Lady Tremaine: Bitter Heart

Chapter 19

The days turned into a relentless cycle of torment for Ella. Lady Tremaine's cruelty knew no bounds, and she seemed to take perverse pleasure in finding new ways to make Ella's life miserable. Each task became more grueling, each demand more unreasonable.

One fateful morning, as Ella toiled away in the kitchen, a grand announcement echoed through the castle. The king had decreed a royal ball, and every eligible maiden in the kingdom was invited. Lady Tremaine's eyes glittered with anticipation as she overheard the news. This was the perfect opportunity to further her plans.

As the news spread throughout the castle, the stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella were ecstatic. They immediately began planning their attire and dreaming of the handsome prince who might choose one of them as his bride. Ella watched silently, invisible in the background as her stepsisters basked in their mother's favor.

Days turned into weeks as the preparations for the grand event began. Lady Tremaine spared no expense on her daughters, commissioning the finest gowns and jewelry the kingdom had to offer. Meanwhile, Ella was given the task of mending and altering their dresses, ensuring her stepsisters looked resplendent.

The hours of work took their toll on Ella, but she did her best to maintain her composure. She had become skilled at hiding her tears and her pain. She would not give Lady Tremaine the satisfaction of seeing her broken.

One evening, as Ella was sewing by the dim light of a candle, a small, unexpected visitor appeared. It was a little mouse, one of the many creatures Ella had shown kindness to over the years. The mouse carried a tiny piece of ribbon in its mouth, a gift for Ella.

Ella smiled, her heart warming at the simple act of kindness from her furry friend. It was these small moments of solace that kept her spirit alive amidst the darkness of her daily life.

Meanwhile, Lady Tremaine reveled in the chaos of preparing for the ball. Her attention was solely focused on Anastasia and Drizella, and she took every opportunity to flaunt their beauty and accomplishments in front of the castle staff and visiting nobles.

The night of the ball drew near, and the castle was a whirlwind of activity. Carriages arrived, nobles from across the kingdom gathered, and the grand hall was adorned with shimmering decorations. Ella's stepsisters were radiant in their opulent gowns, and Lady Tremaine beamed with pride as they descended the grand staircase.

But Ella remained hidden, as always. She watched from the shadows as the guests marveled at Anastasia and Drizella, their praise and admiration heaped upon them. Ella couldn't help but feel a pang of longing, a desire for a life beyond the confines of the castle walls.

As the clock struck midnight, the revelry was at its peak. Ella continued to work tirelessly, her fingers sore from the never-ending tasks. But little did she know that this night would mark the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one that would change her fate forever.