Cinderella Did Not Leave Her Shoe

The chapters for "Modern Cinderella" are very short so we get three chapters each time. Huzzah? Huzzah!

The story is told in very strict POVs between Fredericka and Volker, mostly Fredericka"s. So there would be a few rewinds, like in the next chapter...

4 Volker: Was it alright toreturn it as it is?

When we reached the carriage, Inoted the coat of arms. So in my arms, I must be holding the Castley daughter.I stared at the fairy in my arms, if I recall correctly, she was engaged to theheir to the Duke of Cájes. But it wasn’t something I paid particular attentionto. (Zuben: No…?)

Keeping my face neutral, I laid heron the carriage seat. She whimpered a bit, but she showed no signs of rousing.(Zuben: She has fallen asleep.)

I turned to the maid, who bowed lowand curtsied deeply.

‘Thank you so much for your kindness,sir, I apologise for our impoliteness. My lady is Fredericka Castley, daughterto Viscount Castley. I am Marie. May I ask your name?’

‘There is no need for grat.i.tude. Iam Volker Brennan, security officer for the ball. Please send your mistress torest quickly.’

Marie murmured her thanks and gotinto the carriage.

I went to the guards and had themescort the carriage until it was in Castley grounds.

‘Are they thieves?’ one of theguards asked. I glared at the fool, and he quickly corrected his posture.

I returned to making my rounds atthe ball, but I realised the atmosphere was strange. Usually it was supposed tobe light and breezy but there was tension in the air and it felt like a secretmeeting instead of a ball. All the trappings of a lively ball were there; the orchestra were playing, the servants were busilyrunning about with drinks and nibbles, there were many young people millingabout, but only a few couples were dancing, instead, most of the ball’s guests were cl.u.s.tered about in groups chatting, but it didn’t seem like they werehaving fun.

I called over one of the guardsposted in the ball rooms. The young man saluted.

In a low tone, I asked for areport.

‘I will begin: Twenty minutes ago,Eugene Cajes attended the ball with a young lady who was a commoner, who hadnot been invited. He declared that he was cancelling his engagement with LadyFredericka Castley. She accepted it and left the ball. After that everyone hasbeen gossiping. That is all, your Excellency.’

‘Is that true?’

The thought that such a thinghappened to her so publicly made me more sullen than I expected. But I couldnot care about such things.

‘I saw the whole thing with my owneyes and heard it all with these eyes. I am not lying.’

‘I see. Return to your post.’

As I walked on, my fists wereclenched tightly and my strides were long and furious.

Lady Fredericka’s engagement wasbroken. She accepted it and left the ball. How hard it must have been for herto be humiliated in public like that. My head felt hot.

I had heard that Lord Eugene hada princely character, and he had a reputation of not being lofty, which hadearned him the admiration of the young Ladies of Society.

But when Lady Fredericka saw herfiancé escorting someone else to the ball, she must have been hurt. (Zuben:LOL, he’s fallen so hard)

She buried the pain deeply and ranaway without crying. I suddenly remembered the handkerchief I had in my pocketand the tightness in my heart ceased. I wonder why.

It was hard to imagine that shewould have fainted just because she ran into me, but if that was the case, I supposeI should make her acquaintance. (Zuben: So you should, heheheheh)

But the case of Lady Fredericka wasa strange one indeed.

Even though I didn’t know about thesituation, I wish I had done more for her. Surely, the delicate Frederickawould take to her bed for a time. I wondered if I should send her flowers or aletter or visit? I heard a voice behind me and my thoughts were interrupted.

I consciously put Lady Frederickain the back of my mind.

The ball continued on till late.But everyone returned to their homes in a subdued air, looking thoughtful. Iwatched the young people go expressionlessly.

I remember Lady Fredericka’s eyes,and thought that I wanted to see that fresh green glitter brightly.

♢

‘Welcome back, my Lord.’ My butlergreeted with a bow as I entered my house. He received my coat and bag andwalked with me as I returned to my rooms. When I entered my room, I made totake off my coat and remembered the item in my pocket. Fredericka’s losthandkerchief. I wondered if I should return it back with flowers.  I reached into my pocket absently and handedthe item to the butler,

‘Zuzie, please have this washed.’

My butler froze at the item I heldin my hand. Then he cleared his throat and asked, ‘Master, would you reallylike me to wash it?’ his gaze fixed on the item I held out to him.

I looked at his worried expression and lookedat the handkerchief. It was not a handkerchief; it was a lady’s undergarment, anothing of light pink silk ribbons and lace.

