Cinderfella Read online

  Knock. Knock.

  “Ellie? Ellie? Are you in there?” It’s my sister again. She calls by at least five or six times a day. “You have to come out of there at some point you know. You must be starving?”

  “Go away, Phoebe,” I moan, rolling onto my side.

  “That’s it! I’m getting Dad!”

  “No!” I shoot up from the bed and run across my room. “What?” I ask, unbolting the door.

  “You cut your hair?” She gasps.

  “I fancied a change. You don’t like it?”

  “Looks great. I may cut mine too. I come with cakes.” She grins, holding out a plate of various amazing delights. “So? Can I come in? I’ve missed you…I miss you.”

  “I guess.” I grab a cream cake off her plate as she passes.

  “So?” She puts the plate on my bedside table and flops onto my bed. “What’s going on with you?”

  “Haven’t you been watching the news?” I angrily bite into the cream cake, sighing with bliss, remembering how good food tastes.

  “You look shocking,” she says, cuddling a silk cushion to her chest.

  “Missed you too, Sis.” I take a fleeting glance in the mirror. I look drained. There are black circles under my eyes and my hair is a faded pinky colour, lank and lifeless.

  “Seriously Ellie, when was the last time you took a shower? No offence, but it’s a bit ripe in here.”

  “What’s the point?” I slouch down beside her and finish my cake.

  “The point? You’re getting married in two weeks! There’s so much to do! You need to make decisions on the flowers, the cake, my bridesmaid dress…your dress!”

  “I don’t care.” Reaching for another cake, she slaps my hand.

  “No! No more cake for you until you’ve had a wash.”

  “Oh, all right then. When did you get so bossy?” I sigh, lick any leftover cream off my fingers and walk into my bathroom. “Actually,” I shout, “I think I’ll take a really, long bath.”

  “I’ll go fetch one of the maids to run it for you!”

  “No.” I stick my head round the door. “I’m a big girl. I can run my own bath.”

  “Since when?”

  “Since now.” I sit on the side of the bath and drop the plug in. “Don’t you ever get tired of it? Don’t you get frustrated with being treated like a child?”

  “What happened to you while you were gone?” She leans against the doorway. “You seem different somehow.”

  “I do?” I run the hot tap.

  “I can’t quite put my finger on it. Wait, it’s that guy isn’t it? The one on the news? So that part is true? Are you and him? No, you can’t be…did you…have you? Oh my God, Ellie!”

  “No, we haven’t.” I feel my skin heating up and I don’t think it’s from the steam coming off the hot water. “Could you imagine the scandal?” I whisper.

  “The palace advisors are working hard to protect your reputation. Father’s doing his utmost to smooth things over with Henrik and his parents. So, the news, all those stories are just lies?” Her eyes widen, and I know she doesn’t believe that.

  “No, not exactly. There is, there was a guy…” I turn off the tap and stare down into the water.

  “Tell me.” She perches on the bath beside me.

  “It’s only between us, right? Swear it.”

  “I swear.” She crosses her heart. “Spill.”

  “Okay, so his name’s Ash. He lives on a farm…but he’s going to be an amazing doctor one day. His brothers held me hostage and he saved me…”

  “I know all of that.” She wrinkles her nose. “Tell me the juicy stuff. What’s he like? Did you two…kiss?”

  “He’s like no one I’ve ever met before. He treated me like a regular girl. He never bowed or did things because of what I am, even when he found out, he treated me the same. He showed me his world and made me feel a part of it. I think he loves me, Phoebe.” I gulp. “When he kissed me, the whole world went away. Everything was stripped away leaving only us.”

  “He told you he loved you?” Her eyes bulge.

  “Yes.” I smile at the memory of his lips against mine.

  “And do you feel the same?” She stares at me for so long that I can’t hide it. I never could fool my little sister. “Oh. My. God! You do, don’t you? You love him!”

