking every moment she overcame death, the petrification of the forest and the sacrifice of the apple.
'Time heals everything', smiled Snow White as she composed herself.
'After all, Charles will be away for short periods... You and Richard were apart much longer...', reconsidered Cinderella.
'And Paulette will protect him', reminded Snow White.
'Yes... That calms me very much', smiled Cinderella.
'Richard still travels a lot, for he must assist his father in Albertville. The first days are always the worst, but I am so occupied working with my father and taking care of the children that time flies', shared Snow White.
'Indeed, I must occupy myself', agreed Cinderella.
Goldie, Gourmet, Chamomile, Woody, and Pet arrived from the mine at twilight. While Gourmet and Chamomile prepared dinner, Richard knocked on the door. He was accompanied by a man completely covered in a dark and long cloak with a hood. Once they entered, the man revealed his face and they recognized king Conrad.
The dwarfs opened their mouths in shock and kneeled before the king, who bowed slightly and smiled with his eyes closed.
'I can't believe you left the castle, father!', exclaimed Snow White while holding hands with Richard.
'Maybe I should follow the example of a special king and do this more often', smiled Conrad while caressing Snow White's head and tenderly looking at Charles.
Charles smiled in return and Cinderella looked proudly at him. Then Conrad turned to the dwarfs.
'Actually, I should have paid you tribute before, after all you did for my daughter'.
'Please, your highness, it was our pleasure', replied Boss, while the other dwarfs nodded yes.
Conrad smiled and greeted Charles and Cinderella. After a brief conversation, Richard, Snow White and the king hugged Charles tight.
'Be wise, my boy... Be wise...', advised the king while patting Charles on his shoulder blade.
Then he held Cinderella's hands.
'I promised your father I would treat you like my children in my kingdom. Please, do not hesitate if you need, my dear', offered Conrad.
'Thank you, my dear uncle', she replied with her eyes closed while making a courtesy.
The king smiled, opened his arms, and encouraged Cinderella to embrace him. She shily accepted and he hugged her tight, as she tried not to cry.
When the couples and the king were preparing to leave the cottage, Jolly approached Charles.
'Please, take care. We will protect Cinderella and the children with our lives', promised the dwarf.
Charles kneeled and thanked him with a tender smile. Then he joked.
'Even your "good" friend Daniel?'
'Even Daniel...', sighed Jolly, making everyone laugh.
When Charles and Cinderella arrived home, Samson and Paulette had just finished dinner. The children were already wearing their pajamas and happily playing before the supper, except Daniel, who was sat down in an armchair in the living room. At first, the parents were surprised to find him in such a blue mood. Then Charles guessed what might had happened and sat next to him.
'Hey, buddy! Wanna play pirates? I'll play Governor Van Boot', suggested Charles.
'I'm not in the mood...', declined the boy.
'Hm... What about a chess game?', suggested Charles.
'No...', refused Daniel.
'Hm... You're starting to worry me, boy...'
Daniel stared at Charles, then crossed his arms and plunged his head on his knees.
'Have you seen Mary today?', smiled Charles.
Daniel sank his head even more.
'I don't care about her...', discarded the boy.
Charles smiled.
'Not every day is bright when you like someone, but you should be patient with Mary. She went through a lot and is still suffering without news from her father. At this point, Mary might be so consumed by her problems that she is indifferent to anything else', explained Charles.
Daniel raised his head; his hair all messed up.
'I know...', replied the boy.
Charles caressed his hair and encouraged him.
'Came on, go wash your face and hands and let's eat', smiled Charles.
Daniel smiled at him, stood up and went to the kitchen.
Samson and Paulette left soon after dinner and the parents gathered the children at Charles' office. Daniel, Frances, and Mimi sat in colored pillows in the ground near Patch, Bingo, Chouchou and Papy. Cinderella was sitting in an armchair and caressed sleepy Arthur on her lap. Charles was standing up next to her.
'What do you want to tell us?', asked Frances while petting Patch.
'Hm... well... you see... In the following year, aunt Paulette has to do some trips to manage an inheritance…', started Cinderella.
'… and I'll join her, so I'll be absent for a month, and again in November', continued Charles.