I could feel the heat growing on myface as a blush crept up.

‘No, that isn’t it.’ I said in abit of a panic.

‘Master, what does this mean? Whydo you have a lady’s undergarment in your pocket? Have you gotten yourself...? How did this...?!’

I held my hand out trying to calmhim down.

‘I don’t know what you arethinking, but it is not it.’ I took back the underwear and searched mypockets again; there was nothing but the undies. I could not understand it.(Zuben: The power of the mind)

It was supposed to be ahandkerchief that Lady Fredericka had dropped, I may not have seen it clearlybut I recognise the size and colour. No one could have crept up on my andreplaced the handkerchief with underwear, unless they were magical.

So then…

I had picked up underwear from thestart?!

How?

No matter how I think about it, Ididn’t know. (Zuben: Well you were busy falling for the fairy in your arms)

What do I do?

‘Master, do not be embarra.s.sed. Youcan give me the underwear.’

I released the breath I washolding, and handed Xavier the embarra.s.sing item.

♢

After a bath, I was having a stiffdrink and talking to Zuzie, really Xavier, about the item I had retrieved. Wedecided it was Lady Fredericka’s.

‘I noticed that one of the cordshad broken, therefore it would have fallen off.’

So that meant…I covered my facewith my hand.

‘That means…’

‘It means that Lady Fredericka waswearing it when you met her.’ Zuzie announced. How could he say suchembarra.s.sing things with such a straight face?

Despite my age, I haven’t datedmany women. But I am very confident about my experiences. Yet, I don’t thinkany woman had ever used their underwear to get my attention.

‘She will be embarra.s.sed when wereturn this to her.’ I said

‘Yes.’

‘But it would not be good to keepsilent about it.’

‘That is correct.’

‘But could it really be sent back?’

‘Maybe.’

‘Should we dispose of it?’

‘In the event it is a treasureditem, I don’t know whether we can take responsibility.’

‘I don’t wish for that. Even though it would be washed bya maid, the Lady may find it disgusting that a man had seen her shed undergarment. 

"And with the engagement cancellation,she might have a distrust of men’ Xavier added quietly.

‘But she should have noticed theloss of her underwear, so I’m sure it would become a matter of concern for theyoung lady.’

I sighed, ‘That is likely.’

It looked like Lady Fredericka knewme, and I also gave my name to her maid. She may already think I know somethingabout her missing underwear.

‘Xavier, I am going to call on LadyFredericka tomorrow. Get some flowers prepared, and get this washed by the maidand wrapped.’

It felt wrong to touch it directlynow that I knew it wasn’t a handkerchief, so I put it in my handkerchief andhanded it Zuzie. He took it without a word and left my room.

‘Earlier,’ Marie told us, ‘aservant came to tell us that his Master; General Brennan wished to call onFredericksama; would she be at receiving guests?’

Oliver quickly replied that I wouldbe at home, but this bothers me a lot. Why did he reply without asking me?! Ireally have to find a way to be absent. But that General Volker was moving tooquickly.

But Oliver responded to themessenger without consulting me or my father. I cannot fault Oliver, he is anamazing butler.  In some instances Ithink he even surpa.s.ses his master. As peers, no as really rich peers, we havea lot of visitors at our household, so Oliver usually answered calling cardswithout input from my parents. It was more expedient.

Thus, we have come to this…

Was there nothing I could do, ah?!

What should I do?!

I would never have thought he wouldcome to my house. We have never been acquainted in the past. It must because Iran into him while I was disorientated from my foolishness. Fainted when he sawmy fallen panties, and he carried me gently to the carriage. He wanted to checkmy condition; how gentlemanly.

Perhaps, he impress upon me thatmilitary will train me into a wonderful lady from being a disappointing one.

What is this, you fell in love?!Not only is he strong, he is fast and gentle. What kind of woman is your perfectbride? (Zuben: Another character whose thoughts go from hither to yon orz)

‘I will prepare for his visit.’Oliver announced, ‘Marie, dress Lady Fredericka and get her something light toeat. And Lady Fredericka, please tighten your lips and arrange your thoughts sothat words like you just said don’t come out of your mouth.’

Eh?! I said all that out loud.

I gave a sheepish smile, ‘I will.Thank you.’

Very much.

Father and Mother had weird smileson their faces, I know from experience that it doesn’t bode well for me.

‘Well I will go to the kitchen.Marie,’

I took my shabby disreputable selfgracefully to my room with Marie.