  “Ssshhh! Be quiet!” I slap my hand over her mouth. She nods, and I remove it.

  “No one can hear us in here,” she whispers.

  “Why would you think I love him?”

  “Because every time you talk about him you go all distant and swoony. Plus, that silly grin you’ve got could almost split your face in half.” She chuckles. “You’re practically glowing.”

  “Phoebe.” I take both her hands. “What should I do? What would you do?”

  “It’s not about me. Father is determined that you marry Henrik…so I guess that is that.”

  “I can’t even think about that right now.” I let go of her hands. “You are so lucky not to be the first born.”

  “Henrik’s great. You’d see that if you’d just give him a chance. He’s great looking, funny…he has the goofiest laugh and he’s very charismatic. And plus, he’s clever. And that accent of his…”

  “Now who’s gushing? Phoebe, do you like Henrik?”

  “What? No! Don’t be stupid! He’s your match not mine.” She stands and goes into my bedroom. I follow. “I’m just saying that if you stop trying to dislike him then maybe you’d see what a great person he is. Maybe you’d grow to love him even?”

  “Have you spent a lot of time with him?”

  “I felt I should cover for you, you know, keep him sweet until you came home. I mean, how do you think he feels? He must marry a girl he hardly knows. A girl who won’t even give him the time of day. Who runs off with some stranger, rather than get to know him. You’ve made him and his family a laughing stock by appearing all over the television, linked to another man. Ash is really hot by the way.” She smiles.

  “I know.” I say, chewing my bottom lip. “I guess I never thought of Henrik’s feelings in all of this. Phoebe, what should I do?”

  “Well for a start you need to show the public that you’re back and ready for your duties. You need to get on the wedding train and start making decisions with your future husband. You need to let the world see that you’re happy together. You have to fix this and quick…and…” She places her hand on my shoulder.

  “And?”

  “And you need to say goodbye to Ash.”

  “You’re right, I know you are.” Tears bubble in the corners of my eyes. “I just don’t think I’m strong enough.”

  “You? You’re the strongest person I know. If you really love him, let him go. It’s not fair to keep his hopes up.”

  “When did you get so wise?” I sniffle.

  “I’ve always been this way.”

  “Can I have a hug?”

  “You never ask for a hug.” She opens her arms and I fall into them.

  “I need one.” I sob. She lets me cry until I’m all cried out. It feels therapeutic and well overdue. “Thank you.” I wipe my eyes. “I seem to be crying a lot lately.”

  “Of course, what are sisters for? Now get yourself in that bath before I throw you in!”

  * * * *

  A day later and here I am, standing in my room in a huge white wedding gown. My mother arranged for all the dresses to be brought here. I guess she worries that the reporters will be all over me. I’m not ready for that.

  Maybe my parents are right. Maybe over time it’ll get easier and one day Henrik and I will have a strong partnership just like theirs, but he’ll never have my heart. That is already taken. Not seeing Ash is just making me want to see him even more.

  “So, Your Highness,” the overly made-up sales lady asks, “how do you feel in this one?” I look at myself in the full-length mirror.

  “I guess it’s pretty.”

  “Your Highness, this dress is a one-of-a-k
ind original. It’s the most expensive dress that we stock.” She looks offended, like she designed and made it herself.

  “Expensive doesn’t always mean that it’s right though.” I muse, turning slightly to catch the back of the dress in the mirror.

  “Well?”

  “I meant no offence. It’s just so big. Don’t you think it drowns me? I’m not tall enough to pull this off. I feel like a fat fairy.”

  “But you look like a princess.”

  “But I’d look like a princess in my nightgown because I am one. Shouldn’t we go in the opposite direction? Won’t everyone be expecting the big, over the top ball gown? Shouldn’t we go for the element of surprise?” I can see I’m annoying her. I clamp my lips together to stop myself from laughing. I mean, this entire situation is laughable.

