An American Cinderella: A Royal Love Story

by Krista Lakes

“Excellent. I’m Gunner,” the man introduced himself. “This is my associate, Lydia.”

  “Hi,” the woman said, jumping down from the large trunk. “I’m going to be doing your hair and makeup once Gunner gets you dressed.” She motioned to the trunk behind her and I realized there was a second as well.

  I stood there blinking for a moment, not quite comprehending what they were saying. I was expecting a dress, yet there were two people about to do a complete makeover for me. I was in shock.

  “You are Aria Ritter, right?” Lydia asked. “And we did say the senator sent us, didn’t we?”

  “Yes, yes.” I shook my head trying to clear it. “I just wasn’t expecting much.”

  Gunner and Lydia exchanged glances that turned into smiles.

  “Let’s get you upstairs,” Lydia said, putting a hand on my back and guiding me toward the building. “We have plans for you.”

  Somehow, in the space of ten minutes, Gunner and Lydia transformed my tiny apartment into a Hollywood worthy backstage. The larger trunk contained several dresses, shoes, and jewelry. The other was for makeup and hair. When Lydia opened it, it was like a tiny makeup artist station made for traveling.

  “The video the senator sent did not do you justice,” Gunner said, going through his gowns. “But, it did give me the right size. I think I have the perfect thing for you.”

  “Good, because I need to get her started,” Lydia replied, pushing me into a chair and turning on some lights. “Please tell me you’re going with the blue dress.”

  “You are learning quickly,” Gunner replied with a smile. “It’ll be perfect for her.”

  I got the feeling they had done this before. A lot.

  “I’m going to do a half up-do,” Lydia told Gunner. She held up my dark hair in the mirror to various levels.

  “Do a full up-do,” Gunner counseled, glancing over. “She has the clavicles to pull it off.”

  Lydia played with my hair for a moment. “You’re right,” she agreed.

  “Do you guys do this often?” I asked, trying my best to hold still in the chair as Lydia styled my hair.

  Lydia chuckled. “All the time. We’re the go to team for last-minute makeovers. We’re the best in the business.”

  “That sounds interesting.” I tried not to grimace as Lydia pulled on my hair. “How do you know the senator?”

  “Faye? She’s an old friend of mine,” Gunner explained as he carried a poofy dress of pale blue fabric behind me and to the bathroom. “We’ve worked together for years.”

  He disappeared into the bathroom and I heard the water turn on.

  “He’s just steaming the dress,” Lydia explained. “Hold still. You have great lines.”

  The next hour flew by as Lydia twirled my dark hair up and pinned it with tiny pale blue flowers. The lightness of the tiny flowers made my dark hair shine. She turned me away from the mirror to do my makeup, but she did it all so much faster than I ever was able to do myself.

  “Don’t look in the mirror until you have the dress on,” Lydia told me. “That way you’ll get the full effect.”

  “Okay...”

  She helped me up and over to the bathroom where Gunner was prepping my dress. It took all three of us working with the satin and tulle of the dress, but I was dressed in record time. Gunner stood behind me, tying up the corset-like strings on the back of the dress. He pulled them just tight enough that I knew I had curves, but I was still able to breathe.

  “Shoes,” Gunner instructed. I lifted the blue skirts and he slid on a pair of silver pumps. They were surprisingly comfortable.

  “And now for the big reveal,” Gunner announced. Lydia carefully put her hands over my eyes making sure not to smudge her hard work as Gunner guided me to the center of the room.

  I opened my eyes, not sure what to expect.

  Standing in front of me was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. She looked like my mother in the wedding photos I’d seen as a child, but the dress was the wrong color. The woman frowned and I realized that it was me in a full length mirror.

  The dress was strapless blue satin that cascaded into a full skirt of tulle and satin. Intricate dark blue flowers bordered the edges of the gown, accenting the sweetheart top and the gentle curve of the drop-waist into the skirt.

  I looked like a princess from a fairy tale.

