Chapter Text
“Cinderella darling, there is no need for you to do that.”
That phrase was something that Cinderella had been told too often as she got used to living in a castle. It had been two months since she married Christopher ,and already there was so much to get used to. So many rules. And certain things that Cinderella now can and can not do.
At least according to the Queen. Who she insisted on being called Constantina or even more nerve-wracking Tina. Imagine, Her Royal Highness being shortened or acknowledged in two syllables.
Cinderella learned that she couldn’t make her own bed every morning.
She couldn’t make her own meals or do her own shopping for groceries.
And now she couldn’t do her own hair.
That was just added to the list of things that Cinderella couldn’t do.
Her and the Queen were in the gardens having brunch and it was only the two of them. And the several servants behind them waiting on them. Having 'girl time' the Queen called it, something else she insisted on. Which usually turned into an hour of Cinderella overthinking what to say and agreeing with whatever the Queen said and talked about.
When the discussion went into the first Ball of the season. Cinderella mentioned she would need a day to do her hair. She still had just washed and retwisted her braids last week and needed to gather supplies to do her hair in time for the Ball.
Which now she cannot do.
“Pardon me, but I think I would have thought to do my own hair,” Cinderella said as politely as she could.
Normally she would nod and agree to the Queen. But she had been doing her hair almost her whole life, not to mention her stepsisters’ hair as well. She was more than capable.
“Sweetheart, I think the time has come for you to let the Royal Hairdresser do it. It is unbecoming of a future ruler to have her do her own hair.”
Unbecoming. Cinderella wrung her silk napkin under the table upon hearing that word. That word that took Cinderella back to her stepmother. The woman would use words like to describe her when she wanted something done around the house. Or when she wanted to correct her daughters in their speech or posture.
Cinderella thought back often to her days with her stepsisters and stepmother. Of them asking a million things of her. Of hearing her name followed by an order. She sometimes thought the silly thought that her old life had more freedom attached.
“I’ll have my assistant make an appointment for you with enough time to pick out an ensemble for the Ball.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She nodded and placed her napkin on her empty plate, signaling to the servants behind them that she was done.
She excused herself from the table and went inside to finish the rest of her day with Christopher.
As Cinderella retreated inside the castle, Queen Constantina watched the young girl. She adored the girl that her son had chosen to love and marry. She had hoped that spending more time with Cinderella would make the girl more comfortable in this new life. The Queen could see that she would need to use another tactic. Constantina’s wheels turning into something brilliant.
“Lionel, I have a great idea!” The Queen shouted at her most trusted advisor, who was always there.
Lionel was familiar with that glimmer in the Queen’s eyes. Even after all the years that he had been serving and advising the royal family. He thought of the worst and braced himself for the thing Her Majesty would say.
“I want to make Cinderella Queen. Just for a day or two as I visit family in the mountains.”
Lionel rose his eyebrows in surprise. Even after all this time, Her Majesty could still shock him.
“Your Majesty. Do you think that is wise? She is so young and -”
“Lionel. Are you questioning me?” She turned a stern eye toward him.
“Of course, not Your Majesty. I will… go and give notice to your Royal Court.”
“Excellent. This will be the perfect thing for Cinderella to gain more confidence.”
She got up from the table and went on about her day as she did, knowing that her perfect plan would come into fruition and success. Just like it always had.