"Conte de Lecce's son, Alessandro, is quite attractive, is he not?" Essie murmured to Cinderella.
Cinderella glanced over her shoulder to Alessandro. He and Pricilla were looking at an odd flower stalk that's white petals opened in an upside down shape of a "V." Cinderella turned back to Essie. Her jaw tensed and her eyes were narrowed on Pricilla. "Surely you are not jealous?" Cinderella said. "You've certainly no reason."
"Because Conte de Lecco's son is…is flirting with Pricilla?" She huffed. "I should say not. Five minutes in her company and he'll run screaming. She hates botany. And dirt!"
That was true enough as Cinderella well knew. She'd cleaned up after Pricilla for years. Her gaze strayed to Prince who hovered nearby grinning at something two younger girls were saying. She frowned. Did he not remember professing undying admiration for her as their feet flew through the air hardly touching the floor, heads in the clouds? Mayhap it was just her head in the clouds.
"What is bothering you, Cinde?" Essie asked.
Cinderella turned her back to the prince and studied Essie's earnest expression. She should confess-tell Essie the mysterious princess's true identity. A more perfect opportunity would not present itself. Her stomach flipped. It was only honorable way. She straightened her spine, grabbed Essie's hand. "Essie, there is something I-"
Essie stopped her. "Non. You must not worry, Cinde. I shall keep you safe from Maman," she said. Her eyes darted back to Pricilla and the Conte's son.
Her words touched Cinderella. She had to confess before she lost her courage "It's not that," Cinderella said softly. "Please, we must talk."
Cinderella's words finally reached Essie. Essie turned to her. "Cinde, I promise. Nothing is so dire as-"
"Cinderella, Essie," Pricilla called out urgently.
Essie jolted, spinning to Pricilla, and the moment whisked away like dust in the wind.
""You go, Cinde. "I'd like nothing more than to revel in the quiet for a moment."
"But, Essie…"
"Non." Essie squeezed her hand. "Allez. Go."
With a small smile Cinderella hugged Essie, relieved and aggravated at her cowardice. What possible good would come from confessing anyway? Essie would marry Prince, and Pricilla would secure an advantageous match…and Cinderella?
La! She'd likely end up in the depths of the castle, and Stepmama would love nothing more than guiding Cinderella there personally. Preferably leaving her to a life of emptying chamber pots for the duration.
Cinderella choked out a laugh and hurried down the path towards Pricilla. The path was lined with flowers of every imaginable hue, the fragrances heady and indistinguishable. She felt every pebble through her thin slippers. She did her best to keep her gaze from Prince. Unable to help herself, she glance over.