Chapter 16

The king insisted that Charles sit for a portrait. Charles was willing to do it to please his father, but he had a bad feeling about this. Duke Zaral had volunteered to take Charles to a very talented painter in the mountains. Charles, suspicious of the Duke, had invited two guards he knew well along, as well as Alex. Still, he couldn't shake the worry that something was amiss.

When they arrived at the old, crumbling castle, Charles' anxiety increased. What kind of self-respecting artist lived in a place like this? He wasn't sure he wanted to find out. Especially when Zaral said, "He's a bit shy, so it's probably best if the prince and I go in alone. I'll come back out once Charles is set up for the portrait.

Zaral took him to the door. It was answered by an old man with dark eyes and long, gray hair. "What do you want?" he asked in a strange voice.

"Prince Charles needs his portrait done. We have your payment here." Zaral held up two bags of coins.

"Come in." The man opened the door just wide enough to let them through before slamming it behind them. He led them up a rickety staircase. In the light streaming through the dusty windows near the ceiling, Charles saw at least a hundred paintings hanging on the wall opposite the staircase. The subjects of the paintings all seemed alive, somehow.

When they reached a small room well-lit with sunlight, the man sat Charles on a large, solid wood chair and pulled out his supplies. Zaral stayed to watch. Charles watched both men carefully, on alert for one of them to make a move against him. Nothing happened. Instead, he began to feel as though the room was fading around him.

-----------------------------

Cinderella was so excited! A painter had come to paint a portrait of Catherine and Jeanne, but he didn't get them to the duchess' liking. On his way out, he noticed her favorite painting. It was one her mother had loved, a beautiful garden scene. Cinderella had always wondered about the artist, Zoray.

The portrait painter told her that he'd heard Zoray lived in a decrepit castle in the mountains. He was very willing to give Cinderella directions, so once her chores were done, she'd headed on her way to visit Zoray.

On her way, she ran into Paulette. When she told Paulette where she was going, Paulette asked to come along. Cinderella was grateful for the company. She quite enjoyed her rather eccentric godmother. Along the way, they talked a lot about Cinderella's mother, who had been Paulette's dearest friend. Cinderella learned a lot of new things about her mother.

The trip went quickly, especially with such fun company. They arrived at the old castle in the early afternoon. There was a carriage off in the trees near the front, but they didn't pay it much attention.

Their knock went unanswered. Paulette suggested they try again. Cinderella knocked louder, but still nothing. Deciding she hadn't come all the way up for nothing, she opened the door and peeked in. "Hello, Mr. Zoray," she called. "I'd like to talk to you, please?"

He appeared from the shadows like a ghost. "What do you want? I'm very busy," he said.

"My name is Cinderella. I wanted to meet you. My mother really loved your paintings."

"That's very nice, but I must go." He made to shut the door on them, then stopped. "You have a very lovely face. I should very much like to paint it."

"Oh really?" Cinderella felt herself blushing. "I would be honored, Mr. Zoray."

"Come in then," he said. He led them both up to a bright, though dusty room where he sat Cinderella on a sofa. "Beautiful," he said.

As he pulled out an easel and canvas and began mixing paints, Paulette stood beside him. He looked at her pointedly. "I do not usually work with anyone else in the room," he said.

"Oh, but Mr. Zoray, I'm an art teacher and I would so love to watch you work," she replied.

"Please Mr. Zoray. It would make me very happy to have her here. We've come quite a ways to see you," Cinderella pled. He turned his eyes on Cinderella. They lit up. "That smile is perfect. Stay right there," he instructed. Without another word to Paulette, he began painting with small, careful strokes.

As he painted, Cinderella started feeling funny. It seemed almost like the world was fading around her. It was hard to describe. She wondered what was wrong, but didn't seem to have the ability to speak or move.

She heard a cry from Zoray as something pulled her up and out of the room. It wasn't until she was standing outside in the sunlight that she seemed to return to herself.

"What happened?" she asked.

Paulette was looking at her with a concerned expression. "Oh dear child, you were in grave danger. I think Zoray was trapping your spirit in the painting."

"But why would he do that?"

"Long ago, when Zoray was very famous, he painted many portraits. A grave disease swept through the kingdom and killed many people. Most of the subjects he had painted died. People began spreading rumors that Zoray had cast a curse on those he painted, and that the disease was his fault. It was ridiculous, of course, but it forced him into exile. Now it appears that he has made the rumors true."

They began leaving, but they were interrupted by a familiar figure.

"Cinderella, wait!" Alex cried.

"Oh, hello Alex! What are you doing here?" Cinderella asked.

"I'm here with the Prince. He's getting his portrait painted by Zoray."

