Page 272 of Naughty Nelle

“No, Father,” responds The Prince, holding his own. “You have spent your entire life preparing me for a life I have never wanted.”

Oh God. He’s more handsome and powerful than ever. I desperately want to fling my arms around him and tell him how proud I am of him. Calla, too, is glowing with pride; almost nothing he does can disappoint her.

“Charming can rule the Kingdom. He’s perfectly capable,” continues The Prince.

Midas fumes. “Charming is such a cow—”

Marcella jumps up and cuts Midas off. She’s frothing at the mouth like she’s gone mad.

“My love, you’re out of your mind!” she shrieks. “You think I’m going to let that ditz Cinderella become Queen? You are going to become King, and I am going to be crowned Queen and that’s that!”

Suddenly, a guard charges into the room. My jaw drops. The Huntsman! The one person whose life I want to destroy more than Midas’s and Marcella’s combined. What is he doing here?

I break into a cold sweat. What if he recognizes me? He’ll tell them everything! I quickly hide my face in my napkin. To my relief, he pays no attention to me. Something far more urgent is on his mind.

“Your Majesty, the palace of Prince Charming and Cinderella has caught fire!”

“Have the stable boys prep the carriage. We must go at once!” commands The King, showing himself to be a fast-thinking, in-control leader.

“Have Calla stay behind with the help!” orders The Prince.

“No, Papa,” cries Calla. “I want to go with you.”

There’s no time for Gallant to argue with his little girl. I grasp her hand and follow the royal family out to their carriage.

“Jane, how dare you leave me alone with all this food!” shrieks Marcella. With her mouth stuffed, she joins us.

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