Just a quick shout-out to all my followers/reviewers. You guys are awesome. I hope you enjoy the next chapter- it's a dramatic one!

(This chapter was updated on 6/2/2016)

Over the next few days, Ella's life began to form into a certain routine. She would wake up, have breakfast with Kit, and then report to Prudence for her "lessons". In the morning, these consisted of taking tours of the palace and memorizing the locations of various rooms, meeting all the staff members (Ella was delighted to find that a few of her father's former household now worked at the palace- it was lovely to see some familiar faces), and learning from Prudence exactly how the palace was run. For though Prudence was the Head Housekeeper and ran a tight ship, it would eventually fall upon Ella as Queen to make all the important decisions regarding keeping up the estate.

Even her meals were not free from scrutiny, for at lunch Prudence would go over proper dining etiquette, certain table settings for different occasions, appropriate seating when nobility was to dine with them, what foods were served when, and who had what duties as far as serving the meals.

Thankfully, in the early afternoon, Ella was allowed an hour to do with as she pleased, which she generally spent holed up in the massive library, or spending some blissful moments of solitude in the gardens. She generally loved being around people, but after spending several years with mice for company, she felt exhausted after meeting with so many new faces. It was nice to have a moment's peace to herself.

From there, she was to meet with her tutors. Prudence had been pleased to learn that Ella already spoke fluent French and passable German, and that she played the piano and harp, and could pick up the court dances easily and with a certain natural grace. She also knew how to ride properly, how to sing and draw, and read often in her spare time. It seemed Prudence had thought she would be dealing with an illiterate, uneducated country girl, and was quite relieved that it would not be the case. Ella was grateful that her parents had stressed her education from such a young age, for she had lost several years working for the Tremaines. So she met with her tutors to learn the history of the kingdom and monarchy in depth, how the government worked, and what the powers of the Crown were. She was to be a queen consort and under normal circumstances would not have any real power, but Kit had made it clear from the start that she would be ruling with him and would not sit silently on the side if it was what she wanted.

She would arrive to dinner absolutely exhausted, but she would get to see Kit again, and that would make her feel a little better. After dinner, she and her intended were free from responsibility, and so they would spend the quiet evenings together, either strolling through the long corridors of the palace, or quietly talking by the fire, or conspiring to sneak away from the ever-present guards for some… private time.

Yes, there was a routine in place, but it often get interrupted at certain points throughout the day if the two happened to see each other. A storage room here, behind a bush there, the dark corner of a library some other time. Any chance the two could get to sneak off and have a moment together, they eagerly took advantage of it. It seemed that once the two lovebirds had shared their first kiss, they weren't able to keep away from each other.

They had been caught in a passionate embrace by Prudence once or twice, and had received a harsh scolding from her because of it. Ella had been surprised that Prudence could chastise the king in such a way, but Kit was not. Someone had to keep him in check, he later explained to Ella.

Added to all of this was the immense unspoken anticipation of a wedding to take place. Not much had been said about it as it was still quite soon after the engagement, other than that they wanted to be married as soon as was reasonable. So, a winter wedding was decided on, giving them the whole of summer and autumn to prepare.

And so, the next few days passed with not much in the way of eventfulness. Ella's birthday arrived with little fanfare, for which she was grateful. She went down to breakfast, as per usual, after being greeted with a warm smile by her intended. Kit seemed to be in a better mood than she was, and she could tell that he was planning something, and it was something big, thought he wouldn't say exactly what it was. But she couldn't help but try and get some sort of hint out of him.

"You seem to be in good spirits," she said, taking a healthy serving of strawberries from the tray. Her appetite was still small, and she ate like a bird, but she could eat a little more than before. It had only been a few days, but the hearty food at the palace was enough to make her feel stronger and healthier in such a short time.

"That's because I am," said Kit. Ella looked up at him. He had a completely blank expression on his face. He was giving nothing away. Not a thing. Ella pursed her lips and considered her opponent.

"And what on Earth could put you in such a good mood this early in the morning?" she asked, looking into his eyes. He remained stone faced, but there was a glint in his eyes that confirmed what Ella already knew. Something big was coming.

