The sound of heavy footsteps reverberated off of the pristine marble floors throughout the sloped archways of the hall. Their rhythm was broken as their source continued meandering down the corridors of the Castle of Dreams. The King of the land slowed his pace as he neared his destination. Somberly, he raised his eyes towards the castle's stone walls until just the bottom of a massive portrait frame was visible. He hesitated for several moments before ultimately tilting his head the final few degrees, allowing the rest of the painting to come into view.

Gazing upwards, King Louis felt a wave of sadness was over himself. A different set of footsteps could be heard quickly approaching. Unashamed, the King didn't bother attempting to hide his tears from his approaching friend. The aforementioned friend was a lithe man dressed in all blue, who was fidgeting under the guise of polishing his monocle. The Duke laid a reassuring hand on Louis' shoulder as he too fixated his eyes on the painting.

Both men were staring sorrowfully at an enormous seven foot by eleven foot portrait, illuminated by nearly a dozen sconces. Each sconce was gold encrusted and intricately patterned. The portrait frame itself was extravagantly decorated. The giltwood base was covered in a gold leaf pattern in addition to the silk tassels that adorned the edges. Within the frame was a master work of art. The stunning craftsmanship depicted a younger Louis, still with a full head of hair. He was missing his signature mustache which uncovered the beaming smile that was plastered on his face. However, neither the King nor Duke's eyes were on the King's likeness.

Instead, both were occupied observing the other two figures within the painting. On the left, a woman with a gentle smile and shoulder length curly black hair stood. Her perfect posture and stunning seafoam dress made her look regal. The skilled artist had even managed to depict the happiness within her eyes as she gazed upon the third figure: her babe, Prince Charming, who was resting peacefully, swaddled and held by both his parents.

The long silence was broken by the Duke who softly said, "Catherine would've wanted us to celebrate today."

After letting out a long sigh, King Louis responded. "Yes. You're right, she would have. It's just-I keep imagining the look of pride that would be on her face today. Our little boy has finally grown up, my love." His voice cracked at the end of his sentence as more tears escaped his eyes. Most Kings would be hesitant to show his emotions in front of others, let alone cry. King Louis had no such apprehensions because he would not be judged for being true to himself.

For a while, they stood there: two grown men sharing a comfortable silence with each other within the King's bedchambers. Despite occurring nearly 17 years ago, the whole kingdom remembered how difficult the Queen's passing was for King Louis. Never one to hide his emotions, for better or worse, the King had openly wept on her throne for weeks.

Both men were snapped back to reality when the large bedroom door swung open and the overt sound of giggles carried through the doorway. The interruption was quickly followed by the entrance of the newly wed Prince Charming and Princess Ella. The sight of the pair brought a happy grin to the King's face.

Cinderella wore a smile that could melt a frozen heart. She was proudly clothed in a flowing yellow dress that she had designed and sewed herself. The dress flowed and swayed with her movements. Her arm was intertwined with the Prince's, who, dressed in all white, sported an impeccably tailored Ella Tremaine suit. The goofy grin that he had worn all day was still present upon his face.

The Prince smiled brightly. "I thought we'd find you here, father. Checking up on Mother again?"

The King let out a chuckle. "I like to imagine what she'd say at times like this."

"Why don't you come and join our party?"

"Oh yes! We're having a wonderful time; dancing, singing, and I've met so many interesting people," Ella chimed in.

"Oh how I envy the energy of youth," Duke Frederick said, once again rubbing his monocle.

Ignoring his friend's comment, the King replied. "Yes of course. But first, you must come meet Catherine. You're a part of the family now and she's been looking forward to meeting her new daughter," while he gestured towards the immaculate painting. "If only she were still here. You've grown into such a fine young man, Kit." The Prince cheerfully rolled his eyes at his childhood nickname, while Ella glanced mischievously at him. "Plus she always loved a good party. Your mother was the finest dancer in all the land! Who do you think taught me?" The King let loose a deep laugh as he swept the Duke into his arms, and began waltzing to the tune he had started humming. Ella greatly enjoyed the King's eccentricities.

