I awoke in tears. "Noooo," I moaned. "No. No! No!"

Edmond started, nearly falling from the bed. "What? What is it?"

Teeth gritted, I turned over and held out the evidence of his crime, my ruined corset. "Do you know how much this costs?"

His terrified dark eyes drifted from me to the offending fabric then back again. Letting out a laugh, he collapsed backwards then dragged me to him.

I put up a fight. "This is—"

The kiss calmed me. Once he pulled me atop him, I allowed his offense to fall to the floor. I barely got to the first button of his shirt before he caught my fingers.

"Wait." My hand still held at his chest, he studied me. "You look pale."

After twisting free, I continued my task one-handed. Who knew how long we had?

"If you're leaving—"

This time when he stilled my action, I studied him instead. I wondered what he wanted to say. Did he want to tell me something before he went?

"I got as far as the dock."

The disappointment in his voice made me ache for him. I did the most merciful thing I could, I said, "It was wrong to try and force you to stay. Next time, you don't have to run off like that. I'll go with you—we'll go with you to the dock and give you a proper sendoff."

When his gaze drifted to the right, where my lamp rested, worry panged through me.

"What have you done?"

"I did what was best for us," Edmond admitted, "and reported Gareth missing."

I flew to my feet, the cold wood of the ground sobering me.

To my horror, Edmond continued, "And I gave the king Arabella's final letter to Eze."

Now when I took him in as he sat up, elbows on his knees, my eyes caught the medals on his chest. He'd been the rat at the dance after all.

"I received Eze's estate. It does come with a title, a meager one, but the land is good. I've seen it." He looked up and around. "Perhaps it's time to simply leave this house." His voice trembled when he told me, "You and I."

"But how would it look if we left together? You doing this means we can't leave at the same time." I had no desire to leave this manor. I'd been twisted and broken here but mended anew as well. Leaving it, abandoning it was never in my mind. "This is my home."

He let out a sigh and got to his feet. "I knew you would say this."

As he circled the room, I turned to rotate with him. "Where are you going?"

"I promised to go back to the constable after the party to answer some questions."

"Wait." I took one step but had to catch the bed for support. My body trembled.

Edmond rushed to hold me up. Once I was steady, he tried to counteract the fear in his eyes with a gentle tone. "Not going looks more guilty."

Because I couldn't trust my body to not lose power, I swallowed hard and said, "Are you sure?"

"I did not kill him." My posture appeared steady enough for him to turn to the door. He paused and told me, "And if I wish to marry you, this is the only way."

I blinked myself awake. "What?"

He turned to leave and I gave chase like a fool. The ruckus when I fell had him coming back.

There was no playing it off after that. "I'm fine," I assured him.

He glanced at the clock then swept me up into his arms. "I must be in town by ten, but I'll leave now and send for a doctor. I'll be back by the afternoon."

After he brought the sheets up, he paused a moment to take me in. I, on the other hand, longed to reach for him, to beg him not to leave.

"I'll be back," he said, then walked out.

The sound of the horse galloping out of the yard twenty minutes later came with a knock at the door.

Cinderella's head popped around. "Good morning."

I smiled at the sight of her. "Good morning, darling."

She was dressed simply, in what amounted to rags, as she slipped in, her hands in her lap.

Whatever she came for, it must have been important.

"Do you want to scold me before or after breakfast?"

"Scold you?"

The previous night's events rushed back to me and I closed my eyes. "The way you spoke to the prince. Yes, that was...unwise."

Hands wringing her apron, she nodded. "Unwise is the word I'd use, too, yes."

I was in no position to scold anyone. "Rest for today, and we'll talk about this tomorrow."

But while I felt exhausted, she was as energetic as ever. "If it's all the same, I'll do the chores today. I will see to breakfast as well. Is that all right?"

"Poppy and Piglet—"

"Oh, they're still asleep. I won't be loud. I promise. They'll be so very surprised when they find everything so clean."

I opened my mouth to protest her heavy task, but she was gone in a flash.

That breakfast did come but Cinderella's smile did not.

