Cinderella and The Shape Shifting Mice

Chapter Twenty One

The Prince

I woke up before the sunrise and watched the first car pull into the driveway, and every car after that. Sam had left me a pot of tea and some pastries, almost as if he knew I would be up and watching the festivities.
I heard some noises in the hallway but for the most part it was all silent and I was too terrified to go out there. I know it's amusing, the Prince too afraid to say hello to a couple girls. It was the Dukes ides to put us all on the same floor, and I was shocked when Sam had agreed. I'd seen the layout of rooms and was generally uninterested when Sam pointed to the room across from mine with one name in it: Ella.

I was just pacing my room and tugging at the hem of my untucked button down when my door opened.
"Why I need a dress for lunch..." I turned around and gave a short laugh.
"Ella?" I asked, bewildered.
The blonde figure with the small suitcase looked up in horror. "Holy shit! Oh fuck, oh god, oh I'm so sorry Geo- Prince- oh shit..." Ella turned quickly from the room and I grabbed her arm, laughing.
"Calm down, Ella, please," I said calmly and she stopped shaking.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, avoiding my eye contact.
"Don't be. Do you know where your room is?" I asked, taking her bag.
"Apparently on my other right..." she mumbled and started to exit. We crossed the hall and I opened her door. Light from the rising sun was filling the room, making everything a brilliant gold. This was one of my favorite guest rooms with its views of the garden and how it managed to get the sky at both sunrise and sunset from the balcony. It was a highly coveted room since it was right across from mine and had the best views.

I set her bag down in front of the bed and she placed her small satchel on the bedside table. I watched her fidget with the edges of her jacket and I realized I had never seen her look so nervous.
"Thank you," she blurted, "for bringing my bag in here and not freaking out when I walked in your room." She looked up at me briefly and then back down at her hands.
"It's not a problem," I smiled but she didn't notice it. "Ella?"
She glanced at me and then back down at her hands. Was she sweating?
"Are you alright?" I asked softly, taking a step towards her. I know we hadn't known each other for the longest time, but seeing her upset was bothering me for some reason. "Is the roll okay? Can I get you anything to make you more comfortable?"

She smiled and shook her head, walking closer to me. "I'm fine, just tired. Thank you though. I'll see you lunch then?"
I nodded and then did something a little dumb: I hugged her. She gave a muffled squeak of surprise but hugged me back before stepping away quickly. I stepped backwards into the hallway, my cheeks growing hot from the encounter. She smelled like roses. "I'll save you a seat."
She smiled and gave a nod, not saying a word as she shut the door firmly and I stood there, starring at the door for a few seconds and debating on knocking again when someone cleared their throat behind me.
"Sir, I think you should go back into your room," Sam whispered.

I turned and stepped through my doorway, followed by Sam who closed the door softly. "Something is wrong with her," I muttered, resuming my pacing.

"Mmmm. Could be," was all Sam said in return.

"I want her across from me at lunch. I want to watch her, make sure she's okay. Something is off and I need to know what," I told Sam who scribbled what I said down in a notebook.

"Sir if I may be so frank, why is everyone else here if you're so concerned with Ella?"

I stopped my pacing and looked at Sam who stood still and refined by the door of my room. "What?" I shook my head. "I mean besides the economic impact this is going to have and the general good publicity for us and the kingdom, what are you talking about?"

"I mean, you seem rather infatuated with her. It was just a question, nothing to think too hard on. You have much more on your mind then this. Speaking of," he looked down at his notebook, "your father has requested to see you for breakfast in his room along with the Duke and your brother."

I groaned and sat down on the bed. "Why can't I fire that guy?" I hissed and Sam chuckled.

"Keep your voice low sir, and try to get some sleep. I'll come back in three hours," Sam said as he left the room.

Kicking off my shoes, I laid down in bed and sighed, rubbing my face. This was going to be a long couple of weeks....

The Mice

I poked my nose out carefully, and then my eyes. Ella was laying in bed, curled into a ball, sleeping. I crawled out and Mary and Gus-Gus followed suit. We scampered across the floor towards the curtains and the couch in the corner. After we had heard what the Lady Tremaine had planned for Ella, we knew we couldn't leave Ella alone to fend for herself in the palace. Now, for the first time in a long time, our services were required and it was time to reveal ourselves.
"Jack are you sure this is a good idea?" Marcie asked me for the thousandth time.
"Marcie I can't let Ella do this on her own. We've cared for this family for too long, I'm sorry," I whispered back. "If you want to leave there is nothing stopping you."
She sighed and shook her head and Gus yawned. "Do we have time to take a nap?"
I smiled. "Yes, you might need all your energy for later. I have a feeling we're going to need it..."