Ella stepped towards the painting, taking it in in all of its glory. While the King continued to dance, Ella studied the details of the portrait until her gaze settled on a specific feature. "You have your mother's beautiful eyes," she exclaimed, half to herself.

Kit approached behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her cheek. "They are my favorite gift from her. I wish she were the one who taught me to dance. As it were, my father was the one I learned from," he softly chuckled. Ella looked behind her at the man still enthusiastically twirling around the room. She laughed, imagining Kit as a teenager receiving being swung around the ballroom by the larger man.

"May I ask how she passed?" Ella sweetly inquired. This question finally broke the King out of his pleasant fantasy, as he abruptly stopped his movements. His mood quickly shifted to a more somber one.

"She…" he stuttered. "She was taken by a slow fever epidemic," the King managed to say.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. That must have been a very difficult time for you both," Ella's empathy showed.

"We all wept for weeks afterwards," the Duke added.

"She died when I was very young, nearly 17 years ago. I wish I had more time with her," Kit added.

"I would have loved to truly meet her. And I understand your pain," Ella genuinely said as she put her hand over her heart. "Though my time with my parents was short, it was very precious to me. My mother was taken by the same plague. Soon after my father remarried he was taken by tuberculosis. That's when my stepmother put me to work," Ella's voice quietly trailed off at the end.

"It's okay Ella. You are among family. You can speak freely here," Kit sweetly said, triple checking that she was comfortable.

Ella nodded before continuing. "She completely changed from when she had married my father. I think at some level she blamed me for what happened to him. Somehow she rationalized it that way. At the start she would have some bad days amongst the good, but slowly, the good days were replaced entirely. Since we couldn't afford the maids any more, she told me that I needed to fill in. To have some form of income she rented out my room and I was relocated to the attic, with the mice to keep me company."

The men's faces contorted at this. Ella hadn't shared her exact relationship with the mice because, truthfully, she wasn't very confident in how they would respond to her talking to animals. Although they were the main reason her time there was bearable.

"My stepsisters, who had been my playmates when we were younger, followed in their mother's footsteps. We had been so close but they also started using me as an emotional outlet. There was never any physical abuse though, so I know they still cared about me in some way."

The King was angered by hearing that Ella was alienated and abused by her stepfamily, silently thinking that he would have Lady Tremaine's head for this. In his eyes, families should support each other. The Duke and his husband, William, were there for him, and he was there for Kit. He vowed to love Kit enough to balance Catherine's absence. Kit was her greatest gift to him after all. The King always made time for his son. Whether that was to play, teach him, or just tell him stories.

Ella was made an outcast by her stepfamily and forced to care for them throughout the whole ordeal. As a father, it disgusted him to hear of a child conscripted into that level of responsibility. It should be the obligation of the parent to care for the child, not ostracize them in their own home. Not to mention the years of gaslighting and verbal abuse Ella endured. The thought alone sickened him.

"No!" The King yelled in a furious tone, slightly surprising even himself. After taking a moment to regain his composure, he cleared his throat and said, "what I mean is: no one should be treated the way you were. That was not family. A family takes care of each other."

Ella let loose the torrent of emotions that she hadn't been allowed to express for the longest time, resulting in a flood of tears all over Kit's formerly pristine outfit.

He also felt a pang of guilt from the situation. He had been allowed the time to grieve and had the privilege of not grieving alone. The King had simply appointed a regent from his council to ensure the kingdom continued operating while he mourned the loss of his wife. No one questioned his decision. He was the King! Neither he nor Kit had ever completed a chore in their lives, which gave them the opportunity to focus on each other.

