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Chapter 6: Stroke of Midnight

After the Frog Prince' proposal, the two got married the next day! During the wedding, Amelia appeared to give her blessings to the happy couple. Agnes gladly return the Magic Glass Wand to her godmother for she no longer need it. Later that day, the Princess and the Frog Prince shared their last dance in the Meadow Kingdom before going to the Underground Kingdom to stay.

Queen Wisteria happily gave the royal couple some of her servants and guards since most of the previous guards that pledge loyalty to James have died. Only a few are still waiting for him. Chef Mattis requested to come and work in their new home, a request that James graciously accepts.

Upon returning to his home, James had a mixture of happiness and nostalgia coming back to the place. It's been a while since he came back to his cottage and the Underground Kingdom. However, a tinge of sadness loomed over him again. Although having Agnes brought him joy, remembering his previous wife, Ivy, made the Frog Prince missed her even more. His stay in the Meadow Kingdom had took his mind from his lost, but now, those same feeling are returning to him. They cling on him just like his immortality and he can't get rid of it. Everyday was hard. He would passed by Ivy's room and feel nothing, but emptiness. He would have probably gone mad if it wasn't for Agnes who came into his life.

He gave his new wife her own bedroom somewhere else in the palace, opposite and far away from Ivy's. Whoever build the Underground Kingdom has great craftsmanship. There were so many rooms that a few still remained empty. Agnes was given two spare rooms, one to be the library and the other eventually became a shoe closet.

You see, Queen Wisteria had some kind of shoe fetish. She would send Agnes many of the best shoes from time to time, much to the Princess' delight. However, most of the shoes were not used and became a problem, so James gave the Princess her very own shoe closet to keep the palace neat.

Mattis got his own kitchen to work in and would serve the couple his wonderful dishes. The Frog Prince grew to like the chef and understands why Agnes treated him like her father. The chef has a fatherly feeling that makes both of them feel loved and cared.

On their one year anniversary, in the year of 1119, Agnes, who have turned nineteen and a half, had a visitor.

"Amelia," she happily rushed over to give her godmother a hug. "What are you doing here?"

"I came here because there is news concerning your father."

"M-My father?" Agnes questioned in worry.

Amelia nodded, "However, don't feel alarmed, Princess. I came with good news."

The Godmother gave her goddaughter an envelope with a letter inside. Just looking at the heading, Agnes immediately recognize her father's handwriting. The Princess spent the rest of her afternoon reading the letter under a large oak tree just outside the cottage.

Dear Agnes,

Please don't grow to hate me for my offensive behavior.

I was so lost in finding a bride to complete your mother's promise, that

I became blinded and foolish to asked you to wed me. I am ashamed of myself

for my obsession and wished to genuinely apologize. I didn't want to come because

I was afraid that you'd still be wary of me. That is why I asked for your godmother

to deliver this message. I have found myself a new bride to be my Queen, but our home

has been too quiet and lonely without you. We would appreciated it if you can come back home.

However, unlike last time, I shall consider your feelings and choices. Although I'd love to have you back,

I know that you'd be much happier with your husband. I hope you'll forgive me for driving you away

from home... And from me. I didn't know that my actions was pushing you away. For that,

I am truly sorry. If you do want to come home, please send a letter. If you don't wished to

come back, still send a letter. I love you, Agnes. May you lived a happy life with your

husband who can give you much more than I can.

From,

Your father, King George

Agnes looked up from the letter speechless. At first, she has no words to say and tears were welling up in her eyes. However, a smile spread on her face.

"Of course I forgive you, Father." she replied while holding the letter close to her. "However... Despite you wished for me to come home, I want to stay with James."

She wrote a letter to her father that night in her room to tell him everything that had happened when she ran away and her decision. She gave the letter to Amelia the next day and continue living with James and Mattis blissfully.

Soon, Mattis left the couple to travel to France. He wanted to go and see what the food tasted like. He left saying that he'll come back a month later, at the end of August. However, Mattis never came back and at least two years have passed in the year of 1121. It wasn't until later that they heard that... Mattis died.

Mattis got lost in the forest, east in France, where he was attacked by a wolf. He manage to evade the beast, but got wounded from it's sharp claws. He later died from losing too much blood. Some locals found his remains in the woods a few months later and brought him out. He was covered until the locals manage to identify him during those two years. When the news reached Germany, James and Agnes immediately leave for France via a portal created by Amelia. They brought the wrapped body back to Agnes' old home, since she wanted to see her father and her new stepmother. Her stepmother, Queen Eleanor, was a kind woman. It was on their arrival to the Verdon Palace that Queen Eleanor was the first to greet them outside.

King George was happy to see his daughter again as she rushed to give him a hug.

"Oh, Daughter! What a surprise!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"We came..." the Princess explained slowly. "To honor someone."

James, noticing that it was hard for his wife to divulge the information, stepped up to the King.

"King George, I am Prince James." the Frog Prince introduce with a bow.

"Oh, so you're my daughter's husband." the King realized, a bit dumbfounded. "Well, I am more than happy to accept you as my son. Now, why have you two come to visit?"

"We'll discuss over dinner." James replied politely.

When dinner came, the Frog Prince explained the story, much to the distraught of the Princess. After he finished explaining, it was Agnes who spoke.

"Father, can we hold a burial for Mattis?" the Princess requested. "He was the only fatherly figure I have when I ran away..."

The King nods his head, "If that's what you wished, Daughter. It shall be done."

"Thank you, Father." Agnes respond.

