Cinderella said No (Part 2)

A Rescue Mission

"What do you mean you've fallen in love with someone else?" His Godmother demanded. "You met that girl at the ball less than a week ago."

Valentino flopped dramatically into the armchair, throwing his arms over the sides.

"I couldn't help it," he sighed. "She's not just any girl, she's smart and says the strangest, most wonderful things," he went on. “She talks about places I've never even imagined, and she sings too. I could listen to that voice forever."

"But...what about Ella?" she asked, thinking about all the time and effort spent on trying to find the girl he had insisted was the one.

Valentino frowned. "Ella's nowhere. I spent days knocking on doors, asking after her. Maybe she doesn't want to be found." He sank lower in the chair.

His Godmother shook her head. "So now what?"

"I have to find a way to get Zel out of that tower. I need the password to break the spell," he said, looking at her expectantly.

She held up a hand. "Oh no. I'm not getting involved in another one of your dramatic quests," she turned away, no longer amused by his whirlwind feelings and grandiose fantasies.

"Please, Godmother!" he begged. "Do it for her, she's trapped up there, alone." He clasped his hands to his chest.

Rubbing her temples, she contemplated his request. Perhaps, she wondered guiltily, she had sheltered him too much. Maybe he needed to fall flat on his face to learn a thing or two about life and romance.

"Okay. But this is the last time," she warned. "Bring me a lock of her hair, and I will get you that password."

Jumping out of his chair, the Prince gave her a squeeze and a peck on the cheek.

"Thank you, thank you! You'll love her, you'll see." Wasting no time, he scurried out the door to make his way to the woods.

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"Zel, are you there?" Prince Valentino had been calling her name outside the tower for the past ten minutes, but there had been no sign of those golden curls or her angelic voice.

"It's Prince Valentino, I've come to get you out," he shouted up towards the window. A wave of unease washed over him when he got no response.

He circled the perimeter, and something caught his eye. Wrapped around a branch was a strand of blonde hair—unmistakably hers. Beyond was a path leading away from the tower. His heart rate quickened with every step as he followed the path, eventually reaching a clearing that opened onto a lake.

"Zel?"

She was standing, ankle deep, in the water, and turned around in surprise. "Valentino? What are you doing here?"

He was about to ask her the same question.

"I did it, I finally cracked the code.” She exclaimed. “The word was PASSWORD, can you believe it? I'm free!' she laughed and twirled around with excitement.

The Prince couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment that he wasn't the one to rescue her.

"Turns out I had a rope all along." She tossed her head, allowing her long golden braid to swing over one shoulder in demonstration. "This damsel did it for herself." She planted her fists on her hips with a grin.

"Zel, that's great, now we can be together." Valentino walked towards her.

Zel took a step back. "Listen, I meant what I said the other day. I want adventure. I'm waiting for nightfall, then I'm out of here, headed straight for Paris." Her eyes gleamed as she spoke.

Valentino's heart sank.

She looked at his crestfallen face. "Come with me. We'll travel the world together."

"I can't. I have a kingdom, responsibilities. I can't give all that up to run away with you," he said sadly.

"I can't give up my dreams to run away with you."

He understood, but his heart ached nevertheless. "I think we could have had a great love story."

They held each other for a moment. Zel was the first to let go. "You'll find your Princess, Valentino, it just won't be me."

"Goodbye, Zel, I hope you find the adventure you're looking for," he gave her one last look before walking away.

If the Shoe Fits

"Prince Valentino, where have you been? You won't believe it, we've found her!"

He had just reached the palace gates when he was ambushed by three of his men.

With a blank look, he walked straight past and made his way to his chambers, where he found his Godmother waiting.

"So you've heard the news? They found your Belle of the Ball."

It took him a moment to register her words.

"Ella?"

"Yes. But I suppose it's too late now, you've set your heart on the princess in the tower?"

Valentino pressed his lips together and shook his head slowly. "No...that didn't work out."

"I see," she said. "They say when one door closes, another opens. But sometimes, it's not a door—it's footwear."

She placed the shoe in his hand.

Memories rushed back—her emerald eyes, her sweet smile, and how relaxed he had felt with her. Ella definitely hadn't mentioned anything about camel rides or pastries in Paris.

