Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“Well then, shall we claim us a princess?”
“That we shall.”
CHAPTER 14
Foolish
Cinder
I swipe at my tears as I pack my things. I’ve been so stupid. He has found a bride. A princess at that.
I won’t sit around for him to tell me that I’m not worthy and he has found a princess to marry. I sniffle and run a hand beneath my nose. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on Princeton’s conversation.
I couldn’t sleep and I’d been on my way to his office to inquire about some things for the ball. A ball that won’t be happening because he already has someone in mind to marry. His mother’s voice carried from the room as I approached.
‘We’ll change the plans for the ball. It will be your engagement party. You will make the official announcement of her return then.’
I stood there stunned. Princeton’s words from earlier returned. Cinder, there’s something I need to tell you.
He was going to tell me that he had found a bride, a princess. How stupid of me. I feel so foolish.
I have no idea why I’m so hurt. I knew this was coming. I try to hold in the sobs that want to burst free.
I need to get home. I go to check for the rest of my things and that’s when I see it. The crown Princeton insisted I bring along.
I scoff at it. Was I always a joke to him? Some commoner to play with and make feel special.
I inherited a castle but that still doesn’t put me in his world, on his level. I shake my head and wipe at fresh tears. Reaching for the crown, I take it and place it on the bed. It can stay here with all the lies I’ve told myself, as well as the hurt.
“So stupid,” I mutter to myself.
I close my bag and pull it from the bed. Moving to the next bag, I go to do the same and a shoe from the ball in New York falls out.
I stare down at it. I’ve been pretending since that night. I don’t belong here, just like I didn’t belong there.
I close my bag, not bothering to pick up the shoe. It can stay here too.
I pull my phone out and call Mr. Darcy. He’s the only person I know here that can help me. I chew on my lip as I wait for him to answer.
Looking at the clock on the wall, I see that it’s pretty late. I heard Princeton tell Williams to give me a message that he and the queen were leaving for London.
I won’t be here when they return. I’m saving him the trouble of having to dump me. I’ve humiliated myself enough.
“Your Highness?” Arthur answers the line.
“No, this is Cinder,” I say into the phone.
“Yes, yes. My apologies, Ms. Cinder. How can I be of service?”
“I need to get out of here. Can you help me arrange transportation to the States?”
There’s a pause on the other end. I have to check to see if the shit reception here has cut my call. It’s still connected.
“Hello?”
“Yes, yes, I’m sorry. Does the prince know you are leaving?”
I stomp my feet in anger. “I don’t need the prince to know that I want to go home. I’m a grown woman. I’d like to go home now,” I say through my tears.
“Yes, okay. Very well. I’ll send a car for you. I will make all of the arrangements for you to leave from here.”
“Thank you.” I sniffle.
“You are welcome.” He doesn’t sound too sure of himself. I think about trying something else, but he speaks again and I relax. “I’m at your service, Ms. Cinder. I will get you to your home.”
* * *
Princeton
My hair is a tousled mess and my clothes are rumpled. I was in bed when Williams called to tell me Cinder was gone. He’d gotten up in the middle of the night and found the door to my bedroom open.
Sensing something was off, he entered and found the room empty. I woke Mother and we rushed back to find out what’s going on. I’ve been on edge the entire time.
“Where is she?” I demand as I climb the stairs two at a time.
“A car came for her. She’s returning to the States, Your Highness.”
“What?” I bellow and move to my bedroom faster.
There has to be some clue as to what’s going on. I storm the room and freeze. It feels cold and empty. I can feel it in my bones. She’s truly gone.
Sitting on the bed is the crown she wore the night of the ball. I look to the floor at the foot of the bed and one of her shoes from that night rests on its side.
I move to the shoe and squat to pick it up. I’ve spent so many nights getting to know her body. Her little feet are something that I love.