"You'll find out soon enough, my love," he said, with a sort of finality that signaled the end of the discussion. Ella slumped back in her chair, anxious to find out what exactly he had been planning.

Ella hoped that perhaps she might not have to take lessons that day, but to no avail. Though her morning sessions were cancelled, she still had to meet with her tutors in the afternoon. Her morning was spent with Mariaclara, and the two spent their time getting better acquainted with one another as they strolled through the great rooms of the palace. They had played a game of chess (Ella had lost outright; she'd never had any talent for the game), they'd explored the music room, they'd strolled through the galleries, gazing at the grand, imposing figures that made up Kit's royal ancestry. They'd played in the lawn with the younger dogs, playing tug-of-war and fetch with sticks and ropes, while old Admiral watched sleepily from under the shade of the cherry tree that had begun to bloom.

After lunch, Ella was engulfed in her etiquette lesson. The lesson of the day: Posture and Poise. Prudence had called in an etiquette tutor that made her look like a pushover. Ella had spent the better part of an hour walking down the steps of the great staircase in the Great Hall with a stack of books on her head, practicing the art of floating through a room and making a grand entrance.

"Yes, very good, my lady. One more time, and that should be sufficient!" Ella inwardly groaned. she had been going "one more time" for the last ten times. Just before she was about to trudge- er, float, up the massive flight of stairs yet again, Rupert entered the room, with an odd expression on his face. And by that, Rupert had an actual human expression on his face, though it was not one Ella could identify. Something like… sympathy? Concern? Perhaps anticipation?

"Beg pardon, my ladies, but the king wishes to speak with Miss Beaumont immediately." Ella looked at her tutor for a release from her duties, and the older woman nodded. With that, Ella smiled, dropped the books on a nearby chair, and almost flew out of the room, ignoring the scolding from her etiquette instructor.

"If you'll follow me, my lady", Rupert said, offering a slight nod of the head in her direction.

"Of course," she said. They walked towards the southern part of the great building, to an area that she was still unfamiliar with. She supposed this was where the king's business took place, as there seemed to be several dens and offices in their path.

Rupert led her along silently, and Ella found herself admiring his posture, and subtly tried to imitate it. Then, at the end of an exceptionally long corridor that was lit up with the afternoon sunlight from the massive windows to the left side, the two came to a halt in front of a pair of large oak doors.

"This is where I leave you, my lady," Rupert said in his thick, gruff voice. "His majesty is inside."

"Can you tell me what he needs me for, Rupert?"

"Afraid not, my lady," he said. "But I would like to offer you my congratulations on your birthday. I hope you get what you wish for."

"Thank you... " she said, bewildered. She turned and opened the door, and felt the breath leave her lungs.

The Lady Tremaine sat at the end of a long table, accompanied by Anastasia and Drizella. She looked more glamorous than ever. The jewels on her neck glittered and brought out the keen light in her eyes. She wore a long gown made of the finest materials, in a deep, sapphire blue. Yes, she'd come looking her best, knowing full well that intimidation was her greatest weapon. And she certainly knew how to use it, as she was the most imposing figure in the room. The girls to her side, in their matching outfits, just seemed frightened. They didn't appear inclined to say anything, avoiding eye contact with Ella.

They were not alone, however. Kit, Damon, and an older couple were all standing around the three women. But Ella could barely see past the smoldering eyes of her former captor. She forced herself to look away, lest she be hypnotized from the woman's fierce glare.

She looked for Kit, and when she locked eyes with him, sent him a pleading look. Why? she asked him, her lips never moving. He simply smiled at her, a dazzling grin that put the sun to shame.

"Ella, my darling," Kit said, ever the dashing monarch. He walked over to her, proud and confident, and almost... smug. How he could contain such grace and charm under the most testing of circumstances was beyond her comprehension. But Ella wondered what on Earth there was to be so happy about. "Please, have a seat," he offered, pulling out a chair close to the rest of the party. Ella sat slowly, with as much poise as she could muster, eager to appear the princess she was supposed to be, wanting to command as much attention and respect as the woman before her did. She was not sure it had worked.

