Cinderella’s eyes widened. “Do you mean that?”
“By royal decree of the crown prince.” With a flourish, Charles stepped aside, revealing a new sign he’d posted on the glass door.
“ ‘By royal command,’ ” Cinderella read, “ ‘every person in the palace, whether a member of the royal household, a guest of His Majesty the King, or a retainer of the crown, hereby shall be permitted access to the royal gardens.’ ” She clasped her hands, mustering her enthusiasm. “It’s very nice.”
But something was still missing, and it showed on her face.
“What is it?” asked the prince.
“Every person in the palace,” she repeated. “Why not anyone in Aurelais—or anyone at all?”
“Surely not anyone can walk into the palace,” said Charles, confused.
“Valors doesn’t have a public garden,” Cinderella explained, “and the palace... one of the reasons I dreamed of going to the ball was because I spent all my life staring up at it. Opening the gardens would give everyone a glimpse of the palace—of their ruler. Even if it was justpartof the garden.”
“You have a point. I’ll bring it up with my father—how is that?”
Her smile widened, and that was all the response he needed.
Taking the prince’s outstretched arm, Cinderella stepped through the double doors into the gardens. It was nearly sundown, and a soft glow bathed the flowers.
“This way,” Charles said, gesturing at a wooden bridge over a pond. “When do you have to be back?”
“To the duchess?” Cinderella repeated. “I hope she doesn’t mind my telling you her naps are usually an hour long.”
“Then that’s just enough time.”
“For?”
“A surprise,” replied the prince, guiding her through a garden of fluted lilies. Across the lilies was a pond, its waters a vibrant green from reflecting the trees around it. In the center of the pond swam two elegant white birds, their long necks curved toward one another.
“Swans!” Cinderella breathed. She leaned against the bridge’s rail and gazed at the pair of swans gliding across the pond.
At her side, Charles rested his elbows on the bridge. “They’re here every evening before sundown. Sometimes, during sunset, you can see the light dapple their feathers. Look.”
Rays of golden light stroked the swans’ wings, which shimmered against the still waters.
“I used to come here whenever I could to watch them,” said Prince Charles. “I’m certain it’s been the very same pair of swans for years. When I saw them, I’d feel a little less lonely.”
“How happy they look,” mused Cinderella, watching as the swans took flight, their feet skidding across the pond before they soared into the sky. “Free to come and go as they please.”
She watched them weave through the clouds until they finally disappeared.
“What are you thinking about?” asked the prince.
“Once they fall in love, they stay in love forever,” Cinderella murmured, repeating what he’d told her at the masquerade. “My parents had a love like that. Always laughing together, telling each other stories, and dancing with me in the middle. My mother was the one who taught me how to waltz. And to sing.”
Cinderella started for one of the trees on the other side of the bridge. “There used to be a swing in the family garden, one hanging from a sturdy oak tree—just like this one. Mama would sit on it and sing about the sweet nightingale perching on the branches above her. Sometimes, she’d put me on her lap and my papa would push the two of us toward the sky. When I got older, birds used to sit outside my window, too. The same ones every day. I’d listen to them before starting my chores.”
“Your chores?”
Cinderella faltered. She hadn’t meant to bring up that aspect of her past, but she trusted him enough to tell him the truth. “Yes... after my father passed away, my stepmother dismissed the household staff to help make ends meet. Her stepdaughters took my bedroom and my clothes, and I... I became their servant.” She placed her hand on his, anticipating his reaction. “It’s in the past now. I’m happy, and I’m definitely not lonely anymore. I have Louisa—she’s the first friend I’ve had in years, aside from my dog, Bruno, and the mice in my stepmother’s house. And now I have you.”
Charles entwined his fingers with hers. “My parents didn’t have any other children,” he mused, “and Father was always busy in meetings with the council. I didn’t have many friends, but I encountered a few wise professors, and I learned to love my studies—I spent hours every day in the library. Books became my friends because I didn’t have real ones.”
“I loved reading, too,” said Cinderella wistfully. “My parents used to have a beautiful library.” She omitted the fact that her stepmother had sold off many of the books. “There’d be stories about the countries around us. I’d forgotten most of them until now. It’s easy to forget how vast the world is, and how little of it I’ve seen. I’ve... I’ve never even been outside the capital.”
“Then I’ll bring you,” Charles promised. “I’ll take you all around the world. We’ll tour all the neighboring kingdoms. Together. But I have to warn you, traveling as royalty isn’t as grand as it looks.”