  “Oh my...” I whispered, not believing the transformation. This made the purple dress look like a cheap swimsuit cover-up by comparison.

  “And the final touch,” Gunner said, putting a mask over my face. It was a simple silver mask with small engraved flowers around the edges. The beauty was in the simplicity. I still looked like me, but more mysterious.

  “It’s perfect,” I whispered. “Thank you.”

  “I think this is one of our best yet,” Lydia remarked.

  “I would agree.” Gunner smiled and nodded his head. He frowned slightly and checked his phone. “Your ride is here.”

  “My ride?” I asked.

  “You were planning on riding the bus?” Gunner asked. “You have the senator’s limo. We’ll follow you out.”

  I noticed then that their trunks were already packed up and ready to go. They really were good at this.

  “Thank you again,” I told them when we reached the bottom of the stairs. “How do I return all of this?”

  “Someone will be by to pick up the dress and the shoes tomorrow afternoon,” Gunner replied. “But the mask is yours to keep. The Senator said you should have something to remember the night.”

  My hand went to the pretty mask tied to my face and I sent a silent thank you out to Faye.

  “Be careful of the skirt,” Gunner said, helping me into the limo. “It’ll catch if you aren’t careful.”

  I nodded, paying special care to the fabric as I sat down. Once inside, I rolled down the window.

  “Thank you both,” I told them. Gunner and Lydia smiled.

  “Good luck!” Lydia called as the limo pulled away.

  I waved through the open window until the limo pulled onto faster traffic. Then I rolled it up so that the wind wouldn’t mess up my hair. I was on my way to the ball.

  I was on my way to Henry.

  Chapter 23

  The limo pulled up alongside one of the older buildings downtown. The building was a private club, so I’d never been inside, although I’d heard of the extravagant parties that were often thrown here.

  The building took up the entire corner. Rich tan stone with large windows glimmered in the fading light. A red carpet lined the sidewalk on the corner, and the police had the intersection completely blocked off.

  I took a deep breath and stepped out of the limo and onto the red carpet, clutching my invitation and a small purse with my ID and phone.

  Act like you belong here, act like you belong here, I whispered to myself. I was positive that one of the police officers was going to call me out. This was a party for high society, not some low-level government employee. They would see right through me.

  I held my head high as I walked along the red carpet, keeping my eyes open for any sign of Henry. He was supposed to meet me inside, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t run into him outside of the building.

  Cameras flashed as I walked along the red carpet to the entrance of the building. Security was everywhere. It seemed like every other person in a dark suit wore some sort of ear piece and sunglasses. It reminded me of all the events the president attended, only with more security.

  The closer I came to the door, the more nervous I became. I appeared to be one of the later guests to arrive. Despite Gunner and Lydia’s amazing skill, it took time to get me ball-ready. I bit my lip, and then immediately stopped knowing I would damage Lydia’s lipstick.

  “Invitation and ID.” It wasn’t a request from the huge man guarding the entrance. I handed him my envelope and ID. He carefully scanned each one, checking to make sure they were authentic. He waved them under a black light while a female guard did a pat dow
n on my dress. I didn’t know that security was going to be this tight.

  The man handed me back both and stepped out of the way to let me pass. Inside I could hear the soft sounds of classical music combining with laughter and gentle chatter. I followed the soft sounds down the brightly lit hallway to the main ballroom.

  A man stood at the entrance to the main hall announcing guests as they arrived. Beside him stood Andre in a black uniform that matched the security outside. I smiled and waved to him, wondering what he was doing working security.

  “The Lady Emma and Lord Jack,” the announcer called out to the ballroom. The blonde woman in front of me smiled at her date, and together they walked in.

  I’d never met a lord or a lady. I took a deep breath and tried to look like I was supposed to be here. This was a ball for royalty, and I tried not to look out of place. I just hoped that I could find Henry among all the guests.

  “Invitation, please,” the announcer asked, holding out his hand for my card.

