Cinderella and the Colonel (28 page)

“Lady Lacreux, how good it is to see you again,” Commander Lehn said
before his son could reply, bowing when Cinderella and Friedrich approached the rest of the family.

Cinderella swallowed as she met Queen Freja’s dark eyes, preparing herself for the verbal war that was likely to commence. This was it. This was her first meeting with the loathed Queen Freja, the woman
Cinderella itched to shake and yell at for years. And she was marrying this woman’s son.

“Cinderella, I apologize.”

Cinderella blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“I have wronged you,” Queen Freja said. “I singled out Trieux nobles
—in particular I singled out you, to tax in order to make up for the country’s deficit. It was ignoble and unforgiveable as a monarch acquainting herself with her new subjects.”

Cinderella opened and closed her mouth, baffled beyond words.

“I have pushed you and your compatriots to the brink out of sheer spite. It pains me to admit it, but I have done a poor job of ruling Trieux. I ask that you would forgive us, forgive me,” Queen Freja said, bowing her head.

All of Cinderella’s anger, hatred, and stored words to shout were gone. As the ultimate ruler of a country, it
would be difficult to tell a seventeen-year-old Trieux girl she behaved wrongly.

When Cinderella’s father accepted the rules and regulations Erlauf threw at them after the war, Cinderella thought he was afraid for their lives. But now, Cinderella understood why he reacted without hate. No matter what he left behind, Cinderella had no doubts of her Father’s heart
, because of the words he spoke.

“
My Father, a kind and noble man, once told me nobody wins in a war,” Cinderella said, finding her voice. “I think I finally, fully understand what he meant. Both Trieux and Erlauf have committed transgressions. I accept your apology, and I offer my forgiveness, if you will look past the pain my country has caused you, My Queen.”

Queen Freja smiled with her eyes. “I am glad Friedrich chose you,” she said, her voice low and melodic.

Friedrich and Cinderella shared a look. “I knew you would be,” he said, his voice smug as he slid an arm around Cinderella and squeezed her.

The royal family laughed.

“…you mentioned a deficit?” Cinderella asked to cover up some of her embarrassment.

“To finance the war
, we took a loan from Arcainia—a large obligation we have scrambled to fulfill. All of your tax money went straight to Arcainia to pay back what we owe,” Friedrich said. “I’m sorry, Pet, but the kingdom you are about to become Princess over is in debt.”

Cinderella offered the royal family a weak smile. “If I know anything,” she said, “It is debt
and deficits.”

“
Cinderella, Friedrich has hogged you for entirely too long. Please, tell me about yourself. What are your likes and dislikes?” Commander Lehn said, his kind smile putting Cinderella at ease. “Besides food,” he teased.

Cinderella laughed. “Food is certainly something I deeply enjoy. I liked horseback riding
, although I cannot boast of much skill in that area. Trade interests me, as do current events,” Cinderella said.

Johann raised an eyebrow. “So you are a budding scholar?” he asked. “Ouch,” he said when Friedrich kicked him in the back of the knee.

“Unfortunately not. I have an abundance of ignorance,” Cinderella sighed.

“What do you mean?” Commander Lehn asked.

“When I was a girl, I was schooled in womanly subjects,” Cinderella groused. “Arts, literature, history, dancing, and the like. I wish I had a better grasp on things like politics, economics, trade, and
farming
.”

“If you are truly interested in furthering your knowledge, I can arrange for a tutor,” Queen Freja said. “What?” she said when Friedrich and Johann stared at
her. “She is to be my successor; the more knowledgeable she is, the better. Lord Diederick already offered to school her in financing and budgeting.”

Friedrich looked down at Cinderella and
said, “Don’t we have any
female
tutors?”

Cinderella rolled her eyes. “
Fred.”

“Friedrich told me of a conversation you had with him in
which you said Trieux government was more open with information. Would you care to come for tea tomorrow and discuss the concept?” Queen Freja asked.

“I would be honored and delighted, My Queen.”

“Please, call me Freja. In several months, you will be my daughter.”

“Thank you, Freja,” Cinderella said before she caught a glance of Friedrich’s expression. “What?”

