Page 24 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

“This is madness,” Xander kept muttering to himself as he rode to the castle. He stopped after a while because the voice that emerged from him wasn't his and only made him feel more insane.

Silent, Cinderella stared out of the coach window at the approaching edifice of royal power.

It loomed in pale grandeur, its pristine stone walls lit by the multitude of lanterns in the courtyard and lights gleaming from the windows.

The guards didn't bother to stop them at the gate.

They took one look at the carriage and waved it past. Then they gaped at him through the window.

Xander touched his face. The memory of his new reflection returned to him, and he grimaced.

Yes, he was beautiful enough to make men stare.

The kind of woman who people wanted to coddle and protect.

Or lock up so no one mars her beauty. Well, the royal family was going to get one hell of a surprise after they locked this beauty up.

Squaring his shoulders, Xander reminded himself that he was one of them. He was a royal Shining One and a noble human. And as far as Prince Leo went—if he loved Xander, he'd forgive him. Xander was willing to forgive the Prince's deception. It was only fair that he should be forgiven in return.

The carriage stopped. Xander's heart lurched into his throat. He didn't know how to act like a woman. He didn't even know how to act like a noble. This was such a terrible plan .

Nevan opened the door and held his arm out to Xander. “Your Grace.”

It was all the hint they'd give about Xander's identity.

The plan was to play coy. Cinderella would be a woman of mystery.

A title dropped at the carriage would be overheard, and when it became clear that it was all they were getting besides a first name, that information would spread like wildfire.

It would reach the King. And the King would conclude that Cinderella was a duchess who wanted to remain anonymous in case she was rejected.

A duchess was an elite of the highborn class, just below a princess.

It was the perfect status—one that would give Cinderella a reason to accept an unusual marriage for an even better title while making her the best match for the Prince.

The fact that it was also Xander's rightful status in this realm was only a bonus. And maybe a hint for Leo.

After a cleansing breath, Xander took Nevan's hand and climbed out of the carriage, stepping into the role of Duchess Cinderella.

The help was necessary for his exodus. In that enormous dress, with inflexible footwear, getting out of the coach was a nightmare.

Oh, and the hair. He nearly wrecked his updo by smacking it into the doorframe.

Luckily, Nevan stopped him in time with a whisper, “Your hair!”

Cinderella ducked and got down. Standing on the bottom step of a length of marble stairs, he felt as if he'd surmounted the first obstacle. “Now there are only a few hundred more to go.”

“You'll be fine,” Nevan whispered. “I'll be nearby, watching, in case you need me.”

“Thanks.” Cinderella nodded at Nevan, and then let go of his hand .

Lifting his chin and focusing on the open double doors at the top of the stairs, Cinderella lifted the hem of his skirts and made the climb.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Cinderella saw the castle attendants staring at him.

One man broke rank and ran toward the back of the castle.

Cinderella kept going. He reached the landing.

The men standing beside the open doors bowed to him in unison.

Feeling a little more confident, Cinderella went into the royal castle.

A line of guests waited ahead of him. He could see the cue curving around a corner.

He stayed a few feet back from the couple in front of him and tried to look demure—whatever that meant.

The woman in front of him turned to glance at him, then turned again to gape.

Her escort glanced over his shoulder to see what she was gaping at, and he gaped as well.

When the line moved forward and they didn't notice, Cinderella had to clear his throat delicately.

“Oh, pardon us!” the man stammered. “You are unfamiliar to me, Miss. Are you from a neighboring kingdom?”

Cinderella inclined his head.

“Welcome, Lady . . .”

“Cinderella,” Xander said. “The line, my lord.” He waved to indicate that the people ahead of the man had moved yet again.

“Yes, of course!” The man escorted the woman forward but kept looking back.

“Father!” the woman with him finally hissed.

Cinderella pretended not to notice. He thought that was the politest thing to do. Plus, he didn't care.

“My lady, would you please come with me?”

Cinderella looked to his left to find an attendant bowing to him—the same man who had run off earlier.

The man rose from his bow and smiled. “Please, the King desires you to be escorted to the front of the presentation line.”

“Oh, yes, thank you.” Cinderella kept his chin high even though his heart raced even faster.

