It has already been 10 days since the first meet with the prince Charming. I don't know anything in details except that a Royal invitation will come any time soon.
Morning hits the Ashbourne house like a frying pan: loud, fast, and slightly chaotic.
I'm halfway through very questionable toast and Drizzy sits across from me, trying to curl her hair with her fingers because the curling iron hasn't been invented yet and the universe hates her.
Drizzy is the only source of laughter for me in this house, as if joy chose her and nowhere else to hide.
Cinderella glides around with tea and jam like housekeeping is a sport and she's gold-medal good at.
I was about to ask her about her breakfast when suddenly there's a knock at the door - sharp, serious, and royal. Drizella jumps like the door is holding a winning lottery ticket.
I giggled at her reaction.
Cinderella opens it. A fancy messenger stands there, posture straight enough to impress a plank of wood.
Royal Messenger: "By order of His Majesty, an invitation to the Royal Ball-"
Drizella gasps and covers her mouth like she's trying to keep joy from spilling out. It's weirdly adorable.
Mother's eyes glint like someone said the word "money."
"A ball?"
Royal Messenger: "All families of good standing are invited. His Highness the Prince shall-"
Drizella blurts, "-meet someone special?" Her face goes bright pink.
She loves reading story books and I can tell that she is a hopeless romantic reader.
I try not to snort, 'This girl is me reading the romance section at 2 AM.'
The messenger handed the invitation to Cinderella. After closing the door, she placed the invitation on the table in front of the mother, gold seal shining like it has its own spotlights.
Mother snatches it up as if afraid the table might read it first.
"A ball at the palace... all eligible young ladies invited... opportunity to meet the Prince..."
Cinderella's hand stills on an empty teacup she is picking. Hope flickers in her eyes - soft, hesitant, almost breaking its own heart before anyone else can.
Cinderella asked in a quiet and soft manner, "May I...?"
But before she continues, mother shuts it down instantly.
"No. You have chores."
"She always has chores. That's not a reason, that's a full-time job you invented."
For the first time I raised my voice against the stepmother, louder enough for her to listen that is.
WHAT? I don't want to die due to an unnatural death.
She stares daggers.
Drizzy fidgets - awkward, like she wants to say something but hasn't been trained for confrontations.
Drizella mumbled, "She'd look really pretty at a ball though..."
Cinderella freezes mid-step.
Mother ignores her completely.
"Why shouldn't she go? What's the logic here?"
"Logic? She lacks a suitable dress."
I lean back, fold my arms on my chest and throw a grumpy look undercover,
'Excuse number two unlocked. Collect five excuses to evolve into Final Boss Stepmom.'
Drizzy looks at Cinderella again and blurts, "If... if you had a dress, I'd... I'd want you to come."
Thanks Drizzy, standing up with me.
Cinderella's eyes soften, and honestly? It's dangerously heartwarming.
Mother snaps, "Drizella."
Drizzy shrinks a little. Not mean. Just trained to fold.
The invitation sits there, glowing like destiny dipped in gold leaf.
Mother starts planning out loud - fabrics, embroidery, hairstyles, politically advantageous smiles. Drizzy nods along, excited but nervous, like her dreams come with warning labels.
Cinderella quietly begins to clear plates again.
I reach out to gently catch her wrist.
"Do you want to go?"
Cinderella looks up - hope shaking like it's scared of being seen. "More than anything."
I smile. "Then we'll make it happen."
Drizzy nods with encouragement, "Yes. I... I'd like that too."
Cinderella looks like someone just opened a window she didn't know was there.
Mother keeps muttering about ball gowns, unaware the plot is changing behind her back.
Now I have to make a plan to execute in case the fairy godmother decides to take a paid leave.
Step one: get Cinderella to the ball. Step two: don't break the timeline so badly that history collapses. Easy.
After lunch I was in my room, door closed and in a hand stitched PJ and shorts which is obviously stitched by our heroine.
She gave me a questionable look at first but still complied with my request. who cares if I am being judged by an overly depressed girl!?
So, According to the letter there is still 20 days left to get prepared for the ball. Like learning dance, posture, dresses, elegance and be a Barbie.
'Hello Ken...!!'
And just as I thought, next day mother hired a tutor for us who will teach us dance and poise, a lady worthy to be a queen.
'Now who is going to tell her, to be a queen you just need to be a main character of a story. Simple!!'
Mother is still holding on the invitation letter like it's some golden ticket to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.
* * *
I swear, sometimes being Drizella's sister is like living next to a small tornado with stilettos. Today was one of those days.
Drizella stomped her heel-THUD, THUD, THUD-against the floor. Madame Pirouette screeched, waving her fan like it could smack some sense into her.
"I am doing it again!" Drizella huffed. "The music should follow me!"
I nearly tripped over my own ribbons trying not to laugh. 'It doesn't follow anyone, genius.'
Madame Pirouette's glare made me wish I had a cloak of invisibility.
"One, two, three-spin!"
Drizella spun like... well, like a human hurricane. She hit the couch, the rug, and almost the chandelier.
I clapped anyway. "Bravo! The... Crash Waltz!"
Madame Pirouette groaned and stormed out. I think she muttered something about goat farms. Finally, peace.
That night, I snuck into the attic with Drizella and Cinderella. Lanterns flickered as we prepared our "secret academy."
We thought that if Cinderella goes to the ball, she needs to learn dance too. So here we are.
"Ella! Hurry!" I whispered. "Lessons!"
"Credentials?" she asked.
"Optional!" I said.
Drizella twirled and smacked a broom. Cinderella caught it gracefully. 'Ugh. Show-off.'
"Watch-one, two, three-float!" I tried.
The floorboard groaned like a pirate ship. Cinderella twirled effortlessly. Of course.
Drizella glared at her. "Cheating."
"How do you cheat at floating?" Cinderella giggled.
We tried again. Drizella bumped into me, I bumped into Cinderella, who spun into a quilt pile. Laughter erupted. Ribbons tangled, hair escaped pins, slippers flew.
Drizella flopped on the floor. "If Madame Pirouette survives tomorrow, we owe you our lives."
Cinderella smiled, retying the ribbon. "Lessons are five kindnesses an hour."
I held up my fingers. "We'll pay in giggles and biscuits."
"Deal."
Suddenly from the hallway, a floorboard creaked. Mother!
"Hide the ribbons! Hide the float!"
We dove behind a chair, stifling giggles. Mother peeked in. "All of you should be asleep."
"Yes, mother," we chorused, perfectly innocent.
I like how sometimes she feign ignorance towards us. Such a sweet heart.
Once the door clicked, I whispered, "Same time tomorrow?"
Cinderella grinned. "Academy never sleeps."
I think I'm going to like this secret school... chaos, giggles, and all.
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SIDE NOTE: I loved this heart filled chaos in today's chapter that made the house lively. I tried making the stepmother little understanding. I don't want her to be the only one being the villain. ☺☺
If you like my story then give it a star and share it with your friends, this will help me to keep motivated and write new stories.