Anastasia and Drizella dashed over to peek at what was inside. “You know the rules, girls, no peeking. You may open your gifts after we have had dinner if you like,” Lady Tremaine said, laughing. “Cinderella, there is a stocking for you, too.”

“Thank you, Stepmother,” she said carefully, eyeing her father.

Sir Richard’s face was red. “Have this tree taken down at once!” he said, his voice low and angry.

“Oh, Papa, she didn’t know,” said Cinderella, trying to calm her father down. “Look, Anastasia, Drizella, and I made these decorations ourselves!”

Sir Richard frowned at her. “You knew about this and didn’t tell me?”

Cinderella took her father’s hand. “I didn’t know why we were making the decorations, Father. I’m sorry. But isn’t the tree lovely? I missed having one for the solstice, and it was so thoughtful of Lady Tremaine to do all this for us,” she said, which surprised Lady Tremaine. It made her like the girl a bit more.

Sir Richard walked away from his daughter, standing in front of the fireplace looking at the portrait of his wife. She looked just like Cinderella but older. It was as if he were having a conversation with her in his mind, reconciling something with her.

Anastasia, Drizella, and Lady Tremaine just stood there watching, not knowing what to do.

“What did I do wrong, Cinderella? Why is your father so upset?” Lady Tremaine whispered.

“The solstice was a special time for Mama and Papa. That is when he proposed. We always made a grand party of it.”

Lady Tremaine understood. “I’m sorry, Richard. I didn’t know. Can’t we start a tradition of our own and celebrate Christmas? If not for us, then for the girls?”

He turned around with a sneer. “And this is how you celebrate in London, by hanging laundry on the fireplace mantel? It’s a mockery of the solstice,” he said, shaking his head.

“But I’ve arranged a Christmas dinner for all of us. Rebecca has been preparing it all day.” She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t disappoint the girls.

“We don’t celebrate Christmas in the Many Kingdoms. Rebecca should have told you that,” he said angrily.

“Papa, won’t you please just sit down and enjoy the dinner Stepmother has arranged? We could have a lovely evening, Papa, if you just try.” Cinderella went to her father and gave him a kiss. “Please, Papa. For me?”

To Lady Tremaine’s surprise, his face softened. “Very well, my angel, you know I can’t deny you,” he said, and motioned for everyone to sit down to dinner.