Cinderella: There's No Happy Ending

Day of the Ball

The day of the ball arrived and Alice was almost moved to tears as she stared at the dresses she had altered. They were gaudy yes, but that was no fault of hers. However, the stitches and hems were now completely Alice's work and it made her proud to know someone would be wearing something she had helped create. Ella, not wishing to spend more time than necessary with her stepmother, asked Alice if she wouldn't mind helping the Lady Tremaine get ready for the ball.

So it was that Alice found herself brushing the Lady's hair and pinning it in an elegant style to match the feel of the dress. The corset went on next and as Alice tightened it gently, Lady Tremaine cleared her throat gently. "Alice, I would like for you to know how much I appreciate your work. My dress for this evening would not look nearly as elegant or refined without your alterations. I shall tell anyone that asks that the additions are works of yours." When the young woman nodded and looked to the floor without saying anything, Lady Tremaine inquired about her current mood.

"Begging your pardon Madam, I just would have liked to be able to attend the ball. You see, when I was out running the horses a few weeks ago I stumbled upon the King's hunting party. I had the pleasure of meeting the Captain of the Guard and I would have liked to have been able to see him again. The royal gardens are also the only place in the kingdom that has night blooming lilies and they are sure to be out in full force with the moon hanging as it is. Some of the flowers they have are also exclusive to the palace and I would have liked to collect some to plant in our garden here, to improve social standing."

Lady Tremaine pulled Alice's chin up to look her in the eyes. She stared for a moment before releasing the girl and looking back to the mirror. Alice continued tightening the corset and had just finished tying it when the Lady spoke again.

"Perhaps if you had a better dress than that of a servant girl, I would allow you to be seen with my daughters." Alice looked at the woman with wonder before nodding and retrieving the woman's dress from where it had been hung. Once that was done, Alice left the room to see if Ella needed any help getting the girls ready.

A few hours later, Anastasia and Drisella were standing by the window in the parlor as they waited for their mother. When the woman came out, she immediately began praising how beautiful her daughters looked and how they may just snag the prince. Ella came down the stairs slowly with Alice trailing behind her, though Alice was still wearing her work dress. She didn't want to put the dress on only to be disappointed when she wasn't allowed to go and have to face the embarrassment of having to take it back off.

Biting her lip to keep her mouth shut, Alice listened as Lady Tremaine criticized Ella's mother's dress. Ella had insisted on running it up herself and Alice would never tell her but it wasn't at all fit for a royal ball. It took nearly all of Alice's self-control to keep herself on the stairs when the woman began tearing at the dress and Drisella helped her. Ella's stitches weren't tight enough to endure the abuse and immediately released their holds on the shoulder and bodice lace. With tears in her eyes, Ella asked how Lady Tremaine could do such a thing. The Lady's answer was sharp and cutting.

"How could I otherwise? I will not have anyone associate my daughters with you. It would ruin their prospects to be seen arriving with a ragged servant girl. Because that is what you are, and that is what you will always be. Now mark my words, you shall not go to the ball!" Ella, pushing back her sadness as she always did to think of others, grabbed her stepmother's arm as the woman turned away.

"What if they weren't seen arriving with a ragged servant girl? Alice made herself a beautiful ball gown in case she was allowed to go but she didn't want to wear it without your permission first. It's a gown fit for a princess and Alice is beautiful enough to pull it off. It would increase your social standing to be seen with her. When people find out she is your servant girl, they will tell tales of your generosity. They will say how you are wealthy and kind enough to dress a mere servant in fine clothing." Lady Tremaine hesitated, looking Alice up and down as Ella talked. Alice, knowing that she should go if Ella couldn't, nodded quickly and took over the negotiations.

"I wouldn't even have to join you in the ballroom. People seeing me with you would be enough. I'm very well known throughout town as a hard working servant and that would increase the talk. I would leave your side as soon as we are inside the palace. Then I plan on making my way to the royal gardens and collecting as many bulbs and seeds as I could carry in a bag. I would join you after and begin telling others praises of your generosity." Hope flared in Alice's chest, bright and warm, as the Lady Tremaine turned and looked at her daughters.

"Fine, you may come with us. However, you may only join us if I approve of the dress you have made. My daughters will have to approve of it as well. You will go nowhere near the Prince, nor will you do anything to bring shame to our family." Alice nodded gratefully and pulled Ella's hand as they ran back up the stairs together. Shouting back down that it would only take her ten minutes to get ready; Alice practically flew up the stairs with joy.