When first light came, Nancy got up early after a sleepless night. Ben had just been captured by her enemies and she had no idea if her plans to rescue him would pan out. Maidens were helping her dress up.
“Hurry up; he won’t wait forever,” she said as one maiden worked on the back zipper of the Victorian dress she now wore. Then one was tying her hair and putting pins in it. Then she was hurrying to the door and one was handing her a hand fan. Then two maidens accompanied her to the king’s throne room.
The large doors were swung open and she entered to find her father on his throne and Esmeralda on a cushion facing the king. The maidens curtsied and left, and Nancy looked back to see the big doors shut again.
The platform was now hers.
It was now her turn to curtsy, first to the king
