Hi. So here is the first official chapter of the story. I would like to remind you, readers, that I have a poll related to this story, and it would really help me out if as many people voted as possible. That said, here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

~Chapter One~

The princess' screams were heard through her chamber door as her closest comrades waited for the arrival of the next heir. They were her stepsister Anastasia Lucille Tremaine de Parchin with her husband Aubin de Parchin, the Grand Duke Andre de Batiste and his wife Duchess Prudence Charity Clarke de Batiste, her ladies in waiting Beatrice Cecile de Leprince and Daphne L'Héritier de Valiquette, the kitchen maid Diane Adelaide Capelle de Chevalier, and of course King Louis Auguste de Beaumont.

Another piercing scream rang out, making the group wince.

"That's it," the king said in frustration and worry, "I'm going in there!"

"NO!" All the women in the hallway shouted.

As Louis approached the chamber door, the princess' bloodhound Bruno growled fiercely at him, guarding anyone from entering until the time was right.

"Don't you remember your son's request that she be able to give birth without a viewing party?" Prudence insisted.

"It's French tradition to have a viewing party," he argued, "You of all people should know that, Prudence!"

"But times have changed, sire," the Grand Duke argued, "Remember your son and daughter in law's wishes."

"I'm the king and I will do as I please!"

"Your Majesty," Beatrice said, "Think of the princess. It would be terribly awkward for her."

The king sighed in defeat. "Very well."

"This really is taking a while though," Daphne whispered to Diane with concern, "What if she doesn't make it?"

"Well Mrs. Potts took even longer to deliver Emily," Diane reminded the lady in waiting, "But she made it out as strong as ever."

"Ah yes," said Daphne, "Yes, she's had many children hasn't she?"

"Two sets of twins, then Peter, then Emily."

"Goodness!" Daphne said, "How does she manage?"

"I've asked myself that same question many times mademoiselle. She's an incredible woman."

"It's no wonder then that she was chosen to be the midwife," said Anastasia.

"And what about you two?" Andre asked Anastasia and Aubin, "Any plans for children in the near future?"

"Oh, I don't know," Anastasia said sheepishly, "I'm not the best with children."

"We'll see what the future holds," said Aubin.

Another pained cry came from the princess' bedchamber.

"Oh dear," the Grand Duke said in sympathy while Prudence used her handkerchief to wipe away the sweat that had formed in worry for her mistress.

"Unfortunately there's nothing that can be done about the pain that comes with child bearing," said Diane then smiled as she thought of her own child, "But it's worth it in the end."

"Your son is a good boy, Diane," Daphne said.

Prudence scoffed.

"Do you have something to say, Prudence?" Diane asked with a slight edge to her voice.

"Well I suppose he's a 'good boy' when he's not chasing after every young lady on the staff," said the Duchess.

Diane glared at the woman when they all heard giggling coming from behind a nearby curtain.

"What a coincidence," Prudence remarked, "That must be him and some maid now."

"I'll take care of things Prudence," Diane said as she got up and walked towards the curtain.

Coming closer, it did indeed sound like her son, but the female voice was not that of the young lady she knew he was courting. Yanking open the curtains, she found a brunette boy of seventeen with a red headed maid of about the same age. The two gasped and the maid ran off in embarrassment down the opposite end of the hall.

"Lumière Jérôme Chevalier!" Diane scolded her son, "What would Angelique think if she knew you were having a rendezvous with another woman again?"

"And of all the times and places, outside the princess' bedchamber while she's giving birth!" Prudence exclaimed as she walked up to the pair, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself young man!"

"S'il vous plait, Prudence, I can handle this myself," the kitchen maid said.

"Oh? Is that why every time I see your son he has his hands all over some girl?"

"Prudence dear, maybe you should leave this to the boy's mother," Andre said, walking up to the three and wrapping an arm around his wife. The two women didn't get along well, and the Grand Duke did not want to see another argument break out between them, especially not now.

Prudence sighed deeply, rubbing her temples as she felt a headache forming. "Very well. Just, see that he behaves for now."

The couple went back to their chairs outside the princess' chamber.

"Lumiére," Diane sighed, "As much as I may not get along with Prudence she is absolutely right. This was very inappropriate!"

"I'm sorry, Maman," her son said, "We didn't think we could be heard over-"

"That's besides the main point, mon petit," Diane interrupted, "You have Angelique. If you want to keep her then you'd better stop chasing after every girl you see."

"Oh but did you see her, Maman? Her lips were just begging to be kissed!"

Diane sighed again. "You really are your father's son," she muttered.

"Ah merci, Maman!"

"I didn't mean it in a good way this time," she said, "Listen Lumière de ma vie, the mistress and I have become very close over the past month."

"I know."

"And we've come to an agreement," said the kitchen maid, "If the child she delivers is a boy, she wants you to be his valet. But you have to be a good influence. This is the future ruler of France!"

Lumiére's eyes widened at the news that he might be a valet. "Maman, I'm honored that the princess wants me for such an important position. But I don't want-"

"I know," Diane said, "You want to be a maitre d'. But I have faith that you can do both."

"I will do my best," Lumiére said.

"I know you will mon petit," Diane said resting a hand on her son's shoulder, "Now why don't you come and wait for the baby with us?"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Meanwhile, in a little hole in the wall of the royal bedchamber, a small group of mice also awaited the arrival of the next heir to France.

"I wanna help," Gus said, "Lemme through!"

"No!" Mary squeaked, "No boys are allowed during delivery!"

All the mice jumped as they heard the princess scream in pain.

