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 to return it as it is?
When we reached the carriage, I noted 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 the heir to the Duke of Cájes. But it wasn’t something I paid particular attention to. (Zuben: No…?)
Keeping my face neutral, I laid her on 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 low and curtsied deeply.
‘Thank you so much for your kindness, sir, I apologise for our impoliteness. My lady is Fredericka Castley, daughter to Viscount Castley. I am Marie. May I ask your name?’
‘There is no need for grat.i.tude. I am Volker Brennan, security officer for the ball. Please send your mistress to rest quickly.’
Marie murmured her thanks and got into the carriage.
I went to the guards and had them escort the carriage until it was in Castley grounds.
‘Are they thieves?’ one of the guards asked. I glared at the fool, and he quickly corrected his posture.
I returned to making my rounds at the ball, but I realised the atmosphere was strange. Usually it was supposed to be light and breezy but there was tension in the air and it felt like a secret meeting instead of a ball. All the trappings of a lively ball were there; the orchestra were playing, the servants were busily running about with drinks and nibbles, there were many young people milling about, 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 were having fun.
I called over one of the guards posted in the ball rooms. The young man saluted.
In a low tone, I asked for a report.
‘I will begin: Twenty minutes ago, Eugene Cajes attended the ball with a young lady who was a commoner, who had not been invited. He declared that he was cancelling his engagement with Lady Fredericka Castley. She accepted it and left the ball. After that everyone has been gossiping. That is all, your Excellency.’
‘Is that true?’
The thought that such a thing happened to her so publicly made me more sullen than I expected. But I could not care about such things.
‘I saw the whole thing with my own eyes and heard it all with these eyes. I am not lying.’
‘I see. Return to your post.’
As I walked on, my fists were clenched tightly and my strides were long and furious.
Lady Fredericka’s engagement was broken. She accepted it and left the ball. How hard it must have been for her to be humiliated in public like that. My head felt hot.
I had heard that Lord Eugene had a princely character, and he had a reputation of not being lofty, which had earned him the admiration of the young Ladies of Society.
But when Lady Fredericka saw her fiancé escorting someone else to the ball, she must have been hurt. (Zuben: LOL, he’s fallen so hard)
She buried the pain deeply and ran away without crying. I suddenly remembered the handkerchief I had in my pocket and the tightness in my heart ceased. I wonder why.
It was hard to imagine that she would have fainted just because she ran into me, but if that was the case, I suppose I should make her acquaintance. (Zuben: So you should, heheheheh)
But the case of Lady Fredericka was a strange one indeed.
Even though I didn’t know about the situation, I wish I had done more for her. Surely, the delicate Fredericka would take to her bed for a time. I wondered if I should send her flowers or a letter or visit? I heard a voice behind me and my thoughts were interrupted.
I consciously put Lady Fredericka in the back of my mind.
The ball continued on till late. But everyone returned to their homes in a subdued air, looking thoughtful. I watched 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 butler greeted with a bow as I entered my house. He received my coat and bag and walked with me as I returned to my rooms. When I entered my room, I made to take off my coat and remembered the item in my pocket. Fredericka’s lost handkerchief. I wondered if I should return it back with flowers. I reached into my pocket absently and handed the item to the butler,
‘Zuzie, please have this washed.’
My butler froze at the item I held in my hand. Then he cleared his throat and asked, ‘Master, would you really like me to wash it?’ his gaze fixed on the item I held out to him.
I looked at his worried expression and looked at the handkerchief. It was not a handkerchief; it was a lady’s undergarment, a nothing of light pink silk ribbons and lace.
I could feel the heat growing on my face as a blush crept up.
‘No, that isn’t it.’ I said in a bit of a panic.
‘Master, what does this mean? Why do you have a lady’s undergarment in your pocket? Have you gotten yourself...? How did this...?!’
I held my hand out trying to calm him down.
‘I don’t know what you are thinking, but it is not it.’ I took back the underwear and searched my pockets again; there was nothing but the undies. I could not understand it. (Zuben: The power of the mind)
It was supposed to be a handkerchief that Lady Fredericka had dropped, I may not have seen it clearly but I recognise the size and colour. No one could have crept up on my and replaced the handkerchief with underwear, unless they were magical.
So then…
I had picked up underwear from the start?!
How?
No matter how I think about it, I didn’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. You can give me the underwear.’
I released the breath I was holding, and handed Xavier the embarra.s.sing item.
♢
After a bath, I was having a stiff drink and talking to Zuzie, really Xavier, about the item I had retrieved. We decided it was Lady Fredericka’s.
‘I noticed that one of the cords had broken, therefore it would have fallen off.’
So that meant…I covered my face with my hand.
‘That means…’
‘It means that Lady Fredericka was wearing it when you met her.’ Zuzie announced. How could he say such embarra.s.sing things with such a straight face?
Despite my age, I haven’t dated many women. But I am very confident about my experiences. Yet, I don’t think any woman had ever used their underwear to get my attention.
‘She will be embarra.s.sed when we return this to her.’ I said
‘Yes.’
‘But it would not be good to keep silent about it.’
‘That is correct.’
‘But could it really be sent back?’
‘Maybe.’
‘Should we dispose of it?’
‘In the event it is a treasured item, I don’t know whether we can take responsibility.’
‘I don’t wish for that. Even though it would be washed by a 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 the loss of her underwear, so I’m sure it would become a matter of concern for the young lady.’
