“I don’t remember my mother well,” Cinderella began, “but she used to sing a lullaby about a nightingale every night.”
“Did your father remarry?’
“Yes,” said Cinderella carefully. “My stepmother has two daughters.”
“Ah, therein lies the problem. You fell into their shadows, didn’t you?”
Cinderella barely nodded.
“Poor Charles,” Genevieve murmured. “He’s been alone a long time, too.”
“Alone?”
“My brother didn’t spend much time with him. He hopes to rectify that, I think.”
“How?”
The softness in Genevieve’s expression immediately hardened as she realized she’d revealed something she should not have.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I shouldn’t have—”
“Can you keep a secret?” Genevieve interrupted softly.
Cinderella blinked back her surprise. “Yes.”
“He’s not a young man, my brother. He is tired of ruling, and plans to pass on the throne.”
“To... to the prince?”
“Charles doesn’t know it yet, but that’s why George is so adamant that he find a wife and start a family—so that the succession will be secure, and none of our neighboring kingdoms will sense any weakness.”
Cinderella remained quiet. She didn’t know what to say.
“That’s why George asked me to come. Oh, he says it’s to help Charles and his future bride settle into their new roles as king and queen, but I think he’s finally feeling guilty about what he did to my husband. He’ll never apologize for it, though. He’s proud, just like me.”
Again, Cinderella’s interest was piqued.What happened between the Duke of Orlanne and the king?she wondered.
“No one knows this yet—not Charles or the Grand Duke. It is of the utmost importance that it remains this way, until my brother is ready. Though I have a feeling Ferdinand suspects something, given my return to the palace.”
Cinderella winced, remembering the duke had asked her to collect information on the duchess. Now she wished Genevieve hadn’t told her anything. “What makes you think he suspects something?”
“Ferdinand’s a sly old fox. Always has been. Why else do you think he’s plastered himself next to the king as his most trusted adviser for all these years? George’s always been a child at heart, and Ferdinand’s taken advantage of him to increase his influence. I can’t stand the man.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
The duchess picked up her fan and batted it carelessly. “I’m good at reading people. I only wish my brother were, too. Let’s just say you’ve got an honest way about you—and a sharper eye than I initially thought.” She brushed her fingers over the nearest table. “Not a speck of dust.”
“Oh.” Cinderella felt little pride from the compliment. “It is my job,” was all she said.
“I’m glad you understand that, girl. Though no one told you to reorganize my books.”
There was a note of accusation in the duchess’s voice, and Cinderella didn’t know how to respond. “I apologize, ma’am. I—”
“Most of my attendants arrange them like flowers, by color and size, but you did it by substance and author. You couldn’t have done that without reading them.”
She swallowed. “I didn’t have time to read any, ma’am... but I couldn’t resist skimming a few.”
“Which ones? The pirate adventures? Never mind, don’t tell me. There’s a library in the palace for good reason, you know.”
