The court waited for the arrival of Prince Edward and the mysterious Princess Incognita in a state of feverish excitement. No one was certain quite what to say or how to act. John and Caroline both had been pressed with questions until they were driven to the point of distraction but neither had divulged more than they thought wise to share. It was early the next morning when the trumpets sounded from outside at the palace gates and a murmur of exultation rippled through the crowded throne room.
"She most likely has a grand retinue of servants and footmen," the Lady Allison was confiding excitedly to Caroline. "Not to mention all her ladies-in-waiting and perhaps even members of her family will accompany her as well! Oh, isn't it so exciting!" Caroline smiled ruefully, not informing Allison that the mysterious princess had not even the slightest form of footman or lady-in-waiting. That the grand lady all were waiting to receive in protocoligorically correct state and pomp was nothing more than an impoverished doctor's daughter... and now an orphan.
At last the great double doors of the throne room swung open and the entire court leaned forward, holding their collective breaths in suspense.
It came as a great shock when Edward entered, not even properly dressed himself, as he had no coat, leading a young girl by the hand. A girl clad in the simplest of linen gowns with her dark hair hanging loose around her shoulders. But on her feet she wore the most beautiful and elegant of sparkling glass slippers.
Hand in hand they advanced to the throne. Edward's eyes were shining with triumphant love and he looked down at her tenderly. But although the same love shone in her eyes, she looked back at him rather timidly as she clung to his hand tightly. Never once releasing her tight grip on his hand, she bent in a graceful curtsey before the king and queen. In spite of their astonishment at the plainly-dressed girl before them, a murmur of admiration swept over the court, for she was beautiful.
"Father, Mother," Edward began, almost breathless in his joy. "This is the Princess Incognita… the lady that I love."
"And what do they call you?" Queen Elinor peered sharply at the girl.
"Cinderella, Your Majesty." she spoke in a sweet and simple voice, with a graceful nod of her head. "Cinderella Tremayne."
"A most unusual name," replied the queen, frowning.
"The name, Mother," interposed Edward quickly. "Is surely of no importance. All that matters is that I've made my choice and wait for your blessings."
"You gave us a lot of trouble, you know, after the ball." the king leaned forward. "People looking for you everywhere. Vanished, you see. Did you go back to your own kingdom?"
"No, Your Majesty. I went back to where I live."
"And where is that, Child?"
"Why, here, Your Majesty." Cinderella seemed slightly confused, but the king was even more so.
"Here?" said he, incredulously. "In the castle?"
"No, Father." Edward laughed. "As you've often remarked, love is blind, and we sometimes don't look under our noses. Cinderella lives in our own Euphrania, not twenty miles from here."
"Who is this girl?" shrieked Queen Edith as Caroline hastened to her side. "Why doesn't somebody tell me what is going on?"
"This is the girl that Edward wants to marry." said the king, in a rather loud voice.
"Is going to marry, Father." Edward corrected.
"I don't wish to seem offensive, but it does seem to me that she's most unsuitably dressed for such a solemn occasion." The elderly queen had voiced the thoughts of the entire court.
"You're quite right, Grandmama," Edward gave his bride a loving glance. "It's something I shall correct immediately. Father, by your leave," he bowed and Cinderella curtseyed once again before he led her from the room.
As they vanished through the doors, Queen Elinor shook her head. Nervously, Caroline glanced toward John. He was leaning toward Charles, saying something in a low voice. He, too, looked nervous.
The king stepped down from the throne to speak to the chamberlain quietly.
"Questions of precedent. Unprecedented questions of precedent." he murmured.
"My own thought, Sire," the chamberlain acquiesced.
"A meeting, I think." The king spoke decisively.
"It has already been convened, Your Majesty."
"Pity. Charming little thing." the king shook his head sadly. "In other circumstances… most appealing."
From where he stood, John heard the quiet words and exchanged a worried glance with Charles. Caroline was curtseying to the queen, asking permission to withdraw. As she stepped forward, John offered his arm and together they left the throne room in troubled silence.