Lady Tremaine couldn’t help agreeing with her daughters, but she felt tiredness was clouding all of their judgment. “My dears, we are all of us so tired from our long carriage ride here, not to mention the journey by sea. Perhaps Sir Richard is right, and you three girls can stay here and get to know one another while we go to the chapel. I bet he has a grand party planned for afterward and that is why we have not seen any of the servants. I bet they are all working on it and planning a splendid surprise for us. We will all get to celebrate together then. Perhaps after you’ve changed you can sneak down to the kitchens and spy on what they may be up to? I bet you’ll see a large wedding cake and all sorts of delicious things to eat.” It all sounded so lovely that Lady Tremaine almost believed it herself. “Don’t fret, my girls. I know Cinderella and her papa didn’t make the best first impression, but I imagine they are both just as nervous as we are. I am sure that in no time we will all be great friends,” she said cheerfully.

The girls looked hopeful, but unconvinced.

“Well put, my lady,” said Rebecca. “Now let’s get you ready for your big day.” With that, she led Lady Tremaine off to her room, leaving the girls feeling bewildered and alone.

Chapter X: Lady of the House

The wedding was a whirlwind. The vicar had been waiting for them in his tiny white chapel, and rather impatiently at that. He hurried the ceremony, had them sign the papers with his wife as witness, and it was done. Just like that. There were no rose petals, no kisses, no cake. No one had thought to decorate the chapel or arrange for a bundle of flowers for her to hold. No friends or family cheering for them as they walked back down the aisle as husband and wife. She felt like an afterthought, and remarkably alone.

It all seemed like a formality, not at all what she had expected.

Once they were outside the chapel, a royal carriage was waiting alongside their own, and Lady Tremaine wondered, her heart full of hope, if perhaps Sir Richard didn’t have something grand planned for them after all.

“Ah, it’s the Grand Duke,” he said. “Come, my lady, let me introduce you.” Sir Richard rushed them over to the carriage, where a lanky man stood, sporting a formal gray livery and an elaborate mustache that reminded Lady Tremaine of a writhing serpent.

“Grand Duke, this is Lady Tremaine, my new wife.”

The duke wrinkled his nose, which made his mustache quiver. “So you’ve finally done the deed. Very good, man. The king expects you immediately. I assume you have all the paperwork, signed and ready?” he asked.

“I do, Grand Duke,” said Sir Richard.