Friedrich frowned. “I hoped you two would get along, but I cannot say I wanted you to bond this well.”

Cinderella blinked
.“Why not?”

“Do not listen to him, Cinderella
; he is only jealous. Now that he has successfully won you over, he must actually return to his duties and stop kicking up his heels and using his men like a circus master. General Harbach looks forward to his full-time return,” Commander Lehn said, chuckling at the thought.

“I knew it. I knew you were skipping out on work. No officer has that much time on their hands,” Cinderella said.

Friedrich shifted his gaze to his parents. “When are you leaving Werra again?”

“Friedrich, don’t be silly. You are
going to get married soon; we cannot leave now,” Queen Freja said.

Friedrich looked to his brother. “At least you’re leaving, right?”

“I would love to, but mother has me chained to her,” Johann dryly said.

“Blast,” Friedrich muttered.

“Think of it this way, son. We will help ease your lovely bride into her new role,” Commander Lehn said.

“Speaking of which, I would like to address this debt you mentioned. How much is it?” Cinderella asked.

“Lord Diederick has the current estimate. After dinner, we can pay a social call to his offices,” Queen Freja said.

“Wait a moment, about those female tutors,” Friedrich said, jumping into the conversation.

As Cinderella sat down with Queen Freja and Friedrich, she thought of how
nice
it would be to have a family again. She would be stupid to think she wouldn’t have disagreements with Queen Freja, Friedrich, or the rest of the royal Erlauf family in the future. But Cinderella was confident they would work through the arguments. After all, nobody wins in a war, but everyone triumphs in the face of love and forgiveness.

Epilogue

“…‘proposed road improvements will reduce the current transportation time and provide safer, less hazardous trade routes’— Margrit, deny this petition. Please make a note on it that Erlauf doesn’t have much of a trade route because they lack goods, not because of poor road conditions. Before I stoop to spend money on the roads, they must first come up with an export or crop other countries actually
want
. And no, flowers do not count,” Cinderella said, pacing up and down the palace hall. She paused long enough to pass the petition off to one of her secretaries—who also happened to be Julien Rosseux’s fiancée.

“Flowers do not count….
Done,” Margrit said, her quill flashing as she scrawled on the paper.

“Thank you. M
ay I have the next petition?” Cinderella asked, fussing with the train of her white dress.

“You
have reviewed all the petitions we brought with us today.”

“Real
ly? Hm. Did you happen to bring
Fostering Economic Wealth through Animal Husbandry
?” Cinderella asked.

“I did
,” Margrit said, digging a large book out of a satchel that hung from her shoulder.

“You are incredible
, Margrit.”

“Thank you
, Your Grace. I am happy to be of service,” Margrit said, her voice warm with affection.

“Ahem.”

Cinderella and Margrit guiltily looked to the flock of lady’s maids who trailed behind them.

The
head lady’s maid—a formidable woman dressed with clothes starched so heavily, they would have stood upright without her body to support them—shook her head.

“Oh
, but I just—,” Cinderella started.

The head
lady’s maid shook her head again. “You will ruin your dress, Your Grace.”

Cinderella impatient
ly pushed a scarlet curl out of her face. “It is only a book. It’s not an animal,” she said moving her skirts to cover the velvet brown mouse that wore a tiny belled collar and climbed on her glass slipper with great familiarity.

“No
,” the head lady’s maid said.

“I could read it to you
, if you like, Your Grace,” Margrit suggested.

Cinderella stooped in relief. “Would you?”

“Certainly, Your Grace.”

“Thank you
, Margrit. I don’t know what I would do without you,” Cinderella said, waiting for the mouse to move before she resumed walking.

“Do you know what page you
were on?”

“I believe I just started chapter six…
,” she trailed off, staring at a tapestry that hung on the wall of the grand palace.

“Is someth
ing wrong, Your Grace?” Margrit asked.

Cinderella stared at the tapestry. It showed a garden scene of several pretty maidens seated among rose bushes with a white unicorn. Cinderella could
have drawn it by memory because she had seen it every day of her childhood, until she sold it with the first batch of Aveyron household goods when she became duchess. “This is mine,” she said.

