I was watching youtube when I saw a Betty Boop short based off Cinderella and it the gears in my head turning. This story is going to be short scenes rather than one fluid piece. I've never really done a prompt in this format so we shall see how it goes!

***

"Your Grace, I do not wish to try on the shoe," Genevieve bit her lip as she looked between the Prince and the glass slipper. 

"Nonsense," The Prince waved his if assuming Genevieve was just acting coy. "Were you not at the ball?" 

"I was, but-"

"But nothing!" The Prince chuckled. His hazel eyes made Genevieve squirm in her chair as he watched her with intrigue. "All maidens who attended the ball must try on the shoe."

"I assure you, Your Grace," Genevieve tried again. "It will not fit."

"Enough of this!" The Prince said sobering up. "Rupert, if she will not put it on herself, you put it on her."

A knight beside the Prince nodded curtly before getting down on one knee and picking up the slipper. Genevieve didn't hide her discomfort as the knight tried to force the shoe onto her foot.

"Sir!" Genevieve gasped in pain. "You cannot force a lion's paw into a shoe meant for a mouse!"

The Prince let out a laugh and the rest of his posse followed in suit. He placed a hand on the knight's shoulder signalling him to stop. "The girl has made her point, Rupert, she's not the fair maiden I am looking for."

The knight stood at once and placed the glass slipper back in the chest Genevieve had first seen it in. She stood up from her seat and gave a low bow at the prince to hide her burning cheeks.

"Your Grace, if you had given me one more minute, I am sure it would have fit." The knight said standing beside the Prince once more.

"I know you're tired of searching," The Prince said letting disappointment seep into his tone, "But I assure you, when we find the girl you will realize immediately why I have done this."

"I hope so," The Knight sighed.

"Rise," The Prince said to Genevieve and she did. "Thank you for your participation, you may go."

Genevieve gave one final curtsy before placing her proper sized shoe back on and running back to her mother. The two stood at the far edge of the main street where the Prince and his posse stood.

"Who is next?" The prince asked to the crowed of young women and their families.

"I am, Your Grace!" Penelope, Genevieve's younger sister, said with eagerness as she made her way through the crowed.

**THREE DAYS LATER**

"Penny, your porridge will get cold if you do not eat it soon," Genevieve said watching her sister pick up her breakfast with a wooden spoon and letting it slowly fall back into the bowl.

"Let it get cold," Penelope sulked. "It is not like we will never have it again."

"Mother will not be happy," Genevieve rolled her eyes. Ever since the squire announced The Prince had found his wife, her sister and most of the younger maidens had slipped into a depression. 

"I am not happy," Penelope said taking the smallest bite of her porridge. She had been wearing black since the news came out to mourn her loss.

"The shoe would have never fit you," Genevieve said. "It was enchanted. Anyone who was not the Princess would have difficulties putting it on."

Genevieve tried to lift her sister's spirit's, but when it became futile and she became bored, she left home to visit her uncle. 

****

"Uncle Adler!" Genevieve called out when she reached the royal stables. She noticed a few stalls were empty, but that was always the case. When she walked passed her father's favorite horse to care for, she had noticed it was missing. She called out her uncle's name once more just to be sure and when there was still no response, she found a brush and went to go visit her favorite horse.

"Hello, Jean Paul, how are you this morning?" Genevieve couldn't help her lips from curling when she spoke.

Genevieve was in the middle of complaining about her sister's attitude to Jean Paul, when she heard a loud crash. With a gasp, the girl turned around to see the Prince had tripped over a bucket of muck.

"Your Grace! Are you alright?" Genevieve rushed over to the Prince, but stopped herself from helping him up. She wasn't sure if she give him a hand or bow.

"I'm alright," He said when she touched his shoulder. She gave him a curtsy as he rose and his deep-set eyes looked down at her. "I did not mean to frighten you, it is just not every day that you find a girl talking to a horse at the royal stables."

"Well, Your Grace, if I am being honest, he is not really a horse," Genevieve rose to look the prince in the eyes.

"Really because it looks like one?" The Prince laughed. "If it is not a horse, then what is it?"

"I am not sure," Genevieve answered honestly. "However, I do know that he has an enchantment spell on him."