Daniel widened his eyes and stood up immediately, staring at the parents in surprise, whilst Frances ran to Charles and grabbed his arm. Simultaneously, Mimi crawled and grabbed Charles' leg.
'No!', protested Mimi.
'Oh, Daddy... Can't you go some other time? We'll miss you so much...', asked Frances.
'But why...?', asked Daniel.
Cinderella looked down and Charles tried to cheer them up.
'Because that inheritance concerns us too...', made up Charles.
'Are we going to be rich?', asked Mimi.
Charles and Cinderella chuckled and hesitated, with their eyes wide open.
'Eh... well… I don't know…', smiled Charles with his hand behind his head.
'So why do you care? Stay here!', asked Mimi.
Charles kneeled, and comforted Mimi and Frances.
'I really must help aunt Paulette and it's just a month for now. You'll have much fun with Mommy and uncle Samson. Time flies, you'll see...'
Daniel leaned on a line of bookshelves, and stared at them with his arms crossed.
'And I'll bring you very nice presents...', added Charles.
Despite his efforts, neither Daniel, nor the girls seem very enthusiastic.
Charles and Cinderella spent the next morning in the Romanic church, praying, organizing more donations for the refugees, and chatting with the priest in cryptical ways, whenever they had some privacy. Father Albert wished to bless Charles right before his departure and talked to him at length.
'May the Lord be with you', the priest made the sign of the Cross as they bid farewell at the entrance of the church.
Then Charles and Cinderella gazed at each other, and he invited her for a stroll in the park. She smiled with shiny eyes as he offered his arm and promptly gave him her arm.
In those days Charles' jokes didn't have the same impact on Cinderella as usual. Thus, he was always trying to find something that could brighten up her day. They were near a fountain, when a man with a dark, curly moustache walked by and Charles widened his eyes.
'Aha!', exclaimed he.
'What happened?', asked Cinderella.
'There is a way no one will recognize me...', replied Charles.
'I would love to see that', smiled Cinderella.
'I'll show you at home', winked Charles, making Cinderella giggle.
He held her hand, started running and they giggled all the way.
The children were extremely puzzled listening to the mother's never-ending laugh. At times, they also heard the father, but their mother's laughter after several days of a blue mood was something quite extraordinary. Especially in the eve of the father's departure. Despite Patch, Bingo, Chouchou and Pappy's attempts to dissuade them, the children climbed the stairs and stopped at the parents' bedroom door.
'We shouldn't do this...', whispered Frances as Daniel peeked through the keyhole and Mimi leaned on the door.
'Don't you want to know?', frowned Mimi.
'Yes, but...', hesitated Frances.
'Maybe Mommy and Daddy are playing tickles...', wondered Arthur.
'Shut up!', scolded Daniel whilst peeking, 'Damn! I can't see anything! The key is in the keyhole...'
Suddenly the laughter decreased, and Cinderella opened the door, making Daniel and Mimi fell.
'Well, well, well...', frowned Cinderella.
'We were worried about you!', excused Mimi while standing up, 'If you laugh too much, your belly hurts.'
Then the little girl noticed Charles had a curly, thin, and dark moustache. The children burst into laughter and Mimi rolled in the ground, almost crying.
'How dare you make fun of such a sophisticated look?', teased Charles.
Cinderella, the children, and animals laughed even more. After composing himself, Daniel crossed his arms and remarked in a more serious tone.
'Well, I think you should wear that when you're among my friends'.
Charles, Cinderella and Frances exchanged puzzled glances and shrugged.
'Oh, Daddy... I hope this is only a joke and that you don't let grow a moustache like that... You look much older, and I bet it tickles a lot...', remarked Frances.
'Actually, I'm starting to like it', Mimi grinned with her eyes closed.
Frances facepalmed and the family burst into laughter.
The next day, Charles woke up at half past three in the morning. He and Cinderella decided not to wake up the children, who could suspect something if they were too emotional.
He lighted a chandelier in the chest drawer and dressed himself. On top of his white shirt, Bourdeux vest and Prussian blue breeches, he put a dark blue cape with a hood. Then he fetched his sword and attached it to his belt. As he watched his reflection in the mirror, he took a deep breath and smiled.
