Dreaming Cinderella

Chapter 2

Later that day Emilia sat alone in her room, looking down at the letter she'd earlier shown her Mother. A letter from the Palace, inviting her to be a part of Prince Ivan's Engagement Ceremony. A ceremony where the Prince would choose among a few selected girls' his bride. And she had been picked among the thousand of other girls within the kingdom!

She'd been so excited. Not because she wanted to marry the Prince, she wasn't foolish enough to think that the Prince would ever want to marry her, but it was the opportunity she'd been looking for. How many people could claim they got to attend a Royal event let alone be a part of one? Not to mention all the balls and teas she'd get to attend to! And the dresses. She'd always wanted to wear a ballgown, but Gallow Moore wasn't exactly a place where the chance to wear a ballgown ever actually arrived.

"Emilia are you in there?" Emilia stuffed the letter under her pillow just as her Mother stepped into her room. Her Mother smiled sadly at her, and Emilia knew she felt bad for their earlier argument, but she wasn't feeling particularly forgiving right now so she just looked away unable to meet her Mother's eyes.

She knew her Mother was disappointed, and felt horrible for how she was acting, but couldn't help it. She just wasn't ready to let go of her own disappointment. After all it was from her Mother that she had gotten her stubbornness.

"The guest are asking about you." Her Mother finally said after a long moment of silence, being the first to break it. Emilia sighed, she didn't know if she could handle hearing all of their exciting stories tonight. Normally she couldn't wait to hear a strangers story, she'd eagerly listen as they spilled their tale to her, but tonight she didn't know if she cared. It would only remind her of what she herself was missing.

"I'm not feeling well, I have a headache." She lied hoping her Mother wouldn't press her. Her Mother stared at her, and she knew there was something she wanted to say, but she just nodded her head.

"Alright, sweetheart, get some rest," Her Mother said instead, a line of worry between her brow.  Emilia said nothing as her Mother quietly left her room, and when the door had shut behind her, Emilia squeezed her eyes closed trying to shake away the guilt that had taken place in her Mother's absence.

Feeling under her pillow Emilia brought back out the letter. She traced her finger over the royal seal a golden crown and sighed. She sunk into her bed falling asleep with the letter clutched to her chest, dreams of balls and dancing visited her that night, leaving her in bliss and happiness.