Flasback

Charles visits sick Cinderella

Episode 15 (work in progress)

Dear fan readers,

I've been suffering from headaches and I've been very busy, so I didn't have much time to work on a full chapter yet. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this short excerpt. While Cinderella is taking care of one of her children, she reminds of Charles' visit when she was sick. In the series, we only watch Charles and Cinderella together for a very brief moment. What happened before he was forced by the stepmother and the stepsisters to do chores?

After the Covid pandemic, I think we resonate even more with episode 16 of the original series. It was an act of love and an act of courage, as well.

'In early autumn, of all seasons the most sweet,

When the grapes grow purple and juice-replete,

When one day we're gripped by cold and the next limp with heat,

And the weather's changeable mood,

Brings on lassitude,

May your girl keep well. But if she does fall ill

And takes to bed with a fever or a chill

Caught from the morbid air,

Now is the time to show your loving care.

Be a shrewd cultivator –

Sow now, and you'll reap a bumper harvest later.

If the invalid's peevish, don't let it upset you;

Do for her with your own hands whatever she'll let you.

Weep in front of her, kiss her again and again,

Let the rain

Of your tearful grief

Bring her parched lips and mouth relief.

Make vows for her recovery – aloud so she can hear,

Tell her your dreams when she feels like listening – ones of good cheer,

Hire an old witch with tottery legs

And trembling hands to bring round sulphur and eggs

To purify the room and the bed.

All this will prove your willing love (it's a route that's led

To many legacies!). Zeal, though, should keep its bounds:

Don't fuss, or your ministrations may become the grounds

Of her displeasure. Never ban food, and never concoct her

Bitter medicines. Leave rivals to play doctor.'

Ovid, The Art of Love

Cinderella opened her eyes and saw Charles' face slightly blurred. As she focused him, he smiled tenderly.

'How do you feel?'

'A little better', replied Cinderella still quite dizzy.

Then she noticed they were holding hands, widened her eyes and plunged her hand inside the bed sheets.

'Oh, I was dreaming...'

'What was your dream about?'

'That's a secret...'

'A secret?'

'I won't tell you anything', teased Cinderella.

'I'll figure a way...'

Cinderella partly hid her face behind the sheet and giggled.

'Come on... tell me...', insisted Charles.

'No!', declined she.

'All right... The doctor left some medicine. You should take it now', reminded he as he stood up and approached the chest of drawers.

While Charles prepared the medicine, Cinderella stared at him and gradually covered her mouth behind the blankets. He was so thoughtful and gentle... Soon she felt her heart beating faster and her face blushing.

'Have you eaten something? Are you hungry? I bought a delicious bread, but I forgot it in the carriage.'

'Please, don't bother. Pierre brought me bread and milk when I recovered my senses. Then he left to buy more food. We have an important guest today...', replied Cinderella as she sat down in bed.

Then Charles gave her the glass of medicine. As she drank slowly with her eyes closed, she felt Charles was gazing at her. When she finished, Charles took the glass and they exchanged glances.

'I'm worried you might get sick because of me...'

Charles laughed.

'Nonsense!'

Charles placed the glass back in the chest of drawers and looked for a shawl or a blanket to cover Cinderella. He gently tucked her in bed and she smiled with shiny eyes.

'How can I ever thank you?'

'By getting well soon, so we can meet by the fountain of the Emerald goddess again', replied Charles.

Cinderella smiled.

'I'm really impressed. How did you know I was sick?'

'The animals told me', smiled Charles.

Cinderella widened her eyes. She couldn't believe Paulette was using her magic on Charles. Then she quickly composed herself and giggled nervously.

'Don't tell me they spoke to you...'

'No, but I had an intuition and I was right', smiled Charles.

Cinderella relaxed and smiled with her eyes closed.

'You have an amazing intuition, then', praised Cinderella.

'Actually, I have another intuition', Charles smiled, witty.

'And what is it?'

'That's a secret', smiled Charles while crossing his arms.

'Oh!', protested Cinderella.

'See? That's not funny at all!'

'All right. I must respect that', conformed Cinderella.

'Now I'm disappointed... I expected more curiosity from you...', teased Charles making Cinderella giggle.

'We must respect secrets', stated Cinderella with a gentle smile, 'Don't you agree?'

'Well... yes... most of the times...', wondered Charles with his arms crossed.

Cinderella stared at him and narrowed her eyes.

'Actually, you are much more mysterious than I am. I don't know nothing about you, and you almost know everything about me. Now you even know my poor little bedroom... It's so embarrassing...'

'How can your stepmother force you to sleep in the attic?', inquired Charles while gazing at her.

'I got used to it, in spite of everything... It eventually became cozy', admitted Cinderella.

'It is cozy, indeed', agreed Charles.

Cinderella smiled and they gazed at each other for a while until Charles smiled, naughtily.

