A Cinderella Story

Chapter 1

9 Years Later

Lucy groggily opened her eyes to loud chirping. She sat up and stretched her arms in the air, several bones cracking as she stifled a yawn with one petite hand. It was a fine morning, streaks of sunlight beamed through the open window, the thin light blue cotton curtain fluttering gently in the warm breeze. The birds were chattering loudly to each other, perched on the branches of the thick oak trees that spread their glorious branches, clustered with dark green leaves, right outside her window. Lucy wearily rubbed her sleepy eyes as her gaze swept the stone cellar that had been her home for the past 9 years.

A large pile of black ash lay in the old grey stone fireplace beside her, the remains of last night's fire. The brown stone walls were barren, the cold room empty, save her, the bundle of ragged blankets that didn't come close to a bed, and the old dusty oak dresser. Lucy got up on her feet, her blankets tumbling off her thin body with a soft rustle, and padded softly towards the old dresser. She was wearing a servant's dress, which was light grey in colour, ended just below her knees. The hemline of the skirt was torn and ragged, as well as the three quarter length sleeves and the rounded neckline. Her feet were bare, and coated black with soot and dirt. She stood in front of the old wooden dresser and stared at her reflection in the cracked mirror. Her parents were right. 19 year old Lucy was defiantly a beauty.

Her long blonde hair reached to just past her shouders, and glittered like gold in the morning sun. Her big chocolate brown eyes were full of warmth and kindness, her lips were full and rosy, her teeth were as white and simmered like pearls, she had high cheekbones, her smooth creamy skin was flawless, and she had a slim hourglass shape, perfect arms and legs and an ample bosom, probably much more ample than most girls her age. Despite her obvious beauty, few managed to see it. Her beautiful blonde hair was streaked with soot and ash, her face was smudged black, and her chest was covered up by her ragged dress. Most people took one look at her dirty face, hair, clothes and the rags she was dressed in, labelled her servant girl and didn't look at her again. She was invisible to them. She was used to it by now.

Yet, anyone who had met her and talked to her would tell you the exact same thing. She was the most beautiful, kind, generous and lovely girl you'll ever meet. They would all say how she would give all of her food to a mouse if she was starving, her beauty and grace almost radiated from her when she walked and her smile could make a rainy day beam with sunshine. If you told her that though she would laugh – that laugh that sounded like tinkling bells – wave her hand absentmindedly and deny it. Because that was Lucy for you.

She raked her fingers through her tangled curls, quickly tied it up in a side ponytail with a grey ribbon, and slipped on a white kerchief. She gave her face a quick splash with cold water from a china basin and dragged open the first drawer with a loud creaking. It was full of other dresses, kerchiefs and aprons. The other two were empty. Lucy plucked an apron out and tied it swiftly with lithe practised fingers. She looked at the picture sitting beside the mirror. It was of her and her mother and father, when she was six and they went to the Christmas market. She was bundled up in a pink fur coat and matching pink mittens, scarf and woolly hat. Her cheeks were flushed red from the cold, but she had a huge grin on her face, her brown eyes shining. Her mom and dad were crouched down on either side, both smiling.

Lucy smiled fondly at the photo. That was one of the happiest days of her life. She spun around and quickly lit the fire, then started on breakfast.

•••

Lucy walked up the flight of stone stairs balancing three plates of food on her arms. As she reached the dining room door, she knocked as best she could without spilling everything all over the floor. Even after 9 years it was still tricky. "Enter!" a shrill voice hollered from the other side. Lucy pushed the door open and stepped inside. The dining room was one of the more decorative of the rooms in the mansion. The walls were wallpapered white, patterned with golden roses and other flowers. The gleaming wooden floorboards were polished until you could see your reflection in them – curtesy of her of course – Expertly carved oak sideboards lined the boundary of the room. An even more expertly carved long oak table was centred in the room. A white tablecloth was draped over the top, and shining silver forks and knives were already in place for breakfast. A fire roared in the large stone fireplace on the other side of the room.