Margrit blinked. “If you will pardon me for say
ing so, Your Grace, in a few minutes
everything
here will belong to you,” she delicately said.

“
No, you don’t understand. This is
mine
. It was—where did it come from?”

Margrit looked helpless
ly to the lady’s maids.

“I believe most of the items in this part of the palace
were purchased from Trieux nobility, Your Grace. Queen Freja was quite displeased with Prince Cristoph for his extreme patronage of Von Beiler—a broker,” Lady Therese said. Before Queen Freja recruited her as one of Cinderella’s lady’s maids, the woman served as a head accounting officer. (Queen Freja cleverly used the post of lady’s maids to place intelligent, knowledgeable women near Cinderella to act as advisors. Cinderella was very thankful as most of her schooling and training was in history, appreciation of the arts, dancing, and farming.)

“
Von Beiler, you say?” Cinderella asked, her voice light and airy.

“Yes
,” Lady Therese said.

Margrit and the
lady’s maids shifted with unease as Cinderella folded her hands in front of her.

“I will be back in a moment
,” she announced before picking up the skirts of her dress and heading down the hallway.”

“
Your Grace, your
wedding
starts in a few minutes!” Margrit said, hurrying after her.

“
It can wait,” Cinderella said, her glass slippers clicking when she stepped off the rugs and walked on the smooth, polished, stone floor.

“Your
Grace, what of your dress and veil!” the lady’s maids squawked.

“The Lady Enchantress Angelique spelled them for me. I do not think a short walk will ruin them
,” Cinderella said, her veil floating behind her like a cloud.

In a few minutes
, Cinderella stood outside Friedrich’s room. She had never been inside before—mostly because she had no reason to. Friedrich rarely used his rooms in the royal palace, and after they were married, they would have joint quarters.

Now
, however, Cinderella had a sneaking suspicion.

“
Your
GRACE
,” a lady’s maid shrieked when Cinderella pushed the doors open.

“Yes
, it is as I thought,” Cinderella said, entering the room, although she barely had enough space to walk in.

“
Your Grace, this might be a little unseemly,” Margrit said.

Cinderella pointed
to a beautiful writing desk. “That was mine,” she announced. “And I would recognize this rug anywhere. That horse statue used to stand in my parlor—it’s a sculpture of a riding horse I used to have. The tapestry, bookshelf, wall hangings, everything is…,” she trailed off when she got to a painting covered with a white sheet.

“Your Grace
,” another lady’s maid said when Cinderella yanked the sheet from the painting, which was also from Aveyron. It was the image Cinderella had been shocked to receive an offer for: the portrait of Cinderella in her Trieux finery.

Cinderella
painfully smiled. The last time she saw the portrait, she had shorn hair, dressed in servants clothes, and was selling every last good she had. Now her hair was nearly shoulder length, curled, dressed with pearls and tiny roses, and covered with a snow-white veil. Her dress was made of the finest silk and lace, accented and highlighted with lace that matched the blue-grey of Cinderella’s stormy eyes.

The color scheme
was the same one Angelique used for Cinderella’s ball gown months ago, but this dress had a longer train, was more intricate, and was gathered and pinned into place with real jewels.

“So many changes
,” Cinderella murmured, reaching out to brush the gold frame, ignoring the squawks of her lady’s maids in the hallway.

“Um
, Your Grace,” Margrit said.

“Hm?”
Cinderella asked, turning to look at more of her possessions scattered through the room. “What is it Margrit?” she asked when there was silence.

“She on
ly wanted to warn you of me.”

Cinderella turned around to face Friedrich. He wore a band of red cloth tied over both his eyepatch and his eye
, but he was still handsome and alarmingly roguish in his military uniform with his crown fixed on his head instead of his usual hat. “Your lady’s maids tell me you have lost all sense of propriety, and I am to fix you
without
setting eye on you,” he teased.

“
You’ve been helping for a long time. Even before you decided to marry me,” Cinderella said.

“I didn’t buy everyth
ing, just the items Von Beiler said you seemed to place special value on,” Friedrich said, his voice soft but serious.

“It
was only because I sold these items that Aveyron survived the first few months after my father’s death,” Cinderella said, looking at the familiar furniture pieces and decorations. “Why did you help me?”

