Chapter Text
The King (Kit, he insisted. “You must call me Kit.”) waved off the steed he rode from earlier but not the King’s Guard cloak that hid his appearance so well. Though summer only just began to fade into autumn, cooler winds swept up from the coast and through the lush lands frequently. And despite her steady grip on his hand, Kit still felt the soft shudder pass through Ella as the wind blew. Relinquishing his grasp of her hand for a moment, he accepted the garment from the Captain before giving it a quick shake and settling it about her small shoulders.
It may have been a courtesy that any properly raised gentleman provided to a female companion but the flush of pale pink up Ella’s cheeks and flash of gratitude in her pale eyes made him both warm with pleasure to provide her with such and a touch of sadness. The happiness and joy behind her softly spoken thanks told him so many things but also raised many questions. At their first meeting, she gave the most vague of details and closed up when he asked about her treatment.
How badly has she been treated?
His gaze passed briefly to the doors of the manse behind them. Just beyond the bright light of the day, in the dark of the entry hall, Lady Tremaine still rested on the step, head pressed against the stairwell wall. The jewel tone of her gown only made the pallor of her face more pronounced. Her two curly haired daughters stood as awkward as the screaming colors of their gowns nearby in dead silence. From what he heard when they tried on the shoe, and the brief twirl with them about the dance floor, Kit doubted they ever spent a waking moment without words being exchanged or thrown about. He looked to his Captain with questioning eyes and received a soft nod of acknowledgement.
More to the story, possibly answers, but not at this time.
No, at this time, he found the mysterious lady from the forest; the one who danced like flowers upon water in a dress that resembled a watercolor painting. And his priority now lay in returning to the palace with her and setting plans in motion for their wedding.
A small cloud of dust heralded the arrival of the Royal coach. Carved with intricate scrolls and bearing the Royal Seal upon the door, the blue and yellow vehicle arrived behind a team of 4 black stallions also adorned in the colors. Ella gasped and smiled, “Oh, how beautiful!”. As the horses came to a stop, she reached out and softly pet the nuzzle of the nearest. The horse knickered quietly at the touch but appeared to almost lean into it making the young woman laugh sweetly.
Kit felt his own smile grow into a grin. She is made of magic, I swear it. He guided her to the carriage, helping her to sit as she cradled the glass slipper in her hands. “Forgive me, a moment, my lady?” he asked; Ella nodded and settled back into the cushioned interior. Stepping aside, Kit motioned to the Captain as they stepped a few paces from the carriage. “The Arch Duke is to be escorted to his home under strict guard and kept there until further notice.” The Duke, whom lingered near the doorway, appeared to initially protest but stopped when two guards blocked his first steps. “And the same for the Lady Tremaine and her daughters. None are to be allowed to leave unless I give the command.”
“Yes, your highness,” the Captain intoned before giving several short commands. The Arch Duke followed the guard to his horse, making sure keep his head down as he passed the open carriage door. As Kit turned away, the Captain placed a hand on his shoulder. “I do take back what I said, your highness.”
“What was that?”
“I don’t want to know if the young lady has any sisters,” he jested in his deep baritone. Kit chuckled while making sure himself not to look up at the two women now standing at their front door. Even his own life of courtly behavior would not prevent him from bursting into laughter.
Stepping up and into the carriage, he quickly noted that Ella settled to the far side of the forward facing bench. The cloak now settled across her front like a blanket. Her beatific smile brightened the dimness of the carriage and set him at ease. “May I be so bold as to request permission to sit next to you, my lady? Though propriety would have me sit across from you.”
Ella gave a soft laugh, “I will be as bold to yes as you are to ask.”
With that, he took the space next to her and rapped his knuckles on the ceiling of the carriage. The whistle of the coachman and soft whip of the reigns gave a short warning before the coach jostled and set into motion. Ella leaned into his side and watched as her home passed, a distant and sad look upon her face for a moment before the smile returned as Kit wrapped an arm about her shoulders. He let his boldness rule and kissed her temple. “It will not be the last you see of it,” he whispered. “I promise you that.”
“Then you have you settled my worried heart,” she murmured back as she relaxed further against him. “And now I can begin the next chapter of my life with you.”