Chapter 9

Charles was in town as soon as his lessons were over. Thankfully, he only had two short lessons, so he was there before noon. He found Cinderella sitting on a bench by the fountain in the square, talking to Yan. Charles tried to repress a twinge of jealousy.

"Hello," he called.

"Oh, hello Charles! Yan and I have come up with an idea to help Nicolas and Variel. Do you want to join us?"

"Of course. What is your plan?"

"I'll explain as we go. We need to find Nicolas." She left Yan at the fountain and told him she'd see him that evening, then walked with Charles through the streets. She told him their plan, to have Yan show up as the fortune teller at Variel's parents' and tell of her future with Nicolas.

"I just hope they'll listen," she finished.

"What will you do if they don't?"

"I don't know." She paused, listening carefully. Haunting violin music drifted from a side street. She pull Charles towards the music. They found Nicolas sitting under a tree, playing.

"Nicolas!" Cinderella called.

He looked up. "Hello Cinderella!"

"This is my friend Charles. We have a plan to help you and Variel!"

"Uh, okay." He looked unsure, but listened as she unfolded the plan she and Yan had come up with.

"I don't know if it will work, but I'm willing to try," he said when she finished. Charles admired the man. He hoped the plan would work.

Charles and Cinderella spent another hour with Nicolas, planning out the details of the plan. When he told them he had to go to a practice, they headed off so Cinderella could finish her errands for her stepmother.

"I just have to pick up a few more things, then I'll head home. I should hurry and get my chores done so I can leave after dinner."

"I'll help you carry the packages home," Charles offered.

"Thank you, Charles. You're so helpful! I'm lucky to have a friend like you." He smiled and followed her to a few stores. Soon they both had arms full of packages. He couldn't imagine how she would have gotten everything home without his help. They reached her house just after midday. Her stepmother and stepsisters were clamoring for lunch. Cinderella invited Charles to stay as well.

He sat in the kitchen and watched her prepare a quick meal for her family. Once she had taken their food out, she joined him in the kitchen and set two plates on the rickety wooden table.

"We'll have to stand. I'm sorry there are no chairs in here."

"Is this where you eat all your meals?"

"Usually."

Charles didn't say anything more. He let himself enjoy the delicious food she had prepared and tried to contain his anger at her stepmother and stepsisters.

When they had finished eating, Charles bid her goodbye with a warm smile and headed back to the castle. There were a few things he needed to finish up before tonight as well.

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When Cinderella got to the place they had planned to meet, she found Nicolas, Charles, and Yan waiting for her. Yan was dressed the part of the old fortune teller while Nicolas and Charles wore dark cloaks with hoods. Cinderella had dressed in her nicer dress and pulled part of her hair up so she looked a little less like a servant and more like a lady.

Charles and Nicolas pulled their hoods up to hide their faces and the small group set off for Variel's home. When they arrived, a servant answered the door.

"What do you want?" he asked in a tired voice.

Cinderella spoke for the group. "The renowned fortune teller has come to tell the fortunes of this household."

The man's eyes widened a bit and he hurried away. Soon, Variel's father arrived at the door. He took in the group with a hesitant look.

"I am here to tell your fortunes, good sir," Yan said in his raspy fortune teller voice.

"And why have you come?"

"I had a premonition that you were in need of my direction."

The man sighed. "You are very welcome, if you can bring harmony to my home." He stepped aside to let them in. They followed him to a sitting room and he motioned for them to take a seat while they waited for Variel and her mother to join them.

Once the ladies were seated, Yan began. He told the duke and duchess that they would enjoy continued prosperity and a close relationship with the royal family through their son-in-law. He then told Variel that she would marry the love of her life, that they would be happy in spite of a small income, and that her husband would bring her into contact with many important people, despite his lack of royal title. He also told her that it would take courage to follow her heart, but she would be happy.

Cinderella smiled, knowing that Yan was telling her to marry Nicolas. Variel practically glowed. Her father, however, glowered.

"Are you trying to convince her to marry that featherbrained violinist!?" he yelled, jumping to his feet.

"I am simply telling you what your future can hold, if you will allow it," Yan answered in his raspy fortune teller voice.

"Variel will not marry a man without a royal title! She will marry the prince, I just know it! Get out of here!"