  “Oh, right.” I handed it to him.

  “The Lady Aria,” the announcer boomed to the room. My face turned bright red.

  “I’m not a lady,” I quickly told him. “I’m just normal.”

  Andre snickered. “Everyone is announced as a lord or a lady with their first name only for the masquerade,” he informed me. “In honor of the Peasant Queen.”

  “Oh. That makes sense.” I remembered Henry’s story of how the prince snuck his love into the ball, tricking everyone into thinking she was royalty so she would be accepted. My face was still beet red, though. “Thanks, Andre.”

  He nodded. “Henry’s over there. He’s been waiting for you.”

  I grinned, feeling the butterflies that always seemed happy to dance at Henry’s name. He was why I was here. I gave Andre a small wave and started to walk in the direction he pointed.

  The ballroom was huge and golden. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and everything seemed to be gilded. Party-goers mingled on the open floor. Everyone wore floor length gowns or tuxedos. Diamonds sparkled on the necks of nearly every woman, the wealth of America on display.

  Masks of all shapes and colors dotted the faces of the wealthy guests. I thought I recognized some of the guests, but the masks made it difficult to point them out.

  That’s kind of the point, I told myself as I thought I saw the Vice President of the United States walk past. Tonight, you can be anyone.

  “You’re here.”

  I turned at Henry’s voice, a smile on my face. He crossed the space between us in two steps and kissed me on the lips. I pressed into him, not caring that people were looking. What was the point of wearing a mask if not to hide my identity?

  “Sorry I’m late,” I whispered when he broke the kiss.

  “I would have waited all night for you.” He looked me up and down, his hands on my shoulders. “You look unbelievable.”

  “Thank you.” I stepped back to look at him. He wore his military dress uniform with a simple black mask across his eyes. His uniform was black with bright accents of gold and deep red. A string of medals hung across his breast for his service. He looked like a prince out of a fairy tale on his way to marry a princess.

  A princess dressed like me, I realized.

  “You look pretty nice yourself,” I told him. I reached out and straightened one of his medals. “I like the uniform.”

  He flushed slightly at the compliment before tucking my hand into the crease of his arm.

  “I’d like you to meet my brothers,” he said, guiding me across the floor. “And my mother.”

  I nearly tripped at the mention of meeting his mother. Wasn’t that something you did after a long period of dating? I wasn’t sure. I hoped she liked me since I certainly liked her son.

  At least I wasn’t worried about what I was wearing.

  “Did you know that Andre is working security for this thing?” I asked him.

  “It’s part of his job,” Henry replied. “He works security for me, actually.”

  “Oh. I didn’t know that. I guess I just assumed you two did the same thing for your work.” I frowned slightly as I realized I wasn’t really sure what that was. Henry had managed to stay rather vague about the details of his job. I knew that he was a businessman who dealt with trade, but I hadn’t really asked more than that.

  I was more interested in who he was than what he did.

  Henry nodded to several guests as we walked. Some of them whispered after we passed, and I could feel a million eyes on my back.

  “Why are they all looking at me?” I whispered to him.

  “Because you’re the most beautiful woman in the room,” he replied, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “This way.”

  He led me to another room, nodding to three men wearing the traditional “I’m in security” uniforms and ear pieces. There were less guests in this room, probably due to the security standing guard at the door. Most of the guests didn’t dare venture past them.

  Two men stood talking near one of the windows. They both wore military uniforms that matched Henry’s, although the medals on their chests were different. They turned and smiled as we approached. The men were replicas of Henry, but with just enough differences to mark them each their own.

  “Aria, I’d like to introduce you to my brothers,” Henry said. He motioned to the man on my right. “This is my younger brother, Freddy.”

  Freddy grinned. His smile was full of mischievous light as he took my hand and brought it to his lips. “So you’re the one getting Henry in trouble with Liam.”

  My eyes darted over to the other man. He was slightly taller, but with a stern face and serious gray eyes. His mask was edged in gold where his younger brothers wore simple black.

