5بخش

Who is she?

I have no idea.

Who’s that, Mama?

I’m not exactly sure, but this does not bode well.

That’s a lovely dress she’s got on.

And how pretty she is.

Concentrate!

You must turn the prince’s head, you fools!

Now, get out there!

But no one’s asked us to dance.

Gentlemen.

Oh!

May I present my daughters, Anastasia, Drisella.

Mademoiselle.

Off you go!

Smile.

Come with me.

Over there.

Smile.

So, you’re the prince!

Not “the prince,” exactly.

There are plenty of princes in the world.

I’m only a prince.

But your name’s not really Kit.

Certainly it is, and my father still calls me that, when he’s especially un-peeved at me.

But you’re no apprentice.

I am.

An apprentice monarch.

Still learning my trade.

Oh, gosh!

Look, please forgive me.

I thought you might treat me differently if you knew.

I mistook you for a good, honest country girl, and now I see you didn’t want to overawe a plain soldier.

Little chance of that.

No more surprises?

No more surprises.

Is that you?

I hate myself in paintings.

Don’t you?

No one’s ever painted my portrait.

No?

Well, they should.

Who is she?

She gave no name, Your Grace.

You didn’t ask?

on account of introducing Princess Blodwyn of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.

Shut up, will you?

“Shut up.

” Absolutely.

I don’t believe this!

No!

Not her!

Won’t they miss you at the ball?

Maybe.

But let’s not go back just yet.

What’s wrong?

When I go back, they will try to pair me off with a lady of their choosing.

I’m expected to marry for advantage.

Oh.

Well, whose advantage?

That is a good question.

Well, surely you have a right to your own heart.

And I must weigh that against the king’s wishes.

He’s a wise ruler and a loving father.

Well, perhaps he’ll change his mind.

I fear he hasn’t much time to do so.

Poor Kit.

People are saying she’s a princess.

Our prince seems quite taken with her.

She went straight for him.

You have to appreciate her efficiency.

But surely, if she is a princess, this may be good.

I’ve already promised him in marriage, to the Princess Chelina.

But.

Oh.

Forgive me, Your Grace.

I did not mean to intrude.

No, it’s you who have to forgive me, madam.

Your secret is safe with me.

I’ve never shown this place to anyone.

A secret garden.

I love it!

Please.

No, I shouldn’t.

You should.

I shouldn’t.

You should.

I shouldn’t.

You should.

I will.

May I?

Please.

Oh!

It’s made of glass.

And why not?

Allow me.

Thank you.

There.

There.

Won’t you tell me who you really are?

If I do, I think everything might be different.

I don’t understand.

Can you at least tell me your name?

My name is.

I have to leave.

It’s hard to explain.

Lizards and pumpkins, and things.

Wait!

Where are you going?

You’ve been awfully nice.

Thank you for a wonderful evening.

I’ve loved it.

Every second!

“Lizards and pumpkins.

”

Excuse me.

Sorry!

Terribly sorry.

My goodness!

My prince!

You’ve got the wrong one!

You’ve got the wrong one!

He needs her name!

I know he needs her name.

Her name, you ninny.

Get her name!

Ooh, that really hurt!

Oh, Your Majesty.

Young lady.

I am so sorry.

Oh, think nothing of it, my dear.

I wanted to say, Your Majesty, your son Kit is the most lovely person I ever met.

So good and brave.

I hope you know how much he loves you.

Excuse me!

Mmm.

Wait!

Wait!

Where are you going?

Hurry, hurry!

Eh?

Ah!

Come back!

Hurry!

Hurry, please, Mr. Goose!

Wait!

Watch out!

Captain, my horse.

No!

This may be some intrigue to lure you from the palace.

Your father needs you here.

Captain!

I was having a fine old time.

You had to go and choose that one, didn’t you?

Yes, I did.

Hurry, Mr. Goose!

Come on!

Hee-ya!

Be careful, Mr. Goose!

Oh!

Oh, my goodness!

You there!

Stop in the name of the king!

Such bad timing.

Halt there!

I know what to do!

Yes!

Oh, yes!

Get this thing open!

Oh, dear!

Ah!

No, no, no.

Oh, I’m sorry.

You’ll find it’s very comfortable.

Oh.

Do shut up!

Cinderella!

Cinderella!

We’ll have to wake her up.

Cinderella!

Wake up, lazy bones!

Tea and a plate of biscuits.

Welcome back!

You look cheerful!

And wet!

Oh, uh, I took a walk in the rain to cheer myself up.

Typical.

Tea.

We did not communicate through mere words.

Our souls met.

Precisely.

My soul and the prince’s soul.

Your soul was over by the banquet tables.

You didn’t see him dance with me.

Dance with you?

He didn’t even speak to you.

It was not our fault, Mother.

It was that girl.

The mystery princess.

Mystery princess?

My, what a charming notion.

Oh, she was no princess.

She was a preening interloper who made a spectacle of herself.

Oh?

A vulgar, young hussy marched into the ball, unaccompanied, if you will, and to the horror of everyone, threw herself at the prince.

And he actually danced with the ugly thing.

Yes?

Yes.

He was too polite to send her packing in front of everyone, you see.

But not wanting to expose us to the presumptuous wench any further, he took her apart.

And told her off.

But she refused to leave and the palace guards chased her from the party!

I pity the prince.

Such bad taste.

They belong with each other.

Well, it’s no matter, girls.

The ball was a mere diversion.

The prince is not free to marry for love.

He’s promised to the Princess Chelina of Zaragosa.

The Grand Duke told me himself.

It’s so very unfair.

Yes.

The way of the world.