“Fetch... a decree for me... Ferdinand.”
“Which decree, Your Majesty?” The Grand Duke tapped the king’s shoulder. “Your Majesty?”
George’s hooded eyes blinked open. “It’s inside my desk. Third drawer on the right. You’ll see it right away.”
The duke did as he was told.
A crisp piece of parchment slid out of the drawer. Ferdinand caught sight of the first line, and it was all he needed to see:By royal decree, all magical persons are no longer expelled from Aurelais.
“It’s already been signed,” continued George from the other side of the room. “I want you to give it to Charles before the next meeting with the council.”
“Won’t you be there?”
“I’ll be in the back taking a nap.” Another cough. “Let it be the first one he presides over.”
Shouldn’tIbe the one to preside over the council in your absence?Ferdinand wanted to ask. It’d beenhewho had headed the council meetings for the past twenty years. The prince had only attended a handful, and maybe only one or two when he was actually old enough to understand what was going on.
But Ferdinand, again, wisely did not voice his thoughts. He crossed his hands behind his back. “I thought I should inform you, sire, your son is planning to hold a third ball this week, with the intent of proposing to the sorceress.”
The king’s eyelids drooped, and he began to snore.
“Did you hear me, sire?”
“What was that? Ah, yes. Another ball? Excellent.” George wagged a warning finger at the duke. “If you do anything to ruin his chances with the girl, well... you know what will happen.” He crossed his arms and tucked himself deeper into his sheets. “Now go away. It’s the middle of the night and I need my rest.”
The duke bowed, carefully maintaining his composure. “Then I take my leave, Your Majesty. Good night.”
The king was already snoring. Ferdinand closed his eyes, envisioning what would happen the next morning. Dr. Coste would arrive just before breakfast, and His Majesty would learn that his illness had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. Ferdinand would be there to comfort him. His Majesty would reason that he should abdicate earlier than expected, and Ferdinand would smoothly convince him that he would aid the prince in ruling Aurelais. He’d even have the king put it down in writing....
Such thoughts soothed his anxious mind as he exited the king’s apartments. If things did not go as planned it could end up disastrous. First, King George didn’t seem at all displeased that Charles was planning to wed a servant. And now he wanted to welcome magic back into Aurelais!
Indeed, something had to be done, and Ferdinand had an idea just where to begin. He crumpled the king’s decree into his pocket.
Then he turned toward the south wing, headed for the servants’ quarters.
Should there be any threat to the future of Aurelais, eliminate it immediately,his father had taught him.Before it grows.
He knew the root of his problem well enough, but eliminating it would be tricky.
Very tricky.
Ferdinand sniffed. Fortunately, he was up to the challenge.
He would find a way to get rid of Cinderella if it was the last thing he did.
It was barely dawn when someone rapped on Cinderella’s door, so loudly she shot up from her bed.
“Good morning, Madame Ir—”
“Get up and get dressed,” Irmina said, cutting her off. Stray curls dangled over her face; for the first time, the mistress of the household’s hair was not impeccably arranged.
“What’s—”
“There’s to be another ball tonight, and we need every pair of hands working. Don’t stand there gaping—that includes you, Cinderella!”
Another ball!
Charles had been true to his word. He would announce his intention to marry her—tonight!