‘Let’s make you an omelette withyour favourite cheese! And some minced meat.’ She said as she skipped ahead ofme.

How many times do I need breakfast?And why minced meat?!

‘I was worried about my lady thismorning, you didn’t each much earlier. You are hungry now, I feel relieved.’

‘Love you loads but could youchange mince meat to steak fillets instead?’

‘Woohoo!’ Marie clapped her handshappily, and my heart grew lighter without noticing there was a dark air in myroom. (Zuben: Hmm, Author sama, you better not be planning nonsense.)

… ‘A discovery?’

‘Not only seeds but can bearfruit.’

‘Is it not expensive?’

‘It’s a n.o.ble. Look at the hands’

‘That is it…’

(Zuben: Don’t ask me what that isabout)

I had always a.s.sumed that he was avery serious straight-laced person. There weren’t many rumours about him inSociety, but I haven’t heard any one ever say he was a bad person. EvenEugene, my former fiancé, and his friends had said though training with him wastough, he was still a fair person.

So, I had thought to begin with anapology for my behaviour. I felt incredibly awful pretending to faint lastnight.

But when the General and his greyhaired attendant were presented, my intuition screamed “different”. He was notas I expected.  He had a bouquet in hishand and something small. His rugged face was a bit ruddy around the cheeks,and he looked nervous.

Ah, it might be bad if Iapologised.

‘Lady Fredericka, are you well? Iam sorry to intrude upon your rest, do you remember me from last night? VolkerBrennan?’ he greeted as he presented the lovely bouquet of yellow and orangeflowers.

‘Of course, I remember, GeneralBrennan. I am very ashamed I showed you such an unsightly me last night.’ Ireplied with a curtsy. ‘I hope to beg your pardon for running into you. Andthank you so much for carrying me when I fainted.’

‘It was no trouble at all, LadyFredericka.’ The general replied. There we are; all very mature.

I looked at the bouquet; they wereflowers that I liked. I gave them a good sniff and smiled widely as I thankedthe General again for them. He gave an awkward laugh.

‘Lady Fredericka,’ he said,clearing his throat, ‘actually last night, I picked this up. Is it yours?’

As I suspected, he had seen thefallen knickers.

Although I did not tell him, he hadtaken the time to bring it back to me, and it was wrapped tidily andbeautifully as well! Despite the possibility of being labelled a pervert if hehad been wrong, he brought it to me. Perhaps he thought I would be uneasy if Idid not know where I left my knickers. I had been prepared to be condemned. Buthe was honest and sincere. He is a treasure of our country! (Zuben: hahaha a treasure...)

What a relief. Let’s peacefully eatbreakfast of delicious omelettes and croissants with Marie and enjoy longmorning baths…Oh my goodness, I’m getting carried away. I’m so sorry.

‘Well…maybe,’ I said as I collectedthe wrapped item. I opened it and it was the knickers that I lost yesterday. Ithad been washed and folded so one would not know what it was at first glance.

‘Oh dear!’

I could see the General’s shoulderstense up 『pucci』at the sound of my high pitched exclamation. His servant’s face stiffenedalmost imperceptibly.

I squirmed a bit but I said in ahappy tone,

‘Thank you so much General Brennan! This wasmy favourite; I thought I had lost it forever. I had been depressed about itall morning. Oh I am so happy.’

I clutched the packet to my chestand twirled around. I look happy, right? Can you not see? I twirled to faceMarie and my smile turned embarra.s.sed as I handed the package to Marie.

Alas, he seemed to be embarra.s.sed.I approached the General and grasped his hands. His hands were large and hisfingers were long like my fathers. But they felt different; his palms werehardened with calluses. Yet, they were warm.

‘If so…then I am glad. That is verygood.’ He replied. He seemed to understand the exuberance and excitability of ayoung girl.

‘Lady Freedericka - tea is served in thedrawing room.’ Oliver appeared. Nice timing, very convenient.

Oliver led us to the drawing room,where I served the tea and cakes. General Brennan seemed relieved. Theatmosphere was filled with tension as we drank tea, yet I somehow promised togo to see a play with him.

At this time, my father and motherappeared looking somewhat strange.

‘I am Fredericka’s father, FrederickCastley, thirty-nine years old.’ Father said.

‘I am Fredericka’s mother, PamelaCastley, thirty-eight years old.’ Mother said in greeting.

Wait, what? Why are Father andMother declaring their age?!

(Zuben: So that the General can bea.s.sured, he is not the same age or older than mother and father)

♢