  “If that is your wish.” She slides gowns along the rails. Her red face almost matches her lipstick.

  My reflection’s like a stranger staring back at me. I’m just a girl in a pretty dress. I don’t want to be a bride…I don’t want to choose a dress. Ironically, I can make all the decisions I like about the day, just not on my choice of groom.

  “Wow!” Phoebe enters with my mother. “You look …wow!”

  “Oh, my darling, you look simply radiant.” My mother kisses me on each cheek.

  “Hmm. I don’t think this is the one…aren’t you supposed to just know when it’s right? Aren’t I supposed to get that ‘ooohh’ moment?” I swish the huge taffeta skirt from side to side. “I look like a big, glittery bell.” I hear the shop lady muttering something under her breath.

  “You need to hurry up, the wedding’s less than a fortnight away. There is simply too much to do.” My mother forces a smile, the smile she uses when she’s completely stressing out.

  “I know. I know.”

  “Have you spoken with Prince Henrik since your little trip.” My mother shoots a warning glance over to the sales lady, who’s doing a fantastic job of looking busy and totally not eavesdropping.

  “No, but Phoebe has arranged for us to meet for afternoon tea out in the gardens.”

  “What an utterly splendid idea, Phoebe.” My mother grins.

  “Well as she’s marrying the guy, they really should get along.” Phoebe smiles, but her eyes don’t.

  “How about this one, Your Highness?” The shop lady holds up a mermaid style gown with a sweetheart neckline and minimally beaded bodice.

  “What do you think?” My mother frowns, mirroring mine.

  “It’s lovely but I was thinking of something a little plainer.”

  “Darling,” my mother stands beside me talking to my reflection in the full-length mirror, “you are a princess. You need to make a statement. The entire world will be waiting to see what you’ll be wearing. Little girls everywhere will want to be you.”

  “I just thought it would be fun to go against the tide I guess.”

  “Have ‘fun’ on your honeymoon.” My mother winks. I roll my eyes. Ugh I haven’t even thought about the after part, the part where we are expected to make tiny royals. The thought of another man touching me makes me nauseous. I wanted my first time to be special. I wanted it to be with Ash. “Your wedding only happens once.”

  “Yes mother.” The sales lady unzips me and helps me step out of the dress. I step straight into the mermaid option. “Well?” I ask, looking myself up and down.

  “Oh Ellie, I love it!” Phoebe gushes.

  “Do you want to try it on?” I offer.

  “I would love to!” She steps toward me and my mother stands between us.

  “No Phoebe. Your special day will come. This is all about your sister’s happiness, not yours.”

  My happiness? Can she hear herself? This isn’t about happiness, it never has been.

  “So, Your Highness. How do you feel in this one?” The sales lady’s smile looks like it’s been screwed on.

  “I guess this will do.” I shrug. I look great in it, but I don’t feel like a bride. I guess there isn’t a dress in the world that holds that kind of magic.

  “Fabulous!” My mother claps her hands. “Now let’s try some veils.”

  * * * *

  Henrik is already waiting for me in the rose gardens by the pond. He stands rigidly next to the table, which has been set with the best china and mini-sized sandwiches. Dressed in his air force uniform, which is awfully formal for a little tea drinking in the garden. I look down at my sundress and ponder whether I should go back and change, but I guess I’ve kept him waiting long enough. The big sun hat that mother suggested I wear to cover my fading pink hair, keeps flopping in my eyes.

  “Princess Elle.” He takes my hand and lightly kisses it. “You look lovely today. Please, sit.” He pulls a chair out for me.

  “Thank you, Henrik.” I sit. “You look very…clean.” Clean? I cringe. “So?” I look across the table at him.

  “So?” He looks just as uncomfortable as I feel. There’s a huge awkward silence between us. One of us should really say something. He swiftly stands up and then he’s down on one knee before me. Oh my God!