She put the tray on the nightstand, heartbroken.

"What is it?"

As she prepared my tea, she confessed, "Poppy refuses to open the door and Piglet opened it, but only stared at me when I called her for breakfast. She looked at me as if I'd done something to her." Her big blue eyes settled on me. "Have I done something wrong?"

I debated how much to tell her. Edmond's words came back to me—I'd leave her under-prepared.

Finally, I confessed, "The dress you wore yesterday, where did you get it?"

Cinderella muttered, "I'd say magic usually, because after I changed my clothes and came into the family room to try and repair my dress yet again, it was simply resting there. But Edmond was also afoot, so I suppose it was from him. But he cannot make dresses, I think, so I do not know. And I do not want him to be in trouble if it's something bad."

At my curious look, she tried again.

"I saw the dress, and I put it on. Then Edmond came, wearing very fancy clothes, and asked me if I was ready to visit the party?"

Still, her making it there in Gareth's carriage was a feat. "So you climbed into your pumpkin and set off?"?"

With a nod, she handed me the tea. I could only stare at it as I said, "The dress is Poppy's. It was her masterpiece. It was also meant to be her wedding dress."

Cinderella's gasp made her mouth resemble an o. "Oh no."

"I believe she's very upset about that." Our eyes met and I ordered, "Tell her you received it from me—"

"No." Cinderella let out a sigh. "It wasn't my dress, and I chose to wear it. Of course, that skill level belonged to Poppy. Deep down, I knew it. I'll apologize. And I'll clean it well today and give it a lavender scent. You'll see."

The look of determination in her eyes was like night and day to the girl I'd first met at Arabella's funeral. I prayed she could still retain some of her innocence.

I left the breakfast. One sip of the tea was all I could manage before my spirits sank. I felt like I was imploding.

When three o'clock came and went without Edmond's return, I might as well have.

The cook was back the next day, and with her, she brought gossip.

Her big bright smile came with breakfast which I managed to dress myself and attend, though I felt weak.

My only goal was to keep upright, something I was unsure I could do.

When my body sagged, only Cinderella attempted to stand and rush me.

"No." I held up my hand. "Please sit and eat."

Despite the well-stacked table, all three of my daughters hardly took a bite.

The cook's smile widened once she'd put everything out. "This is cause for a celebration," she announced.

All four of us focused on her and she raised her nose and gave the king's decree.

Poppy's face lost color. Piglet was equally troubled when she narrowed her eyes on Cinderella, her sister, then me, begging me to do or say something.

Only Cinderella didn't look up from the table.

"I suppose you're happy," Piglet said through gritted teeth. "We should be happy, too. At the very least, we'll finally be rid of you, you awful thief."

Despite the good news, we all sat, unmoved. Cook waited but gave in eventually and repeated, "All eligible young women. Isn't that—?"

"Excuse me," Poppy said, standing, "but I have matters to attend to."

The way her voice cracked troubled me.

Piglet rose to her feet but didn't advance when her sister shook her head.

She left alone, a rare thing, and Piglet stared Cinderella down.

"I suppose it'd be good to change your room into a guest bedroom," Piglet said and stomped out.

I felt weak for many reasons. Physically, I was frail, but Edmond...Edmond hadn't returned.

When I tried to stand, Cook hurried to me. "Miss!"

Cinderella made a ruckus as she stood as well and charged my way. "Wait, I'll help."

"No." I told her, "Please. I just need a lie down."

My plan was to walk back to my bedroom and get some sleep. I failed. Cook had to drag me there. No doctor came, so that meant Edmond hadn't managed to call for one.

"Are you all right, Miss?" the cook asked. She took my slippers and pulled the sheets up as she circled around to close the curtains. Once I faced her, she paused and said, "Edmond told me about your sister. Did...have you eaten anything from that child?"

Child? She meant Cinderella.

Such nonsense. "Of course not."

"Nothing? Because I walked in two days ago to find her cooking you something. Even though breakfast was already served."

I scoffed. I meant to. But a strange and uncomfortable reality washed over me. Breakfast. That had been the last thing I'd eaten.