The next day, a burial was held for the chef Mattis. His body was put in a golden casket and he shall has a tomb on his own. The royal family came to pay their respects even the Queen and King from the Meadow Kingdom. As they left one by one, Agnes was the only one left. James couldn't help, but began to worry about her. He understands the feeling of losing someone, but he doesn't want his wife to suffer anymore.

"Agnes," he called out to her. "He wouldn't want you to be sad."

"I know." she mumbled quietly.

The Princess hugged her husband, burying her face in his chest. James didn't know what to do. All he can do is give his wife some comfort. He hold her and they stayed that way until evening.

The couple stay in the Verdon Palace for two weeks until the Agnes was feeling better to go back home again. The first week didn't go so well. The Princess would be quiet and only giving small talks. It was when her stepmother talked to her that the Princess started to feel better and better. By the end of the second week, Agnes returned to her cheerful, happy self.

They were ready to go home, but before they do...

"Thank you, Queen Eleanor, for helping Agnes." James expressed his gratitude before they leave.

"Anything to help my stepdaughter." the Queen respond.

James smiled as he took Agnes' hand and walked through a portal created by Amelia.

The royal couple spend many more happy times together... That is, until Agnes realized something about her husband thirty years later. She walked into the library one day to find him reading a book.

"James, how come you remain young and the same like that time when I first met you despite years have passed?" she asked.

James put down the book he was reading and looked at her. He got up from his seat and approach his wife. From the looks of his eyes, Agnes can tell that he was troubled and possibly dreading the question she just asked.

He sighed, "Agnes, if I tell you the truth, are you going to be angry?"

"It depends on the truth." the Princess replied.

"I see." he nodded. After giving out another sigh, he told his wife the truth. "Do you remember Ivy?"

"Yes," Agnes nods. "She was someone important to you."

"She was my... First wife." James started out slowly. He waited for a reaction, wondering what reaction she'll give, but since she didn't give any reactions, he continues, "After I wed her, I accidentally gain her immortally through her kiss. I can't even grow old, even if I wanted to."

The Princess listened intensely at the Frog Prince's tale.

"When you first met me, I was far away from home. I was trying to get over a heartbreak which lasted for a hundred years... Until you came to save me. That was when I began to fall in love with you." James explained. "I was hoping that this time, things will work out. However..."

"It's alright, James." Agnes stopped him. "I understand."

The Frog Prince looked confused, "You do?"

"I have no grudge against Ivy. She saved you out of love, just like me when I did the same to you." the Princess smiled.

James smiled also and took her hands. After a couple minutes of silence, he spoke.

"Now that I think about it, it was the library where we shared our second dance back in the Meadow Palace." he now has a mischievous smile on his face. "Shall we dance?"

The Princess giggled, "Yes."

The Frog Prince and the Princess danced in the room. At the end of the dance, they share a kiss. The couple continued to live happily in bliss.

Unfortunately, for Agnes, she too, started to slowly aged as time goes by. After forty-six year have passed, a servant informed James and he immediately rushed to her room in panic. No, no, no. This couldn't happen again. It just mustn't. He reached to her room to find the old woman smiling at him.

No! How can this be? How can time went by so fast? It was like time went backwards when James saw Ivy died on her deathbed. He kneel on Agnes' deathbed as the woman turned to face him.

"James... I'm dying." the woman spoke.

"No, don't say that." James refused to accept it.

"It's time..." she insisted.

"No! I already lost Ivy," James began, his voice shaking. "I-I can't afford to lose you too."

"Then let go." Agnes suggested.

"No, I can't." James replied, his mind in a frenzy.

He can already feel it. His mind going frantic. That feeling of emptiness, sadness, and loneliness sinking back in. It starts to latch and cling onto him even more. Agnes place her hand on his already trembling fingers.

"Let go." she firmly told him.

"No." he refused.

The Princess started to close her eyes before speaking, "Than at least... At least grant my wish."

"What? What is it? I'll do it! I'll grant your wish." James asked, feeling desperate.

Agnes opened her eyes again and smiled, "To find someone who loves you- who loves you as much as Ivy and me." her eyelids slowly close to rest. "That is my wish..."

"NO!" James sobbed and yelled in anguish just as midnight strikes.

He was turned into a frog once more. He'll have to leave, but he can't leave Agnes without a proper burial. Even as a frog, he asked Geppetto to build a casket for the Princess. It was a crystal blue color and it has a plaque at the side which says:

To the second Cinderella, Princess Agnes

You shall be in my heart. May fate lead us to find each other one day.

1100-1197

Before James had the casket be taken away, he took Agnes' golden spinning wheel and reel. He put them inside her casket. Now she has her ring, spinning wheel, and reel with her. Maybe one day, he will find his way back to her, in spirit.

Once the lid was shut, the Frog Prince ordered the servants and guards to take the casket away. However, James wanted Agnes to be in a location that will make her happy the most, not buried in the cold earth. His thoughts trailed to the library. So the casket was taken to that room. One of the servants help took James to the library where he wants the casket to be put.

You see, amongst all the book shelves, one in particular can gain access to a secret room. The Princess, herself, once discovered this. Therefore, James decided to give that room to be Agnes' resting place. When the casket was safely transferred to the room, James gave his last respect to his second wife before leaving.

Once he reached outside, James dismissed all the servants and guards. It will take him time to get over his second heartbreak. However, unlike last time, he shall not stay in Germany. He must leave the country for now and find a place to be his second home. So, the Frog Prince hopped, leaving his home in search for a new True Love.

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