"Ella. My name is Ella."
Prince Phillip frowned. "Then why did Lady Teague say it was Cinderella?"
"Because she and her daughters call me that to make fun of me. I'm the only servant in this household and one of the things I do is clean out the cinders from the fireplace."
He clenched his fist. So that was where the nickname came from. "I understand."
"There is something you must know about me before we discuss anything else."
"And what is that?" He perched on the settee and gestured for her to be seated as well.
Once she sat next to him, she clasped her hands and stared down at them for a long moment. Then she looked up, meeting his gaze with hers. "Lady Teague is my stepmother."
"Your stepmother?"
"Yes. I know that must sound incredible, but I promise that it's the truth."
Of course he believed her. How could he not? In the three days he'd gotten to know her, he was well aware that Ella wasn't a liar. She had a good heart and it wasn't in her character to mislead someone.
"I don't understand. Why are you a servant in this home?"
"My stepmother always hated me. You see, when my father was still alive, we were very close. I considered him to be my best friend and I always confided in him. I don't know if my stepmother ever felt that kind of bond with anyone and I think that she started to resent me because of it." Ella lessened her grip on her apron and let out a breath. "Father died when I was fifteen and after the funeral, she dismissed all of our servants, claiming that we didn't have the money to spend on so many people."
"That is preposterous. She could have moved into a smaller house, remarried or found herself a place of employment. I know of ladies who were had diminished circumstances, but they managed to make a living while staying a member of respectable society. Her cause was not a hopeless one."
"True, she could have done something improve her situation. From what I know, she does have a formal education as well as a shrewd sense of business. If she chose one of the options you mentioned, I would still be a part of her life as her stepdaughter and a reminder of the lack of love in her own. If there's one thing I know, my stepmother loves to live in luxury and keeping me as a servant was a way to continue that lifestyle."
"But how was she able to keep the place afloat? Or perhaps I should ask, how did you?" He smiled cheekily at her and she returned the mischievous expression freely, relaxing some.
"Well, that wasn't too hard. We grow some of the best looking and best tasting vegetables in the land and every week, I take a cart to market and sell them."
"Really?" Phillip's jaw dropped in amazement.
"Yes. Father would do it sometimes, the days before his travels increased. Hee taught me how to haggle for a good price and when to be gracious. It also helped that he was much loved in the village. Many people were apt to buy their produce from us over the other sellers. The servants who used to work in this house have given me coins when they could spare them. One in particular, Agatha, would always buy me a hot mug of cider after I closed up shop. We've been friends since childhood."
Ella laughed to herself. "Since my stepmother and her daughter's tend to sleep late, Agatha has even sneaked over and helped me clean around the house or cook breakfast."
"How did she manage to get away from her own duties?"
"Agatha takes care of the old widow Garen in the evenings. She just reads to her and sews with her to keep her company. Her hours are flexible too, so that's how she can get away to assist me when she's able. We're blessed to not have been caught by anyone yet. But no one in town cares for my stepmother or stepsisters, so there was never any danger on that end."
Prince Phillip reached for Ella's hand, gently clasping it in his larger one. "You're fortunate to have such good friends. They see your sweetness of spirit and are moved to come to your aide."
"You flatter me, your highness."
"Nonsense. I speak only the truth." He glanced at her cheek and the red mark that throbbed on the skin. Gently, he brushed the area with his thumb. "Does she hit you often?"
She stiffened, but gradually relaxed into his touch. "Yes. Whenever she feels that I'm being slow or lazy, she strikes me to remind me of my place. I've spoken out against her cruelty more than once and she beat me for it every time."
Righteous anger surged through him. "Your place is as a lady of this household, not a personal slave for her pleasure! It's despicable and I won't stand for it."
Ella's eyebrows rose and she parted her lips in surprise. "What do you intend to do, if I may ask?"
"Banish her from the kingdom. And not only for this, but for lying to royalty and trying to cover her misdeeds. Anyone who behaves in such a heartless manner does not deserve to be a subject of Edonia."
"I thought only the king could do such a thing..."
"True. He is the ruler of this kingdom and it falls to him to decide whether a subject deserves expulsion. However, I believe he will want to banish her when you tell him everything you have recounted to me of your life here."
Her eyes were as wide as two gold pieces. "You want me to go to the palace and address the king, your father?"
"Of course. You didn't really think I'd leave you here with that harpy, did you?"
"Well...no, but regardless of how cruel my stepmother has been to me, I'd hate to leave this house for good."
Phillip thought for a moment. "Who says that you have to leave it? After she's banished, the house will be vacant, but if you wish, I could hire a caretaker for it and we could use it as an escape to get away from court life after we're married."
Ella stood up, her ivory cheeks flushed with pink. She was no longer clutching her apron, but staring into his eyes with intensity. Softly, she replied, "Married?"
"That was my plan in coming here. Unless you'd rather be good friends instead."
"Certainly not! Your highness, you are a horrible tease."
"Hm, perhaps you can teach me to do better." He slid an arm around her waist, pulling her close to him.
A red flush appeared on Ella's cheeks and she shyly leaned into his embrace, reveling in the warmth of his skin. "Why do I feel that would be a lifelong task?"
Phillip smiled and pressed his lips to hers.
Lady Teague actually got the nerve to storm back into the house, berating Ella for taking up all of the prince's time and was shocked to see her stepdaughter and the young prince in a tight embrace. She stammered and stuttered over her words, unsure of how to reconcile what she bore witness to. Fortunately, Prince Phillip silenced her twittering and explained to her that he would request her presence at the palace the following morning at six o'clock.
Foolishly, the lady believed that Phillip was going to marry one of her daughters and chose to keep the family in suspense. Although, when he took Ella home to be an honored guest in the palace, she should've realized that she was in for trouble. But Lady Teague had high hopes, which never happened often, and she ignored the obvious due to rapid delusions of grandeur.
The morning after, she and her daughters were brought before the royal court and the king himself reprimanded her for her despicable mistreatment of a subject in the kingdom who was also the woman his son loved. She was given a chance to explain her conduct, but she couldn't say a single word to defend herself because now, at last, she understood her sins.
Silence is golden, the old saying goes and how true for Lady Esmeralda Teague. The king banished she and her horrible daughters to leave the kingdom of Edonia and never return.
Ella had forgiven her stepmother and stepsisters for their cruelty, but she was not sorry to see them leave. Her home was finally restored to its rightful owner. Of course, she and Prince Phillip became engaged and were married in the same week, so she had little time to go back before their honeymoon. But she was happily surprised to find that Phillip hired a caretaker and a crew of men to restore the house to its former glory.
Now, Phillip and Ella couldn't live in the house since they were both royalty and as everyone knows, Royals always live in a castle. However, the house was kept as a getaway for them when they needed time away from the busy affairs of state and general castle life.
Drama was bound to be a part of their lives whether they wanted it or not, but as long as Ella and Phillip were together, they could handle anything that came their way. And as cliche as the saying is, they truly did live happily ever after.