Was this good or bad? The attendant kept smiling at him, so he assumed it was good. And the other people in line must have thought the same because most of them looked very, very annoyed. Well, the women did. The men stared at Cinderella with open fascination. In his wake, murmurs rose.

As himself, Xander had never experienced such attention. Perhaps as a child, but he couldn't remember. His experiences since his father's passing had been, for the most part, horrid. So, he reacted poorly to the muted conversations his glamour inspired.

Then the attendant chuckled. “You must experience this a lot, Your Grace.”

Cinderella gave the man the most dignified look he could muster.

He flushed. “I'm so sorry. I meant no disrespect. Only to give you a compliment and make you feel more at ease. You know they only whisper about your beauty. You are the most magnificent woman ever to enter this castle.”

Cinderella blinked. Right. He was wearing a beautiful face.

Evidently, that's all that mattered to these people.

Well, that, and his fine clothing. The two combined were a type of weapon.

When Cinderella realized that, he relaxed.

Looking at the evening not as a party but as a challenge made things easier.

He was fighting for the man he loved, wearing armor and wielding a weapon forged by magic.

He had magic in his very blood and a friend watching over him—Nevan was nearby and would be all night. Cinderella would prevail.

“Thank you,” Cinderella said. “That's kind of you to say. I thought they were speaking ill of me.”

“What?! How could you . . .” The attendant gaped at her. “Oh, I see. People behave poorly when they are jealous. Women must be so mean to you.” He cocked his head and reached for her before he suddenly dropped his hand. After clearing his throat, he said, “Uh, here we are, Your Grace.”

A breath of air hit Cinderella's ear, and then Nevan's whisper came, “Ask him not to tell anyone of your status.”

Cinderella flinched. He was going to have some harsh words with his Shining One mentor later. He knew Nevan was around, but hadn't expected him to be so close. That being said, the flinch worked well for Cinderella.

“Oh, I'm sorry. Are you here incognito?” the attendant asked.

“Yes. If I'm not chosen . . .” Cinderella let it hang.

“I understand, my lady .” He winked at Cinderella. “Right this way.” He escorted her in front of a couple waiting to enter the ballroom.

Cinderella didn't glance back to see the couple's reaction.

He was too nervous. Because before him was the royal ballroom, and it was full of light, laughter, and beautiful people.

It was almost too much stimulation for Cinderella.

He squinted and drew back from the rush of body heat and the swirl of silk.

He wasn't the only one wearing a massive amount of fabric.

Not for the first time that night, he wondered how women dealt with this stuff.

“Oh, don't concern yourself with them, my lady.” The attendant jerked his chin at the other guests. “You are the King's priority. Now, how shall we announce you?” He motioned at a man who stood at the ballroom entrance.

The man bowed to her. “Your invitation?”

For a second, Cinderella panicked, but her attendant came to her rescue. He leaned over and whispered in the herald's ear. The herald's eyes widened, his stare slid into the room, and then he looked Cinderella over.

“I see,” the herald said. “I shall go with a general introduction, but I still need a name.”

“ Lady Cinderella,” Cinderella said.

“Very good.” The herald stepped forward and shouted, “The Lady Cinderella!”

“That's your cue!” Nevan whispered. “Walk into the room, cross it, and go straight to the base of the dais to curtsy to the King and Queen.”

Cinderella stepped into the ballroom and everyone went silent.

Even the servants stopped what they were doing to stare at him.

He crossed the room as if heading into battle, his expression carefully blank.

Composed, he hoped. Focusing on the steps across the room and the platform they led to, Cinderella swished his way through the crowd. And the crowd parted for him.

People drew back, whispering again. Watching him. He could feel those eyes. Eyes judging him and coveting him. Even the King sat straighter on his throne as Cinderella drew close.

“Curtsy like I taught you, deeply, and stay down until the King bids you to rise,” Nevan whispered as Cinderella reached the base of the royal dais.

Cinderella paused, seeing Prince Leovar standing to the left of his father's throne.

The Prince looked Cinderella over, grimaced, and looked away.

That was all Cinderella needed. A smile spread over his face, his confidence renewed, and he dropped into a deep curtsy.

Silk billowed around Cinderella, puffs of it dented by his spread arms.