Title: True to Yourself
Author- Starr Ryder
Genre: AU/Romance
Rating- PG-PG-13
**This chapter is G.**
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Sailor Moon and
it's characters but some of my these characters
and the storyline I do own, so don't steal them!
The sun wasn't yet up when I awoke. I wanted to have time to visit Moonlight in the stables and feed Luna, my new adopted cat. I quickly slipped out of my night-gown and into one of my old tattered dresses. I ran a comb through my long golden hair and braided it before quietly exiting my room. I strolled quietly through the halls, trying not to wake up my step-mother and sisters. I knew it didn't matter, they're all sound sleepers. I don't even think a hurricane can wake them. I stopped off at the kitchen where I found cook making breakfast. She handed me a blue-berry muffin, my favorite, and an apple for Moonlight, before I went through the back door and into the stables. Trying not to wake any of the stable-help, I walked slowly to Moonlight's stable and patted her gently on the nose. I looked around in my pockets of the tattered dress for the apple but couldn't seem to find it.
"Looking for this?" said a familar voice behind me. I turned around swiftly.
"BETH?!" I threw my hands over my friend and hugged her tightly. "Awww... Beth I missed you so much!" I said wiping the tears from my eyes. I looked up to the brown-haired girl, it was longer and straighter then I remembered. She was 29 compared to my 22 but, age didn't seem to matter. She was the only one out of my step-family that I didn't despise. She was my step-mother's niece and in reference,
my step-cousin.
"Awww... Serena, I'm sorry for leaving you here, but I'd rather keep away from my aunt and cousins." She pulled away and took a look at me. "Wow, what a women you turned into. How long has it been? 2 or 3 years?" I could neither nod nor shake her head she was so happy to see her. Things at Springstone Manor, were always brighter when Beth was there. Her step-mother, Susan wasn't half as commanding as she usually was, either was Beryl, one of her step-sisters, and while Mina's commands did come sometimes they reduced to nothing when Beth was here. I hate my step-family. They treat me like dirt. My mother died when I was very young and I barely even remembered her. My father was a wonderful kind man, always happy to help others. Somehow he had fallen in love with that awful wrench Susan. It wasn't long before they were married and I had myself a new family. Soon after they were married, Father left on an expedition for the King. He was killed in a sudden
battle. When the news came to the house, I expected Susan to be
heart-broken... I was wrong. It didn't take very long for her to turn into her evil self and bring my status down to servant. "How are they treating you?" Beth said after a pause, a look of remorse in her eyes.
"Better." I said with a forced smile. "Susan lets other servants help with my chores now. Oh and Mina barely says any commands, but then again she really never did. Beryl makes up for that though, she commands me more then I can bare, more then I can count on hands and toes." Beth laughed at this remark.
"My, I must teach you better math, Sweets." Then she walked over to Moonlight and ran her hands down her nose.
"Oh! I almost forgot! Come see what I found laying in the kitchen cellar." I opened Moonlight's stall and worked my way into the back where Luna lay in her bed. I carefully picked her up and brought her to
Beth. "I found her a few days ago. I hid her in here so no one would make me get rid of her." Beth's eyes opened in wonder.
"Oh Serena she's adorable! What's her name?" She held the cat in gentle hands and carefully pet her.
"I named her Luna, because of the crescent moon on her head." I said petting her also. The strangest thing about this black cat was that she had a golden crescent moon on the upper part of her head. I like to think she was sent from the gods to me, but then again it could just be an ironic little scar. "Cook gives me milk to feed her." Beth smiled up at me as she went to put Luna back in her bed.
"Luna... It's perfect!" She threw an arm around my shoulder. "What do you say we give my aunt and cousins, a little surprise?!" I giggled as we walked back to the house. I felt like a 13 year old child with one of her in-town acquainted giggling and walking in the marketplace, something I'd never done considering my imprisonment started when my father died and I was 9. I tried not to think about it.
"Beth dear! How are you?" Cook came running as we entered the dreary entrance hall. The fine golden curtains were dirty with age and the fireplace ashy from disuse. The stone floor was cold and rusty where the carpets didn't touch. One of these days I vow to clean up this hall and make it as fine as the palace.
