Chapter 2:
As morning dawned, they were far beyond Euphrania's borders, and the carriage slowly rolled up to a fine mansion and came to a stop. The Prince allowed the other footman help Cinderella out. He needed to know where they were before he revealed himself.
A matronly, well-dressed woman came out. She seemed to have been expecting them, as if a messenger on horseback had brought her instructions before they had arrived. The Prince recognized her at once, even though he had been only a small boy when they had last met. She was one of the King's most loyal subjects, and had moved out of Euphrania only to accompany her husband, a diplomat, to his permanent post in France. Thankfully, she did not recognize him as readily as he recognized her, and she commanded him to unload the trunks. Turning her attention to Cinderella, she welcomed her warmly into her home, and gave her a choice of coming inside directly or taking a turn about the gardens to stretch her legs after so long a journey. Cinderella, clearly being in no mood for company, elected the latter.
Watching his love walk off in the direction of a rose arbor, alone, the Prince quickly set the luggage down and hurried after her.
When Cinderella reached a place in the garden which was shielded from all the windows in the mansion by shrubbery, he hastened his pace. Catching up with her, he touched her shoulder and spoke her name.
She turned around, bewildered, and gazed at him and his manservant's uniform as if she could scarcely believe her eyes. It took a long moment before she managed to stammer,
"Edward, what?..."
He reached for her hand.
"I was not going to stand by and lose you twice."
"So you followed me?"
"Yes, my sweet."
Recovering herself somewhat, Cinderella attempted to pull her hand out of his.
"You should not be here at all! That is not how it was supposed to work! Our love will only lead to war, and to destruction…"
"No!" the Prince forcefully cried out. "The only thing that will lead to war and destruction is if you leave me desolate yet again." He pulled her closer, and in a calmer, more rational tone, asked, "Cinderella, do you remember that, the evening I found you in the meadow, you confessed to eavesdropping on the song which John and I sang at my ancestors' burial crypt?"
"Of course," the maiden admitted. She had forgotten nothing of that magical evening.
"Do you remember my mention of young King Ferdinand?"
"You said he reigned for half-an-hour…"
"Because he became so drunk at his coronation, he fell from the castle tower," the Prince finished. "Did you know why he was so fond of liquor?"
Cinderella shook her head.
"Because he was forced to wed a princess whom he despised. He took refuge in spirits to forget about his wife and her temper. Do you remember our mention of great King Rupar?"
"He won many battles…"
"Which accomplished nothing," the Prince rejoined. "And he knew it. Do you know why he spent his life on the battlefield, provoking wars and watching the good men of Euphrania be slain?"
"No," Cinderella whispered.
"Because his marriage was likewise arranged, and he could not stand to be in the same palace as his Queen. War was the only respite he had from her company."
Cinderella paled. She had never considered how much damage, or good, must be done by the woman behind the throne.
"And so, I choose to be a good husband rather than a bad king. I will not go back to Euphrania without you as my wife. Even if you will not have me, I will stay in whatever city or village you choose to live, and work as a farmer, a carpenter, anything which allows me to earn my keep and occasionally have a glimpse of you from afar. Let my cousin take the throne upon my father's death and lay waste to Euphrania. I will not follow my ancestors' lead and make myself and my people miserable."
Cinderella found her heart melting. He was so right…oh, how could she have ever left him?
He sensed her wordless surrender, and slipped his arms around her. He kissed her passionately, and their betrothal was restored.
Breaking apart, the Prince looked into her eyes and said in a hurried whisper,
"Although you understand now, I am through with playing this cat-and-mouse game with my father and the Lord Chamberlain. They will soon find out that I am gone and will follow us, I fear. I cannot bear that they steal you from me again. Look yonder." He turned Cinderella around and made her gaze beyond the walls of the garden. "There stands a small church. I will go to it this minute, and find a priest to join us together as man and wife. Once that is done, I will never leave your side again. There will be no opportunity for anyone to part us any more."
"Whatever you say, my love," Cinderella replied warmly, marveling at her own happiness.
