Moon Lamp - Emma H

Chapter 1 - The Invitation

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The rooster chirped loudly, the sound ringing in my ears. My eyes fluttered open, as I sat up in my springy bed. 6:00, as usual. I glared at the dress hanging on my dresser. It was brown with holes from tearing it several times, the sleeves were puffed and the length was just below my knees. The same clothing over and over again. I groaned flopping to the other side of my bed. My mother had disappeared when I was a baby, leaving my father to take care of me. The only thing I have left of her is a golden locket with her name engraved. My father was a busy man, he had a good job and provided me with more than I could want. When I turned 7, he had found a woman, Lady Marielle. She's poised, has her hair in a tight grey bun and wears elegant dresses. You might get the wrong opinion when you first meet her; dense, elegant, caring. She's the opposite, she's ignorant and cold. She doesn't care, and she doesn't regret things or bluffer. I slipped on my dress and black flats, my honey colored fringe brushed against my face. I put a black headband to stop it from getting in my eyes. I headed to the kitchen. We were having guests today as usual. Lady Marielle has wealthy people from all over France come visit. They're usually rich snobs just like her. I wiped down the marble counters with a wet cloth. I heard banging upstairs and froze. I sighed. My stepsisters were about to come downstairs any minute now. The two divas. Emily and Eliza. They both wore poufy dresses and had their hair up. They wore makeup to about any occasion and had a collection of heels. A faint clutter of footsteps came from the spiral staircase.

"So yeah, then she said my dress was horrid, so I just hit her with my shoe." Eliza muttered coming down the stairs with Emily.

"Isn't that like, so rude?" She finished rolling her eyes. Her glanced focused on me. She waved her hand.

"Get me and Emily some ginger tea, Mirasmella" she muttered annoyingly. Emily hit her.

"I like blueberry, and you know that!" She said staring at her, disgracefully

"Oh whatever, just get us a fruit blend," Eliza buffered sitting down on the cushioned divan. I rolled my eyes and reached for the cabinet. It was lined with glasses with pretty designs and plates collected from all over the country. As I got the metal kettle, I heard Lady Marielle coming downstairs.

"Good morning my little buttercups!" She said, her arms wide open. The girls trotted over to her and gave her a grave hug.

"Coffee, Mirabelle," She muttered, making her way to the sofa.

"And make it quick, I have to get to town soon."

I poured her hot English breakfast coffee into a tea cup and set it on the tray with the two teas. 

"So mother," Emily excitedly giggled

"I heard the prince is hosting a ball!" I froze, accidently hitting over the bowl of pears. They scattered all over the tiled kitchen floor. Lady Marielle's glance fixed to me. Her icy blue eyes glued to mine.

"Yea, yea, ill clean it up." I muttered collecting them in my arms. I heard the whispers of Emily and Eliza which I predicted were along the lines of "she's so ungraceful". I set the bowl back on the kitchen island. 

"Oh darling, that's amazing!" Lady Marielle said taking a sip of her coffee. She made a strange face.

"Wrong coffee, Mirabelle!" She said frowning at me. I rolled my eyes and took the ceramic cup. 

"And i want the other cup. The hand painted red one." I clenched my fist.

"Oh, of course, Madame." I said sweetly. I groaned quietly in the kitchen. Goodness, this woman's so picky. I opened the cabinet to catch a glimpse of a mouse. I started back. A mouse? I thought. Strange. I closed my eyes and shook my head. I tumbled back landing on the hard kitchen floor. Ouch. Lady Marielle walked over. She stood in front of me, hands on her hips.

"What on earth are you doing, child?" She said quickly

"Get yourself together and go back to your job."

I stood up and rolled my eyes. Emily and Eliza snickered at me. I shot them a quick dirty look when Lady Marielle wasn't looking. The frowned at me.

"Tell me more about this ball, girls." Lady Marielle muttered looking outside.

"Well Mother, the invitations should've been sent out today and-" Emily stopped midway when a startling knock came from the front door. Emily and Eliza squealed. I set down the plate I was washing and went to get the door. A tall man stood in the doorway, wearing the castles guard uniform.

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