The Grand Duke paced from one side to the other in front of the king's double door, wondering how he was going to break it to the king calmly.
"Your Majesty, I see no point in beating about the bush. I regret to inform you, Sire, that the young Iady has disappeared... Ieaving behind only this glass slipper. Yes, I'll do it. Yes... A perfectly understandable situation he'll understand…"
As he knocked on the door, he suddenly deflated.
"No, I just can't! I can't do it!"
"Well, come in!"
The king's voice boomed from inside and Slughorn jumped, startled before he shakily crept inside the room to see the king with a huge grin on his face.
Oh dear…
Slughorn bowed.
"Y-your majesty—"
"So, he proposed! Already! Ah! Tell me all about it!"
Slughorn gulped.
"Well… Sire, the thing is—"
"Who is she by the way?? Where does she live too?? We should invite her parents for a large feast!"
The king boomed out in laughter.
"Sire i—We didn't get a chance—"
"Well it doesn't matter. We've more important things to discuss. Arrangements for the wedding, invitations, a national holiday. All that sort of thing."
"But… but sire—"
"Here, have a cigar!"
The king smiled at the Grand Duke and pushed a lit cigar in his mouth.
"Sire… the thing is—"
"And for you my friend!"
With that, he unsheathed his sparkling clean sword and walk towards Slughorn who whimpered and began begging.
The king must have found out the girl was missing!
Oh his days were numbered!
"Y-your majesty! Please!"
He said, clasping his hands together and begging as the king was in front of him and he fell to his knees.
"A knighthood! I hereby dub you sir… uh, um…"
The king stopped to ponder before turning to Slughorn again.
"By the way, what title would you like?"
Slughorn sighed, his shoulders drooping as he slowly stood up, his head bowed.
"Sire… she got away sir."
The king snorted.
"Sir she got away?? An awfully weird name my friend but i—"
He suddenly stopped short, looking at the Grand Duke who moved back a bit as the sword in the king's hand straightened out.
"She what??"
He roared out, his face becoming red.
You—you traitor!!"
He shouted angrily, angling the sword towards the gradually shrinking Horace Slughorn.
"N-now sire… remember your blood pressure…"
He tried to placate the now advancing king.
"Treason!"
He swung his sword at Slughorn who squeaked and flew into the king's bed.
"No sire! No!"
"Sabotage! You've been in league with the prince all along!"
He shouted even more loudly, his face turning purple as he jumped on the bed, taking another swipe at Slughorn who rolled back and landed on the hard ground on his back.
"Sire I tried to stop her! But she… vanished into thin air!"
The king scoffed disbelievingly.
"Pah! A likely story!"
He glared at the Grand Duke.
"But it's true sire! All we could find was a pair of her glass slipper!"
But the king wasn't believing a thing as he got down from the bed and pressed the sword on the abnormally large nose of the Grand Duke who then whimpered.
"The whole thing was a plot!"
"But, Sire, he loves her! He won't rest until he finds her! He's determined to marry her!"
That stopped the king short.
"What did you say?"
The Grand Duke saw the chance to pacify the king and eagerly took it.
"The prince sire! He swears he'll marry none but the girl who fits the slipper!"
A sinister smile began to grow on the king's face as he stepped back, removing the sword from Slughorn's nose and he sighed deep in relief.
"He said that, did he?"
The king suddenly let out a maniacal laughter, dropping the sword on the bed.
"We've got him now! Ha ha!"
He did a happy little jiggle.
"Bu—but sire… the slipper could fit a number of girls!"
Slughorn said, trying to talk to the king but he was waved off.
"That's his problem! He's given his word! We'll hold him to it!"
Slughorn the shook his head resolutely.
"No. No your highness. I'll have nothing to do with this!"
The king glared at him, grabbed his sword and pressed the tip into the Grand Duke's nose who whimpered.
"First thing tomorrow morning, you will try this on every maid in my kingdom! And if the shoe fits… bring her in! Send a royal decree across the land! NOW!"
Celeste balanced a rather large tray of teapot, cups and utensils for morning tea for her cousins that morning as her mind replayed everything that happened the previous night.
