Cinderella: A Retelling of an Old Classic

The Life-Changing News - Chapter 22

"MOOOOOOOOOOTHER!!!! MOTHER MOTHER MOTHER MOTHER MOTHER MOTHER MOTHER MOTHER MOOOOOOOOOOOTHER!!!!!!! YOU WILL NEVER GUESS WHAT HAS JUST OCCURED!!!!" Screamed Jeanine as she galloped up the staircase.

"NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS MOTHER!" Francesca reiterated in an even more shrill screech.

"Girls, girls what is all of this commotion! Have I not spoken to you several times on modulating your tone? Had a suitor been riding past at this very moment I have no doubt you would scared him away."

Under the stairs listening intently Rebecca nodded, "Scared me for sure and certain."

"But mother," the conversation upstairs resumed with only a slight variation in tonal quality, "we have the most spectacular news!!!" 

At that Jeanine and Francesca exchanging glances let out such a screech of supposed excitement that Rebecca was sure, if she checked, there would be blood trailing from her ears.

"GIRLS!" A thunderous voice resounded through the halls and Rebecca nodded her head. She had heard that before....the sound of her mistress when provoked. The sound was a cross between the sound the dinner gong made in the great hall and what she supposed an elephants mating call would sound like.

"Sorry mother," the girls replied in unison.

"Oh hurry up already! What's this news????" Rebecca said to herself clutching her dust cloth in a vise like grip.

"Now tell me what this fabulous news is and I'll be the judge of how spectacular it truly is."

"The towns all abuzz with the news Mother, the King himself has invited all the maiden in the kingdom that are of noble and common birth to attend three balls."

"What of it Jeanine? We have attended such functions before and they did not spawn such raucousness."

"This time it's different," Francesca insisted. "This time the prince will marry the girl that strikes his fancy at the ball! At the kings command too!!"

Amidst much giggling from the youngest daughter Rebecca heard Jeanine comment sourly that she was to have been the one that told the news. Shaking her head dolefully she listened on intently. 

"Are you certain Francesca?" Regina sounded much more animated now. "If I find you are telling me an untruth I will have you stuck in the attic on bread and water."

Jeanine giggled but Francesca was not amused in the least, "Why do you always question me mother? You never seem so dubious when Jeanie tells you something important hmph. Of course I'm sure."

"Yes well I wasn't the one that told mother that Mrs Timmons had ordered a new set of peacocks when she really only ordered a new set of TEA CUPS!!!"

Amidst the laughter that insued from Jeanine and the protesting that issued forth from Francesca Regina's voice was heard.

"Enough both of you!! I detest this form of bickering! And Francesca what did I tell you about that nickname for your sister? You are not to use it, it is a vulgar thing nick naming people."

"Yes mother."

"As for this ball I must see for myself. Where is the proclamation?" 

Rebecca heard the rustle of skirts and surmised that Regina was readying herself to leave the manor house to see this great thing for herself.

"Its in the village mother, but there is no reason for you to go so far. That's only part of what we came to tell you!"

"Yes mother, only part of what we were going to tell you!" Francesca again reiterated.

"Then tell me immediately!" Regina thundered again.

"No need to shout so," Jeanine complained. "We were only going to say that we received out invitations by courier. We saw him delivering in the lane and were given the letters."

"Let me see that!" Regina said. 

Rebecca heard rustling and listened with bated breath as the invitation from the king was read aloud. 

"You are cordial invited by His and Her Majesty to attend a royal ball. Three days hence all the  fair maidens in your household are commanded to attend said function in royal regale."

Jeanine and Francesca let out a screech again.

"Well goodness me, I'm not at all surprised you two should be invited. It does say the fairest maidens in household and you are certainly my beautiful girls. Come, we have much to discuss.....we have gowns to tailor, jewels to polish and above all, etiquette lessons."

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...." came a collective moan.

"None of that you two. I will not have you embarrassing me at a royal function! Now come with me"

After that Rebecca heard nothing else because she hurried down the stairs into the kitchen where Adela was placidly peeling potatoes.

"None of that young mistress I have such news!!! You are going to a ball!!!"