Glass slipper

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The unexpected visitor

THREE MONTHS LATER        

        Today was like any other day gotta up, got ready, go work, then go sleep and restart, that's how it is. But today is a little different, today is the day I turn 18. I was hoping they will not have extra work to do today, so that I would have a little time to myself so that I could enjoy my 18th birthday. I was wrong, I was given extra chores, because Prudence and Nevaeh believed that there be a ball held for the Prince, in his honor because he become of age.

        They both go on and on, how they will be chosen to be his bride. I was starting to wonder if the mirror has cracked again, I mean have they seen them self's lately. Its not the prettiest sight in the world, but not my job to judge. My only hope is that be invited to the ball, to be actually be counted as a person, you know I'm just not be that slave girl. I mean catching a glimpse of the prince it be amazing, but every girl in the kingdom will be mobbing him. And every girl is hoping to be his bride, except me.

        I woke up early so I can get breakfast ready for my step mother, Lady Dushlun and my step sisters, Prudence and Nevaeh. I was looking out my window, when I notice a large commotion outside the castle gates, something must be going on, a big party maybe. Maybe step sisters are right maybe a ball is going to happen soon whatever it is I don't wanna be taking part of it, that was not the future I want.

        After getting ready, I rushed down the stairs without making a sound, they don't like being disturbed. When I get into the kitchen, I give the old beagle, mossy some extra scraps as I work. Soon the smell of tea, biscuits, eggs, and bacon fill the air. Slipping on some old oversized brown leather shoes, l went outside to feed the animals.

        Outside are the chickens, Mary, Meg, and Molly. They are always the first one to eat because then the most impatient. You feed the pigs some extra scraps from breakfast and they're perfectly happy with that. Last of all, you have the old milk cow Abigail. Then I go see Rebel, he was my father's prized horse. He acts as if he knew him better than I ever did, he's the closest thing I have to my father and if anything happened to him, I would be crushed.

        Well enjoying the summer breeze, I could faintly hear the words, Ella, Ella, Ella. As quickly as I could I realized in the kitchen, were the the bells for my stepsisters ringing, picking up the trays which had the breakfast on them, I make my way up to my stepsisters rooms. There rooms were beautiful, they had beds made from the finest silk. Their walls are covered in the prettiest paint, they have more dresses that I could ever imagine. They have everything they wanted and I had nothing. I fell as if I was going to cry, in the back of my mind I hear my father saying "stay strong."

        Sitting in the room I did my best not to make a creek, I didn't want them to wake them up. They claim they need their beauty rest, I just believe that a cranky in the morning. I was about to slip out of the room without making a sound, but then I saw the cat. This is no ordinary barnyard cat, this is the cat replaced me. My step mother loves this cat more than she will ever love me. He's just like them, ignorant, self centered, unmannered, and rude. His favorite thing is himself.

        What does he want, he already made my life more miserable, what else could we possibly do, he's a cat. But he found a way to make my day worse. He noticed that I was doing my best to be quite, he slowly scratch the edge of the door frame. It made a loud screeching noise, just like nails on a chalk board, waking up both of my step sisters. I don't know what I did to deserve what happen next, they screamed, a bloody murder scream, waking up Lady Dushlun.

        What it's going on stepmother screeched, as she stood in the door frame. Lucifer the cat lay down on the floor moaning like I physically attacked him, she was frightened and furious. Her babies were harmed by me. The only thing going through my mind was worst 18th birthday ever. I bet didn't even remember it was my birthday I didn't expect them to. Stepmother started screeching louder, my babies, my babies, what has this thing done!

        I was like slave is bad but I'm still a person I'm not an object, I can't be bought, guess she doesn't realize, I guess she doesn't care. I try my best to explain, I made breakfast early and I have coming in at by their beds and that Lucifer scratch the door frame trying to sharpen his claws. She was believing it until I said Lucifer was sharpening his claws. Apparently he's too high up and a mannered cat to do that. I couldn't hold back the tears, this is not what my dad wanted.

        Running up 12 flights of stairs to get to the hole in the wall, also known as my room. I couldn't help thinking there's no way this could ever get better, I was born to be a slave and I will die a slave. I cried for hours, I kept trying to stop them from coming, I couldn't. Soon it was dark, it must have been late at night. I was just about to drift off to sleep when I heard a knock at the door. Wondering who it was, I went down the 12 flight of stairs and open the door. There was a short man, 4 foot 5 at most . He have long white hair, that circle around his face. He had long black shoes , some puffy indigo pantaloons and a pot belly poking out from his too small, dark purple shirt. He had a small, black leather bag hanging about to knee on the left side of him.

        He looked at me and said, "I am the King's Royal messenger, I was looking for the owner of this house."

"I am the owner."

"Oh well then this is an invitation to the prince's ball held tomorrow night. Everything you need to know is in the letter, thank you for a time mam. Now I must bid you adieu."

        Looking down at the small roll of aged parchment paper in my hands, I realize I was invited to a ball. Going back to my room, I decided it would be best to give it to step mother first. But my curiosity got the best of me, slowly, I slip the ribbon of the paper and place it on my bed. Slowly unrolling it, I can see the beautiful handwriting of what must be the King's Royal scribe. The letter says,

        A ball will be held in prince Williams honor. All maidens must attend, it will be held on the 25th. Please come in appropriate attire for the ball. One of the lucky maidens will be come his bride.

The king.

        I was kind of surprised that the king of that he wanted his son to marry, for tomorrow is his son's 19th birthday. I realized that Lady Dushlun would be quite happy to hear that one of her daughters could be queen. I started thinking this would be stupid, there's no point in going, I wouldn't be chosen , I'm worthless. But for some reason I have this feeling have to go there's a reason that this letter was given to me. I will go.