Ever After

Cindy looked out the palace window. She and her husband, the prince had another public appearance. It was an adjustment being in the public eye all the time. Especially, after a lifetime of being behind the scenes. Still, her new public role, six months now, had its benefits. She had started a crisis center for abused and neglected children. How could she not, after being at the mercy of her stepmother for all these years? It was a warm and welcoming place where children and teenagers could walk in and have qualified people listen to them and offer help and support. Cindy also threw her support behind the local animal shelter in honor of her friends who helped her get through the difficulty in her previous life. Thinking of the animals, she turned to the spacious gilded cage with her beloved mice who were now royal pets, safe from predatory cats. She lifted her favorite, Gus, out of the cage. She gave him a scratch on his belly and smiled at him as he ate a large piece of cheese out of her hand.

She pet Gus idly and then looked up at the clock. She had to start getting ready for that ball. She sighed, this was one of the toughest parts of her new role. Being out in front of everybody, plastering a smile on her face when sometimes she’d just like to sit in front of the TV and watch a movie with her new husband. They were still getting to know each other. It was sweet of him to offer to marry her, especially after just sharing one dance together on a crazy evening. He, they both, would have liked to go on a few dates, have a few conversations, and get more acquainted but Cindy’s situation was dire and the public demanded an immediate royal wedding. So, here she was, married to a virtual stranger, a sudden princess. She put Gus back in his cage and slipped on her elegant ball gown “I do like the clothes,“ she thought ruefully. She picked up her custom made high heeled pumps. “I’ve always hated my feet,” she said to the mice, “Too small to buy anything at the mall. I mean, I finally don’t have to clean all the time, have time to go shopping, yet I can’t find a decent pair of shoes because nobody has my size.”

Just as she slipped on her shoes, there was a knock on the door. It was her husband, the prince. He looked at her admiringly, “You look lovely. Are you ready to go?” She gave him a wry smile, “As ready as I’ll ever be. I know I don’t have a midnight curfew anymore but can we try to slip out early. Maybe get a pizza on the way home and watch that new Netflix series?”