The children were so full of wonder and happiness that they forgot even Rose-Petal. They walked up the flowery avenue to the ivory steps of the palace and straight up them as if in a delightful dream. They entered and passed between guards like the one they already knew, except that these were dressed in white satin and instead of a sword each carried a stalk of lilies of the valley.
Pierre and Iona walked on, and at last came into the throne room. It was more beautiful than they had dreamed; and the pearl walls and floors had a hundred pale tints of violet, rose and gold.
At the end, on a raised platform, were two thrones, and on one sat the queen in a lovely filmy robe, outside of which a splendid train of ermine-trimmed white satin trailed on the floor. The king, too, was dressed in white satin and silver lace, and both king and queen wore crowns of pearls with a diamond star in the front.
Around them were grouped lovely fairies. The children stood still and gazed. Rose-Petal advanced and fell on one knee before the throne.
"Your majesties, these are the children who found the lost key to the palace gate."
"Let them come near," said the king, and obeying a gesture from Rose-Petal, Pierre and Iona drew near to the wonderful beings they had so longed to see.
They imitated Rose-Petal and fell on their knees, and as the king and queen each held out a hand they kissed them, and it was like kissing flowers.
"Rise, dear children, and tell us your adventures," said the queen. "The key is not to leave the palace, and the children who took it away thought by so doing that they could come to our court at any time they wished. Of course they lost it and we should like to hear how you found it again."
"That is true," said the king. "We wish to hear. Speak on."