Soot & Ashes

Thirteen: Changed Plans

As the dancing came to an end, Mary Cinders stayed behind the other guests being escorted out. She kept a sly eye on her daughter, and a slick eye on Ivan. The air amongst those remaining was choked and uncomfortable.

Ivan paced back and forth, alerting both his parents to an agitated change in him. "I should go after her..." He muttered through gritted teeth. "Why is there not a search party out there right now?"

"Son, we are not to ignore and dismiss our honored guests, shaming ourselves, for one selfish little girl who obviously doesn't appreciate your attentions." His mother held her head high, it was not simply that she was proud, but that she didn't know how else to react.

Ivan span round on his heels to gaze at his mother, "No, I won't believe that. If you wish for me to ever wed, She is the girl I will marry, no one else." He demanded, headstrong and determined, a glitter in his eyes assuring the room of his convictions.

"Suppose you cannot find her, then are you to remain a bachelor the rest of your life?" The King asked, his voiced raised at the preposterous suggestion.

"Yes. Forever." He had dug deep in to his heart when he said this. There was no lie in him at all.

Mary Cinders smirked to herself. Because she was suddenly in possession of all the cards. Beside her Arabella stood at Theodore's side, properly as a young lady should stand, silent as her mother expected her to be.

"You boy, is this your choice, this Cinders..." The King huffed out a sigh through his nose as his eyes glanced down at the dainty beauty shivering like a little hairless dog at his side.

Theodore, swallowing his heart back as hard as it burned in his chest. His lavender eyes misty, finally breathed the words. "Yes, there was no better heart in the Ballroom tonight." Then he looked down at his feet, his fist clenching at his side as his little Soot ran through his mind like a distant dream of a sunny day.

Arabella's head dipped, she glanced down at her feet biting her lip guiltily. Her heart juddered in her chest, she knew not who he loved before, but she knew enough to realise neither of them seemed to have a way back to the happy ending they had wanted to begin with. They would be quite alright settling. Only Arabella was just now coming to the conclusion she didn't very much want to become Queen.

Worse of all, her tongue burned because she was sure she knew exactly who Ivan's mysterious dance partner was and had gone to comment when her mother 'accidentally' stepped on her toes. The sharp look she'd received was enough to remind her that silence was key.

"Then it is settled," The King announced, "Theodore shall marry Lady Arabella Cinders, and be granted the Kingdom when the time comes."

The very idea of it all filled Theodore & Arabella with dread. Neither of them wanted to be married to each other, neither of them wanted a crown weighing heavily on their heads. Still, being together was better than loneliness. Ruling together, better than having nothing. Silence better than the lashing that comes with using ones tongue. At least. That's what they told themselves.

"Congratulations brother," Ivan, older by very little time, held out his hand to his brother willingly. It had always been his throne to win, his kingdom to rule. In his years he had changed the most, tried the hardest to be ready for the responsibilities that would come with ruling. He had been the sensible one, never dreaming, always and ever the realist. Suddenly the tables had turned, it was his little brother being sensible for once and he was being romantic and irrational in his stead.

Despite the burning in the pit of his stomach, he finally felt alive. He had seemingly lost one Throne, but gained an unusual insight into himself. He'd never needed anyone, or at least, he never knew he did. Now it was obvious because she had pointed it out. How he didn't catch that name and jump up, no one will know, but Mary was grateful for his fickleness.