Cinderella's Tale

Chapter Seven

The next two days pass quickly, and before I know it, I’m getting dressed in that beautiful dress again. I put the mask on, and then the silver heels. Suzan puts some raspberry juice on my lips, giving them a shine. She smiles as she sees me, and I can’t help but to smile back.

Tonight is the ball, and hopefully, I can talk to Matthew and explain myself.

“Go on, have fun tonight,” Suzan says. I grin at her, and hug her tightly.

“Thank you,” I whisper. She smiles.

“Go, you’re wasting time,” Suzan gives me a slight push out the door. I call the wind around me, and have it take me to the outskirts of the palace, which takes way less than half a day. Wind travel is definitely fast.

The ball is in full swing in the Palace, and I follow the crowd, getting towards a enormous ballroom. I look around at the golden room, where everyone is and there still seems to be room to spare. Food and drink has been set up, and a band plays music. I can tell people are excited. The royal family has yet to arrive, but I do see a sight I wish I could have avoided. Cassandra and Alexandra are standing next to Helena. Helena wears a deep green dress, and her mask is a silver half mask. Cassandra and Alexandra are wearing the same style dresses. Lacey tops that thrust their breasts up and in, and flowing bottoms that part to leave one leg bare. Cassandra’s was orange,  while Alexandra’s was dark blue.

I look away, hoping they don’t notice me. I continue through the room, twirling my bracelet around my wrist.

A horn blows, and everyone turns to the sound. The main doors are opening to reveal a man wearing the royal crest on his chest.

“Presenting King Tristan, Queen Delina, and Prince Matthew,” he announces, and steps aside to reveal the royal family. Everyone parts to allow an aisle,  and they walk through it to the head of the room, where they sit on thrones.  We all bow, and the King stands up.

“Today, we are here to celebrate my son’s eighteenth birthday. Congratulations, Prince Matthew,” he announces. We all bow to Matthew, and I see him looking around the room. His gaze falls on me, and I don’t know if he recognizes me, but he smiles at my direction, and the girls around me swoon, thinking it’s meant for them.

Everyone goes back to normal, but Matthew walks down to mingle or something, and girls all converge on him, wishing him a happy birthday. I don’t know why, but I feel jealous when Cassandra walks up to him. I run towards the crowd, just in time to see her stroke Matthew’s bicep in a seductive way.

The band plays a slow song, and Cassandra seems to light up.

“Would you like to dance, Prince Matthew?” Cassandra asks. Matthew, wanting to please her like he told me he tries to please everybody, says yes. The two go to the dance floor, and Cassandra makes sure she presses her body to him anyway she can. I can’t hear what they are saying, but they are talking.

I walk closer to them, trying to hear what they are talking about.

“Do you know a girl named Briana?” I hear Matthew asks. My eyes widen as I realize he’s asking her about me. Cassandra jumps, and then her eyes sparkle evilly. I know I won’t like whatever she’s about to say.

“She’s our servant,” Cassandra answers truthfully. I wonder what’s going to happen now.

“Do you think I could speak to her?” Matthew seems hopeful. Obviously, he doesn’t know my step-sisters.

“She’s dead,” Cassandra says, faking sadness. I watch Matthew as he seems to fall.

“I saw her three days ago though,” he tells her. Cassandra smiles, again, faking sadness.

“We found her, dead, in her bedroom,” Cassandra lies. Matthew nods, and turns towards me. The dance ends, and Matthew lets go of Cassandra so fast. She smiles at him, and then turns to run toward Alexandra and Helena. No doubt to tell them what Matthew was asking.

He looks over at me, and smiles. I watch him walk towards me, and I know that the people around are watching him as well, especially the girls.

“Hello,” Matthew says when he stands in front of me. I smile.

“Hi,” I tell him, wondering if he knows it’s me behind this mask. I hope he does.

“Would you like to dance?” Matthew asks. I nod, I can talk to him after the dance. He leads me onto the dance floor, where another slow song starts. I smile when he puts his hand on my waist, and we dance together. I can’t help but look up at him with love.

“You look awfully familiar, have we met?” Matthew asks. I smile again and nod. I can tell he’s searching in his mind for my name, but he thinks I’m dead. I’m about to open my mouth to tell him it’s Briana, but the ballroom doors crash open, and screams erupt, along with gunshots. I turn to see the same men who attacked us, but a lot bigger group, walk into the room.

A man walks up, and he’s obviously the leader. He holds himself perfectly calm, and in his hands is a gun for each hand.  

“This is a raid. You can panic now.”