The small group jumped up and hurried out, all but one. Nicolas pulled back his hood, revealing his identity. "I will not go. I love your daughter, Sir, and while I cannot promise her wealth, I can promise to love her always, and that I will do all I can to ensure her needs are met."

"Oh Nicolas!" Variel cried, running to him. Yan, Cinderella, and Charles watched from the hallway as Variel's father called for his servants. They tore Nicolas and Variel apart and chased the group out, carrying Nicolas with them.

As the four disappointed figures raced off the property, Cinderella tried to hold back her tears. She had been so sure this would work. Oh, now what were they going to do?

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Charles felt his heart ache for Nicolas. He couldn't imagine how he would feel if he were torn from Cinderella like that. He felt a stab of gratitude for his own rank, which would hopefully prevent a situation such as this.

When the group stopped running, they stood in silence for a while. Charles noticed that Cinderella was shivering in the cool night air and quickly removed his cloak, placing it around her shoulders. Noticing a gleam on her face, he realized she might not just be shaking from cold.

"What's wrong, Cinderella?" he asked quietly.

"Oh Charles! I was so sure this would help, but I think we've only made things worse. I'm so sorry Nicolas." She turned to the downcast musician.

"It's okay. Thank you for trying. I guess Variel and I aren't meant to be."

"Don't say that!" Yan exclaimed. "What I said was true! I saw your future. If you and Variel have the courage to follow your hearts, you will both be very happy! Do you have the courage, Nicolas?"

"Yes," he said firmly. "I do. We must check with Variel."

"Can you see her?" Charles asked as a plan began to form in his mind.

"She will come meet me on her father's property if I ask her to, near the lake."

"Okay then, here's what we can do." Charles laid his plan out quietly. Once everyone had nodded their approval, he turned to Nicolas. "It's up to you to tell Variel. We will all meet here again tomorrow night."

The next day passed quickly. Charles was tired from his late night, but excited by the plan they had put together.

When he arrived at their designated meeting place, Cinderella was the only one there. She wore her usual servant's dress and looked like she was about to nod off as she sat under a large oak tree.

"Long day?" Charles asked.

She started up and stared at him with wide eyes for a moment before recognition lit her face. "Charles! Sorry. I had a lot to do today."

"And here we are, keeping you out late again."

"There's nowhere I'd rather be. I want to help Nicolas and Variel!"

Nicolas and Yan soon joined them. Yan drove the wagon full of hay he had borrowed from a local farmer. They all jumped on the wagon and headed for Variel's. Charles took the reins from Yan and left him at the front door to distract the family. While he knocked loudly and began yelling, Charles took the wagon with Cinderella and Nicolas in the back and stopped under Variel's window.

She was waiting, as promised. She dropped out of her window and landed with a soft thwump in the straw. Charles took off as soon as he was sure she was safe. Within minutes, they heard the yelling of Variel's father behind them. He was quickly approaching on his own horse, which moved much faster than the wagon.

The wagon hit a bump in the road and went flying into the trees. Charles quickly freed the horses and helped Nicolas and Variel onto the larger, faster horse. He then lifted Cinderella onto the other and jumped up behind her while Nicolas and Variel took off. They were headed into town, where a preacher was waiting to marry them.

Variel's father was close on their tail. Charles and Cinderella were further behind, and Charles stayed back, not wanting to be too close to Variel's father in case he decided to take his anger out on them.

When Nicolas and Variel reached an old rickety bridge, Variel's father stopped. Charles and Cinderella stopped at the edge of the road a little ways back.

The bridge swung precariously as Nicolas guided the horse carefully and slowly across. Almost the instant they were safe on the other side, the bridge collapsed into the valley below. Variel raised a hand in parting as she and Nicolas rode on. Variel's father put his head in his hands.

Charles looked down at Cinderella. Her hand was clasped in his and she was looking at him with a sweet smile. "They made it," she said.

"Yes. Now they can have the bright future Yan promised."

"I'm so happy for them!" Cinderella glanced down at their joined hands and her cheeks turned rosy in the pale moonlight. She shyly pulled her hand away and looked down.

"Well, we should get you home. I'll take you on horseback. Yan and I can come for the wagon tomorrow, once we get the other horse back from Nicolas."

"Thank you Charles. This was all your idea. Without your help, they might not have gotten their happy ending."

"True love always triumphs in the end."