'So, you're still not interested in my theory about your dream...', teased Charles.

'If you wish to share it with me, I won't stop you', encouraged Cinderella.

'Hm... Well, there must me a good motive to hide it from me, so I guess it has something to do with me. If that's the case, I should be informed. I might need to improve or correct my appearances in dreams. I bet I lie a lot, so I must put a stop on that'.

Cinderella laughed so much she nearly cried, and Charles joined her. When they composed themselves, they gazed at each other without saying a word. His light blue eyes were so intense that made Cinderella breathe nervously and blush.

'So, was it about me?', he asked.

Cinderella was about to answer when Pierre knocked on the door. She consented and the old coachman entered, carrying a tray with a meal he had bought in the city. Patch, Bingo, Chouchou and Papy walked right behind him.

As he spotted Charles sat right next to Cinderella's bed, he frowned and cleared his throat. Charles smiled and promptly stood up to assist the old man, who inspected him with squinted eyes.

'My dear Pierre, I believe you already know my friend Charles', introduced Cinderella, 'He brought the doctor to see me. Isn't it wonderful?'

'Indeed', agreed the old man in a stern grimace.

Charles smiled and turned to Cinderella.

'I think I will go fetch the bread I left in the carriage...'

Cinderella held his arm and gazed at him.

'Oh, please, stay...', she asked.

Charles held her hand and smiled.

'I'll be back in a minute'.

Cinderella nodded yes and let him go. As he turned back he faced the music doll and grimaced.

'Is it just me, or she moved all by herself?', joked he with his right hand behind his head.

Cinderella and the animals giggled, but Pierre kept stern as he placed the tray on Cinderella's bed.

'Patch, my boy, will you guide me all the way to the carriage?', asked Charles.

Patch barked and the animals cheerfully joined Charles. When they left the room, Pierre sat down next to Cinderella and watched her smiling tenderly with sparkles in her eyes as she contemplated the door. Then she smiled at Pierre and thank him for the meal. As she started eating, the old servant attempted to talk, but was too shy to say a word.

'Pierre, dear, is there something upsetting you?', she kindly asked.

'Eh... miss... I...', began the old man, 'I think you are spending too much time with that boy, and I'm afraid it might affect your reputation.'

'Oh, but he is so kind. Charles has helped me so much since my father left. He has been a great friend', replied Cinderella.

'But it is not proper to visit a young lady in her bedroom. That is something only a fiancé would do. I'm afraid that's too much intimacy even for an engaged couple', Pierre was increasingly upset.

Cinderella blushed and slightly slid down in her bed. Then Pierre took an handkerchief and began sobbing.

'And it pains me that you are not courted as the lady of this house. You are not a servant. You are the daughter of the duke of Viel. Never forget that. Don't let anyone treat you below that, in spite of your stepmother.'

Cinderella watched him tenderly and caressed his head.

'Please, miss, don't get me wrong. I know he makes you happy, but you must be careful until we know his real intentions. I don't want you to suffer from heartbreak after all you've went through'.

Cinderella watched Pierre seriously and pondered. Charles was quite a puzzle, indeed. He often teased, gazed at her and held her hand in ways beyond a normal friend. Besides, he was always there for her. He always knew how to make her smile (or frown). Yet, he was still so mysterious. Since they first met three months ago, she didn't know a thing about him. The name itself could be false, among so many lies. She should cherish that friendship. He was her dearest friend, after all, but Pierre did have a point. She should be cautious. She shouldn't fall in love with him, unless he opened himself frankly about his feelings.

'Don't worry, dear Pierre. I'll be careful', smiled Cinderella.

Pierre smiled with his eyes closed.

'Now you must eat. The food is getting cold'.

'Of course', Cinderella smiled with her eyes closed and took a bite of rice.

When she finished, Pierre took away the tray and she rested for a while until the animals arrived. They told her the duchess, Catherine and Jeanne had forced Charles to do the chores. He managed to clean the living room and he was now about to chop wood. Cinderella couldn't believe that. How could her stepmother treat him like that? She left the bed and approached the window. The animals followed her and they watched Charles. At first, he missed the trunk, but he quickly got the handle of it.

Once he chopped a big pile of trunks, Catherine asked him to join her in the kitchen. The animals informed Cinderella about it and she tried to assist Charles at distance with a recipe book. She was cozy in her bed feeling much better and wondering about the supper, when Charles knocked.

She quickly put on a shawl around her, stood up and ran towards him. Charles was smiling, almost laughing, whilst gazing tenderly at Cinderella.

'Please, tell me everything!', she asked with a huge smile and shiny eyes.

'You don't wanna know...', replied Charles with his eyes closed and his hand behind his head.

Then the animals showed up with their eyes wide open in shock. Patch slid down and the mice slipped to the ground. Charles and Cinderella burst into laughter and the animals joined them.