"Fine, Beatrice! And you? Still cooking wonders I hope?"
"The only wonders I make are when you are here gracing us with your presence!" They hugged and then broke apart. "I better get back to Lady's breakfast, but anything you need just tell me, alright dear?" Beth noddedand cook rushed off into the kitchens.
"My, nothings changed here! Now where are my lovely relatives? Sleeping I suppose?" Beth looked at me smiling. I nodded stupidly.
"Not quite." A voice came from the left staircase. Susan walked down in her satin robe with her dirty blonde hair in curlers. You could still see the bags under her eyes. My step family were not early risers. "My dear Beth what a surprise." She said flatly. I had to keep my mouth closed with my teeth so I wouldn't laugh. "Serena shouldn't you be cleaning the rooms by now?" She said amusingly.
"Yes, Lady." I mumbled as I walked up the stairs.
"Serena, will you do me the pleasure of an afternoon stroll after I get settled." Beth said loudly, to Susan's obvious discomfort.
"As you wish ma'am." I said smiling as I rushed up the rest of the stairs to clean the dirtied room's of my relatives.
The morning cleanings seemed to take forever. I had to make the beds and draw baths for all my relatives, except of course Beth. Then Beryl made me clean out her fireplace. I had to iron all of Mina's and Beryl's clothes but, also ironed one of my cleanest dresses to wear into town with Beth. Then the worse came. I usually only had to do it when Susan was awfully angry with me which unbelievably wasn't often. I had to clean out every single chamberpot. It was horrible but with my
town visit with Beth in my mind, I didn't mind it as much as I normally would have. After 4 hours of slavery, I finally was allowed to go with Beth. We took a carriage into town and stopped at a little tea shop at the center of town. It was a fancy little shop with nice lace curtains and wooden tables and chairs that glistened and shined. I felt dirty as I walked into the clean and fancy shop and saw all the duchesses and ladies sipping tea in there hundred golden coin dresses, and beautifully laid hair. Appose to my simple blue day dress and my hair braided with a ribbon at the end.
"Come on Sweets, let's get a table." Beth said grabbing my hand and leading me to an empty table. Soon the waitress came to take our orders. Most of this was in French which I wasn't the best at speaking or never-the-less reading, so Beth ordered for both of us.
"So..." I said after the waitress had gone. "How is married life? Is it as good as it sounds in books?" I said smiling lightly.
"Better." Beth said smiling very happily which told me she was not lying. "So, is there anyone you have your eye on, Miss Serena?" She asked suspiously. I snorted.
"Please! You know no man is good enough for me." I said laughing now."Not even the prince himself could steal my heart." Beth just shook her head.
"It'll happen, Sweets." She smiled. "I bet when you least expect it, with the least person you'd expect. That's how love works." I smiled lightly. What I wouldn't do to be in love and get married. It all seemed so perfect. It just doesn't happen for me, I don't think it ever will. By the time I was 14 I had village boys stalking me for attention, but those didn't mean anything. They were in love with my looks, which aren't much now considering what I do everyday. I wanted someone to love me for me. The whole me, inside and out, not just for
what I look like. Then the tea came this zoned me back into the real world.
Beth and I chatted and gossiped until our tea was gone. I still had to buy things at the market and Bath needed to get home soon, so I sent her off in the carriage and I walked the short distance to the marketplace. I had only walked by a few stands when I saw a hooded girl being attacked by a big fish selling man by the name of Joe.
"Come on baby, just one little smack on the lips for old Joe!" He held the woman's wrist and was pulling for her to come nearer as she pushed away.
"Leave me alone!" I woman cried. I couldn't watch it any longer. I knew what it was like to be taken advantage of by these deceitful men. I strode over to Joe.
"Let her go Joe!" I said sternly.
"Serena! What a nice treat! But why deny this girl her hearts desire? Nameless, Me." He said smiling back at the girl who was still pushing herself out of his grip.