Her… dancing with the most dazzling man she'd ever met. And the kiss!
Even right now, her heart thudded in her chest just remembering only his smile and the way his eyes glistened in the night light.
Oh how relaxed she was… she only wished she'd had more time with him. But it wasn't possible. She was a daughter of a Lord turned maid by her aunt. That was her life now.
As she moved to open the door into Charlotte's room, she heard frantic footsteps and turned to see her aunt looking slightly harried.
"Celeste! Quick! Where are my daughter??"
Petunia asked in a desperate manner and Celeste frowned.
"Still asleep in their rooms."
With that, Petunia barged into Abigail's room next to Charlotte and there was a mini struggle before they came out and entered Charlotte's room.
"Get up! Quick! This instant! We haven't a moment to Iose. Charlotte? Charlotte! Get up, Charlotte!"
Petunia rushed at her dozing away daughter, sitting her up.
"hunh? What for?... What's the matter?"
She asked as she yawned, Abigail already getting into her sister's bed and trying to doze off but her mother wasn't having it.
Celeste snickered quietly but still paid attention as she poured tea for the girls.
She really wanted to know what made Petunia so harried.
"Oh everyone's talking about it! The whole kingdom! Now girls drink your morning tea so I can get you to the tailor and get a new pair of dresses for tomorrow!"
Celeste frowned. Tomorrow? What was happening tomorrow?
"What's happening tomorrow?"
Abigail groggily asked.
"The Grand Duke! He'll be hunting all through tomorrow!"
"Hunting?"
"For that girl! The one who Iost her slipper at the ball Iast night! They say he's madly in love with her!"
Celeste's eyes widened.
"Who? The Duke??"
Abigail yawned and Charlotte scoffed at her sister, now more awake than ever.
"No you dummy! The prince!"
Celeste shook slightly, almost loosing control on the teapot and her aunt looked at her derisively.
"And whatever are you being clumsy for?! Now serve and leave! You two have a long day awaiting. You!"
"Whatever for?"
Charlotte grouched.
"He's already in love with that girl, why should we even bother?"
Petunia sighed exasperatedly.
"Because! Dear daughters, and listen to me very carefully! There's still a chance that one of you can get him!"
Celeste's eyes widened, turning completely to her aunt who was holding onto her daughters like they were her very lifeline.
"One of us? But… mother, what do you mean??"
Abigail asked, now widely awake and interested in the matter. Not that Celeste could blame the girl… even she was truly invested in this matter now more than ever!
"Just this. No one… not even the prince, knows who the girl is!"
Celeste clamped her mouth shut.
A blush slowly spreading across her cheeks.
"The glass slipper is their only clue. The Duke has been ordered to try it on every girl in the kingdom first thing tomorrow morning, and if one can be found whom the slipper fits, then... by the King's command, that girl shall be the Prince's bride!"
Celeste gasped, a hand pressed to her chest as it quickened.
Bride!!!
The 2 sisters squealed in surprise.
"Bride?!?"
"Oh my! I want to be the Prince's bride!"
"I want to be a princess too mother!"
Abigail suddenly turned to a starry eyed Celeste.
"You! You have to rearrange my jewelries so I can access them better and know the better ones to pick!"
Charlotte pushed her out of the way.
"No way! She has to color code my ribbons and shoes! So I can choose something beautiful!"
"You wouldn't even need shoes you dummy! We'll be testing the slipper!"
"Well I need it for when the slipper fits me and I'm heading to the palace!"
"How dare you!"
They clashed but Celeste was still in her own world, a dreamy smile on her face as her heart beat fast with hope.
Hope on the horizon.
She didn't notice the narrowed look of suspicion that appeared on her aunt's face.
"QUIET!"
Petunia barked and her 2 girls stopped.
"This is no time for arguments! We have to get to the tailor and get the beautiful dresses before the rest of the patrons take the best pick!"
Celeste finally spoke up.
"I uh… I have chores! To do, in town! Yes!... I'm, goodbye!"
With that, she rushed out of the room, a big grin on her face as she prepared to go visit her friend, Hermione.