"What is all this?" she asked, trying to appear calm as she spoke. To her dismay, her voice cracked ever so slightly. The Lady Tremaine looked at her, and the corner of her mouth bent oh so subtly into a curve. Damn, she'd noticed.

Kit did not answer her question. He had obviously orchestrated this whole thing, and knew exactly what he was going to say.

"Madame," he said, motioning for the rest of the party to sit as he turned toward her stepmother, "Could you possibly tell me what day it is?" Lady Tremaine seemed surprised at his question, and answered as though expecting it to be a trick.

"I believe it is the eighteenth of March, Your Majesty," she said, slowly and cautiously, though very politely. Kit nodded.

"Yes, so it is, madame. And, do you know why this day is of significance to those of us here in this room?"

The woman gave him a blank stare. The girls looked at each other, whispering to each other under their breath. None of the three could come up with an answer.

That figures, Ella thought to herself. Of course they wouldn't know. Frankly, Ella would have been surprised if they'd been able to remember that she was blonde.

"No? Then tell me, Ella," Kit said, turning to her. "Why is this day of significance?" His eyes were absolutely shining, and he was giving her a reassuring smile. He looked as though he were about to win some great battle. He was mentally patting himself on the back. The sheer confidence he exuded helped Ella relax. Which was a good thing, because the entire party turned to look at her. Ella avoided their eyes.

"It's my twentieth birthday today. But I don't see how that is relevant."

"Not relevant? My dearest, it's the whole reason we're all here." He grinned a somewhat mischievous grin and turned to the older couple, who were sitting quietly, observing the whole affair. "I believe you know these two lovely people, Ella?" For the first time, she looked over to them, and her eyes widened.

"Uncle Jasper! Aunt Emilia! I'm so sorry, I didn't recognize you. Please forgive me." She stood up and walked over to them.

"That's perfectly all right, Ella," her Aunt said, taking her hands in her own. The woman wore a kindly expression, and Ella felt a slight twinge of pain looking into those kind, dark eyes. The woman was her father's sister, after all, and she had the same eyes as Ella's father.

"It's been years since we've last seen you. What a lovely young lady you've turned out to be. A bit thin, though." Ella smiled, and then turned back to Kit.

"Please, Your Majesty. No more games. No more questions. What is this all about?" Kit turned to a stack of documents and pulled one out. Ella went to take her seat and Kit, now with a bit less swagger in his step, appeared more serious.

"Madame, I believe you know what this is, correct?" he said, brandishing the document before the woman. The Lady Tremaine looked astonished, and her face grew just the slightest hint of red, but she said nothing. Her girls looked at her, questioningly, but said nothing.

"It is the last will and testament of the late honorable Mr. Edmond Jonathan Beaumont. Your dear departed husband, and Ella's beloved father." Ella's eyes widened.

"But... he never left a will. You told me he never left a will," she said, gripping the sides of her skirts as she spoke to her stepmother. She tried, with every fiber of her being, to keep from reacting. She would not give anything away. Not yet.

For her part, the Lady Tremaine sat quietly, smiling just slightly.

"I assure you, Your Majesty, that there was no will that I was aware of. We searched tirelessly through my dear husband's records but nothing was found."

"That is astonishing," Kit said, "given that your signature appears to be on this archival copy along with those of our honored guests here today." He gestured to Ella's aunt and uncle. "Whatever happened to the original, this one reads perfectly well." He then handed it to Damon, who, out of habit as a Captain, had remained silent and at attention for most of the proceedings. The woman sat gravely still, while her daughters seemed to be getting visibly upset, speaking in hushed tones to one another, but never making eye contact with anyone after this new development. Ella wondered if they had known about this as well.

"Grand Duke," Kit said, "Would you be so kind as to read the stipulations of the will as pertaining to those present today? Just the passage on the second page should do. "

"With pleasure, your majesty," he said, rather smugly. So, he was in on this as well. He spoke loudly and with authority, his voice ringing out and leaving a certain feeling of finality in the words.