"Don't let me get dirty Joe! I'll go get the guards! I swear by the Goddess I will!" I said more firmly walking closer to Joe. I glared at him and he dropped the girl's hand. I then took the dropped hand
and pulled her to a creek near by where no one was in reach.
"I want to thank you for stopping that man." She said kindly.
"No problem, I know what it's like to get taken advantage of. I mean you kind of had no defense there..." It was then that she removed her hood. I couldn't believe it! I immediately dropped to my knees.
"Your highness! I'm so sorry, I didn't realize, it was you..." I blubbered out.
"Oh stop that! Get up!" I rose to my feet again. "And please call me Raye, it's the least I could do, since you saved me from that man."
"Yes your high... Raye." I said blushing a little. "But may I ask what such royalty is doing in the marketplace and not in the palace?" I tried to ask with out being rude.
"To have some adventure." She said as she turned and her raven black hair faced me. "The palace is the bore in boring. It isn't quite the highlight place to live."
"What?!? You think it's bad to live in a palace! You should try my manor, nothing but ruthless..." It was then I realized I'd just yelled at a princess. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude or anything. I just comes out." I said quickly blushing a deep red.
"No, No, please, I've never had someone talk to me like that." I blushed harder when she said that. She saw me turn red. "No! It's not a bad thing! Not a bad thing at all. I never had someone not gravel over me as if I was a god or something! In all honesty I think I like it." She smiled and her purple eyes shimmered in the sunlight.
"Well, I never thought of it that way." I said sensibly.
"Oh I have a great idea! Why don't we be friends! Oh I'd never had a true friend! Please?" It took me awhile to comprehend what she was saying.
"Friends? But why would you want to befriend a servant girl like me?" I ask honestly.
"Truthfully, I like you a lot. Your different then anyone one else I ever met." She smiled and clapped her hands together. "Oh please? I swear I'll be a great friend! Really I will!"
"Ahhh...Sure... I guess." I said slowly but happily. A princess? A princess that wants to be my friend? Who would of thought!
"Oh I have the greatest idea!" She yelped excitedly. "Tonight there is a ball. One for my brother's birthday. Oh you must come! It'll be such great fun!"
A BALL? ME? It was what I always dreamed of! But how could I? Susan would never let me. And in the off chance I could find a way to go, What would I wear?
"Oh prin...Raye, I would love to, really I would but, I'd have to get permission and plus I'd have nothing to wear. And why would you want a mere servant to go to a grand ball?"
"Oh come on Serena!" I wasn't sure where she had learned my name but she continued anyway. "You can get permission somehow! And I can give you a dress. In fact you can come to the palace now and I can have you all dolled up in no time! And your not a mere servant to me, your
just my friend. Anyway, no one knows who you are! You could make up a name or something! No one needs to know that you're just a servant!" She was getting so excited and I admit I was also. Oh it would work out so perfectly!
"Please say you'll come?" She looked up at me so hopefully. I couldn't just let her down like that.
"Alright... I'll come!" I said smiling. She jumped up and we started to walk towards Springstone Manor. It was only about a five minute walk and the princess seemed to enjoy the walk exquisitely. When we finally reached the manor I asked Raye to wait outside while I get permission and a carriage. The truth was I wasn't asking permission, or at least not from the right person. I ran straight up to Beth's room, ignoring the glare from the chamber-maid. I quickly explained to her what happened.
"Of course! Don't worry, I'll make your excuses to my aunt You go and have fun. Hey and maybe you'll meet that lucky man huh?" She said smiling.
"I sure hope so. Thanks so much!" I gave her a quick hug before dashing downstairs to get a carriage to take us.
One was maid up in a second and soon enough we were at the palace. I'd never been up so close before, never-the-less inside. I followed Raye as we entered a back door and went up many flights of stairs until we finally came to a bedchamber the size of our kitchen. There was a canopy bed covered in a deep red comforter. It had more pillows on it, then in all of Springstone Manor. There was a wardrobe
and a mirror you could see your whole self in.
"Oh this is going to be so exciting! I've never had a good time at these stupid balls, but somehow I think your going to make tonight a lot more interesting." I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not then she removed her cloak to reveal one of the most beautiful dresses I've seen in my life. It was much finer then Susan's or Beryl's. I couldn't help but stare, Raye saw me and started laughing. "What?"