  “This is my older brother, Liam,” Henry said while still glaring at his little brother.

  Liam simply nodded a greeting. “A pleasure to meet you.”

  “You can be more friendly than that,” Freddy chided him. “He’s always a stick in the mud for these things. He’d rather be working.”

  “There is a lot still to be done, Freddy,” Liam replied, his accent thicker than his brothers. “Some of us have responsibilities.”

  “That’s true, and I’m glad none of them are mine,” Freddy replied with a chuckle. He winked at me. “The benefits of being the youngest son.”

  “You see now what I have to deal with,” Henry whispered to me.

  “It’s very nice to meet the two of you. Henry speaks very highly of you.” I grinned, glad to have faces to put with the names from Henry’s stories. Well, masked faces, but still better than nothing.

  Liam’s brow went up. “Are you sure you’ve got the right man? The mask isn’t fooling you?”

  Freddy laughed. “That’s just because he wants us to make a good impression. Now that you’ve met us, you’ll get all the horror stories.”

  Henry just rolled his eyes.

  So far, his brothers matched what I had in my mind for them. Liam was the older brother who led the business. He was responsible and intense, but I sensed a warmth hidden deep within him. His younger brother Freddy was a trouble maker. Henry’s stories about the three of them usually started with “Freddy had an idea...” followed by some sort of trouble for the three of them.

  I liked them both immediately.

  “Can I steal you for a dance later?” Freddy asked.

  “Um, sure,” I replied. “That would be nice.”

  He grinned and winked at me. He turned to his brother. “I promise not to steal her heart completely away.”

  Henry rolled his eyes again. “You wish you had a date as beautiful as I do,” he told him.

  Freddy just laughed.

  “What is Freddy up to this time?” A female voice asked, joining the conversations. The three boys turned and smiled at an older woman in a simple blue dress with matching mask. Her hair was silver, but she had the same kind blue eyes as Henry.

  “Mother, I’d like to introduce Aria Rit
ter,” Henry announced. For the first time all night he looked nervous.

  “Come here child, let me look at you,” Henry’s mother said, motioning me to her. I stood demurely before her, hoping I would pass whatever test she had to make me worthy of her son.

  “It’s very nice to meet you,” I told her.

  She smiled and looked into my eyes. “What do you think of my son?”

  The question was abrupt, but an honest one. “He’s amazing,” I replied without hesitation. I blushed slightly. “He’s kind and intelligent. He always makes sure that others are taken care of.” I glanced over at Henry and my heart skipped a beat. “I like him very much.”

  “Hmm.” Henry’s mother smiled and she looked over at her son. “I think he’s chosen wisely in you.” She smiled and reached for my hand. “I’m so very glad to meet you, Aria.”

  There was a silence for a moment, the five of us standing there as a group.

  “If you will excuse us, I would like to dance with Aria,” Henry said, taking my hand. I gripped him tighter than I meant to, but being in front of his entire family had me suddenly very nervous. I had come expecting a party, not a family gathering.

  “Of course.” Liam nodded his head, Freddy winked, and their mother smiled warmly at me.

  “It was very nice to meet you all,” I managed to say before Henry pulled me away.

  My heart was pounding as he led me to the dance floor. There were only one or two other couples dancing to the music. He pulled me into his arms and began to dance.

  “I don’t actually know how to do anything but the waltz,” I whispered, quickly reaching down and grabbing my skirt so I wouldn’t trip as we danced.

  “Then it’s a good thing that’s what we’re dancing,” Henry teased. “Just relax and keep your feet moving.”

  He used his fingertips on my back to guide me while his other hand steered. It was easy to follow his lead and keep the simple one-two-three pattern. For a moment, I actually felt like I could actually be considered a dancer.

  “You’re doing great,” he whispered, spinning me around the room. “And I don’t mean just the dancing.”

  “Your family seems very nice,” I replied. “I hope they like me.”