"You can see enchantments?" The Prince asked taking a step forward, forcing Genevieve to take a step back.

"All my life, Your Grace," Genevieve said doing clumsy curtsy out of habit. "But, that is as far as my abilities go."

"I see," The Prince said furrowing his brows. Genevieve wasn't sure if the Prince was more interested in her or her gift. "And how long have you been talking to Jean Paul?"

"Since my uncle was appointed as head of the Royal Stables, Your-" 

"Your Uncle is Old Man Adler?!" The Prince exclaimed. "No wonder I thought you look so familiar!"

"Yes he is, Your Grace, we also briefly met when you were searching for your wife," Genevieve added. She hoped the reminder would cause the Prince to back off, but instead it caused something to click in his brain. Genevieve bit her lip as she watched his amused face turn serious.

"I remember you now," He said taking a step back to get a good look at all of her. Genevieve tried to let out a breath without the Prince noticing.

"And where is your bride-to-be?" Genevieve quickly added when he hadn't responded, "If you do not mind me asking, Your Grace."

The Prince waved a dismissive hand as he spoke, "She is studying. The poor girl has had no training in society."

"Oh I see," Genevieve said when he didn't release his gaze.

"You know," He finally said after a beat. "You are one of three girls who refused to try on the slipper. And the only reason the other two did not try on the slipper was because they were related to me."

Genevieve's eyes widened as she realized she was the only one who refused orders from the Prince. She bowed her head to hide her embarrassment. "Your Grace, if I have offended you in some manner than I truly apologize for my actions!"

"Rise," The Prince said shaking his head and Genevieve obliged. "You have not offended me. I am merely curious as to why you would not wish to seek wealth, power, and a seat beside your Prince." 

Genevieve almost let relief wash over her when she realized that she was not in trouble, but the notion of having to confess her true thoughts kept fear in her veins. "I wish to not accidentally upset you with my opinion, Your Grace,"

"You may speak freely," The Prince said. "And while we speak like this, there is no need for such formalities. I will not tell anyone if you do not."

The Prince grinned and Genevieve nodded.

"Your-" Genevieve bit her lip to correct herself. "I refused the slipper because I do not feel right about pretending to be somebody I am not. As well as, I am happy with the life life I have now."

"That's all?" The Prince scrutinized. Genevieve gave a quick nod. "You are lying. Those words do not offend me. Speak honestly."

Genevieve said nothing at first, but the fear of what would happen if she didn't open up, pushed her lips apart. "I-I do not think I would want to sit beside a future king who boldly decides to scour the land in order to find a woman he has spent a mere few hours with. If he is brash with his heart you have to wonder what else he is brash with."

When Genevieve looked up to see genuine shock on the Prince's face, she bowed again. "Forgive me, Your Grace!"

"Rise," The Prince said as if he was tired of saying it. When Genevieve looked up, he watched her gaze for a beat before speaking once more. "You think me brash?"

"I-I do," Genevieve said when the Prince ordered her to speak.

"I see, well, I'll let you get back to your busy conversation with your enchanted horse," The Prince said turning to leave.

"Before you go, Your Grace, may I ask you something?" Genevieve said finding a bout of courage. 

The Prince turned to face her, but said nothing.

"Do you love her?" Genevieve asked. It was not for her sake that she was asking, but for his. For she felt the same tingling aura that wrapped around Jean Paul and the glass slipper take hold of the Prince.

The Prince was silent for a beat. His eyes fell to the ground as if he would find his answer between the straw and muck. Genevieve watched in silent horror as the enchantment spell coiled around his limbs and chest. If it could hiss it would as it tightened it's hold along the Prince.

"I do." He finally said with glassy eyes and a smile Genevieve had not seen before.

*****

Yes, I think that's a good spot to end... For now! Hehe I really like how this is going. If it is longer than three parts then I will make it a short story on my account. I would probably have to come up with a better title. I was having difficulties making sure that the characters didn't speak with contractions because I wanted to feel more authentic. I didn't really care if the narrator spoke in contractions though. That might change if I decide to make this a short story, however. Anyways I hope you enjoyed! Fun Fact: The only domestic animal not mentioned in the bible is the cat.

(FF source: Facts app)