"I… What!"
Her incredulity was clearly written across her face, and she felt she might go mad if she was to hear anything more.
"I'm sorry, milady," the Prince intoned, "But I feel I must know which of us you would have as husband."
"Why must you know now?"
"Well, this gentleman," he gestured at Frederick," claims that you are betrothed."
"Yes," Frederick replied. "We have been, for nigh upon three years now. I have the documents, drawn up by Emma's father, the honourable Lord Maximilian de Winter."
Emma fell back in the bed. Of all the things she had been expecting, this was the last.
"Oh, do leave the poor girl in peace!" Mrs. Williams scolded, bustling into the room like a mother hen.
Emma was grateful for this intrusion, which gave her time to think.
Of course they wanted to know. Technically, she was engaged to Frederick, but her prince would obviously hold greater power in that regard. So, they had given her a choice.
"It was rather considerate of them to do that."
"Do what, dearie?"
"Let me choose my future husband."
"Is that what they want from you?"
"Yes, Mrs. Williams. Just that."
"Not a very promising start for a marriage, is it?"
"What?"
"Well, I have heard some things about Master Frederick, and about his Highness, as well."
"'Things', Mrs. Williams?"
"Nothing terrible, but, I don't see why either of them deserve you!"
"And I don't know why either of them want me!" Emma exclaimed. She was exasperated. She felt like a useless invalid and she barely knew either man. Now they were forcing her to choose whom she would spend the rest of her life with?
"Mrs. Williams, what would you do?"
"Me? Why, I would make them wait for my answer, get to know both of them better, perhaps."
"They won't wait, I don't think."
"Then they can't truly love you, dearie. If a man loves you, he will do whatever is necessary to win your heart in return."
A long pause followed that statement. No, in truth, how could either of them love her? Even if Frederick had returned to right his wrongs, it did not mean that he had always been there for her, in her darkest hour with the Duchess. As for the Prince…
Her memories flew back to earlier days, when she had taunted an overdressed royal and his friends. She remembered also the insults he had flung at her upon that occasion.
How could Prince Dominic love her? He did not know the cinder-covered girl from the huntsman from the princess. And Emma was not truly any of these. She was simply… herself. Would he be willing to accept her in that way as his wife, or did he favour only the princess he had danced with at the ball?
Emma turned over these thoughts in her head all day. When Mrs. Williams demanded that she should rest, she closed her eyes and lay upon the soft pillow, but continued to ponder her choices.
As the sun was setting and it golden glow settled over her chamber, she sat up and got out of bed. Mrs. Williams, who was asleep in a chair by the bed, woke up at the sound.
"Dearie, what are you doing up?"
"I wish to dress for dinner, Mrs. Williams."
"But you…"
"I must inform the gentlemen of my decision."
"Already?" Even Mrs. Williams was incredulous.
"Yes. In the end, I know what I must do."
"But what is it you want to do?''
"That will remain forever a mystery, even to me."
She dressed in a simple gown, which was made of a lovely muslin. The soft fibers almost cushioned her wounds, and she smiled, thinking of the contrast between this and the scratchy fabrics she had worn as a servant.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Dominic sat at one end of the table, while Frederick sat at the other. As dinner was being served, the two rivals glared at each other over their plates. They were both vying for the same prize and each had an advantage over the other.
Suddenly, a vision in green walked through the door, silently.
"Emma!" Frederick exclaimed.
"Good sir." She curtsied, then turned to Dominic. "Your Highness."
She stood straight, then, and addressed both of them.
"I thank you for the opportunity to choose which you have offered me. However, I know that there is only one true choice in the end. And so, I have made up my mind to do what is right."
Both held their breaths.
"Frederick, according to the contract, it was my father's wish to see me wed to you. So it must be. I will honour his wish."
A/N: Ooooo, what happens now? I meant what I said about it being far from over, though, so don't think that this is the end. There is so much more that will happen. After all, despite all of the twists and turns, this is still a Cinderella story.
Swatter: I am so pleased that you like my story. Hope this update is soon enough for you!
LauraShrub: I agree, it might have been longer, but, then again, that search might come later. Like I've said before, this is far from over. Some of the facets have been twisted around to suit the new situation.
InChrist: Thanks for the grammar correction! I write these mostly after work, when I am half-dead and not at all in any condition to do anything but pour out my thoughts. Glad to see somebody is paying attention! I understand your concern about the cousin thing, but for me, it's not that strange. I have one male cousin and I see him once every four years or so, and only for a few days. It's almost like he is just an acquaintance. I guess that is why it isn't so strange for me to think of that. And, as you said, it wasn't considered strange at all in those days. My best to Cadmus-Aedan. Hope these daily updates suit his appetite!
ObsessiveCompulsive: I'm glad you like the character. He really is something else, I think.
Saffie: Hopefully, this chapter addressed some of your questions. It wasn't really either of their plans, but something parents schemed up. They have a tendency to do that, sometimes… As for the rest of your questions… you'll have to see!
My love to you all! You won't have to wait long for the next chapter, especially if you review!
-Titania