"Sorry, I just have never seen a dress that nice."
"This? Oh please! This is nothing compared to what we'll be wearing tonight. Oh! Let me get a maid to dress us." Then she grabbed a bell off her dresser and begun to ring it. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the maid. I knew what it was like to be imprisoned into cleaning and dirty work.The bell just seemed to make it worse though, I
would hate it if my duties were given with a bell. It seemed kind of cruel. I had better manners then to voice my opinions to a princess though. Just then there was a knock at the door. Raye walked up and
edged it open and that's when she walked in.
"Hey Princess. Did you need someth..." She looked up at me. "Serena?"
"Hi Lita." I said sheepishly to the tall brunette who I had befriended in the marketplace a long time ago. I'd known she worked in the palace as a chamber-maid, but I never even thought I'd see her here.
"Serena what are you doing here?" She asked fairly interested.
"Princess Raye invited me. We're going to the ball." I said rather slowly. Lita just stared and looked from me to Raye.
"Excuse me Princess, Do you mind if I talk to Serena outside for a second?" Raye shrugged and Lita and I exited the room.
"What are you doing here?" She asked quietly as soon as we got out of the room and the door was firmly closed.
"I met the princess in the marketplace..."
"What was she doing in the marketplace?" Lita asked as if I had something to do with it.
"I don't know! Anyway she was being attacked by that awful Joe, and I took her away from him and then it all happened so fast. She invited me here and I couldn't say no." I said skipping many details.
"Does she know what you are?" Lita asked trying not to say it offencly.
"I told her I was a servant but she didn't seem to care. She said that no one knew who I was anyway and that I could change my name or something." I said trying to be as innocent as possible.
"Serena! What were you thinking! Do you know what will happen if your caught! A servant out of her place is not only dismissed but usually beaten with in an inch of her death!" I stared at her. I knew she was just worried but, I also knew what she was saying was true. A servant had no right to be flaunting around court.
"I never thought of it that way... but it's too late now. I'll just have to make sure I don't get caught I guess."
Lita snorted." Easier said then done. What about Susan? Your not about to tell me she let you come here?"
"No, she would never. Beth's back in town so I just told her." Lita had met Beth before. A couple of years ago Beth came to help me pick out food in the marketplace and we met Lita there. It was strange
how they got along so well and yet they were so different. Tall, loud outgoing Lita with Short, quiet, smart Beth wasn't an excpeted friendship, but somehow it worked.
"Beth's not going to be staying for long and you don't expect Susan to let you come next time." Lita said sorrowfully.
"Who says there is going to be a next time? This was a one time thing. You don't expect Princess Raye to invite me to every ball do you?" I would more then love for there to be a next time but I knew there was never going to be. Even if she did ask me, Susan would never let me go.
"You don't know the princess." Lita said eyebrows raised. Just then the door opened and Raye walked out.
"Sorry, but is this conversation going to last any longer? Serena and I still have to get down to the hair-dressers and we only have a few hours left."
"Yes, it's through." She turned to me." Remember what I said though, okay?" I nodded and she turned back to Raye. "Do you have a dress picked out for Lady Serena?"
"Yes it's on the bed with mine. Please ready them." Raye pointed a finger into the room in the direction of the bed. Lita nodded. "Thank you very much." Lita smiled at me before entering Raye's room. "Come on now, we must get down to the hair-dressers!" She grabbed my hand and led me back down a different flight of stairs.
Somehow I knew this was going to get me in a whole lot of trouble.
Hey Mina-chan!!!!! I hoped you enjoyed the first chapter! As you can see this is my own little Cinderella type story(it's got it's own little twists don't worry!). I'm Starr and this is my first fanfic and I hoped you liked it. I'll try to get out the 2nd chapter next week
and so on and so forth. I hoped you enjoyed! Please review! hehe.
A special thanks to Lily my beta reader for your
editing! It helped a lot!
Send questions/comments/suggestions ect. to
starrryder@email.com.