Petunia watched her with a contemplative look in her eyes as she turned the corner.
"Hermione!"
Celeste called out excitedly as Hermione's mother told her she was in the yard, doing some light reading.
Hermione looked up from her book and a squeal escaped her lips.
"Oh my! Celeste! You're going to be a princess!"
Celeste shushed her friend, laughing shyly as they settled on the grass together.
"You don't know that Hermione!"
"Oh but I do! I ran into Luna this morning who told me that she heard from Rolf who heard from a close friend of the prince that he's absolutely enamored by you! He apparently was super devastated when you left without at least telling him your name!"
Celeste blushed as she looked down and played with the helm of her ankle length brown bodice skirt.
"Oh… Well… wow…"
She stuttered and Hermione chuckled.
"Yes, oh."
"So… did Rolf… tell the prince who I really am?"
She asked, pretty curious and Hermione shook her head, an exasperated look on her face.
"No! Apparently Luna told him this was the best way to let things happen! I mean, what if the shoe fits another lady!"
At that, Celeste became worried.
It was true after all.
What if the slipper ended up fitting another maiden. A much more beautiful maiden with a rich background??
Hermione saw her concerned face and patted her arm softly.
"Don't worry about it though. Rolf said he begged his father and insisted on riding with one of the guards that would be accompanying the Grand Duke on his journey, and so even if the shoe ends up fitting the maiden, he'll… suddenly remember how he ran into the actual maiden who owned the shoe and, oh! He remembered he saw her emerald eyes too!"
She grinned and Celeste laughed, feeling slightly better though if a bit worried.
"Now, how about we swap stories, hm?"
"Oh?"
"How about you tell me how you came across the most breathtaking dress for the ball and I just might tell you about a young Lord by the name Neville I ran into at the party."
Celeste's eyes widened and she squealed excitedly, happy for her friend before the 2 friends burst into laughter.
Meanwhile,
At the Weasley household, Mrs. Weasley and the young Miss Weasley are rushing around all in a flurry as Ginny tried on different dresses that might look good when presented in front of the Grand Duke the following morning.
Mr. Weasley sighed as he watched the 2 females, though a small smile played on his lips.
His last son dozed away on a sofa, not giving a care about what was going on.
Just then, a loud, banging knock at their door, startled them.
"Now who could that be??"
Molly spoke, slightly irritated.
The loud bang was heard again, this time even more louder than the last and Molly got even more angrier, moving towards the door even as Arthur stood up.
"And just who is that! Banging on the door like an uncivilized member of the society! Why! I ought to—"
Molly stopped short as her mouth fell open at who was at her door.
The golden blonde hair well arranged on his head with slight grey and his cold brown eyes staring down at her in disgust.
Sir Anthony Brown.
Without even an invitation, he walked past her and into the house, a guard with him as he looked around the home in distaste and his eyes fell on a sleeping Ron and he gritted his teeth in anger.
Arthur saw this and quickly walked up to the man.
"Um, Sir Brown… W-welcome to my humble abode. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Sir Brown looked at Arthur and grimaced.
"You are the father of this boy I predict?"
He asked and Arthur became wary.
Oh what had his son done now?
"Yes Sir. Is there a problem?"
Sir Brown scoffed.
"Problem! Pah! This… boy! Has committed a grave offense against not just me but my whole family!"
Molly and Ginny gasped.
Arthur trembled slightly.
"Forgive me Sir, but what has he done? Did he steal from you? I do so apologize sir."
He moved, rudely waking his son up who stood startled at the awakening, staring bleary eyes and Sir Brown gritted his teeth in anger.
"Steal? Ah! That would have been even better than this… filth! Leaving my daughter with child!"
Arthur choked out in surprise as Molly and Ginny gasp again in shock and turned to a now widely awake Ronald Weasley.
"What?..."
Molly shrieked, moving forward.
"But you must be mistaken!"
Sir Brown turned to her with a snobby yet furious look.
"Didn't you ever learn not to cut in when men are talking woman?!"