On that moment, he heard Cinderella sniffing and turned to the bed, where she was lying down on her stomach; her long hair covering her torso. He caressed her hair and kissed her neck multiple times. As she kept crying, he fetched a big, fluffy moustache and placed it on his face. She turned around and smiled with tears rolling from her face.
'This moustache is new, and he wishes to know your lips, milady', joked Charles with a silly accent.
Cinderella giggled, as he tried to kiss her and tickled her with the moustache.
'I bet the duke of Bladenburg's moustache dreams of kissing you too, milady', teased Charles.
'Actually, the moustache looks nice on him...', muttered Cinderella amid giggles.
'What?!', Charles squinted his eyes.
Cinderella giggled and sat down in the bed. Then she gazed at him seriously while caressing his face.
'You are the love of my life'.
Charles smiled and kissed her hand. Then she slowly took away the moustache and kissed him. As the kiss progressed, they slowly lay down in the bed and hugged each other.
An hour later, Charles and Cinderella were in the kitchen. Cinderella had prepared apples, apple juice and pie for the first day. She also had made biscuits. When they finished packing all the food, Cinderella hugged Charles and leaned her head on his chest.
'I wish I would go with you...'
'You will soon, I'm sure', smiled Charles.
'The city was so beautiful on the day we first met. The flower festival... the beauty contest at the town hall... There were colored ribbons all over the place... People laughing, eating, and drinking, clowns making tricks. It was a clown that gave me the white flowers that you returned to me... I miss leaving my house with Patch, crossing the bridge, entering the city gate, buying in the crowded market, strolling in the park and bumping into you when I least expect... Oh, I want to see the fountain of Emerald goddess again. Promise me we will see it together', asked Cinderella.
'I do', he assertively replied.
Charles hugged her tight and kissed her head for a while. There they stood embraced until someone knocked.
As they opened the door, they saw Jack wearing a dark cape with a hood. He looked embarrassed at them and tried hard to say something. Without saying a word, he kneeled before them and bent down his head.
'Oh, Jack, please don't...', kindly reproved Cinderella, while holding his hand and encouraging him to stand up.
'You shouldn't be so disrespectful in front of the children', joked Charles, making Jack laugh and Cinderella giggle.
'Well, still, this is kind of' weird...'
'No, it doesn't have to be. We'll talk about it later. Thank so much you for joining us', smiled Charles while putting his hand on Jack's shoulder.
'It is my pleasure', smiled Jack.
'I hope you enjoy it. It's a beautiful country too', smiled Cinderella with sparkles in her eyes.
'I'm sure it is. I'm thrilled to know your capital city', smiled Jack whilst holding Cinderella's hand, 'And I swear I'll do everything to protect him'.
Cinderella cleaned her tears and smiled. Then Charles put his hand on her shoulder blade, and they went to the children's bedrooms. Charles kissed and tucked each child in bed as silently as possible. Mimi occupied most part of her bed and was about to fall. Like her dark hair, the sheets were all messed up. Frances was sleeping down on her stomach. Arthur was peacefully sleeping in a fetal position, whereas Daniel was slipping on his left side. Whilst watching the children, Charles tried to remain calm and resist dark thoughts. He promised himself he would see them again and they would live as peacifully and happily as possible.
When Samson and Paulette joined them a few minutes later, the three horses were almost ready. Flash was very excited that dawn. He was neighing a bit too much, so Patch, Bingo, Chouchou and Papy tried to calm him down. Charles bent before Cinderella's old animals and petted each of them.
'I'm sure you'll take good care of them as always', he said, making the animals grin proudly.
Patch hugged him and licked him enthusiastically. Then he calmed down and spoke.
'You can count on us', assured Patch, whilst the others nodded.
Charles smiled, stood up and turned to Cinderella. Jack was nearby his horse chatting to Flora, the small fairy that would be charge of his forest. Samson and Paulette were embraced and whispering farewell caresses.
'Please, hug my father tight for me. I miss him so much...', asked Cinderella.
'Of course...', Charles smiled and kissed her hand.
'And your family and friends. Ian, Marcel, Nicholas... I wonder how they are...'
Charles nodded yes and Cinderella looked serious into his eyes.
'Promise me you won't have an adventure of any kind', she asked.
'An adventure without you will never be the same', smiled Charles, looking deeply into her eyes.
