Cinderella and The Shape Shifting Mice

Chapter Ten

Ella

I cried freely, tearing little leaves off the bushes around me. I heard a snap of a twig behind me and turned around to see a man standing there in a suit.

"Uh, who are you?" I stood up wearily, looking for any kind of weapon I might be able to use.

"I'm very sorry to barge in like this dearie, but I'm here to help get you to the ball." He said, spreading his hands in front of him.

I gave him a skeptical look. "And how are you going to do that? It's alredy started, I have no way of getting there, and nothing to wear." I crossed my arms. "How'd you even get on the property?"

He waved his hand. "All in good time dearie. Now, I have a ride waiting for you out front, we just need to get you all fixed up, nice and quickly." He clapped his hands and suddeny a small team of people came running out from the shadws armed with fabric and make up kits and boxes of shoes.

I took a step back, a little overwhelmed. "Um.. Okay?"  I rubbed my eyes and cheeks, still wet from the tears.

"This will only take a second dearie, just don't move took much."

His team rushed forward and a few woman surrounded me, ripping off the rest of the pink fabric and slipping me into another material. It was incredibly shiny and a beaitiful light blue color. They took my hair and put it up in a bun, and put some make-up on my face, cleaning off the mascara that had run down my cheeks. After the make-up, one of the girls who was wearing a white dress and a pink apron held out a pair of gloves that went up past my elbows.

After they were done the strange man walked up to me holding a wooden box. "And now for the shoes." He opened the box and I gasped. The shoes were incredible. They seemed to be made of glass, some kind of material I hadn't even known existed. He held my hand and I slipped my other shoes off and slipped my feet delicately into the new pair. They fit like a glove and were surprisingly comfortable.

"Sir... I don't know how I could ever thank you!" I said, taking a small spin in my new gown and shoes.

"Go have fun. But wait!" He handed me a veil and I fastened it to my bun. "This all comes with a price. You must be back by midnight because that is when your family will be home, and this veil will prevent the Prince from truely learning your identity."

I looked down at the veil in my hand. "And if I take it off?"

"You will face terrible conseqeuences from your step-mother upon your arrival at home, and I cannot guarentee you will ever see the Prince again."

I nodded and turned to leave but I turned back around, "Thank you so much. I hope I can see you again."

He smiled. "You will, I'm sure of it."

I made my way to the front of the house and gasped. A Lamborgini the color of a pumpkin sat waiting for me, the engine softly purring. The driver was wearing a very nice suit, leaning against the side of the car waiting for me.

He opened the door, "My lady." I climbed in and he closed the door after me, climbing into the drivers seat.

"Don't worry, we'll have you there in plenty of time." He put the car in drive and we raced down the streets. With every passing mile I felt my worries flying away.

The Prince

I smiled and greeted people at the door, taking in all the young woman and their escorts. I paid a small amount of attention to see if any of them resembled Ella, but none seemed to fit the bill.

After what I presumed the last guest had arrived, a pettie girl in a purple gown I turned to go inisde.

"But leave the doors open in case any stragglers show up." I ordered the guards standing at the door. They nodded and I walked down the hallway towards the dining hall.