-Starr-
Author- Starr Ryder
Genre: AU/Romance
Rating- PG-PG-13
**This chapter is G.**
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Sailor Moon and
it's characters but some of my these characters
and the storyline I do own, so don't steal them!
The sun wasn't yet up when I awoke. I wanted to have time to visit Moonlight in the stables and feed Luna, my new adopted cat. I quickly slipped out of my night-gown and into one of my old tattered dresses. I ran a comb through my long golden hair and braided it before quietly exiting my room. I strolled quietly through the halls, trying not to wake up my step-mother and sisters. I knew it didn't matter, they're all sound sleepers. I don't even think a hurricane can wake them. I stopped off at the kitchen where I found cook making breakfast. She handed me a blue-berry muffin, my favorite, and an apple for Moonlight, before I went through the back door and into the stables. Trying not to wake any of the stable-help, I walked slowly to Moonlight's stable and patted her gently on the nose. I looked around in my pockets of the tattered dress for the apple but couldn't seem to find it.
"Looking for this?" said a familar voice behind me. I turned around swiftly.
"BETH?!" I threw my hands over my friend and hugged her tightly. "Awww... Beth I missed you so much!" I said wiping the tears from my eyes. I looked up to the brown-haired girl, it was longer and straighter then I remembered. She was 29 compared to my 22 but, age didn't seem to matter. She was the only one out of my step-family that I didn't despise. She was my step-mother's niece and in reference,
my step-cousin.
"Awww... Serena, I'm sorry for leaving you here, but I'd rather keep away from my aunt and cousins." She pulled away and took a look at me. "Wow, what a women you turned into. How long has it been? 2 or 3 years?" I could neither nod nor shake her head she was so happy to see her. Things at Springstone Manor, were always brighter when Beth was there. Her step-mother, Susan wasn't half as commanding as she usually was, either was Beryl, one of her step-sisters, and while Mina's commands did come sometimes they reduced to nothing when Beth was here. I hate my step-family. They treat me like dirt. My mother died when I was very young and I barely even remembered her. My father was a wonderful kind man, always happy to help others. Somehow he had fallen in love with that awful wrench Susan. It wasn't long before they were married and I had myself a new family. Soon after they were married, Father left on an expedition for the King. He was killed in a sudden
battle. When the news came to the house, I expected Susan to be
heart-broken... I was wrong. It didn't take very long for her to turn into her evil self and bring my status down to servant. "How are they treating you?" Beth said after a pause, a look of remorse in her eyes.
"Better." I said with a forced smile. "Susan lets other servants help with my chores now. Oh and Mina barely says any commands, but then again she really never did. Beryl makes up for that though, she commands me more then I can bare, more then I can count on hands and toes." Beth laughed at this remark.
"My, I must teach you better math, Sweets." Then she walked over to Moonlight and ran her hands down her nose.
"Oh! I almost forgot! Come see what I found laying in the kitchen cellar." I opened Moonlight's stall and worked my way into the back where Luna lay in her bed. I carefully picked her up and brought her to
Beth. "I found her a few days ago. I hid her in here so no one would make me get rid of her." Beth's eyes opened in wonder.
"Oh Serena she's adorable! What's her name?" She held the cat in gentle hands and carefully pet her.
"I named her Luna, because of the crescent moon on her head." I said petting her also. The strangest thing about this black cat was that she had a golden crescent moon on the upper part of her head. I like to think she was sent from the gods to me, but then again it could just be an ironic little scar. "Cook gives me milk to feed her." Beth smiled up at me as she went to put Luna back in her bed.
"Luna... It's perfect!" She threw an arm around my shoulder. "What do you say we give my aunt and cousins, a little surprise?!" I giggled as we walked back to the house. I felt like a 13 year old child with one of her in-town acquainted giggling and walking in the marketplace, something I'd never done considering my imprisonment started when my father died and I was 9. I tried not to think about it.
"Beth dear! How are you?" Cook came running as we entered the dreary entrance hall. The fine golden curtains were dirty with age and the fireplace ashy from disuse. The stone floor was cold and rusty where the carpets didn't touch. One of these days I vow to clean up this hall and make it as fine as the palace.
