A/N: This is my first Cinderella story from the most recent movie. I enjoyed it but particularly focusing on the royal family. While I did really like this version of Cinderella and thought she played to much of the humor of the film. The royal family dynamics fascinated me more. I wish there could have been more scenes with them especially with Gwen as I loved her character and Beatrice along with the scene where she reveals the dress after Robert announces her which hence inspired this.
Warnings: There is the occasional swear word. Also this story is unbeta'd so future apologies for any grammatical mistakes.
Disclaimer: I do not own Cinderella and make no money from writing this.

Growing up together it was always used as a threat for Robert. That he best shape up and keep in line lest he watch the throne be given to Gwen. It was something their father threw out often, and sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Robert didn't really know what he wanted. Some days he felt he had great ambitions to take the throne and do it justice. Other days he just wanted to go fox hunting and drinking and hand the responsibility over to someone else.

His mother was patient with him and listened to him vent his frustration and confusion. Their relationship had always had an ease to it. But ultimately her words could only carry so far and at some point would usually fall on deaf ears. When he wanted, the king ruled with absolute authority.

Despite her irritation with him at times his sister Gwen was the closest person who could understand his position. So he would turn to her whenever the pressures got to be too much.

"Ouch!" He reacted cradling the spot that just got pinched. He glared at the perpetrator only to find her glaring back at him.

"You're not listening. I'm trying to talk to you about our border patrol and how to broach the idea with father of having trained physicians make regular trips to the outer rim villages. He'll take it more seriously coming from you, if you can say it right. Which means you have to practice with me."

"What's the point? He doesn't take me seriously enough anyways."

"Well maybe he would if you did more than shirk responsibilities and always go out with your friends."

Robert's face fell to a sullen scowl. Even though that was partially true he didn't need yet another person calling him disappointing and a child. He heard enough comments around the castle as it was. Which simultaneously both made him want to prove them wrong and get away from it all. He replied back with some bite. "And now you sound just like him which I don't mean as a compliment right now." He walked over to her window to glance out at the palace courtyard below. Eventually he felt Gwen join him standing a foot away.

"I'm sorry." Which to her credit he could hear in her voice. "But you know it's my dream, and it's hard. Because it's just going to be handed to you, and most days you don't even want it."

"Maybe it should be you. You're a far sight better at it then I'll ever be. You don't even fall asleep during the council meetings." Turning his head to look at her over his shoulder. She smiled back at him.

"We both know father would never approve."

"He wouldn't have a choice, if I abdicated the throne."

"Then he would disown you. I can't see him ever accepting that."

Robert leaned forward and rested his head against the glass window miserably feeling the cold seem into his skin. "Why are you always right?"

"Well no need to sound so glum about it." Came her bemused reply. "At least they aren't marrying you off yet."

"They're talking about it." His father had started dropping not so subtle hints that he needed to start seriously looking or else they would intervene for him per an arranged marriage. He felt Gwen gently thread her arm around his.

"Come on, I'll help you with your lessons and catch you up on the council meeting that you fell asleep in earlier today.

Most days he didn't deserve his sister.

"Gwen! I need a really big favor." He exclaimed, as he raced into his room with excitement and dress in hand which had garnered some odd looks from the castle staff. He had an idea and couldn't get it out of his head after meeting the mysterious funny seamstress from earlier. Gwen was reading on her bed not even looking up at his entrance.

"What is it?" She asked without inflection or looking up, still no doubt smarting over their father's comments and usual threat of giving her the throne even though they all knew he had no intention of doing that.

"I have something for you to wear for the ball that we're throwing."

At that Gwen finally glanced up and raised an eyebrow at the dress he was holding. She stood up moving closer to inspect it.

"It's an interesting design very different from the usual traditional gowns. Who made it?"

He felt a smile break through quickly, as it had been thinking about his mystery girl. "I didn't get a chance to get her name, but she's a seamstress I met in town today. I bought her first dress."

Gwen ran a hand over the dress. "Ah, so you like her. Do I assume this means you've already fallen for her then? Father's not going to approve a non royal or at least non noble choice."

"I don't care for his opinion on this." He snapped back before stamping down his irritation. "She's invited to the ball as every girl is, and when he sees her he'll change his mind. He'll realize that we're perfect for each other."

When he didn't hear a response he found Gwen staring at him in heavy skepticism and judgment. "You sound very sure of someone you barely know."

He wanted to argue that he did know her or at least he felt that he did. He knew she could make him laugh like she did in the courtyard, and he thought she was talented despite knowing nothing about women's fashion. She also didn't think much of him, if what she shared was any indication. But he could change that with the ball! And with this favor.

Seeing Gwen's fingers stop at the broach he added quietly. "That was her mother's."

Taking her hand back before releasing an inaudible sigh his sister responded. "You will owe me. I'm talking a huge debt, since you already owe me so many favors for all the times I've covered for your hunting parties and-"

She was cut off as he quickly moved to hug her nearly as tightly as he could. Rolling her eyes Gwen couldn't help but pat his head lightly with fondness. Her brother may be many things impulsive being one of them. But she couldn't deny he could be sweet when he wanted. And often it was only through him that her ideas were allowed to see the light of day. If their father only knew...Anyways this would be interesting to see how it played out and she did prefer this dress to the one she was going to wear.

When he pulled back, she couldn't help but ask. "Do you really think she'll attend?"

"I can't say for certain but...I hope she does. I have a really good feeling about her Gwen."

"Then for your sake I hope she does as well." And that their father wouldn't intervene without first giving it a chance, unlikely as it may be. At least if she made Robert happy, their mother would like her whoever she was and regardless of status.