“Look, it’s the new girl. Trying to get back before Madame Irmina does her curfew check?”
“Y-yes...”
He chuckled. “You’re a bit late for that, I think. Luckily, you’re not the only one who sneaked out—”
Cinderella’s eyes widened. “Did Louisa...?”
“Got off with a warning from Irmina hours ago. She’s gone home already.”
“Oh.” Relief swept over her.
“Don’t worry,” said the guard kindly. “Irmina won’t discharge you for going to the ball. If she did that, she’d have not a soul left working for her. But I would expect a stiff talking-to in the morning.”
Cinderella offered him a faint smile.
Shuffling into her room, she took off her borrowed dress and flung it over her chair. Then, burying her face in her hands, she collapsed onto her bed.
The moment she’d heard her stepsisters, her first instinct had been to run away. But should she have stayed? She could have explained things to him before dashing off. Or at least told him her name.
It doesn’t matter. It’s best he doesn’t find out who I am... a maid in his own home.
And why not?she countered herself.Am I afraid he’d never want to see me again?
Cinderella shook her head, hardly able to believe that she was wrestling against her own feelings.No, I’m not. Because he isn’t like that.
She clenched her fists, remembering how he hadn’t recognized her when she’d worn her palace uniform. A cord of bitterness knotted in her throat.
Sooner or later, he would find out who she was. For all she knew, her stepsisters had recognized her and told him already.
Would Charles have her dismissed from the palace if he knew the truth? Would he ever want to see her again?
Lady Tremaine’s words rang in her head over and over.An orphan and a servant. Who would want you?
She gritted her teeth at the memory. Knowing her stepmother, she’d tell the prince that Cinderella was a thief and a liar, a troublemaker who deserved to be sent away for good.
No one’s come for me,she reasoned, curling up against the wall tiredly. Her hands went up to her neck, clutching her mother’s beads.They didn’t see me. They only saw the prince.
Uncertain what tomorrow would bring, she finally closed her eyes, drifting along the edges of her dreams until sleep finally claimed her.
“Get up, get up!” cried Madame Irmina, rapping on her door.
Cinderella sprang up from her bed. The green beads rattled over her chest, and she quickly stuffed them into her pocket before greeting Louisa’s aunt.
Irmina scowled at her. “Amelia has taken ill, so we need an extra serving girl at breakfast this morning. That means you, Cinderella.”
Cinderella’s gaze flew up. “Me? Serve the royal family breakfast? I couldn’t. I—the duchess is waiting for me—”
“Well, you’ll have to deal with two shifts, won’t you?” Irmina said, crossing her arms. “And, for not being in bed by curfew, I’ve a list of extra tasks for you after breakfast. Now hurry up and change. I expect you in the main hall in five minutes.”
Five minutes later, harried footsteps pattered outside her door, followed by another knock.
“I’m the worst friend,” Louisa cried. “One of the valets last night told us Madame Irmina was about to do her curfew check. I couldn’t find you.”
Cinderella swallowed. This wasn’t the time or place to tell her about the prince. Already her head was throbbing with panic over what she’d do when she had to serve him breakfast.
I’ll keep my head down,she said, inhaling.And I’ll hide behind the other girls if I have to. He won’t see me.
“Cinderella?” said Louisa. “Are you listening?”
