"And then… the prince found the glass slipper."
The soft glow of a small lamp painted the walls of the little bedroom in gold. The curtains fluttered faintly, carrying the smell of evening rain.
A young girl lay tucked under her blanket, her wide eyes gleaming with curiosity, while her mother sat beside her in bed, her gentle voice weaving a story that had been told for many generations.
"He tried it on every maiden in the land, but it only fit Cinderella. And when she stepped into the slipper, the prince knew she was the one he had danced with at the ball," the mother stated softly, brushing her daughter's hair back from her forehead.
The little girl's lips parted in awe. "And then what happened, Mama?"
Her mother smiled. "Then the prince held her hand and said he would never let her go. They were married in a grand castle, and they lived happily ever after. The end."
The girl clapped her hands together and giggled, her imagination already drifting toward the shimmering gowns and towering castles, but importantly, to the prince.
"I want to be a princess too, Mama! Do you think I can be one?" The girl stated excitedly, grabbing her mother's arm for comfort.
The mother's smile wavered for a moment, but she leaned down and kissed her daughter's forehead. "Of course you can, my love. In my heart, you already are. A princess doesn't need a crown, just kindness, courage, and a heart full of dreams. You have all of those."
"But I want to be a real-life princess," the girl pouted, disapproving of her mother's words.
The mother chuckled as she found her daughter too adorable. "You'll be one if you marry a prince," she winked, tickling her daughter's armpit slightly.
"Then, I'll marry a prince someday!" The girl exclaimed loudly, raising both of her hands as if she were grabbing the prince.
The mother shook her head in amusement. She pulled the blanket higher, tucking her daughter's hair securely. "I'm sure you will be."
A mischievous smile appeared on the mother's lips as she gazed at her daughter.
"Is that why you named me, Ella? Like Cinderella? Is my future already written?" The girl stated with a grin.
"If you go on the right path. I'm sure all your dreams will come true," the mother sighed tiredly as she pinched Ella's cheeks.
"And when I do, you'll stay in the castle with me and we can throw parties every day!" The daughter giggled, already imagining the enjoyment of a royal lifestyle.
"I'll remember that. Don't you forget it, or else, I'll sulk," the mother crossed her arms and turned away her head playfully as if she was sulking.
"I won't forget you, Mama. You're all I have," Ella grabbed her mother's hands and pressed them against her cheeks, feeling the warmth on her skin. "You're all I have."
The mother bit her lips as she tried to suppress her emotions, as she was about to cry, but didn't want Ella to see her vulnerability.
"You'll be the bravest and kindest princess someday," the mother leaned down and kissed Ella's forehead.
"I will be, Mama," Ella stated confidently. However, her eyes grew heavy, though she fought to keep them open.
"Now, goodnight, my child. Tomorrow, we're going back to your father's house," the mother whispered softly. Though her voice was slightly strained.
"Father?" Ella's voice was small, uncertain, as though the word itself was foreign to her tongue.
Her mother's hand lingered against Ella's cheek, tender but trembling. She drew a breath before stating, "Yes, love. Your father… he's still alive."
Ella's eyes blinked, confusion knitting her brow. For fifteen years, she had been alone with her mother by her side. She had thought about her father, but she was content with her current life and had forgotten about him.
"But… you never told me about him before," Ella whispered softly. She was shocked, but somehow she couldn't feel any excitement in her heart at the sight of him; instead, she was scared.
A faint smile curved the mother's lips, wistful and fleeting. "In a way, yes. I guess it's time to tell you now. You're old enough to know."
Ella's sleepiness vanished as she stared wide-eyed at her mother, clutching her pillow tightly.
"Your father… he's a noble. A man born into a rich family, surrounded by duties. However, he has a family, Ella… and tomorrow, you will meet them," the mother explained, heaviness was sketched in her voice.
"He has another family? What about us?" Ella asked, confused.
The mother closed her eyes tightly as if it pained her to explain the history of their relationship.
"Ella, I don't want to tell you this… but we are the other family," the mother revealed painfully. She couldn't even look into Ella's eyes.
Ella's mouth opened, but no words came out as though her voice was taken away. She sat up and pulled her mother close, hugging her.
"Mama, do they know about me?" Ella asked, wanting to know more.
"Yes, they know I've given birth to you. I'm in your father's residence at that time," the mother stated, wiping the forming tears in her eyes.
"Then why are we living here and not there?" Ella asked. She and her mother were living decently in town, running a clothing business, and earning enough to avoid going hungry.
"Your father's… wife didn't want us there," the mother hugged Ella tightly. "But I'm happy to live here with you, my child."
Ella smiled softly, understanding her mother's situation and decisions. Although she couldn't fully understand how adults' thoughts, she was fine as long as her mother was by her side.
The mother pulled back, grabbed Ella's shoulders firmly, and looked into her eyes. "However, I don't know why we were being called back to live in your father's mansion. That's why you should be in your best behavior, okay? We don't want others to gossip bad things about us. They're people of importance, with eyes that see more than we think."
Ella nodded her head, agreeing. "But Mama… does father have more family aside from us?"
The mother's eyes widened in shock at Ella's question, which was too mature for her age. "I… I think yes. If I remember correctly, there were three of us, but the third lover died a few years ago. If I remembered correctly."
"Oh! Do I have siblings?" Ella asked with glistened eyes.
"Yes," her mother admitted quietly, her gaze slipping away to the shadowed corner of the room. "Two sisters and a brother."
"Sisters and a brother!?" Ella gasped, a smile breaking through her surprise. "Then I have someone to play with every day, and maybe they can teach me how to be a princess!"
Her mother's throat tightened, but she forced a nod. "Perhaps… if fate is kind."
Ella, still bringing with excitement, reached for her mother's hand again, not noticing the hesitation in her mother's eyes. "Mama, will they like me?"
The mother's eyes widened, smoothing Ella's hair, lingering on each strand as though memorizing it. "If they see you as I do, they will love you dearly. You must show them your kindness, your manners, and the strength of your heart. But remember, Ella… you must never forget who you are. Promise me that."
"I promise," Ella said eagerly, her eyes sparkling with trust.
Her mother kissed her one last time on the forehead, holding her lips there longer than usual, as though the act might shield her daughter from what was about to come.
"Sleep now, my little one," the mother whispered, her voice soft, but taut with hidden sorrow. "Tomorrow, a new chapter of your story begins.
Ella nodded and lay in bed. Her eyes were fluttering.
But her mother remained awake, her hands pressed against her child's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her heart.
"I struggled a lot to escape a noble's life, but now, we're being dragged back," a single tear slipped down the mother's cheek as she whispered to the quiet room.
"Forgive me, Ella… for what awaits you there."