An American Cinderella

“She was chased out of the palace by the king’s guards. The prince was furious that his father would go back on his word. The entire country was shocked and angered that one of their own was not good enough for the king. Under this pressure, the king relented and the prince sought out his love once more.

“They were married to the cheers of the country. She was the best queen in a hundred years of queens and the country thrived because of her wisdom. We call her the Peasant Queen. To honor their story, Paradisa holds a masquerade ball every year. No one knows who anyone is or what their station in life is. Janitors can be kings and princes can be paupers. For one night every year, everyone is equal and able to fall in love. That is the story of the Paradisa Ball.”

I smiled as Henry’s story came to an end. “I like it. But you forgot an important part of the prince and princess’s story.”

“I did?” Henry frowned, mentally going over his beautiful retelling. “What did I leave out?”

“And they lived happily ever after,” I told him. “That’s how a happy story always ends.”

He chuckled and smiled. “I did forget.” He put back on his story-teller face. “ And they lived happily ever after.”

His accent added an extra dimension to the words that made me believe for a moment that the prince and princess really did live happily ever after.

“I love it, but I still am unsure what the story has to do with cake.” I pointed to the cake with my fork. I’d eaten nearly half of it during his telling. It had made the story even sweeter.

Henry smiled, but he looked nervous again. He slid an envelope out from under the bottom of the cake tray and pushed it across the table to me.

“What’s this?” I picked up the envelope. It was made of heavy stationary that felt expensive. The Paradisian emblem of a twinned unicorn and dragon was engraved on the front. I recognized it from the seals on my work documents.

“I want to invite you to the Paradisa Ball,” Henry explained. “We’re holding one here in Washington this year.”

My eyes widened and I opened the envelope to reveal a beautiful invitation written with golden ink.

“How? How did you get this?” I asked in disbelief.

“Work,” he explained with a shrug. “I know a guy. A couple of them, actually.”

I stared at the beautiful calligraphy. It reminded me of a wedding invitation I once saw in my stepmother’s house for a billionaire’s daughter. This looked even prettier. I couldn’t believe Henry had invited me.

“So will you come?” Henry swallowed hard, looking at me with those big blue eyes.

“Of course,” I replied. “Of course I’ll come. Yes!”

Henry relaxed and grinned as I ran around the table to kiss him and thank him properly. He pulled me into his lap, wrapping his arms around me. He kissed my shoulder and then rested his cheek against where he’d just kissed.

“I’m going to have to get a dress,” I thought aloud. “I need to wear a ball gown, right?”

Henry nodded. “Yes. And a mask.”

“I can do that,” I replied, a grin filling my face. “You are going to see what a senator’s daughter can pull off. I’m going to blow you away.”

Henry grinned and held me tighter. “I can’t wait.”

Chapter 19

“Jaqui? I have a question for you about tomorrow,” I said, stopping in Jaqui’s office before heading to the copy room to continue making folders. I felt light and free. Not only was I going to a fancy party on Saturday, but I didn’t have to scan documents today.

“Sure.” Jaqui paused with her fingers still on the keys of her computer and looked up at me. “What’s up?”

“Can I get out a little early tomorrow?” I asked.

Jaqui frowned slightly. “As long as we’re done with the folders. Why?”

I grinned. “I have to get a dress.”

Jaqui’s eyes lit up. “A dress? What kind of dress?”

“A fancy one. Henry somehow got us invitations to the Paradisian Masquerade Ball on Saturday,” I told her. I grinned at the way her jaw dropped.

“No way! I’ve heard it’s next to impossible to get into that. The president’s even going!” She shook her head. “You seriously have to find out if Henry has a brother or a friend. How in the world did he get tickets?”