"What!?" Cinderella and Paulette looked at each other, then back at Alex. "Then the Prince is in great danger."

Paulette quickly explained what had happened with Cinderella. Alex's eyes grew wider and wider. "We must get in and rescue him," he finally said. He fetched the guards and they all ran to the door, but it was locked. Though it looked fairly flimsy, they were unable to break it down.

"I know, I'll distract him," Cinderella said. "I'll offer to let him finish my portrait. He stopped working on the Prince's when I came. I'm sure he will again."

"We'll conceal ourselves near the door and come in after you," Alex said.

"Get the Prince first, then come for me." He nodded and the other four hid while Cinderella knocked and called out, "Mr. Zoray! I'm sorry I left so quickly! I was not feeling well. I'd like for you to finish the painting, if you still want to!"

A few minutes passed before he answered. "Come in, Child. Your godmother will have to wait outside."

"Yes, of course. She will," Cinderella agreed. She stepped in and grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the stairs. Her excitement pulled him from the door without locking it, just as she had planned. Soon she was again sitting on the couch, and the world again faded around her.

-----------------------------

It took a minute for Charles to get his bearings as the world sprang into focus around him. He felt as though he'd just awoken from a long sleep. Looking around, he remembered where he was: Zoray's castle. Alex and Paulette and one of the guards stood watching him with worried expressions.

"What happened?" he asked.

"I think that worked. We'd better go save Cinderella," Paulette said quickly.

"What's wrong with Cinderella?" Charles jumped to his feet, his hand on his sword.

Alex put a calming hand on his arm. "Zoray nearly trapped your spirit in that painting, Charles. Cinderella is in the other room. He's painting her now. She drew his attention away so we could rescue you."

Charles strode from the room. They all followed him as he threw open the door to the next room and saw an alarming sight. Zoray was painting with a large smile while Cinderella sat on the couch. She wore a smile, but her skin was pale and her eyes wide and unblinking. "Cinderella!" he called, running to her. He scooped her into his arms and turned to Zoray.

Alex and the guard grabbed Zoray's arms and pulled him away from the painting while Paulette snatched it up. She hurried from the room, followed by Charles and Cinderella, then Alex, the guard, and Zoray.

The other guard was by the river holding a dripping, streaked canvas. Paulette looked at him, then looked at Charles.

"Does Cinderella know that you're the prince?" she asked.

Charles looked at her with surprise. He had forgotten that he was the Prince now, and not just Charles. He shook his head.

"Do you want her to know?"

He hesitated. "I do, but I'm not sure that this is the best way for her to find out."

"I agree. You and your men had best get on your way. I'll stay here with her. Once you're gone, I'll wash her painting and take her home. You can come visit her tomorrow."

Charles nodded. It was a sound plan. He dropped a gentle kiss on Cinderella's forehead before setting her in the grass and returning to the carriage. Zaral was sitting inside the carriage, seemingly oblivious to all that had happened. Charles had to stop himself from punching the man outright. How dare he act innocent after what he'd done!

Zoray was tied up and brought to the carriage. He would go right to the castle dungeon until they could determine a proper punishment for him.

The ride home went quickly. When Charles told the King and Queen what had happened, they were shocked. If he hadn't had Alex and the guards to add their witness, they might not have even believed him.

Charles made sure the guards assigned to Zoray's cell were men he knew and trusted. Once he was certain Zoray was no longer a threat, he went to sleep. He felt exhausted from the events of the day. Tomorrow he would look in on Cinderella. Remembering how cold and limp her body was in his arms made him nervous. He wanted to make sure for himself that she was well.

The next morning, he was on the way to Cinderella's shortly after breakfast. When he told his parents he was going to check on the other victim of Zoray, they were understanding. He didn't even have to sneak out of the castle for once.

He had the carriage driver stop up the road from her house. He had brought some clothes from Alex to change into on the way. When he arrived, he found her outside, working in the garden.

"Cinderella," he called. She looked up with a sweet smile.

"Hello Charles! I didn't expect to see you today."

"I wanted to check on you. Alex told me what happened yesterday. How are you feeling?"

"I was very tired yesterday, but I got to bed early and I feel fine today. Did he say if the Prince was doing well?"

"Yes. He said the Prince is fine."

"I'm glad. And Zoray?"

"Locked in the royal dungeon until a proper punishment can be decided."

She frowned. "I feel so sad for him. He's been through a lot. But I'm also glad he can't hurt anyone else. I can't believe he really trapped so many people- all those portraits in his house." She shivered.

They talked for a few minutes more, then Catherine called Cinderella inside to mend her gown. "I'll see you later. Thanks for coming by."

He waved as she walked into the house. He needed to figure out how to tell her the truth about himself. He was just so worried about losing her trust.