The Forgotten Tale of a former lady named Ella

~Chapter 17: The Fairy Godparents work their magic~

I throw my head back on the floor and shut my eyes. "Sophie," I whispered, "you have no idea how much I yearn to go to that ball. But the risk is too great. If I leave and she discovers I am gone, I will never see Letty again. I-I can't lose her as I have her father."

Sophie stares at me in disbelief. "Are you truly willing to live the rest of your life like this? Forever stuck without the freedom to live your own life? If you stay Ella, she wins. You cannot possibly sit here and keep wondering what if for the rest of your days. Sometimes a little risk can provide a reward beyond your wildest dreams."

"Or it could destroy what little I have left."

"You have more than you believe Ella." Sophie sneaks a glance towards Juliette. She whispers, "No matter what happens, she will always find a way back to you. That child's whole world revolves around you, I doubt she would want to see you give up on a second chance of happiness."

Sophie's words send a shock through my body. My mother, father and Julius never got the chance to live a full life. They would not want me to waste mine. If I did, Juliette would have to bear witness for the remainder of hers.

I cannot, I will not let that happen.

I give the girls a sly grin. "Please tell me I will not attend the ball dressed like a beggar woman."

Juliette jumps up and down and claps her hands in excitement. "Oh Ella, you have no idea what we have in store for you."

~~~

I had to admit that it was a brilliant idea Juliette and Sophie had for me to prepare myself in her boutique rather than the manor. I shudder to think what might have been if Lady Tremaine heard the commotion or worse saw me leaving dressed as a high societal lady.

In a matter of minutes my hair is transformed into a series of blonde intricate braids and ringlets that cascade over my back and shoulder. Never before have my lashes been curled, lips painted and cheeks rouged. I half expected to see a clown in the looking glass with the strange and heavy concoctions I felt on my face but I hardly recognized the delicate fairy staring back at me.

Letty's words not mine.

Sophie is never one to forgo a chance at dramatics so when it came time to present my gown she designed she did so with a white sheet covering her best mannequin. With a flourish of her hand she rips off the sheet to show off her latest creation.

My eyes well with tears before the sheet touches the floor. It is by far the most beautiful ball gowns she has ever made. I cannot help but notice why that is so.

"Sophie," I whisper, "the bodice, is that...?"

"Your mother's wedding dress. I asked Juliette to fetch me what she could find but I am afraid the bodice was the only part of the dress not destroyed by the fire shortly after her death. I did my best to sew the original lace from the skirts but not much was salvageable. I did take creative liberty with the beading and cupped sleeves."

I gingerly spread my fingers over the delicate crystals covering the fabric. It is not the same as I remember but somehow Sophie brought it back to life and fit it to my own personality.

"You added my father's military belt as well."

"I figured you would want that to remain the same but no matter what I did it still looked terribly masculine. The tiny embroideries around the fabric part can easily be removed if you wish to do so later on."

"And the skirts! How on earth did you ever-"

"Make it seem as if the first color blends into the next? That my dear is a secret I shall take to my grave."