She spun in front of the mirror, admiring the way the jewels in her dress caught the light
She spun in front of the mirror, admiring the way the jewels in her dress caught the light. The hundreds of tiny diamonds sewn together cost more than she had lived on for the first eighteen years of her life. Her smile was glowingly happy, her face stunningly beautiful, which was exactly what she had planned. Even though this glamour her faerie godmother had given her would fade in a day or so, the prince was already enraptured, and she was a pretty girl without it. Not pretty enough to have caught the prince, but enough to keep him. And people always saw what they expected to anyway.
"Oh my Lady," the young maid was breathless, giddy with the romance of it all, "you look lovely. Is it any wonder you and His Highness fell in love at first sight?"
Eleanor smiled, gently, kindly, just like the girl she portrayed, "Thank you. You're such a sweetheart Marie." The maid blushed, beaming at her perfect princess.
"Ella? Are you in here? I have a surprise for you."
Eleanor whirled around. "Phillip, darling! Oh, how I've missed you." She shot him a brilliant smile, and he looked at her as only an infatuated and love stricken man could.
"It is I who has missed you my dear Ella. Now, close your eyes."
"Oh darling, how you flatter me. And remember, it's Eleanor now." She closed her eyes and waited, a more genuine smile curving her lips as she heard Marie's gasp of admiration.
"Ok, Ella, you can open them." A lovely emerald necklace and earrings set shone in his hands. "Oh darling," Eleanor started, letting a tiny hint of regret run across her face, "they're lovely."
He frowned. "What is it? You don't like them?"
"No, of course not. It's just, I thought it would be sapphires. I suppose it was presumptuous of me. After all, I've never had anything even half as lovely as these emeralds." She sent him a brave, trembling smile.
"Nonsense my love, the fault is mine. If I had been thinking, I would have picked out jewels that matched your beautiful eyes. Although no jewel can sparkle as they do. Nevertheless, I will bring you sapphires, and not just a necklace and earrings, but a bracelet also, to make up for my horrible faux pas."
"Oh, I couldn't accept…"
"I insist, my Lady Eleanor, soon to be my bride. The matter is closed."
She laughed delightedly. "You do spoil me darling. Very well, if you insist. And thank you." He stepped closer, running his hand through her hair. "Anything for you my love. Anything," he said quietly. "Now, I'm afraid I must take my leave. Wedding plans have to be made after all. You girl," he pointed to the maid, "come with me. I have work for you to do." Marie dipped into a low curtsy, hurrying off after the prince.
Behind them, Eleanor smiled in satisfaction. Yes, she would have no problem keeping the prince happy after the glamour wore away. She was a consummate actress, after all. Living with those morons, her stepfamily, had taught her how to be meek, quiet, and everything she was not. This was just another role to play. And even if there was a problem, well, her hair and eyes might lose their perfect, sparkling shine, but diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires remained bright. She hadn't clawed her way out of the cinders, leaving behind bloody feet and debts to the faeries, just to lose it all here.
She was Lady, Princess, Queen Eleanor now, and the girl Ella was just ashes in the wind.