#and while they're alive they cherish each other to the nth degree

[carewyncromwell]

“Now you can go wherever you want to go! Now you can do whatever you want to do! Now you can be whatever you want to be, And love is the song you will sing your whole life through!”

~“There is Music in You” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella

x~x~x~x

Yay, here’s that other Cinderella AU art I’ve been working on...a proper “happily-ever-after” image for the newly crowned King Cosimo “Orion” Amari and the “Maiden of the Glass Slipper,” Queen Carewyn Cromwell!

I imagined this as being a “portrait” hung up in Florence’s palace for many, many years after these two’s deaths, hence the “symbolism” in some of their fashion choices -- Orion decked out in Florence’s flag’s color scheme (green and gold) while Carewyn is dressed in Royaume’s (red and blue), since she was born and raised there; Carewyn wearing a crown-inspired earring both reminiscent of Royaume’s flag crest and held in Orion’s hand, since her role as queen was something she inherited through marrying him; and finally the “glass slipper” on Carewyn’s foot poking out from under her dress. In the last’s case, I headcanon that Florence’s people was so charmed by the tale of their future queen saving their king’s life that Carewyn was gifted many such “glass slippers” over the years by her subjects and courtiers, decorated with everything from real glass to diamonds. Most of them weren’t comfortable enough to actually wear, but Carewyn still accepted every such gift with grace and gratitude. Carewyn’s wearing her hair loose -- something she started doing a lot more often after finally being free to be with Orion -- and Orion and Carewyn are also both wearing the matching gold and emerald coronets they first wore on their wedding day, so as to signify their equality as partners and their shared desire to be approachable to peasants and noblemen alike. And indeed, their legacy after death was as two of the wisest and kindest rulers Florence had ever had, instilling financial and legal reforms and investing in higher education, and were survived in future generations by a new port city rife with trade and commerce named for their friend and ally King Andre of Royaume; a crown-protected nature reserve; multiple hospitals, courthouses, libraries, and orphanages; and a university named for the queen’s brother.

Orion’s outfit was partially inspired by this painting by Giovanni Battista Moroni from the 16th century, with a capelet appropriate to the period. Meanwhile Carewyn’s was inspired by this beautiful dress worn by Olivia Hussey in the 1968 film production of Romeo and Juliet, though with a different color palette!

Much love, all! Have a magical day! ✨