In the meantime, Frances woke up at the sound of the horse neigh. She quickly lighted up a candle and opened the curtains. The parents, Samson, Paulette and Jack were outside near the horses, and they seemed almost ready.
'I can't believe Daddy is leaving without saying goodbye!', exclaimed the girl.
She was about to wake up Mimi, but thought to herself that she would probably make a tantrum, so she put on her robe and went straight to Daniel.
'What now?', complained Daniel while rolling to the other side.
'Daddy is leaving now!', whispered Frances.
Daniel widened his eyes and sat down.
'What?'
'Hurry up, or we'll miss him!', hurried Frances while pulling his pajama.
Daniel jumped from the bed, fetched his robe, and dressed it while running down the stairs. Brother and sister hastily opened the front door and saw their parents kissing.
'Oh, no...', Frances covered her eyes and Daniel rolled his eyes.
'That's why they didn't call us. They wanted to make out in peace', muttered Daniel while crossing his arms.
Cinderella's arms were raised around Charles, whilst she caressed his hair and neck. Amid the soft smooches, they heard the children, opened their eyes, and stopped. Slightly embarrassed and still blushing, Cinderella ran to the children, bent down, and caressed them.
'It's too early, my dears. You should be in bed…', dissuaded she.
'I can't believe you were leaving without saying goodbye, Daddy...', protested Frances in tears.
'I tucked each of you, while you were sleeping', smiled Charles.
Frances hugged him tight, and Charles kissed her.
'That doesn't count. This counts!', she said with her eyes closed.
Then Daniel joined them and closed his eyes.
'I'll miss you so much... Came back sooner', asked the boy while hugging Charles.
'A month runs smoothly, you'll see', assured Charles.
'I doubt it...', replied Daniel.
Then Cinderella and the children bid farewell to Jack and Paulette. While Jack and Flora cheered up Daniel and Frances with curiosities from the forest, Cinderella leaned on Paulette's shoulder.
'You must be strong, my dear', encouraged the Godmother.
'I'll try to, but you and Charles are my rocks...', sniffed Cinderella.
'And we'll remain your rocks. I'll be watching you, Samson and the children every time', comforted Paulette.
Then she kissed Cinderella's head and caressed her hair, reminding it was a short stay.
'It's just a month, after all', Cinderella repeated to the children and to herself while hugging Daniel and Frances from behind as Charles climbed the horse.
'Write us many letters, please!', reminded Frances.
'Of course, and you should write me too', smiled Charles while taking the reins.
He checked if everything was alright and turned to Cinderella and the children.
'We'll return as soon as possible, depending on the pumpkin', joked Charles with his eyes closed.
Whilst Daniel and Frances exchanged puzzled glances, Cinderella threw a fulminating glance at Charles, making him chuckle. By that time, Samson was standing quietly next to Cinderella the children.
Charles, Jack, and Paulette waved goodbye and started to ride. At first, the horses walked in the clearing. Cinderella felt her heart beating at the pace of the horses, as a lump in the throat consumed her. Before moving to a faster gait, Charles looked back, smiled, and Cinderella burst into tears.
'Darling!'
She ran to him, and he quickly got off the horse and hugged her tight. Daniel and Frances were about to run to their parents, when Samson and Patch dissuaded them.
'Don't worry, children... Fortunately, your parents have always been together, so it is normal that they suffer a bit more this time', comforted Samson.
Yet, both Daniel and Frances felt something was wrong.
After Paulette jumped from her horse and tried to comfort Cinderella, Jack stopped his horse and watched the couple. As he witnessed Charles and Cinderella's suffering, he recalled the day Richard left Snow White and the dwarfs for the last time. Looking back, he felt like a complete jerk. How could he have wished to split them? How could he have been so selfish? Although he dreamed of a true love, he feared such suffering and felt a great relief for being single and free to explore the world.
While Paulette whispered briefly into Samson's ear, Daniel watched the parents paralyzed. Then he turned to Frances.
'There is something strange about this...'
Dear readers,
I hope you have enjoyed the last episodes.
Despite the long-distance relationship in the next episodes, there will be letters and flashbacks that will bring Charles and Cinderella together. Don't be sad and share in your reviews what are your favorite parts. I look forward to your feedback.
Cheers,
CM