  “Princess. I never had the chance before to formally ask for your hand in marriage.” He opens his hand out to reveal the largest, most sparkling diamond ring that I’ve ever seen.

  “Henrik, you don’t have to do this…we’re getting married next weekend.” I itch to run away. I hold my legs down to keep them from juddering.

  “It’s only right we go by the book.” How romantic.

  “If that is what you want.”

  “Elle. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” He looks up at me with those chocolate brown eyes and I feel absolutely nothing. Phoebe’s right, he is very handsome, he ticks all the right boxes, but those boxes aren’t mine. I know he doesn’t feel anything for me either. How could he? We are two strangers. I feel his anguish. I understand his torment. We both have that in common.

  “Yes, Henrik. I will marry you.” I say almost robotically. He slips the ring on my finger and amazingly it fits.

  “Please get up.” He does, and we are back facing each other in silence.

  “So,” he clears his throat, “Would you like some tea?”

  “Yes please.” He rings the tiny silver bell and Sally, one of the younger maids comes out from nowhere, or behind a bush perhaps, to pour our tea.

  “Tea, Prince Henrik?” She curtsies.

  “No, it’s fine, Sally.” I smile. “We can manage. You take the afternoon off. Go enjoy yourself.”

  “If you are sure, Your Highness?” She raises both brows.

  “Go.” I wave her away. She curtsies and leaves.

  “That was very kind of you.” He passes me his cup and I start to pour.

  “We all deserve a little freedom, especially on a sunny day like this.”

  “How do you feel about our alliance?” He sips his tea, his eyes never leaving mine.

  “I guess we just have to get on with it.”

  “And the chap on the news? He is nothing to you?”

  “To be honest, everything’s happening so fast. You and I are both still very young. I had a moment of panic. Ash, the boy in the news, he just helped me out. He’s just a really good friend.” I totally lie, but what choice do I have? Henrik and I are stuck together in our misery, there’s no point making it worse. How can I tell him the truth that my heart will never be his, and that he will never be free to find true love whilst he’s bound to me? We have to make the best out of an awful situation. We must be selfless and strong. My mother never loved my father at first and they seem happy now. Was there an ‘Ash’ in her life earlier on? Did she have to make such a huge sacrifice? Was it as hard for her as it is for me?

  “And you are sure?” Henrik interrupts my thoughts. “He’s merely a friend?”

  “Yes. I’d like to see him again to thank him for all he did for me.”

  “There’s no need for that.”

  “How so?”

  “I believe that your father has al
ready thanked him on behalf of our royal families. He thought that after your ordeal that you would want some time to yourself.”

  “And what did he do exactly?” I clench.

  “He paid your friend a visit and I believe he rewarded him.”

  “Rewarded him?” I slam my cup down on its saucer so hard that tea splashes all over my hands and splatters droplets up my dress.

  “Elle are you feeling all right?”

  “Did Ash take my father’s money?” I stand.

  “I believe so, why?”

  “I have to go and change. Please excuse me, Henrik.”

  “Of course.” He stands too. “When shall I see you again?”

  “I don’t know. Check the schedule,” I snap, not intending to. He reaches for my hand, which feels so much heavier now with the small boulder sat on my finger. He kisses it.

  “Until next time.”

  “Next time.” I try to smile, before leaving him standing alone in the garden.

  When I’m out of sight, I run up the steps, through the palace looking for my father, looking for answers.

  “There you are. I trust that you are feeling better after your long rest?” He steps out from the library. “I was just coming to find you two lovebirds. I forgot to tell you both that we have a royal parade through the city planned for tomorrow. I think it’s important that our two families show a united front. You just need to turn up looking pretty and smile, wave for your fans.”

  “Fine. Whatever.” I glare at him. “Father be honest with me. Did you pay Ash off?”

  “Whom, Dear?” He never was any good at lying.

  “You know very well whom! Ash! Did you offer him money to stay away?”

  “I did.” He sighs.

  “What?”