Sinderella

Chapter Seven: Belle of the Ball?

The ball had begun shortly before Cinderella had arrived, but attendees were still entering the palace when she got there. As Cinderella's driver parked the carriage and began to unhitch the horses, Cinderella saw Katreena, Emmelina, and Sabelina's carriage parked a few meters away from hers. To ensure that she would not have a confrontation with her family, Cinderella stalled as she made her way to the entrance of the palace. She took time to look at all the art and architecture seen in and around the palace. While she did not particularly care about what the art she was looking at, Cinderella was mainly concerned with taking up as much time as she could. She wanted to make sure that her mother and sisters were already in the palace so they would hopefully not notice her as she entered.

Nearly every person attending the ball was someone that Cinderella either knew or recognized from around the kingdom. Most of those people would also know or recognize Cinderella if they saw her. However, the Godmother's magic spell was so powerful that it masked Cinderella's identity altogether. No one would see her as Cinderella, they would see er as one of the most beautiful ladies they had ever seen. Even if Cinderella tried to talk to someone she knew, the person she had approached would look at her as a stranger. Cinderella had conflicting feelings about this bonus effect. She was partly happy to have a fresh start and almost be able to start anew with these people, who would otherwise view her in the way "Katreena had painted her." She was also partly upset that no one recognized her. She began to feel alone since no one recognized her, but she recognized everyone else.

Soon, Cinderella arrived at the entrance to the ballroom. There was a long line of people leading down the hall to the ballroom. As requested by the prince, all parties and attendees would be announced as they entered the ball. When it was her time to enter the ballroom, Cinderella approached the prince's steward who was greeting everyone as they entered the ballroom. As he greeted the guests, he would ask them how they would like to be announced to the entire ballroom.

"Welcome, fair young maiden." The steward greeted. "Would you honor me with the privilege of knowing your name, so that I may announce it to the other attendees."

"My name?" Cinderella said, getting nervous, if she used her real name, her cover would be blown. She had to make up a fake name to go with her fake identity.

"Yes, what is your name, my lady?" The steward repeated.

"Priscilla," Cinderella replied after a pause "my name is Priscilla the Humble." She did not know where the name Priscilla came from, but it was the first name that came to mind. Of course, she thought herself as a humble woman, even though she was the only person who thought so.

The royal steward turned toward the ballroom and stepped up to a megaphone set up a few feet in front of him.

"Announcing, Lady Priscilla the Humble." The steward announced. The ballroom was filled with the sound of thundering applause as Cinderella crossed the threshold into the ballroom.

After being announced, Cinderella was escorted down the stairs to the ballroom floor by one of the servants. Everywhere she looked, Cinderella was astounded by the extravagance of the ballroom. Of course, she did notice the ballgowns and the people who were wearing them, but she believed herself to be the most beautiful at the ball.

Then, the dance began. The prince had arranged for a full orchestra to provide live music for the guests to dance to. So, the orchestra began to play as the attendees took to the dance floor. Cinderella, who did not have a dance partner at first, made her way to the dance floor hoping to find a man she could dance with.

Sure enough, Cinderella found a young man who was looking for a dance partner too. The two of them make their way to the dance floor to join in the dancing. She and her first partner were one of several dozen pairs that were dancing in the ballroom. The dance they were doing made required all the participants to switch partners multiple times during the dance. This is to help the participants meet other people at the ball.