Chapter Thirty: The Proposal
The Unnamed Cinderella Project
If this is your first peek at The Unnamed Cinderella Project, welcome to my experiment with serial novel writing. The novel is very much a rough draft with chapters being written weekly. According to Stephen King (and almost anyone else in the real writer’s world), sharing the rough draft is a bad idea.
But here we are anyway.
Just in case you’ve missed a few chapters or wish to read from the beginning, here is a handy dandy little button that should take you to all the chapters published before today’s Chapter 30.
George tossed the bone to the plate and licked his fingers. His brother had been a difficult patient at first, but he had welcomed every meal. Phillip never tired of watching George eat - puddings, mutton, bread, cheese, and wine, always wine, had helped his brother gain weight and strength in the last few months. The old George returned with each bite, and laughter had returned to the family. Jack had been glum since the night of George’s return, but his brother found ways to make him smile.
“What time does the War Council meet tomorrow?”
Phillip snarled. “And just which maid did you flatter to provide that information to you?”
“I never have to flatter them. They love to tell me things, especially during my bath.”
Phillip laughed. “You only wish that to be the case. Don’t forget that I tell the steward who to assign to your care.”
“And for that, there will be some sort of punishment for you when I have fully regained my strength.” George waited, “The council?”
“Yes. They should arrive by tomorrow night.” Phillip paused. “All of them.”
George nodded, “I will need some time with Langford. I owe it to him.” George’s face darkened with a now familiar shadow, but Phillip could only imagine the torture that George had endured. Some things would need to remain buried for a while longer.
“I will bring him to you after the council. It would be best if you were not alone with him when you talk through Charles’s death.”
“That will be unnecessary. I will see him at the council meeting,” George grinned, “And don’t fold your arms that way. It’s annoying.”
“Since you insist, I will ask that you sit with Jack. He will need a friendly face, I’m sure.”
“He won’t agree, you know.”
“Jack is a loyal prince and will do what is best for Derbyshire.”
“Oh, I agree. Jack is of an age now where he needs to contribute to the kingdom. He might prefer farming or becoming a knight. Perhaps a priest. I do not see him as a willing victim.”
“He will not be a victim. Stop saying these things.”
George sat up in the bed and crossed his arms. “Now that I think about it, this is the worst idea you’ve had since birth, and that is saying something.”
“Please try to remember whose idea this is. Whose idea this always is?”
“What worst idea are you talking about?” Jack stood at the door, watching his uncle and father try to cover their shock that he had heard part of a conversation not meant for his ears.
Phillip waved Jack to the chair. “Sit down, son. We need to discuss some things with you before the council meeting.”
Jack sat in the chair, watching his father search for words.
George laughed, “Congratulations, old man. You’re engaged.”
Jack’s mouth dropped open. Phillip turned to George, “Five years in prison did you no good at all.”
Phillip took a deep breath and returned his attention to Jack. “I have a proposal for you.”
George burst into laughter, sinking into his pillows to catch his breath.
Phillip cleared his throat and continued. “Edward of Lakeland has a young daughter. He has offered us her hand in marriage. To you.”
Panicked, Jack shook his head at George, who was still laughing, “Has an offer been sent?” He gulped, “Has it been signed?”
“Of course not, boy. I would not do such a thing.”
“Then my answer is no.”
George knew he needed to step between father and son. “Don’t you see how brilliant it is, Jack? You marry Beatrice and Lakeland no longer has an accord with Blaekhurst. They will fight with us to finish off Alan’s obsession with Derbyshire. It is the simplest way.”
Jack murmured, “Then we are at war with Blaekhurst?”
“Not yet,” Phillip said. “But we meet with the council tomorrow, and I’m sure we will be after that meeting.”
“I would rather fight than marry some stranger, some random princess.”
“Beatrice and Edward arrive in two days. We will allow you to get to know her, and then we will discuss the match like men.”
Jack stood, fists clenched at his sides. “I won’t marry to avoid war. Alan deserves to be destroyed for what he did to Uncle George. For the threat against me. For his vile use of Catherine. I don’t know why we have waited this long.” He turned and left the room, doing his best to slam the door behind him.
“Like father, like son.” George grinned at Phillip.
“You forget that I made the same argument.”
“I noticed that you left out that she is only twelve.”
“Fourteen.”
“The boy is right, though.”
Phillip sighed. “I know.”
George reached over and took Phillip’s hand. “We’ve made this mistake once before.”
“I know that, too.”
Writer’s notes:
This is a shorter chapter than what is normal, but the next bit is just too long to include. In fact, I may have to split the next important part of Jack’s life into three sections. I’m thinking about it.
For this moment in Jack’s life, I didn’t really want much internal thought or much description. Jack’s independence is on the line and so is Derbyshire’s future. I wanted it to be an argument with strong emotions. I think it needs to be a little rougher, but that will come with revision.
I really love having George back in the family. Phillip and Jack do not have much of a sense of humor, so their time together often seems a little melodramatic. George brings the fun moments. Almost every family I know has a George. To be honest, in the original version of my story, George died at the end of Book One. He has told me that he feels it unfair that he had to die and be imprisoned in this book. I listened to him and have fashioned a much more interesting storyline for this character.
Please consider sharing or restacking my little story. Also, hearts, comments, or sweet teas are so appreciated. Thanks for your support and for reading. Y’all are the best.
***Next week, Jack learns how to swim - the hard way.
I'm just as surprised as Jack is, on his engagement " ! And then there's still Enid! Glad you decided George needs to stay!!