Chapter Seventeen
A Bond of Friendship
"You don't think, John," Caroline faltered as they found themselves within safe distance of the throne room. "You don't think that they'll try to cause trouble between Edward and Cinderella?"
"What could they possibly do?" John shrugged as if unconcerned but Caroline could see the worry in his eyes. "She is bound to him by royal decree. Remember? Whoever fit the glass slipper... and I saw her wearing them. Both of them."
"Indeed." Caroline sighed. "But I fear for them. They are so happy..."
"Maybe even as happy as we are?" John bent down to kiss her cheek.
"Maybe." she smiled up at him. She was happy but underneath her happiness was a sort of underlying fear... as if something terrible was about to happen.
oOo
Cinderella was happy. Completely and supremely happy. She had thought when her father died that she had come to the end of everything. But it truly had been just a lonely passageway into another beautiful new world. The one thing that could make her happier would be if she could share her news with her dear father. But she could not. So she simply prayed, thanking the Lord for this great blessing, and adding,
"Please, dear Lord, tell Papa how happy I am. Tell him what has happened to me. I know he'll be glad. And tell him that, no matter how much I love dear Edward, there still will always be enough room in my heart for Papa also."
She had been shown to the most beautiful rooms in all the palace and, in the absence of a personal lady-in-waiting, Caroline was called in to help her. As she helped the girl into the extravagant silk gown that had been provided and dressed her hair, Caroline told her how she had met Doctor Tremayne.
"You knew my father!" Cinderella cried joyously. "I am so glad. I do think I remember him speaking of you. And... perhaps..." she paused a moment. "At my father's funeral... it was the first time I ever saw Edward... and I do believe that you were with him?"
"Yes," Caroline smiled. "I was. I well remember that day."
"So do I," Cinderella said regretfully. "But I remember that you smiled at me and I felt certain that we would be good friends if ever we were privileged to meet," She spoke earnestly, almost wistfully and Caroline's heart went out to her. How this girl must long for a friend!
"But we have met!" Caroline answered happily. "And we shall be good friends." At the smile that flashed across Cinderella's face, she continued. "You see, I do believe we have something in common."
"And how is that, milady?"
"I'll tell you," Caroline grinned, remembering her first meeting with John. "If you call me Caroline. Good friends should not refer to one another by titles." Cinderella laughed.
"All right then... Caroline. But what is it that we could possibly share?"
"Well..." Caroline paused. "I hardly know where to begin. It's a rather long story."
"And I have lots of time!" Cinderella spoke eagerly. How she longed to get to know this new friend!
And so Caroline told her... from the first time she had come to the palace and met John, to their happy ending. She spoke of the hopeless despair, the heartache, the loneliness, and finally the unbelievable joy. And before she had finished, a bond was forged between the two girls. A bond that, unbeknownst to both of them, would inevitably grow stronger in the face of not-too-distant suffering.
oOo
It was a beautiful evening. The palace of Euphrania had perhaps never seen such happiness as it did that night, such shining eyes, such joyful smiles. Two couples, beforehand separated by what had seemed insurmountable circumstances, were together at last with the ones they loved. All seemed well with the world that night. For how could they, wrapped in their love and happiness, have foreseen the raging storm of misery just before them?
Perhaps it was not entirely unexpected, for John and Caroline, in their concern for their friends, both sensed a subtle air of tension. Nervous glances from the king and queen. Whispered remarks between the chancellors. But Edward and Cinderella were blissfully ignorant of all this for they had eyes only for each other.
The night was summer-warm and the moon rose full. In the starlit garden, the roses were in full bloom and the soft breezes gently stirred the branches. Together, the two young couples walked in the garden. Edward and Cinderella heartily believed that all troubles were behind them now and, in the beauty of the glorious evening, John and Caroline forgot their worries. Lighthearted chatter and merry laughter filled the little garden that night and, for a few hours at least, fate smiled kindly on them. A kind, though rather insincere smile for it would not be long now before fate once again turned cruel and twisted loving hearts in its cold hands.
"Do you remember," John said to Caroline as they stood on the cobbled path, "That day I gave you the rose?"
"How could I forget it?" she laughed happily. "That rose has lain on the table beside my bed all these years."
"I don't suppose you noticed the petal you dropped that day," he grinned. "It fell from the rose just as you went back inside. I still have that as well."
"And the sonnet," Caroline added. "Remember the sonnet? Love... is an ever-fixed mark..."
"That looks on tempests and is never shaken," John finished for her. "To this day that's about the only literature I know. But I know it by heart. Every word." He reached out and, taking another rose from the bush, placed it in her hands.
"This marks the renewal of the silent promise I made that day." Caroline looked up at him, happy tears again filling her eyes. "I promised," he continued, "To love you forever and always, even if I was doomed to be separated from you forever. And how glad I am that we are together at last."
"Such a miracle." Caroline murmured as he pulled her close. "God has blessed us beyond measure."
The two couples had separated for a few moments but now Edward and Cinderella rejoined them.
"Caroline," cried she, eagerly. "I have a favor to ask of you." She hesitated and glanced at Edward. He was smiling at her. She was a timid little creature, in spite of her inner strength, and seemed always to be drawing courage from him. Even if it was not a difficult request she had to make.
"Anything," Caroline replied, just as eagerly.
"At our wedding... I would be so pleased if you would be my maid of honor."
"It would be an honor," Caroline put her arms around her new friend. How wonderful life was! In just two days had she gained the one she loved... and a delightful and dear friend!
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