Back in Euphrania, the King was pacing anxiously. He had prepared himself over and over for his son's entrance into his chambers…the Prince would surely burst in, livid about the loss of his Cinderella. He had a speech prepared to soothe his heir…but where was Edward? It was ten o'clock! He should have missed her by now.
At last, his impatience got the better of him. He walked over to his son's rooms and invited himself in. Looking around, he noted that the chambers were desolate.
He soon found out that his heir had not gone out riding that morning, as was his custom. He had not been seen by anyone that morning!
Summoning the Lord Chamberlain, he confided his findings. That wise statesman immediately ordered all the guards who had been on duty the previous night to report to the throne room. They all swore that they had seen no one leave by any of the gates for the last twelve hours, save Cinderella and those who had accompanied her.
The Lord Chamberlain pressed harder.
"Are you certain there was no one who left before or after that?"
"I give you my word, sir," said the captain of the guard. "The only people who left the castle last night were the girl, her coachman, and the two footmen who accompanied her."
The Lord Chamberlain pounced.
"Two footmen?"
"Yes, sir," the captain replied.
"But I only commissioned one for the journey!" the Lord Chamberlain exclaimed, looking at the King with worry and fear.
A through search of the palace soon revealed that no footmen were missing. The King and the Lord Chamberlain were soon travelling in a carriage of their own, in pursuit of Cinderella and the Prince.
