Chapter 4

Celina made it home with enough time to change, hide the dress and mask, and wash her face.

Just as she finished washing her face, she heard the carriage pull up and her family bust into the house.

"I never got to dance with him!" She heard Penelope whine.

"I'm sure he noticed you, darling!" Her stepmother soothed.

Celina quickly entered the room to take their coats. Her father looked red in his cheeks. An obvious sigh that he had been drinking.

All of them flung their coats at her and walked off to their rooms.

She smiled to herself as she put them away

They never knew! She rejoiced as she went to bed.

…..

Dominic stood by the front castle windows and gazed into the darkness. The small blue shoe never left his hand after he picked it up. After a while, he heard his father burst into the room.

"So, my son! I heard you found a bride!"

Dominic felt his fathers arm slip around his shoulders as he tried to pull him closer.

"So where is the lucky girl?" He asked looking around. "Didn't scare her off, did you?"

"Actually…" Dominic mumbled, "I think I did."

His father paused. "That was a joke son."

"Mine was not."

There was a moment of silence. Then he heard his father roar in anger.

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED! YOU PLANNED THIS ON PURPOSE, DIDN'T YOU! ALL TO MAKE A FOOL OUT OF ME!"

Dominic felt his own anger arise as he faced his father. "Yes father! That's what I wanted! To meet my bride then loose her JUST TO PISS YOU OFF!"

His Father was taken aback by his son's anger. "You didn't plan it? Then where the hell did she go?"

"She ran! Plain and simple! Right after I marked her!"

His father stared at him for a moment. Then burst out laughing making Dominic look at him like he was insane.

"You did it, my boy! You did it!"

"Did what, old man?"

"You Marked her! You made it official!"

Dominic sighed and turned back to the window. "And how does that help me find her?" He snapped.

"You marked her! You already have a connection with her! All you need to do is to get out there and look! You will know your bride the moment you find her!"

Dominic thought for a moment, and then smiled.

His father was right. As soon as he saw his bride, he would know who she was. Not only would he have his mark to prove it, he also had her shoe.

"Yes father. I will start looking for my bride. Immediately!"

…..

The next day, Celina attended to her regular chores. At about noon, her stepmother burst into the kitchen.

"Celina! Quickly! Help my daughter dress!"

Celina noticed to look on her face and quickly set to the chore. Her stepmother followed quickly behind.

As she opened the large door to Penelope's bedroom, Celina was disgusted to see that she was still asleep.

"Penelope!" Her stepmother screeched. "Wakeup! Now!"

Penelope slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. "What's going on?"

"Dress before the prince arrives!"

Both of the girls snapped up at the announcement.

Penelope jumped out of bed and began searching for her best dress.

"Why? Is he coming to see me?"

Celina held back her laughter at the idea.

"He's been searching all night! They say he found his bride and he wont rest until he can find her!"

Penelope looked confused. "Who, mother?"

The stepmother looked like she would explode. "The prince! He's searching for the girl he fell in love with!"

Celina froze.

No. That couldn't have been the prince. It just couldn't have been…

"Celina!" Her stepmother snapped. "Help her!"

Celina came out of her trance and helped Penelope dress.

…..