Cinderella

 Hey hey hey! Welcome back! I'd just like to quickly thank everyone who reads this blog, especially because I've had over 80 views this month. Granted, part of the credit goes to Jillian and the rest of the Scribblers, but that's not important. So thanks for reading this, I guess.

Anyway, I've got a story from one of the so-far silent Scribblers, Fawn Barker. 

It's called Cinderella.

You all know the story. A servant girl goes to a ball, falls in love with the prince, her life changes forever and she lives happily ever after. That's the one you grew up with, the one you love. 

What if I told you it was wrong? Completely wrong? Perhaps you'd call  me crazy, a maniac, a rabble-rouser or something of the sort. But it's true. The original Cinderella story is a far cry from the fluffy version of today, or even the slightly more disturbing tale written by the Grimm brothers. Both are not a true accounting of the facts of that fateful night.

In the rest of this story, I will explain to you the real circumstances, as they were passed down through my family by the original Cinderella, the focus of the stories. It is not a pretty tale, as the world is not a pretty place. It is, however, something that should be known. Those who fail to remember their history are bound to repeat it. 

If the truth is not something you are interested in, or perhaps if you still value and cling to that childhood version, do not keep reading. Walk away now, and you will not have your values challenged. 

But maybe a little challenge is good.

****

I walked quickly down the road, the slippers chafing my feet. By the end of the night, I was sure to have blisters. The fit was perfect, even perhaps a little too perfect. A little discomfort was worth the mission I had come to do. 

Ahead of me, I could see the lights from the opulent palace. There were so many torches, it almost looked like the night had become day, at least for a while. 

A carriage rumbled slowly past, then another. Apparently I was just late enough for it to be fashionable. 

Chatter from the ball reached me, a cacophony of noise that rivalled the squawking of Molly's chickens. The image of her chickens, dressed in finery for the ball, made me smile to myself, just a little. Of course, the moment of entertainment was quickly over. I was not attending for the food, nor the company. There was something I had to do.

One of the coaches slowed to a stop next to me. The woman inside was more radiant than the stars in the sky. She leaned out the window. "You poor soul," she said, "Surely you don't intend to walk to the ball."

"I'm already mostly there," I replied, glad of the mask that covered my features. This woman wore one as well, though it was less elaborate than mine. It was a mask that left her recognizable. That was something most of the women here would want to accomplish, as this masked ball was hosted with the intention of finding our esteemed prince a bride.

"Yes," the woman was saying, "but every woman deserves to arrive in style. After all, you could be meeting your future husband tonight."

That almost made me laugh out loud as I climbed into the carriage. I'd already met my future husband, though we would never marry. Not if I had anything to say about it.

After I was seated on the soft cushions, I slipped off my shoes and discreetly rubbed my aching feet. Of course, the woman across from me noticed and laughed, the sound like a pig scuffling for truffles.

"Seems it's a good thing we stopped," she said. "Tell me, what is your name?"

"Morana," I replied, the lie rolling easily off my tongue. After all, I'd practiced it endlessly. "And yours?"

"Ruth. It's nice to meet you, Morana."

We rode the rest of the short distance in silence, and then I slipped my shoes back on.

"Morana," Ruth said as the carriage slowed. "Tell me, why does your mask hide your face? How will His Highness know who you are, should he chance to fall in love with you?"

"If he were to fall in love, I would prefer it was for my charming manner, rather than my looks."

She nodded. "I'd expected as much from a woman who would walk to the ball."

Her driver opened the door and I clambered out, wanting to get as far away from her as I possibly could. I had a mission tonight, and some kind noblewoman would not distract me from it.

To reassure myself, and to harden my resolve, I touched the dagger strapped to my arm, the one that would easily slip into my hand in the moment I needed it. Because unlike the other women here, I was not hunting a husband tonight. I was hunting a man, but not with the same end in mind. If I was successful, there would be one less cruel guard in the world.

And you'll be completely alone, a small voice, the rebellious part of me, whispered. It was barely audible in the back of my mind.

Besides, I wasn't alone. I had Molly, and all the other servants who had essentially raised me while I was exiled.

The chatter and music of the ball tore me out of my thoughts. There was much to do before my plan could be set in motion. 