“When Mother hit you with the inheritance tax
, you could have easily dismissed servants. Instead, you sold things. Von Beiler told me you sold your favorite horse and sobbed while it was led away. Someone who cares that much for the people they are responsible for deserves help.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?

Friedrich shrugged. “I wanted to surprise you with all your furniture in our new rooms.”

Cinderella stood at Friedrich’s side and leaned into him.
“I am so grateful for you, Friedrich. And I’m sorry I ever thought wrong of you.”

Friedrich
blindly patted Cinderella before he was able to curl an arm around her waist. “You didn’t know any better, Pet. I only wish I could have done more—though I suppose if I had you would be dealing with even more monetary issues now.”

“It is not as bad as you think. Once I finish sell
ing off the tacky Trieux goods, we should be in a fine position. It was sheer luck Princess Elise of Arcainia agreed to take that ghastly throne in the ballroom as part of our payments.”

“She
has been exceedingly generous since her brothers are no longer birds,” Friedrich agreed, getting a giggle out of Cinderella.

They
were silent for a few moments, enjoying the quiet and each other’s presence.

Cinderella sighed. “I suppose we should make our way to the ceremony?”

“That would probably be for the best,” Friedrich agreed. “I’ll go first. I will see you there?”

“Of course.”

“Good, just double checking. Until then,” Friedrich said, fumbling for Cinderella’s bare hand before he kissed it. “She is all yours, ladies,” Friedrich said, joining the lady’s maids in the hallway before pulling off the blindfold.

“
Your Grace,” the head lady’s maid said, planting her fists on her hips. “It is good you are concerned for the welfare of this nation, and it is very admirable that you push yourself to learn for our sake. But you
must
stop for the rest of today.”

Cinderella sighed in defeat.
“As you wish. Margrit, there’s no reason for you to waste your time with me. I believe Julien is saving a seat for you, yes? You may as well join him,” Cinderella said.

“Thank you
, Your Grace,” Margrit curtsied.

“Be sure to sit on my side of the
cathedral!” Cinderella called after her secretary.

“Why does the side matter
, Your Grace?” a lady’s maid asked, bribing Cinderella from Friedrich’s rooms with the question.

“Does Erlauf not follow the tradition where one side is meant to be the bride’s fami
ly and friends, and the other side the groom’s?” Cinderella asked.

“No
, that is an Erlauf tradition as well.”

“Ah
, well, that is why. I fear my side will be dreadfully empty, as most of my family is gone, and the majority of those whom I invited are not the type to attend—besides the other Trieux nobles of course,” Cinderella gloomily said.

She
had invited all of her servants from Aveyron, but none of them would commit to coming. They were probably counting down the days until their untraditional mistress would be out of their hair.

The
lady’s maids exchanged glances, but none of them said a word as they bustled Cinderella down the hallway.

When they final
ly reached the cathedral door—the Trieux royals were apparently so lazy that when designing the palace, they smacked a cathedral in the thick of it so they wouldn’t have to leave their comfort for church—Cinderella could hear the music creep through the doors.

A
lady’s maid handed her a bouquet of white roses—a gift from Prince Severin and Princess Elle of Loire (as flowers were hard to come by in the middle of winter, Cinderella had no idea where they procured them)—and adjusted her veil.

Cinderella drew her shoulders back and took a deep breath before the door
was pushed open.

Sure enough
, Cinderella’s side was only half-filled—a stark contrast to Friedrich’s side, where military officers, governmental employees, and various lords and ladies were packed in like sellers in a market.

All of the Trieux noble families
were present. Marcus and Cerise sat together—waving on the sly so they would not be chastised by their parents. Lord Leroy was perhaps the least surprised and scandalized of the bunch. He brushed tears from his droopy eyes and smiled widely at Cinderella as she walked past.

When Cinderella glanced at Friedrich’s side, she
realized many of the Erlauf officers and soldiers she met during the past fall, summer, and spring wore small squares of scarlet red cloth sewn over their hearts on the jacket of their uniform. Ensign Kurt stood with Gustav and Ivo. All three men saluted her when she passed him