Maybe Zel wasn't the right one; maybe Ella was his true love after all.

Valentino sat in the carriage, the sparkling heels laced with magic resting delicately on a velvet cushion in his lap. His stomach fluttered at the possibility of seeing Elle again.

As they reached their destination, he recognised the house immediately, remembering two very brash sisters trying to squeeze their enormous feet into dainty heels. Today, however, they were nowhere to be seen.

The door of the house opened, revealing a young lady wearing a worn, mud-stained dress, her hair tied up in a disheveled bun and a mop resting in her hand.

"Prince Valentino? I wasn't expecting you," she exclaimed, touching her face self-consciously and smoothing out her crinkled dress.

"Ella...is that really you?" he asked, stepping closer. The girl he remembered had an elegant hairstyle and wore a beautiful ball gown. "I can't believe I've finally found you." She may have seemed less glamorous, but he instantly recognised those sparkling emerald-green eyes.

"I...uh," she glanced at the velvet cushion in his hand. "Oh, my shoes, you kept them."

"Of course. I’m here to return them and tell you I haven't stopped thinking about you." He chose to omit the part about nearly running away with a girl in a tower.

"Really?"

"Yes. And I'd like it if I could get to know you better."

"There really isn't that much to know, my life isn't very interesting, as you can see," she gestured to the mop still in her hand.

"A girl like you doesn't belong in a place like this Ella. You deserve so much more. Come back with me to the Palace, I will treat you like the Princess that you are."

Ella considered his proposition for a moment before she spoke.

"I've thought a lot about that night, too. It was certainly magical, one I'll never forget."

Valentino smiled widely.

"But, we come from very different worlds. That extravagant life in the palace, it's just not for me. I'm a simple girl..."

"I...I don't understand."

"I'm so sorry Prince Valentino, I'm not the right girl for you," she said, avoiding his gaze. "Thank you for returning my shoes, I truly will never forget that night at the Ball together".

Valentino stood, eyes wide, mouth open, as Ella hurried back inside and closed the door.

He had offered her the chance to marry a prince and live in a palace—every girl's dream. And she had turned him down.

Didn't anyone believe in romance and fairytales anymore? He thought to himself miserably. Finding true love was beginning to seem like an impossible feat.

A Fairytale Ending

On the journey back, the carriage came to an abrupt stop somewhere in the woods. Valentino heard shouting and opened the door.

A small man, no taller than a child, was gesturing frantically at the driver.

"What's the problem here?" Valentino asked.

"Your Highness, please! She's choking!" the man implored.

"Who's choking?" Valentino looked around, seeing nothing but an empty roadside.

"This way, quick," the man urged, already disappearing into the trees.

The Prince followed, despite his driver's warning, "Your Highness, wait, it could be a trap."

But Valentino didn't hesitate. He hurried into the woods after the man.

He found her lying on the ground, her face drained of colour, an apple resting beside her open hand. Six small men hovered around helplessly.

"I don't think she's breathing," one of them whispered, tears sliding down his cheek.

Valentino knelt beside her. With opaline skin and raven-black hair, she had an ethereal beauty unlike anything he had ever seen.

Leaning over, he pressed his mouth to hers—hoping to breathe life back into her still form.

As their lips met, he felt the ground beneath them tremble.

He pulled away and heard gasps as her eyes fluttered open.

The girl sat up, blinking slowly.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Where am I? Who are you?"

"I'm Prince Valentino. Your friends here called for help. You were choking—on an apple, I think."

She looked down at the fruit, then back at him. "You saved my life?"

"I suppose I did," he said with a soft smile. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Snow," she said, before being engulfed by all seven of the men as they cried and hugged her.

Valentino stood for a moment to watch as Snow wiped away the men's tears with the back of her hand, their joyful laughter echoing through the trees. He smiled and stepped away discreetly.

As he turned to head back, he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.

"Thank you for coming to my rescue, Prince Valentino." It was Snow, peering up at him through dark lashes.

She reached out and took his hand into hers, her touch light and gentle. As she held his gaze and smiled, a cool zephyr swirled around them, and for a brief, magical moment, it lifted them both off the ground while everything else faded into the background.

And they lived happily ever after.