****

After my preparations were finished, I waited, staying on the outskirts of the crowd, watching the enormous clock tower outside the window. I knew where he would be, but only for approximately five minutes at half past ten. It would have to do.

Time moved agonizingly slowly, as I avoided potential dancing partners and the gossips of the crowd. Perhaps in doing so I started more than a few rumors about the nameless girl who apparently wouldn't show her face to anyone. I would, but when it mattered.

Finally, I slipped into the hall to wait. His patrol would take him right to me in a matter of moments. If he didn't recognize me, all the better.

The act was as smooth as I could've hoped. My brother came around the corner, unaware of his impending doom. He spotted me, but was convinced I couldn't cause any harm. The dress I wore made me rather conspicuous. 

He was convinced until he felt the cold steel of my knife sinking into his flesh. His wound would be fatal, but not immediately.

That gave me time to remove the mask. Below me, the dying eyes widened in recognition, as he remembered the scars he himself had inflicted.

"Ella?" he gasped out, his dying breath sacrificed to my name, as what beauty I had once possessed was sacrificed to his cruel sadism.

"Yes, brother," I replied, not wanting to even taste his name on my tongue. "It's me. As I said before you left, running scared like the coward you were, I found you, and now I've killed you."

He might've said more, but blood bubbled between his lips, choking out any attempt at speech. Just like that, my brother was gone. Gently, for he was still family, I reached down and closed his eyes.

Then I straightened, replacing my mask. Tears were streaming down my face, dampening the channels left by my brother's knife all those years ago. It was the same knife that was now embedded in his chest, just below where his heart would be if he had one.

There was blood on my hands, so much blood. In all my careful preparation, I had not considered the blood. A bit of an oversight, but thankfully gloves were in style. 

Grimacing, for I was ruining my mother's best pair of silk gloves, I slipped them on. Just like the slippers, they fit perfectly.

Done that, I made my way back to the ball, barely aware of how I was shaking. All I had to do was get out, and that would be the end of this life. I could start over, somewhere new. Somewhere I didn't have cinders staining my name and the blood of traitors.

I was halfway across the wide dance floor when Ruth spotted me. She grabbed my arm, making me jump. 

"Boy, you sure are jumpy," she laughed again, the sound bringing a bit of a smile to my face. "Come on, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

Not stopping to give me a choice, she pulled me across the dance floor, pushing her way through a swarm of young women to a young man who was waving his arms in the midst of a story. It took a moment, but I recognized him. This was the crown prince.

"Enough of your stories, cousin," Ruth said, pushing me toward him. "Here. I've found you a dancing partner."

"Oh, no," I said, finding my tongue at last. "I really am a terrible dancer."

The prince winked, taking my gloved hand. "That's all right. I can't dance either. We'll make fools of ourselves together."

Any other night, I would've laughed. I would've been immediately swept off my feet by his charming nature. Of course, I did banter with him, matching my wits to his, but thoughts of the body cooling in the hall and the blood under my gloves kept my heart from getting involved. 

We danced and danced, through songs I don't remember. He was a superb dancer, but covered my missteps and mistakes with his own, saving me from any embarrassment. 

Finally, I heard the enormous clock begin to strike the hour. A glance out the window told me that it was time for the evening to end, for me to disappear. 

Making my excuses to the prince, I turned and ran. One of my servant girls was waiting near the door, wearing a cloak that hid the fact that she wore an identical dress to mine. I passed her the mask and my shoes, then took her cloak, disappearing into the servant halls. 

Commotion followed as the prince gave chase. All I could do was lean against the secret door, trying desperately to catch my breath. Once that was accomplished, I ripped my gorgeous dress down the back. Molly had sewn a bit of a looser seam there, with a strip of weaker cloth that would tear. A pity, sure, but if I was to get away, sacrifices would need to be made. 

I removed my elaborate wig, revealing my shorter hair, hair that Molly had shorn off a month ago, in preparation for my conversion from noblewoman to servant girl.

A brown dress, one that I'd worn under the ball gown, completed the disguise. As long as I kept my head down, no one would recognize me.

Perhaps on another occasion, I would've revealed myself to the prince, would've thrown myself at his mercy and trusted that the hint of love I saw forming in his eyes would protect me. But not this night. This night was not a night to be trusting others. 

Fighting tears again, I hurried through the halls and disappeared into the night.

The End.

I'll just let that sit. Have a good day!