A Week to Midnight

Cinderella Enters the Ball

The dreaded day had arrived, and Cal had been forced to ask Anne to take care of the shop for the week. She had her questions, of course, but he had been prepared for such interrogation on her part. He had told her that he had been sent for by a distant connection of his late father, who was curious about his skill as a baker and wanted a demonstration. This was an opportunity that may help support himself and his sisters for a long time, that is what he had told her. He had not lied entirely; it was very much true that he was attempting something that could provide him with the opportunity to support his family. The details of the occupation had simply been appropriately adjusted.

He had been picked up by the man's carriage and had the clothes he had been supplied hidden under a cloak. He had made sure his face had been cleaned thoroughly and his dark hair was tied back in a short ponytail at the base of where his neck met his head.

He had never been inside a carriage before and was surprised by the comfort of the cushioned seats. The horses that led the carriage were impressive beasts also. They were large with hair as pale as snow and pale almost yellow manes and tails. The cab driver paid him little notice as he climbed inside, he suspected that his client had given the man some kind of story about Cal's presence and Cal was sure that he did not truly wish to know what said story may have been.

When he was sure he would not be noticed by anyone who he may recognise outside of the carriage he removed his cloak, pulling the invitation from the pocket. He wore shining white trousers and a matching top. The legs of the trousers and arms of the coat were lined with single golden stripes and the cuffs of his sleeves were a dark blue with more golden stripes encircling them. At his throat was a cravat in a matching shade of blue to the cuffs of his sleeves. He also wore new boots, soft leather that was likely worth more than a year's worth of healthy sales.

He felt a tightness in his chest as the sun grew lower in the sky and as they got closer to the palace. The party was to be held at night but that did not mean he would be able to return to his sisters during the day. He had to plan carefully, he needed the daylight to figure out a way of getting to the prince, to scout out a blind spot. He knew he would not be able to complete his task within the first couple of days and so he had decided to be tactical about this. These clothes were not going to hide any blood stains, his client had been quite aware of that when he had this particular set sent to him and all the extra clothing that he had set aside in his temporary abode was of a similar style and colour scheme.

If Cal were not completely careful then there would be next to no opportunity to hide his guilt. He was being used as a sacrificial pawn in this twisted game of chess between his client and the unknowing prince. The only difference between Cal and a pawn, however, is that a pawn's sacrifice aided only the survival of the king, whereas Cal's sacrifice would support his own ends. If this man were true to his word then if Cal were to die in his mission, his sisters would still be safe if he were able to succeed.

He reached down to pat at his leg. He could feel the dagger that was strapped to his leg beneath his trouser leg. It had been the only weapon he was able to conceal, though he hoped that he would not have to use it. He intended to find a cleaner method of dealing with his job. If possible, perhaps he could use these silken gloves to choke the prince, forcing them down his throat. Or maybe he could strangle him, if he were able to get him alone for long enough, strangulation took time.

Maybe he could convince the prince to step out onto a balcony or pass by a large enough window and push him over the ledge towards the ground. He did not have much time left to think about this as he entered the grounds of the palace. He had never been within these gates before and the difference between the garden alone compared to the state of his own village both amazed and horrified him.