ELLAIt's finally the big day —the day of the ball."Cinderella!" My stepmother screamed as I scurried through the cottage with a large pile of hats in my hands."Yes, mama!" I responded my voice sounding muffled under the pile that threatened to push me over."Where are the hats!?" She screamed even louder, thankfully I was already in her room."It's right here, mama!" I replied dumping them on the bed for her to choose.She held the first one with two of her fingers, making sure her hand didn't brush it."Good. You may leave, " she said dismissing me with a wave of her free hand as she started testing the pile of hats on the bed like they had worms attached to it.I had to run into the basement searching for all the hats I could find only for her to go through the pile like she didn't need them. I could have protested if I wanted trouble. But I needed to be on my best behavior so she would take me with her to the as she had promised."Thank you, mama, " I whispered as I ran out of h
ELLAMy stepmother drew closer and stopped right in front of me. She started going around me, circling me like a predator.My heart was beating so loud, that it almost flew out of my chest."What do we have here, " she whispered to herself and I held my breath."Cinderella, isn't this the bedspread I asked you to thrash last season?"This time, my heart stopped.But before I could answer, I heard the sound of tearing fabric and I looked around me wondering where it came from until I saw a large piece of my dress in her hands."You never trashed it, did you?"Again, she tore through another piece and my dead heart went with it."Mama, what are you doing?" I whimpered as I tried to protect my dress."I am doing what I should have done long ago!"She started tearing out my dress from my body bits by bits."Mama, please stop!" I begged as tears spilled from my eyes but everything I said fell on deaf ears.I fell to the floor in tears and she continued to tear through the pieces till I was
KIERANErik was pacing around on the high table as he moved up and down checking the entrance. I narrowed my eyes at him and signaled for him to come to me."Why are you so restless?" I asked him.His eyes enlarged in shock as if I asked the dumbest question. "How can you ask me that?""What?" I shrugged utterly confused at what he was trying to implyHe slapped a hand to his face and turned to stare me straight in the eyes. "I am waiting for your special maiden to arrive! I have to be on alert! Other lords might get her before we do!"I released a laugh, causing other lords at the table to stare our way."What makes you think that? I have the right to make the first choice before any of these blokes!" I whispered and Erik smirked "I still have to be on alert!" He said and walked back to his position.I laughed and settled back in my seat.A lot of maidens had dropped in and I have even danced with a few but none was the maiden from the market.They were all beautiful but none affect
ELLAI got to the ball in good time, I was afraid I might have missed all the good people but it seemed to just be starting as I got there. My prayer was that I could find at least one good man that could take me away from my misery but I got much more than I planned.The moment I stepped into the ballroom everyone turned to stare at me. Even the music stopped and I wanted to drop my head and hide but my fairy godmother's teachings came to me. I held my head up high and moved around like I wasn't the one they were staring at.I noticed the maidens were all moving in one direction and I wanted to join them but as I made to turn, I saw Giselle and Anastasia at the forefront."I would rather try my luck on the other side of the room, " I whispered to myself as I started for the opposite end of the room."And where is such a beautiful maiden going to?"A deep voice that sounded very familiar spoke from behind me and I turned to look at who had spoken."Hello, I am lord Erik, you must have
ELLAI felt butterflies deep down my stomach as it flipped with excitement at his words."I have found you, Ella," he whispered again.Kieran offered me his hand and he led me to the bed. I was tensed up but I didn't let it show. I calmed myself by focusing my attention on the bridge of his nose but my traitorous sight moved down to his lips and that was when I lost my resolve.How could one man be this handsome? - and to think he wanted me."I have searched everywhere for that one woman who would make my heart beat at the mere sight of her... " He held my hand and I felt the sizzling sensation again.I couldn't believe what he was saying. He wanted me, -an orphan. An ordinary girl from the village.My heart thumped so loud I was afraid he would hear it and think I had a medical condition. Tonight I wanted to pretend I was this important lady that could marry a prince.I locked eyes with him. I got pulled into his orbs and slowly we moved closer and closer. The distance between us wa
ELLAThe ball had come to an end and everyone slowly trooped out. I was outside, checking the carriages as they carried each maiden away. I still hoped I could find her or a sign of her aside from the silk panties I clutched in my hands. It was the only piece of her that proved her existence. I stayed outside till all the palace grounds were empty.There was no sign of Ella.She was gone.My heart clenched in pain as I looked on helplessly. She was so close to me, I was so close to tasting her and-"Kieran, you need to come back inside. She isn't out here," Erik said walking up to me."She is in this kingdom somewhere. I just have to find her..." I said lost in my pain.She had to be. She didn't sound like someone that came from the neighboring kingdoms. Plus she confessed to seeing me in the market the other day. She couldn't be coming all the way from a far place to shop in my kingdom. She was close. I could feel it.Erik could see the pain in my heart. He walked closer to where I s
ELLA:As I returned to my room, I could still feel my stepmother's eyes burn my back but I kept my focus straight, I refused to let it falter. I would die first before I admitted to being the maiden at the ball.I got to my room and closed the door, taking a deep breath to calm my raising heart.Kieran gave me a memory I would never trade. I would never have him because I was only a slave while he was a prince, but the time we spent together was forever engraved in my heart. I would forever dance to the beat of his heart as he kissed me. I held my lips and unconsciously moved to a song I hummed to myself. Kudo and Ricky watched me move around the room and they stared at one another in confusion.They probably didn't remember but I did. Within this room, I was the maiden at the ball and no one could change that. I fell to the bed in excitement allowing sleep to finally take over my aching legs.In my dreams that night, I took myself back to the ball. I allowed myself to relive every mo
ELLAThe situation finally dawned on me. The prince was searching for me. He had found my missing panties and he had sent someone to bring me. My slavery was finally on the verge of ending and my stepmother just locked me inside my room and she had given my identity to Giselle."No! Mama no!" I cried as I continued hitting the doors. "Mama please!" I begged as my shoulders threatened to fall out from the hits.I felt a pull at my feet and looked down to find Kudo, it was holding a piece of paper, and Ricky chirped, I looked at it and its beak held a pen. It then flew towards the window and back at me."Yes!" I exclaimed excitedly as I wiped my tears. I would write to whoever comes to me. They would have to find me."Thank you guys so much," I whispered wiping my tears away with the back of my hand.It was noon when the Royal carriages strutted into my father's house. I got up from the floor and stood by the window. It was going too hard for me to be heard from my window but I tried a