Molly blushed red and stepped back, Ginny moving to hide behind her mother as Sir Brown turned to the guard with him and gestured him to go outside.
Sir Brown then turns to Ron who gulped.
"And you, boy! Anything to say?"
Ron whimpered.
"I-it… she must have lied! I didn't… no!"
Sir Brown sneered down at him.
"Can't even form a complete sentence! How dare you try to lie! My servants have told me they've seen you squawking around my daughter already! Pity they said it too late! I should have you arrested where you stand!"
Arthur stepped forward, a pleading look on his face but conversations stopped when a sobbing and dainty looking lady Lavender Brown walked in, the guard behind her, as her head was bent and a tiny bag in her hands, her golden blonde wavy hair in a side plait.
She was beautiful but it would seem very loose at the same time!
"Sir Brown please… there must be a solution to all this!"
Sir Brown looked at Arthur Weasley, disdain in his eyes as he turned back to Ron who collapsed on his knees, thinking his life was already ruined and he'd have to go to jail.
"My daughter, was meant to be wedded with Lord Goldstein's son by the end of the month. Lord Goldstein is one of the kingdom's main supplier of oil. We had struck a bargain with both his heir and my last and only daughter. A bargain that has been destroyed because of your filth son's inability to hold down his libido in the presence of a proper lady!"
He spat out and Arthur winced.
"At first, I had thought my daughter's virtue had been taken by Lord Goldstein's son, Anthony, but it would seem he was a great gentleman. I have lost a very important connection, your son will have to pay the price."
"How… Sir…"
"By wedding my daughter instead, of course."
There was a moment of silence which was broken by a croak from Ron.
"M-marry?!"
Sir Brown snapped his head to him and glared and Ron looked down meekly while Lavender whined in tears.
"B-but daddy!! I don't want to!!"
Her father turned and descended on her.
"Quiet child! Be happy I haven't disowned you for bringing disgrace to my name! You are to wed him! And no one is going to be against it. No one!"
He finalized, looking into Arthur's eyes who realized there would be no going out of this.
He sighed, looking down.
"Of course, sir. If it were my daughter, I'd do the same as well."
Sir Brown spotted Ginny huddled behind her mother and scoffed derisively as if she wasn't worth anyone's time or effort.
"What must be done now… sir?"
Arthur began calculating the extra mouths he had to feed. And a baby would take a lot of money as well.
What to do…
"As is tradition… I am to present you with my daughter's dowries for marriage."
Ron's eyes widened at the thought of money.
The Browns may not be super rich, but they were from a semi noble family and the dowry would be quite a lot, especially as the only girl.
Sir Brown scowled.
"Just because I didn't disown her doesn't mean I will help provide amenities or care for her either. After the marriage, she is officially yours to care for, the rest of your life boy. I wash my hands off of her."
Lavender whimpered but said nothing, probably having heard it before.
"And with that, while I have turned my back on her for her disgraceful act, my wife convinced me to do better with the dowry, not trusting any of you with such… huge amount of money. I purchased a cottage in town for the 2 of them and the little change that remains has been put in he bank. Under Lavender's name. To use for… the child."
He ended in disgust.
"I have nothing else to say to you lot. The wedding will be rushed in 3 days. Just a simple exchange of wedding bands at the local church, discreetly and she will be sent your way. I don't want to prolong my time with you people in my presence. Get the rings ready, and at least let them be good to look at. Good day."
With that, he walked out, a still sobbing Lavender behind him and the guard right behind, closing the door.
As the 3 left, everyone turned in anger and shame at a quivering Ron.
"RONALD WEASLEYYYY!!!!"
Molly's shriek was heard around the neighborhood.
That night, as Celeste slept, she had no idea the sinister plan her aunt had in store for her.
SO!
WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?!
ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE DILEMMA RON IS IN.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S BEEN CAUGHT IN A HOLE.
WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK ABOUT SIR BROWN TOO?
DID HE DO THE RIGHT THING? ESPECIALLY WITH HOW NOBLE FATHERS OF OLD CARRIED THEMSELVES!!
PLEASE COMMENT!!
LOVESANDKISSES!!!!*