Ella, however, had no such luxuries. She had been forced into servitude for years without any time to process her loss. Her father had to prioritize their survival by marrying again, despite it not being the best decision for his daughter's happiness. She watched as her once-kind stepsisters were showered in riches and affection, while she was kept upstairs in an old and dreary attic. In fact, Frederick had believed her to be a live-in maid, and not the true heiress of the manor and household. She had told them of how the time spent alone in her room, staring out of the window to watch the birds fly free was her favorite memory since such large changes occurred within her stepfamily. She would even give the birds some of her bread, even though she received the smallest portions, because she felt connected to her parents in those moments.

It astonished the King that Ella was a beacon of kindness and empathy after all that she had been through. Louis realized just how strong of a person she must be. He felt even more confident now that his son and kingdom would be in good hands.

While Kit held a crying Ella in his arms, the King reaffirmed, "We are your family now. You won't need to worry about anyone treating you that way again."

Seeing this loving embrace, the King couldn't stop himself from rushing forward, and sweeping both Kit and Ella into his arms in one motion. They were soon joined by the Duke. King Louis started to cry as well. Today was a day for tears. Though these tears were different from the ones that had previously fallen. These were tears of relief.

Relief, not joy.

Ella's mental health had taken a consistent metaphorical beating for the majority of her life. Issue's like that cannot simply be solved overnight. It was a long, arduous process that can take years. In the back of her mind, Ella knew this. However, once again, her resilience shone through and she was able to silence that nagging voice. At that moment, she felt perfectly content.

"Thank you," she said once the hug had finished. She began wiping tears from her eyes. Turning to face King Louis, in between tears she said, " You have been so welcoming to me. Is there anything I can do to repay you?"

The King quickly dismissed this idea. "Nonsense! Now, is there anything else I can do for you? Perhaps you want a certain step family to go missing?" he said, only half joking.

After seeing how uncomfortable the King's joke made Ella, Frederick quickly followed it by saying, "Just kidding!"

"What?—Oh yes. That was only a joke, of course." The King corrected.

"I don't want anyone to get hurt," Ella said. "Maybe someone can give them the help they need, but I can't see them again for a long time."

"Done!" The King exclaimed.

"I think that's wise, darling. You should prioritize yourself from now on." Kit leaned down to kiss her forehead.

Ella thought to herself how incredible it was that the King can solve most of his problems in minutes with a simple command. And yet, even with all his power, his wife still succumbed to disease just like anyone else. Just like her own parents. She had seen firsthand how much Catherine's death had affected King Louis. Despite his vast wealth and power, the most important thing in his life remained his family.

Frederick chimed in. "Naturally, we will be needing an additional portrait. I'll arrange for an artist to arrive at the castle. "

Ella's eyes widened. First in surprise, then in elation. "May I make a suggestion?" She said, still unused to speaking freely.

"Of course, my dear," replied the King.

"I would like us to be painted by the same artist that created this masterpiece as well." She gestured towards the old royal family portrait.

"What a splendid idea!" Kit agreed.

"Yes of course! A perfect manner in which to honor Catherine," the King said, clearly approving.

"I think I'll make a new dress. A blue one this time." Ella said as her mind started to race with ideas.

"I'll wear that maroon outfit I have." Kit said thoughtfully.

"Are you insane boy?! That would absolutely clash with the blue. Think Kit. THINK!" Apparently the King was very passionate about color schemes, but they all knew he was truly trying to bring a smile to their faces..

Kit rolled his eyes affectionately before Ella chuckled and said, "Your father's right you know. That would look horrible on anyone but you," causing Kit to blush.

"Well now that this matter is settled," Frederick paused to polish his monocle, "I suppose we should be returning to the party. Everyone wants to see the happy couple."

As the others made their way to the door, King Louis lingered for a bit. He cast one final glance upwards towards the painting. His eyes fixated on Catherine's. In response, her eyes shimmered for but an instant. A true "blink and you'll miss it" moment. But Louis didn't miss it. He walked out of the room smiling from ear to ear.