Rather than offer Cinderella up for scrutiny, I simply told the cook, "Edmond will be back soon."

But he didn't come on the second day nor the third. Everything I ate in that time came back up, violently so.

My body trembled on day four. I had some energy and that was fortunate because I sat up in my bed in time to see the brilliant horses and carriages thunder toward my house.

The prince.

I ignored my low energy level and dressed myself. Once I exited the hall, I found Poppy and Piglet much in the same state of readiness.

We all convened but looked around when one of us was missing.

Cinderella.

Poppy set her mouth in a line, but it was Piglet who was truly disgusted. "Let's hope she doesn't run towards them too desperately.

But after my girls circled the house, leaving me to slowly make my way to the front door, the wall as support, we came to a grim conclusion—she was gone.

Piglet looked hopeful but Poppy understood the true worry.

"What do we do?" Poppy asked.

"All we can do," I said, "say there is no one else here."

I was forced to use the door frame for support once the small army of pretty coats was upon us.

The rude prince from the party rode his horse proud. Upon catching sight of me, he boasted, "Found you. At last." He dismounted, his eyes scanning the windows on the second floor.

He was looking for Cinderella.

"Where is she?" he demanded.

That was a good question.

Piglet stood bold. "We are the only ones here."

Several servants held the prince's horse as he scrutinized our humble estate. Whatever he found, his grimace spoke of dissatisfaction.

Poppy, whose eyes were trained on the ground, looked up and their eyes met.

The prince squinted at her as he approached. "No. I'm not crazed. You look just like her. This has to be the place."

Once the carriage finally arrived, the door swung open, and the prince's mother popped her head out. "Oh, what a lovely little manor," she declared. She disappeared inside and muttered, "Oh, Archibald, darling, you must see this place. It is rather quaint. Won't you come and see?"

Nothing happened.

The woman's head appeared out the door once more. "Are you certain this is the place?"?

Eyes closed, the prince gritted his teeth. "Yes, mother. I'm sure. This one even looks just like her."

"Well, perhaps it is her."

"Her hair color is different."

"Well, it was nighttime, dear. The candlelight plays tricks!"

The prince wore a scowl. Like his simple brother, he moved Poppy's hair aside. Upon seeing the birthmark, he made a grunt.

"No. It's not this one at all." He turned his attention to me. "Where is she?"

My mind began to race. I let out a gasp as the answer came to me. "The cellar."

"The what?"

Perhaps he didn't hear because he made no attempt to advance as I used the wall to help me turn and I shuffled down the hall. It was the only place we hadn't looked.

I made it in good time and pulled on the door, but someone pulled it shut again.

"Cinderella?" I called. "Is that you?"

"Stepmother?"

"Yes."

She allowed it to open just a fraction. "Oh, Stepmother, is he gone? Are they gone?"

My mind went blank. What was going on?

At the sight of me, she begged unabashed, "Please, do not force me to go with him. Please. I'll cook. I'll clean everything. Look. Look at how nicely I've done it these few days. And the wash is spotless, is it not? I can't sew well yet, but I can learn. Please. Please. Don't make me leave."

The front door was ages away. When I regarded it to see the impatient prince pacing back and forth before Piglet and Poppy who blocked his path, I said to Cinderella,, "I think you've misunderstood. No one will force you to leave, dear. If you do not want the prince's hand in marriage, you need only say it."

"I've said as much at that party! I know what he's like. He's just like father. Even in the way he moves and behaves. He won't listen. Please. Just hide me. I beg!"

But hiding wasn't going to work either.

"You need only speak to him—"

She slammed the door and utilized the latch this time as well.

Why did she have to do that?

The sound alerted the prince who got on his tip toes and peered over my girls' head.

Cook came out to see the fuss and I whispered the situation to her.

The grim expression on her face made her fear palpable. "But why? Every woman would leap at this chance."

"Then leap," Cinderella screamed, voice muffled. "Leap and do cartwheels. I do not care. I will not marry that louse! I've had enough of men like that. I won't. I simply won't. Please do not force me."