"Fine, Beatrice! And you? Still cooking wonders I hope?"
"The only wonders I make are when you are here gracing us with your presence!" They hugged and then broke apart. "I better get back to Lady's breakfast, but anything you need just tell me, alright dear?" Beth noddedand cook rushed off into the kitchens.
"My, nothings changed here! Now where are my lovely relatives? Sleeping I suppose?" Beth looked at me smiling. I nodded stupidly.
"Not quite." A voice came from the left staircase. Susan walked down in her satin robe with her dirty blonde hair in curlers. You could still see the bags under her eyes. My step family were not early risers. "My dear Beth what a surprise." She said flatly. I had to keep my mouth closed with my teeth so I wouldn't laugh. "Serena shouldn't you be cleaning the rooms by now?" She said amusingly.
"Yes, Lady." I mumbled as I walked up the stairs.
"Serena, will you do me the pleasure of an afternoon stroll after I get settled." Beth said loudly, to Susan's obvious discomfort.
"As you wish ma'am." I said smiling as I rushed up the rest of the stairs to clean the dirtied room's of my relatives.
The morning cleanings seemed to take forever. I had to make the beds and draw baths for all my relatives, except of course Beth. Then Beryl made me clean out her fireplace. I had to iron all of Mina's and Beryl's clothes but, also ironed one of my cleanest dresses to wear into town with Beth. Then the worse came. I usually only had to do it when Susan was awfully angry with me which unbelievably wasn't often. I had to clean out every single chamberpot. It was horrible but with my
town visit with Beth in my mind, I didn't mind it as much as I normally would have. After 4 hours of slavery, I finally was allowed to go with Beth. We took a carriage into town and stopped at a little tea shop at the center of town. It was a fancy little shop with nice lace curtains and wooden tables and chairs that glistened and shined. I felt dirty as I walked into the clean and fancy shop and saw all the duchesses and ladies sipping tea in there hundred golden coin dresses, and beautifully laid hair. Appose to my simple blue day dress and my hair braided with a ribbon at the end.
"Come on Sweets, let's get a table." Beth said grabbing my hand and leading me to an empty table. Soon the waitress came to take our orders. Most of this was in French which I wasn't the best at speaking or never-the-less reading, so Beth ordered for both of us.
"So..." I said after the waitress had gone. "How is married life? Is it as good as it sounds in books?" I said smiling lightly.
"Better." Beth said smiling very happily which told me she was not lying. "So, is there anyone you have your eye on, Miss Serena?" She asked suspiously. I snorted.
"Please! You know no man is good enough for me." I said laughing now."Not even the prince himself could steal my heart." Beth just shook her head.
"It'll happen, Sweets." She smiled. "I bet when you least expect it, with the least person you'd expect. That's how love works." I smiled lightly. What I wouldn't do to be in love and get married. It all seemed so perfect. It just doesn't happen for me, I don't think it ever will. By the time I was 14 I had village boys stalking me for attention, but those didn't mean anything. They were in love with my looks, which aren't much now considering what I do everyday. I wanted someone to love me for me. The whole me, inside and out, not just for
what I look like. Then the tea came this zoned me back into the real world.
Beth and I chatted and gossiped until our tea was gone. I still had to buy things at the market and Bath needed to get home soon, so I sent her off in the carriage and I walked the short distance to the marketplace. I had only walked by a few stands when I saw a hooded girl being attacked by a big fish selling man by the name of Joe.
"Come on baby, just one little smack on the lips for old Joe!" He held the woman's wrist and was pulling for her to come nearer as she pushed away.
"Leave me alone!" I woman cried. I couldn't watch it any longer. I knew what it was like to be taken advantage of by these deceitful men. I strode over to Joe.
"Let her go Joe!" I said sternly.
"Serena! What a nice treat! But why deny this girl her hearts desire? Nameless, Me." He said smiling back at the girl who was still pushing herself out of his grip.
