Time passed and the mysterious princess could not be found. The news had spread far beyond the borders of Euphrania and every bordering country and every country that bordered a bordering country took up the search. All were eager to know if perhaps the unknown girl was part of their own kingdom. The little slipper traveled far and wide until, at last, it was brought back to Edward and he took it in silence, sorrow filling his eyes.
In the palace courtyard, a simple monument was built and the slipper was placed in a glass case for all to see. Edward watched from above as the servants gathered eagerly around the case to see the beautiful slipper that had been the talk of the nations.
"I don't care what anyone says." he said to John bitterly, defying the rumors that had been flitting about ever since the ball. "I know she exists." He paused. John joined him at the window in silence. In his own sorrow, he hardly knew what he could say that would comfort his friend.
"The slipper will remain there as a monument to my lost love," Edward continued slowly. "How absurd life is! Down there, everything is so simple. People meet… fall in love… marry… and have children." John nodded. He understood fully the tortures of position and positioning.
"I daresay they envy me here." Edward laughed humorlessly. "I'm told envy of princes is a common enough thing."
oOo
Caroline found Edward alone one day, standing in the courtyard and staring at the glass slipper. Weeks had turned into months and each day had slipped by slowly, tragically. Since the queen had forbidden her to ever be with John, Caroline had kept to herself as much as possible, burying herself in her books every moment that she did not spend with Queen Edith. The only fresh air she allowed herself came through the open window or in the courtyard. She had not ventured beyond the palace gates since the day before the ball. She had not even gone to the stables to see her beloved Regina. There were too many memories there.
"Dear cousin," she slipped up beside Edward and laid her hand on his arm. He started, not having realized that she was there. "I wish there was something I could do…"
"There's not really anything that anyone can do," he murmured.
"But I understand the pain," she added quietly. He turned and looked at her. Wrapped as he was in his own troubles, he had not even noticed the look of suffering in her eyes. He saw it now and wondered at it.
"Life is really a dreadful thing, is it not?" he shook his head.
"It is dreadful." Caroline answered. "When people interfere in other's lives and destroy hopes and dreams." He seemed as if he was about to say something, but she continued, quickly. She knew how he felt and was loath to add to his troubles by burdening him with her own.
"I had hoped to ask a favor." she faltered. "I am… not able to go out riding as often as I would wish and… I worry for Regina. I had thought that perhaps you could ask… ask John… if he would ride her for me sometimes? The lack of exercise would not be good for her."
"Certainly I'll tell him…" Edward looked at her curiously. "But why not ask him yourself?"
She did not reply and he frowned.
"Of course," he continued. "He has been riding her… every now and then. I'm surprised you haven't been out in so long! Perhaps you would accompany us to the meadow tomorrow? I've already been out today but I…"
Caroline shook her head, cutting him off.
"I'm sorry. I just can't. And I should be getting back now…" she cast a reluctant glance toward the palace behind her. "I've been praying for you, dear Edward," she added as she turned to go. "Praying that you will find her soon."
Time and again, Queen Elinor had tried to urge Caroline to go out riding. With a more suitable escort, of course. She did not like the sad, listless look in the girl's eyes and wished she could erase it. But she could only wait for the eventual cure of time. Caroline had refused every offer of a ride. Never again would she be able to ride through that meadow.