Chapter 1

"I forgive you"

The words rung through the hallway as her eyes met that cold grey stare she had feared for so many years. Strangely enough, Ella felt a pang of pain in her gut, at the look in her stepmother's eyes. Ella soon realized that the pain was not really pain but actually, pity for the woman who had caused her so much hurt for so many years. For the first time Ella saw Lady Tremaine for what she really was; a sad woman, a broken spirit. And strange as it might sound Ella only felt pity for her.

He squeezed her hand and she met his gaze, the look in those bright blue eyes instantly making her smile. It was as if his stare lit a fire within her. If there were such a way to make time stand still for just a moment this would be it – looking into his eyes. Sending her a reassuring smile, Kit led her outside and helped her up on a horse before getting up on it himself, sitting behind her. His arms on each side of her slim frame, he took control of the horse and led the entire fleet as they left the house on the forest edge, riding towards their future.

The ride through the forest and the market seemed to fly by. Ella barely noticed the many stares and pointed fingers and talking as the fleet of horses rode past the crowd of people gathering at the market to see their King and his bride to be. Kit smiled and greeted the people as they rode towards the castle. Ella only had eyes for Kit. She still could not quite believe what had happened. She was free of her stepmother's reign and she was with the man she loved. Her dreams were coming true and she never believed that to happen.

As the horses pulled up in front of the castle, Kit slid down off the horse and reached out his arms to help Ella down. She smiled and slipped gently off the horseback down into his arms. And just like that night at the ball, feeling his arms around her took her breath away. Ella felt herself sink into his eyes and did nothing to stop it. Kit pulled her closer with an arm around her waist, his other hand moving up to Ella's face, moving a strand of hair to rest behind her ear. She smiled at him and he leaned in, planting a soft kiss on her lips, his hand on the back of her neck, keeping her close to him.

Pulling away from him, Ella kept her eyes closed for a second; afraid that should she open them she would be realizing this was all just a dream.

"Please" He smiled and offered Ella his hand once again, as to lead her up the stairs to the palace that would now be their home. In the light of day, Ella realized just how much detail there was to this beautiful garden and the palace in front of her. How she would ever find her way in the tremendously large palace, Ella did not know.

The doors opened in front of them, and Kit smiled as he heard a small gasp from Ella who seemed taken aback by the fact that this was indeed her new home. He led them upstairs to one of the more private suites of the palace. Ella followed with curious eyes and strode straight to the windows, gasping again at the sight of the back garden. Surely, she had explored it before but it had been dark at the time and it seemed the overview of the garden from the suite was an overwhelming sight.

"It is so beautiful – almost like having your own forest," Ella said, staring mesmerized at the view.

"Our forest" he said, standing right behind her. Ella smiled and she reached behind her and found his hand, taking it in hers. He pulled her closer, their adjoined hands now resting on her waist. They stood close together, enjoying the quiet for a few minutes.

"Cinderella…"

"Please – just Ella"

Kit smiled; "Ella, would you be as kind as to tell me what happened? Because I really do think this all calls for an explanation"

Ella sighed and looked down. She knew he was right. She would have to explain everything; she just did not look forward to going through it all once again. Letting go of her hand, he turned her around. Placing a hand under her chin, he lifted her face to meet his eyes; "I know this must be very difficult for you but know this; I will never hurt you, I want only to make you happy"

Ella nodded, her eyes watering up for so many reasons. He took her hand and led her to the couch, sitting down next to her. Taking a deep, shaky breath Ella told Kit her story. She told him about her mother and father whom she had loved so dearly. Kit held her hand in his as she told him about the life with her stepmother and the girls and about the heartbreaking news of her father's death, delivered by farmer John late one evening. She told him how Lady Tremaine had dismissed the entire household and made Ella do all the work, treating her as a ragged servant rather than a daughter.

He laughed at the story of how her Fairy Godmother had turned the pumpkin into a carriage and made servants out of lizards and a goose. Suddenly it was clear to him why she had run away that night, fearing that her turning back to her true self would ruin everything between them.

"Did you say she shattered the other shoe and took only the heel of it with her?" Kit said, suddenly frowning.

Ella was confused; "yes but why is that of such importance?"

"It is only peculiar that the Grand Duke brought me that exact same part of the broken shoe telling me it had been found on the side of the road" Kit said, still holding her hand tightly in his.

"The Grand Duke…" said Ella, something coming back to her as she thought everything through; "But my stepmother said the Grand Duke told her you were promised to marry the Princess Chelina of Saragoza".

"Oh so they talked did they now?" said Kit, a grim expression suddenly spreading on his face.

"Are you saying that…?" Ella looked at him, quite a bit surprised at his expression.

"I am merely saying that this is something I will need to investigate further in the morning – it seems the Grand Duke has some explaining to do"

Ella squeezed his hand, sensing that he was upset with the situation. Kit met her gaze and a smile spread on his face. Letting go of her hand, he moved his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her closer to him; "Don't worry my love – I will be sure this is all cleared up by the end of tomorrow".