"Don't let me get dirty Joe! I'll go get the guards! I swear by the Goddess I will!" I said more firmly walking closer to Joe. I glared at him and he dropped the girl's hand. I then took the dropped hand
and pulled her to a creek near by where no one was in reach.
"I want to thank you for stopping that man." She said kindly.
"No problem, I know what it's like to get taken advantage of. I mean you kind of had no defense there..." It was then that she removed her hood. I couldn't believe it! I immediately dropped to my knees.
"Your highness! I'm so sorry, I didn't realize, it was you..." I blubbered out.
"Oh stop that! Get up!" I rose to my feet again. "And please call me Raye, it's the least I could do, since you saved me from that man."
"Yes your high... Raye." I said blushing a little. "But may I ask what such royalty is doing in the marketplace and not in the palace?" I tried to ask with out being rude.
"To have some adventure." She said as she turned and her raven black hair faced me. "The palace is the bore in boring. It isn't quite the highlight place to live."
"What?!? You think it's bad to live in a palace! You should try my manor, nothing but ruthless..." It was then I realized I'd just yelled at a princess. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude or anything. I just comes out." I said quickly blushing a deep red.
"No, No, please, I've never had someone talk to me like that." I blushed harder when she said that. She saw me turn red. "No! It's not a bad thing! Not a bad thing at all. I never had someone not gravel over me as if I was a god or something! In all honesty I think I like it." She smiled and her purple eyes shimmered in the sunlight.
"Well, I never thought of it that way." I said sensibly.
"Oh I have a great idea! Why don't we be friends! Oh I'd never had a true friend! Please?" It took me awhile to comprehend what she was saying.
"Friends? But why would you want to befriend a servant girl like me?" I ask honestly.
"Truthfully, I like you a lot. Your different then anyone one else I ever met." She smiled and clapped her hands together. "Oh please? I swear I'll be a great friend! Really I will!"
"Ahhh...Sure... I guess." I said slowly but happily. A princess? A princess that wants to be my friend? Who would of thought!
"Oh I have the greatest idea!" She yelped excitedly. "Tonight there is a ball. One for my brother's birthday. Oh you must come! It'll be such great fun!"
A BALL? ME? It was what I always dreamed of! But how could I? Susan would never let me. And in the off chance I could find a way to go, What would I wear?
"Oh prin...Raye, I would love to, really I would but, I'd have to get permission and plus I'd have nothing to wear. And why would you want a mere servant to go to a grand ball?"
"Oh come on Serena!" I wasn't sure where she had learned my name but she continued anyway. "You can get permission somehow! And I can give you a dress. In fact you can come to the palace now and I can have you all dolled up in no time! And your not a mere servant to me, your
just my friend. Anyway, no one knows who you are! You could make up a name or something! No one needs to know that you're just a servant!" She was getting so excited and I admit I was also. Oh it would work out so perfectly!
"Please say you'll come?" She looked up at me so hopefully. I couldn't just let her down like that.
"Alright... I'll come!" I said smiling. She jumped up and we started to walk towards Springstone Manor. It was only about a five minute walk and the princess seemed to enjoy the walk exquisitely. When we finally reached the manor I asked Raye to wait outside while I get permission and a carriage. The truth was I wasn't asking permission, or at least not from the right person. I ran straight up to Beth's room, ignoring the glare from the chamber-maid. I quickly explained to her what happened.
"Of course! Don't worry, I'll make your excuses to my aunt You go and have fun. Hey and maybe you'll meet that lucky man huh?" She said smiling.
"I sure hope so. Thanks so much!" I gave her a quick hug before dashing downstairs to get a carriage to take us.
One was maid up in a second and soon enough we were at the palace. I'd never been up so close before, never-the-less inside. I followed Raye as we entered a back door and went up many flights of stairs until we finally came to a bedchamber the size of our kitchen. There was a canopy bed covered in a deep red comforter. It had more pillows on it, then in all of Springstone Manor. There was a wardrobe
and a mirror you could see your whole self in.
"Oh this is going to be so exciting! I've never had a good time at these stupid balls, but somehow I think your going to make tonight a lot more interesting." I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not then she removed her cloak to reveal one of the most beautiful dresses I've seen in my life. It was much finer then Susan's or Beryl's. I couldn't help but stare, Raye saw me and started laughing. "What?"