"As concerning my only child, Eleanor Ilene Beaumont, I leave her the sum of my entire estate, including house, lands, property, livestock, and all remaining funds after any remaining debts have been cleared, and the aforementioned items passed along to my extended family. This arrangement is to come into action only after she has come of age and made her debut as a young woman at the age of seventeen. If she be married at the time of my death, her inheritance will become part of her new family's estate, to be passed down to her children, but shall remain in her name, as her property and hers alone, to be done with as she sees fit. If she be underage at the time of my death, specifically under the age of seventeen, she will go into the care of my brother-in-law, Jasper Charles Sinclair, and his wife, Emilia Marie Beaumont-Sinclair, until she can come of age and accept the properties as her own.

My second wife, Lilith Tremaine Beaumont, and her two daughters, Anastasia Adelaide Tremaine and Drizella Dorothea Tremaine, will be well provided for, receiving five thousand in gold each for the ten years following my death. Should the girls be underage at the time of my death, they will also receive admittance to the Burnham Academy for Young Ladies, to complete their education and hopefully find suitable husbands."

Damon set the papers down, and the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop on the fine carpet. Ella did not say anything. She did not move. She simply couldn't process all that was going through her head at the moment. Her vision lacked focus, and breathing came in heavier and heavier. The only thing she did notice was the warmth of a hot tear rolling down her cheek. She could faintly hear Kit's voice, but could not understand the words. If he was speaking to her, she could not respond. And, very suddenly, before she herself knew what she was doing, she let out a loud sob and bolted out of the room.

She ran out of the palace through the nearby glass doors that led outside to a balcony. She took a deep, gasping breath of the brisk spring air and began to weep. She had no control over herself, and couldn't seem to stop. But somehow, the sunlight and cool air helped. She soon became more aware of her surroundings, and was beginning to think clearly again, though she still could not stop the sobs. But she was not alone.

"Ella!" Kit said, running up from behind her. Throwing all pretense and formality aside, he immediately took her into his arms.

"Please forgive me," he said, quietly, letting her weep against his chest. He was holding her close and tight and she could smell his newly cleaned jacket and the scent of parchment and silk and stables and she felt more comfort than she could have imagined. He rubbed her back and rested his head on top of hers.

"Truly," he continued, his voice low and calm. "I never meant to cause you pain. I would never have brought her here if I'd have thought it would hurt you. I only meant to help."

"No," Ella said, finally finding the capacity to speak. "No, you didn't cause me pain. I'm just... so... I don't know what to think! Every time I think she can't hurt me anymore, I'm proven wrong. He died three and a half years ago, Kit! I could have been free of her three and a half years ago!" New tears sprung from her eyes, and Kit pulled her back to him.

"You needn't be alone, you know," he said. "I am with you. She can't hurt you when I'm here." Ella nodded into his chest, and Kit began to sway gently from side to side. It was soothing. "I brought her here to right the wrongs she has done to you. I'm here to make sure that you get justice for all the misdeeds you've been mace to endure. Please, come back inside. We'll get through this. Together."

Ella pulled away from him, wiping her eyes and taking deep breaths to calm herself. She would not appear strong anymore, no, she'd ruined that. But she would come in with grace and control. She would watch as everything her stepmother had taken from her was stripped away. She would not gloat. She would be brave, and kind, and she would make Kit and her parents proud.

"Better?" Kit asked her, his gorgeous blue eyes still watching her with concern. She nodded, and he smiled. "Good," he said. And with that, he dropped his head to meet hers in a gentle kiss. It was not a passionate one, like the ones they had stolen in the gardens. It was soft and warm and it helped Ella to realize that, indeed, she was not alone.

When they broke apart, Ella was feeling much better about the situation, and Kit was back to being his smug, overconfident, regal self.

"Shall we?" he asked, offering her his arm. Ella smiled softly and took it, leading them back into the room to join the others.

They returned into the room to see the party somewhat disturbed. Damon was over near the trio, poised as if ready to strike if they tried anything. Ella wondered if he would ever give up the act of bodyguard. Her aunt and uncle were now over by the small bar that had been set up, sipping wine, and discussing in hushed tones the matter at hand. Ella couldn't imagine the pain her aunt must be going through, having just now learnt of the Lady Tremain's betrayal to her brother. Her uncle seemed to be comforting her in the same way Kit had just done. She would have to try and make this all up to them, somehow.

