Prince Marken discovers the woman he fawned over at his royal ball, Cinderella, was actually a spy named Ellanor, sent to gather intelligence on his kingdom & captures her with an offer. If she pretends to be his wife until the end of the war between their countries, he will let her free & they will never speak again. The two try to deny the genuine attraction between themselves, but when Marken's mother has an attempt on her life, & Ella's king abandons her, the two finally set aside their difference & begin to fight together for each other & their warring kingdoms.
Always walk like your shoes are made of glass.
Ellanor remembered this lesson well from ever since she was a child, when her lock-picking instructor taught her how to effectively steal information from a high-security building. These words were always gospel to her, saving her life on countless occasions. Quiet, quick feet assured an easy job, which she was sure tonight would be as well- as soon as she gave this bothersome prince the shake.
But so far, Prince Marken Caitiff of the Rhal kingdom wouldn't leave her sight for more than a few moments, dancing and conversing with only her. She knew the man was using this ball to find a bride of low-birth, probably to curry favor from his subjects that were about to be pitted against another country in war, so he should be meeting with more women and flirting more pathetic-looking members of society.
Ellanor tried not telling Marken her name, being as vague as possible, and lying about having a happy-go-lucky childhood to throw him off, but he was persistent. If he wasn't so damned attentive, she'd swear he'd realized she was here to steal his secrets. But time was running out, and soon her patience was wearing thin. If she didn't get the information tonight, her own people would be at a great disadvantage.
"My prince, I do believe I am monopolizing your time," Ellanor told Marken softly as midnight began to draw near, the two in the midst of yet another dance, "I really shouldn't keep you from the rest of your guests any longer."