I let out a sigh. "This is ridiculous."

As I readied myself to go and see to dismissing the prince, the cook offered me her hand.

The journey was slow and laborious, but I felt better once I reached the front door.

"Sir, I have a confession. There is one more lady here—"

"Is she your daughter or this old woman?" the prince demanded.

I gritted my teeth and said, "My stepdaughter. But sir, she...she doesn't want marriage."

"What? Who would refuse a prince?" he demanded. His eyes settled on Poppy then me as he asked, "Is she unsightly like this one, too?"

His words made my body stiffen and I found the energy I needed to pull myself up to my full height.

"If you'd please be so good as to go back."

He met me face to face and said, "Now you listen here, hag. Your daughter made a laughingstock out of me that night. I will not jeopardize my chance at the throne for a vagabond. You get her out here, and you get her out here this instant."

Much like Cinderella challenged him at the ball, I stood defiant. "Or what?"

He let out a growl and shoved me into the wall. Cook exclaimed, "Miss!" and hurried to help me to my feet.

Poppy and Piglet were no match for him. He stomped his riding boots all through the house, going upstairs then down again, opening every door he could find. When his footsteps stopped, I looked up to see him in front of the cellar door.

A mighty fist pounded against it. "Miss. I dare say, I am here to offer you the proposal of a lifetime."

"Offer it to your mother!" Cinderella screamed.

My breath caught.

The prince did not like that one bit.

At the next bang, the door rattled on its hinges. "Open this immediately, you wretch."

I gripped the cook's arm tight and let out a slow breath. "Get the girls out of the house," I told her.

"Ma'am?" She looked me up and down then demanded, "And what will you do?"

"Me?" I gritted my teeth once that buffoon began ramming the cellar door with his shoulder. "I'll be retrieving my grandfather's rifle."

Cook gasped but didn't try to stop me as I dragged myself up the steps and into the study.

With what little strength I had, I plucked the weapon off the wall and made my way to the desk for the ammo.

I loaded it and had it ready in both hands as I turned to the door and met upon a barrier.

The man towering over me there snatched the weapon from my hands and demanded, "Have you lost your mind!"

My vision faded in and out, but I looked up at Edmond as my eyes crossed.

He caught me with one hand and put the loaded gun back on the wall before picking me up.

"Why are you here?" I screamed. "What about Cinderella?"?

He carried me to the window and indicated the bigger envoy in the distance consisting of the constables. "The cook told me of your intent. The prince will not get far. Stay here."

After he put me to rest, he unloaded the gun, repackaged the ammunition, and restored the study to its previous state.

Then he stood beside me and said, "Can you walk?"

My body trembled but I nodded.

I needed his support down the stairs.

Despite the cellar door giving way and Cinderella screaming, we kept with our measured pace.

I wanted to move faster. "Is she all right?"

"Sometimes it's best to let the bull bully. You worry about staying upright," Edmond told me.

He let me hold him until I reached the bottom step.

A shriek punctuated the morning and my heart bled.

The brute had Cinderella over his shoulder once we reached the hall.

Edmond let out a sigh. "I'll block him if I have to."

I gripped his shirt, terrified but absolutely powerless to stop either of them.

"Help!" Cinderella cried. "Help. Please. Why won't anyone help?? Help me."

"Shut your mouth." The prince turned with her and marched out. As soon as he reached the front door, a fist connected with his face then a second one.

He merely crumbled to the floor and Cinderella scrambled away.

Prince Archibald straddled his brother and gave a final blow before standing. Once he focused on Cinderella's horrified expression as she gripped the wall for dear life, he calmed.

He yanked down his coat and approached her, but she nearly slipped in her haste to retreat.

"Edmond..." I pleaded.

"Shh. Pace yourself. You look ready to leave your very body."

I felt it, too.

Prince Archibald's mother stormed in, screaming at the sight of her son.

She tried to approach but Prince Archibald commanded, "Do not touch him." He and his mother shared a stare. "Or my first words to Uncle in three years will be a very detailed account of what has transpired here."

The threat worked. The woman backed away.