Her stepmother looked woefully distraught. But not to anyone else in the room. It was only Ella, and the girls probably, who could see the minor shift in her posture and the subtle expression on her face to know that she was terribly upset. Terrified, even. They locked eyes, and Ella could tell that it didn't matter that she'd appeared weak. That wasn't what it was about anymore. She'd been shown for what she really was, and now Ella held all the power. Her uncle approached her, and Ella broke eye contact.

"My dearest niece, I want to apologize to you for all of this. Had we known that your father's last wishes were not being met, we never would have allowed this to happen. I only wish we had kept in better contact with you. If ever we had known..." Ella smiled at them both and interjected.

"There is nothing to apologize for, Uncle. You didn't know, either of you. Thank you for being here to see that everything is being made right."

"Of course, my dear," her and replied.

"Well?" she asked, turning to Kit, who was behind her. "Now what happens?"

"Ella, you're the owner of that estate, by right of inheritance. You can do with them what you like."

There was silence in the room, as everyone turned to look at her once more. She felt more like a queen in this moment than ever. She would need to be fair, but firm. She would need to show that she would no longer be walked upon. She took a deep breath.

Have courage, be kind. Have courage, be kind. Have courage, be kind.

"Anastasia, Drizella… Madame," she said, saying the last title with a hint of venom, "You have all wronged me in the worst possible way. You have mistreated me, abused me, and nearly ruined any happiness I might ever have had in life. You tried to break me, when all I wanted was to treat you as my family. I only wish I had known about this sooner. For three years I could have been free of you..." tears were threatening her eyes again, but she neatly wiped them away and continued.

"I can forgive you for these injustices, in time. But they will not go unpunished. I don't care what arrangements have to be made, you can stay in the palace for the time being until something suitable can be found if need be. But you will not sleep another night in my father's home. I will send workers to pack your things immediately." The girls both sobbed at her words, Anastasia bringing out a fan and fanning herself while Drizella wept into a handkerchief.

"There is also the question of the immense debt you owe to the crown. I am not Queen yet, and I have no power in this matter. You will pay your debts to the kingdom, one way or another. His Majesty will see to that."

"Of course, my lady," her stepmother said, quietly, calmly. There was a hurricane brewing under her glimmering exterior. But there was nothing she could do, and she knew that she had lost. Ella had won. With Kit's help she had finally triumphed.

When all was settled, and Ella's stepfamily placed under what was essentially house arrest, with guards at their doors, Ella and Kit walked through the Great Hall, listening to the girls bicker from upstairs.

"I'm sorry for the maids that have to deal with them," Ella said. "Do you think I did the right thing by keeping them here?"

"I believe you did," Kit replied. "We'll find some station for them, sooner or later. The daughters will not have to face criminal charges, but the farther I look into your stepmother's records, the more I think she will." Ella nodded. While she would never have willingly wished for her stepmother to be locked away, she also didn't feel any desire to defend her. The woman had sewn her own misfortunes, and it was about time that she faced the consequences.

"I suppose that can't be helped," she said. With that, she turned to Kit and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. His arms went instinctively around her, and she took in his scent. They stood silently like that for a while, completely disregarding the guards standing at the main door. Ella supposed the household would just have to get used to it, and besides, they were only being indiscreet for the next few months. Then they would be married, and it would somehow be accepted.

"Happy Birthday," Kit said, quietly. Ella smiled, but did not move.

"Thank you."

"Now then," he said, letting go of her, but placing her arm around his, "I believe we have yet to actually celebrate this momentous occasion." Ella pulled back.

"What did you do?" she asked, carefully.

"I simply arranged for us to have dinner in our garden," he said, innocently. "Nothing special."

Ella had to disagree. This had been the most special birthday she could remember. Smiling, she wrapped her arm around his, rested her head on his shoulder, and they walked together out into the brisk night time air.

"Lead the way, my king."

What will become of the Lady Tremaine and her girls? Will Kit ever find out Ella's story? Tune in next time, kids!