"Sorry, I just have never seen a dress that nice."
"This? Oh please! This is nothing compared to what we'll be wearing tonight. Oh! Let me get a maid to dress us." Then she grabbed a bell off her dresser and begun to ring it. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the maid. I knew what it was like to be imprisoned into cleaning and dirty work.The bell just seemed to make it worse though, I
would hate it if my duties were given with a bell. It seemed kind of cruel. I had better manners then to voice my opinions to a princess though. Just then there was a knock at the door. Raye walked up and
edged it open and that's when she walked in.
"Hey Princess. Did you need someth..." She looked up at me. "Serena?"
"Hi Lita." I said sheepishly to the tall brunette who I had befriended in the marketplace a long time ago. I'd known she worked in the palace as a chamber-maid, but I never even thought I'd see her here.
"Serena what are you doing here?" She asked fairly interested.
"Princess Raye invited me. We're going to the ball." I said rather slowly. Lita just stared and looked from me to Raye.
"Excuse me Princess, Do you mind if I talk to Serena outside for a second?" Raye shrugged and Lita and I exited the room.
"What are you doing here?" She asked quietly as soon as we got out of the room and the door was firmly closed.
"I met the princess in the marketplace..."
"What was she doing in the marketplace?" Lita asked as if I had something to do with it.
"I don't know! Anyway she was being attacked by that awful Joe, and I took her away from him and then it all happened so fast. She invited me here and I couldn't say no." I said skipping many details.
"Does she know what you are?" Lita asked trying not to say it offencly.
"I told her I was a servant but she didn't seem to care. She said that no one knew who I was anyway and that I could change my name or something." I said trying to be as innocent as possible.
"Serena! What were you thinking! Do you know what will happen if your caught! A servant out of her place is not only dismissed but usually beaten with in an inch of her death!" I stared at her. I knew she was just worried but, I also knew what she was saying was true. A servant had no right to be flaunting around court.
"I never thought of it that way... but it's too late now. I'll just have to make sure I don't get caught I guess."
Lita snorted." Easier said then done. What about Susan? Your not about to tell me she let you come here?"
"No, she would never. Beth's back in town so I just told her." Lita had met Beth before. A couple of years ago Beth came to help me pick out food in the marketplace and we met Lita there. It was strange
how they got along so well and yet they were so different. Tall, loud outgoing Lita with Short, quiet, smart Beth wasn't an excpeted friendship, but somehow it worked.
"Beth's not going to be staying for long and you don't expect Susan to let you come next time." Lita said sorrowfully.
"Who says there is going to be a next time? This was a one time thing. You don't expect Princess Raye to invite me to every ball do you?" I would more then love for there to be a next time but I knew there was never going to be. Even if she did ask me, Susan would never let me go.
"You don't know the princess." Lita said eyebrows raised. Just then the door opened and Raye walked out.
"Sorry, but is this conversation going to last any longer? Serena and I still have to get down to the hair-dressers and we only have a few hours left."
"Yes, it's through." She turned to me." Remember what I said though, okay?" I nodded and she turned back to Raye. "Do you have a dress picked out for Lady Serena?"
"Yes it's on the bed with mine. Please ready them." Raye pointed a finger into the room in the direction of the bed. Lita nodded. "Thank you very much." Lita smiled at me before entering Raye's room. "Come on now, we must get down to the hair-dressers!" She grabbed my hand and led me back down a different flight of stairs.
Somehow I knew this was going to get me in a whole lot of trouble.
Hey Mina-chan!!!!! I hoped you enjoyed the first chapter! As you can see this is my own little Cinderella type story(it's got it's own little twists don't worry!). I'm Starr and this is my first fanfic and I hoped you liked it. I'll try to get out the 2nd chapter next week
and so on and so forth. I hoped you enjoyed! Please review! hehe.
A special thanks to Lily my beta reader for your
editing! It helped a lot!
Send questions/comments/suggestions ect. to
starrryder@email.com.
-Starr-