"But Mary," Jaq argued, "Cinderellie hurting! We gotta do something!"

"Having babies always hurts," said Suzy, a mother of two, "There ain't nothing you can do to stop it."

The princess screamed again.

"P-p-p-poor Cinderellie!" said Gus.

Mary sighed as she glanced over her shoulder, seeing the midwife help her human friend. She also wished there was something she could do, but she knew Suzy was right. The fairy godmother had already done so much for the young royal; giving the mice of the Tremaine household the ability to speak so she wouldn't be alone, giving her a gown for the ball where she would meet her true love, then extending the lifespan of all her animal friends long enough that they would at the very least see her first child. It would be too much to ask her for anything else.

"Keep pushing, Your Highness!" they heard the midwife say, "Don't give up now!"

Another scream followed. Mary wrang her hands together nervously. She hoped this would be over soon.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

King Louis paced back and forth impatiently in front of the door as he and the group continued to wait.

"What's taking them so long?!" he shouted.

"Sire, you mustn't rush nature," said Andre.

"But this is ridiculous!"

"We're all worried, Your Highness," said Beatrice, "But the Grand Duke is right. You can't rush nature."

The king was about to shout at the lady in waiting, to tell her she wasn't taking things seriously enough, when a new cry was heard. The cry of an infant.

"Did you hear that?!" the king asked excitedly.

Bruno looked at the door and wagged his tail, equally excited. The door opened, a blonde woman in her early forties walking out with a large smile on her face.

"It's a boy!" she exclaimed in an English accent, "It's a beautiful baby boy!"

Everyone rose from their chairs, eager to see the little prince.

The woman held up a hand. "Not so fast! Just the king and Anastasia first."

The old brown dog whimpered. The woman looked down at him.

"And of course you too, Bruno."

Man, woman, and dog walked into the bedchamber. There, in the middle of the large bed, was a young woman with strawberry blonde hair and tired, but happy blue eyes, holding a small bundle in her arms. She was covered in sweat but her smile made her look like the most beautiful woman in the world.

"How are you feeling my dear?" King Louis asked softly as he and Anastasia approached the bed, Bruno jumping on it to get to his mistress.

"Like the luckiest woman in the world," the woman answered as her dog came up to her, licking her cheek and then sniffing the small bundle.

"May I?" the king asked, holding his arms out to take the small bundle.

His daughter-in-law obliged, handing the king his grandson. Louis looked at the child and smiled.

"Hello there little one!" he said in a baby voice, "I'm your grandfather Louis!"

"Oh Cinderella, he's beautiful!" Anastasia said softly, staring in awe at the child.

It was true. The baby was beautiful. He looked almost exactly like his mother with his sparkling blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. But because his father was a brunette, his hair was slightly darker than that of Cinderella's.

The king handed the baby to Anastasia, who also introduced herself.

"Hello sweetheart," she said, "I'm your Auntie Anastasia!"

The baby put his hand out to touch her face, causing her to smile wider in turn.

"You can bring the others in now," Cinderella said.

Anastasia handed the child back to his mother, then opened the door to let the others in. Everyone was in awe of the baby.

"Oh just look at him!" Beatrice gushed.

"Hello young prince," Daphne said.

"Bonjour sweet child," said Diane.

"He's a gem," said Andre.

"He has your eyes," said Aubin to the princess.

"Looks like I'm going to be a valet after all Maman," Lumiere said to Diane.

"What are you going to name him, Your Highness?" Prudence asked.

"Adam," the young mother answered.

"Adam?" said the king, "That's not a very French sounding name at all!"

"I know," said Cinderella, "But I've always loved the name."

"Very well my dear," the king said, looking down at the prince and smiling again, "Welcome to the world, Prince Adam!"

Cinderella yawned, exhausted from the hours of labor. The king noticed.

"Come everyone," he said, "Let's let the mother and child have their rest."

"Goodnight Cinderella," said Anastasia as she and the rest left the room for the night.

"Goodnight Your Highness," said Prudence.

Several more "Goodnights" were said as the room was emptied, leaving the princess and her newborn child alone. Seeing this as their opportunity, the mice scurried out and climbed up one of the bed posts.

"Look Adam," Cinderella said to her son smiling, "We have more visitors!"

"Hiya Princey!" Jaq said, "I'm Jaq-Jaq! And this is Gus!"

"Duh-duh-duh, hi!" Gus stuttered, waving at the baby.

"He's so cute Cinderellie!" said Mary.

The rest of the mice agreed.

"Thank you everyone," Cinderella said.

Bruno, still by his mistress' side, licked the baby's cheek. Cinderella stroked him lovingly.

"You should have a party!" Gus exclaimed, "Big party for new princey!"

"We are definitely going to have a celebration Gus," Cinderella said, "We'll have a great ball and invite everyone in the kingdom, just like we did when we first found out I was expecting."

The mice cheered and shouted in joy as Cinderella yawned again.

"Cinderellie tired?" Jaq asked.

The princess smiled and nodded.

"Okay, let's go everyone! Zug-zug!" Jaq said as they all slid down the bedpost and went back into the hole in the wall.

Cinderella looked down at her son and smiled. She vowed, in that moment, to give the child everything his heart desired. Her child would want for nothing. She kissed the baby's forehead and blew out the candle on her nightstand.

"Adam," she whispered as she and the boy drifted off to sleep, "My Adam…"

So you were right ScipioSmith. That is the theory behind this story.

If you like what you've read, please leave a review. The more I get, the faster I work. To quote Wotso videos:

Have a magical day!