The Step-Sister

The End

     Cinderella, Ella, and all of the other maidens in the estate were ready and gathered in the dining room. Ella tried on the shoe first, but it was too small, so the Prince sent her to the gardens. She found Harold outside sitting on a bench looking a bit jittery. Harold grinned at Ella and pulled her close and whispered the good news in her ear. Ella looked at Harold in shock before saying, "But why did the Prince not offer to give you the estate?"

     "In case you said no to a very important question." He responded, as he got down on his knees, and pulled out a ring. "Ella, will you marry me?"

     Ella tackled Harold to the ground in a hug and kissed him passionately on his lips. When the couple finally pulled apart Harold laughed, "I'm going to assume that's a yes."

     Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, Cinderella was the next to try on the glass shoe. Unfortunately for Cinderella, a whole night of dancing in glass shoes had left her feet swollen, and too large to fit into the slipper. The prince had been one moment from telling Cinderella, "It doesn't matter if the slipper fits, I'd know the love of my life anywhere..." but he stopped himself just in time to see Cinderella throw a tantrum that would befit a four-year old. 

     Cinderella threw the glass shoe against the wall, shattering it into a million pieces. The next moment she was on the floor, kicking and screaming. It took four knights to subdue her, and arrest her for attempting to harm the crown prince. 

    By this time, His Highness was realizing the folly of claiming "love at first sight." 

     "Miss Cinderella, you are most certainly not the lady I danced with last night, and never could be. For your disgraceful attitude you are hereby stripped of all status. Your estate and title shall be bequeathed upon Miss Ella." Then, turning to the rest of the assembled people he declared, "I will still search for the love of my life, even without the shoe. I have no doubt that one day I will find her, or she will come to me. From henceforth, the full search has been cancelled."

The prince did eventually find true love and ruled fairly for his entire reign.

Cinderella rotted in jail with only mice for company.

And Ella and Harold lived Happily Ever After, content to have each other and their two children, Alexander and Eliza. 

THE END