I sighed, ‘That is likely.’
It looked like Lady Fredericka knew me, and I also gave my name to her maid. She may already think I know something about her missing underwear.
‘Xavier, I am going to call on Lady Fredericka tomorrow. Get some flowers prepared, and get this washed by the maid and wrapped.’
It felt wrong to touch it directly now that I knew it wasn’t a handkerchief, so I put it in my handkerchief and handed it Zuzie. He took it without a word and left my room.
5 Unfortunately Lady‘Earlier,’ Marie told us, ‘a servant came to tell us that his Master; General Brennan wished to call on Fredericksama; would she be at receiving guests?’
Oliver quickly replied that I would be at home, but this bothers me a lot. Why did he reply without asking me?! I really have to find a way to be absent. But that General Volker was moving too quickly.
But Oliver responded to the messenger without consulting me or my father. I cannot fault Oliver, he is an amazing butler. In some instances I think he even surpa.s.ses his master. As peers, no as really rich peers, we have a lot of visitors at our household, so Oliver usually answered calling cards without 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 would come to my house. We have never been acquainted in the past. It must because I ran into him while I was disorientated from my foolishness. Fainted when he saw my fallen panties, and he carried me gently to the carriage. He wanted to check my condition; how gentlemanly.
Perhaps, he impress upon me that military 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 perfect bride? (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 to eat. And Lady Fredericka, please tighten your lips and arrange your thoughts so that 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 smiles on 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 self gracefully to my room with Marie.
‘Let’s make you an omelette with your favourite cheese! And some minced meat.’ She said as she skipped ahead of me.
How many times do I need breakfast? And why minced meat?!
‘I was worried about my lady this morning, you didn’t each much earlier. You are hungry now, I feel relieved.’
‘Love you loads but could you change mince meat to steak fillets instead?’
‘Woohoo!’ Marie clapped her hands happily, and my heart grew lighter without noticing there was a dark air in my room. (Zuben: Hmm, Author sama, you better not be planning nonsense.)
… ‘A discovery?’
‘Not only seeds but can bear fruit.’
‘Is it not expensive?’
‘It’s a n.o.ble. Look at the hands’
‘That is it…’
(Zuben: Don’t ask me what that is about)
6 Diamond GradeI had always a.s.sumed that he was a very serious straight-laced person. There weren’t many rumours about him in Society, but I haven’t heard any one ever say he was a bad person. Even Eugene, my former fiancé, and his friends had said though training with him was tough, he was still a fair person.
So, I had thought to begin with an apology for my behaviour. I felt incredibly awful pretending to faint last night.
But when the General and his grey haired attendant were presented, my intuition screamed “different”. He was not as I expected. He had a bouquet in his hand and something small. His rugged face was a bit ruddy around the cheeks, and he looked nervous.
Ah, it might be bad if I apologised.
‘Lady Fredericka, are you well? I am sorry to intrude upon your rest, do you remember me from last night? Volker Brennan?’ he greeted as he presented the lovely bouquet of yellow and orange flowers.
‘Of course, I remember, General Brennan. I am very ashamed I showed you such an unsightly me last night.’ I replied with a curtsy. ‘I hope to beg your pardon for running into you. And thank you so much for carrying me when I fainted.’
‘It was no trouble at all, Lady Fredericka.’ The general replied. There we are; all very mature.
I looked at the bouquet; they were flowers that I liked. I gave them a good sniff and smiled widely as I thanked the 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 the fallen knickers.
Although I did not tell him, he had taken the time to bring it back to me, and it was wrapped tidily and beautifully as well! Despite the possibility of being labelled a pervert if he had been wrong, he brought it to me. Perhaps he thought I would be uneasy if I did not know where I left my knickers. I had been prepared to be condemned. But he was honest and sincere. He is a treasure of our country! (Zuben: hahaha a treasure...)
What a relief. Let’s peacefully eat breakfast of delicious omelettes and croissants with Marie and enjoy long morning baths…Oh my goodness, I’m getting carried away. I’m so sorry.
‘Well…maybe,’ I said as I collected the wrapped item. I opened it and it was the knickers that I lost yesterday. It had been washed and folded so one would not know what it was at first glance.
‘Oh dear!’
I could see the General’s shoulders tense up 『pucci』at the sound of my high pitched exclamation. His servant’s face stiffened almost imperceptibly.
I squirmed a bit but I said in a happy tone,
‘Thank you so much General Brennan! This was my favourite; I thought I had lost it forever. I had been depressed about it all morning. Oh I am so happy.’
I clutched the packet to my chest and twirled around. I look happy, right? Can you not see? I twirled to face Marie 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 his fingers were long like my fathers. But they felt different; his palms were hardened with calluses. Yet, they were warm.
‘If so…then I am glad. That is very good.’ He replied. He seemed to understand the exuberance and excitability of a young girl.
‘Lady Freedericka - tea is served in the drawing 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. The atmosphere was filled with tension as we drank tea, yet I somehow promised to go to see a play with him.
At this time, my father and mother appeared looking somewhat strange.
‘I am Fredericka’s father, Frederick Castley, thirty-nine years old.’ Father said.
‘I am Fredericka’s mother, Pamela Castley, thirty-eight years old.’ Mother said in greeting.
Wait, what? Why are Father and Mother declaring their age?!
(Zuben: So that the General can be a.s.sured, he is not the same age or older than mother and father)
♢
