Saturday, 20 May 2017

A Cinderella Story: Glittering Wishes Chapter 4

"No, father, you don't understand...It's never been my thought to let just any eligible maiden in the kingdom to wear this glass slipper of hers...This one - it belongs to her and her alone...We don't need to try it on anyone else!" The Prince (Prince Charming) strongly urged his father, the King, when the latter suggested his way to seek out the girl in the gorgeous silvery gown who had fled from their palace since around midnight.

The King, clueless as he was as to why his defiant son would insist to object to his idea, seemed to be at a lost for words on what else to say, nudged his Grand Duke to his side and inquired in a whisper, "Do you get what is he trying to argue with me here?"

Wondering and trying to read the downcast Prince's expression and posture, the Grand Duke quietly cleared his throat and whispered back to the King's ear, "He's just disappointed and not agreeing for us to look for that elusive maiden on his behalf, your Majesty..."

The King's eyes widened in enlightenment and gasped, "Oh, so you meant to say he wants to do everything by himself...?"

The Grand Duke swallowed hard, after being heavily rebuked by the King back in his chamber suite a while ago, heart thumping wildly and worrying if he has really gotten the Prince's implication clear enough. Heaving a wordless prayer and face so pale, he nodded in submission to the King without daring to look him in the eye...

One...Two...Three...Four...Five seconds finally elapsed and the Grand Duke received a knee-jerking strong pat on the back by his Majesty. The whole suite of the Prince resounded with deafening applause by the King. The old man then cheered aloud and went up to his son saying, "Congratulations! Congratulations, dear! So at long last, you've found your one and only sweetheart! Papa is extremely overjoyed for you!"

The Prince's face instinctly lit up before his jovial father, "Really, father...I'm sorry if I have unintentionally embarrassed you in front of so many of your subjects..."

The King only laughed aloud and patted his precious son's arms (due to his height, he was not able to reach up to his shoulders), "Oh no, no, no...You brought a blessing to me...and the whole kingdom...Never be so hard up on yourself, dear!"

He could not be more grateful, "Thanks, father...Now, I'm really not regretting at all that you held the ball for me..."

Another round of hearty laugh and the King gave a playful wink at him, "Heaven knows...but now onto the point...There's just one condition I would ask of you, son..."

The Prince and the Grand Duke immediately paid serious attention as the King cleared his throat and declared before them, "As you know, your papa and your mama's anniversary will again be approaching very soon...Heartaches and loss...will fill my heart once again..."

They could sympathised with him...A heavy sigh and the King went on to say, "If you could just be so kind, my dear son...to make this year something different...as soon or as swiftly as you could..."

The King began to sob and tears very quickly trickled down his eyes...The Prince understood well enough who was meant to be the answer...


To be continued...

No comments:

Post a Comment