CinderAmity

Finding Out the Truth

It was now a quarter to one in the morning; Belos had sent Boscha and Bria off with their parents the moment they arrived. Now it was just him and CinderAmity once again, but she hadn't come out of the kitchen since her strange outburst. There was something she was hiding from him, that much was clear. At one o'clock, CinderAmity finally opened the kitchen door. She peeked her head out to see that the manor was quiet and dark; Belos must've gone up to bed. She sighed in relief and carefully went back to the east drawing room to clean up, making sure to stay as quiet as a mouse. She was tired, but she also knew that if she didn't do something about the mess, then Belos would definitely punish her. She wiped up the spilled Apple Blood, took the tray and glass, and washed them up in the kitchen sink. But she still thought about the Princess's proclamation as she worked.

"The Princess is looking for me." She said. She turned off the water and turned to Ghost, who was standing on the counter nearby. "I still can't believe it, Ghost. Princess Luzura is actually looking for me. ME." She ran a hand through her hair and leaned against the sink. "But I can't approach her like this. What would she think?" The feelings she developed for Luz never went away and she was afraid Luz would reject her if she learned the truth about her. "What do I do?"

"Here's an idea." Eda's voice said.

CinderAmity and Ghost turned to see Eda with Owlbert on her shoulder; she was leaning on the open doorway leading outside to where the garbage cans were.

"If you really love her, why don't you let her know?" Eda asked.

"How can I? Look at me." CinderAmity replied, looking down at her tattered clothes.

"Do you really think Luz fell in love with your fancy gown and sparkly bangles?"

"...I don't know anymore." She started to cry. "I mean, if you hadn't helped me the way you did—"

"You didn't need my help. You just thought you did." The Owl Lady put a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "As corny as it sounds, you have to believe in yourself, Amity, and trust Luzura to love you as you really are. Besides, who wouldn't want to have someone as awesome as you for a girlfriend?"

"Really?"

"Yep. Trust me. You deserve better, Bossy Boots. Don't forget that."

CinderAmity smiled as her godmother pulled her in for a hug; it's been a long time since she felt love and affection from a caring adult. They pulled apart and Eda nodded her head. But as she headed towards the door, she said,

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'd better bounce before you-know-who catches me and gets a little you-know-what. Byeeeee."

She winked and quickly shut the door behind her, causing the girl to giggle. After a moment, Ghost nuzzled up against CinderAmity's leg and she scratched her under her chin.

"Eda's right, Ghost. I have to go to Luz and tell her the truth." She said. "I do deserve better. I deserve to be loved."

"Is that so?"

CinderAmity froze and whipped her head around to see Belos standing in the doorway with an angry look on his face; he was in black pajamas and a white silk robe and holding a lit candle in one hand. She was so startled that she didn't even have time to hide her purple hair or notice Ghost running off to hide.

"...It was you." He said coldly. "I should've known. You had everyone fooled, didn't you?"

"What? I-I-I-I don't know what you're talking about." CinderAmity fibbed.

"Don't play games with me, girl. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Disobeying me, dying your hair, somehow finding a suitable disguise, attending the Ball behind my back, and still able to hide right under my nose. Is this the thanks I get for taking you in?"