Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story except the ones

that i made up etc etc etc...

Hattie left the Marriage ceremony and ran into the Palace Garden which was empty

she thought, angrier than she had ever been, how dare Ella marry Prince Charmont

and become Princess instead of Her; That was supposed to be Her in there kissing

him not Ella of Frell, a nobody! She was so wrapped up in her own self-pitying

thoughts that Hattie wasnt looking where she was going and went pell mell into a

figure and both went down in a heap.

" Look where your going!"Hattie said without thinking. The lights from the palace and the torches on the footpaths revealed the figure to be a tall dark skinned woman with long shoulder length hair dressed in cream with a tinge of pink , she shook her head then

stood up and looked at Hattie who was still sitting on the ground for the first time.

"You ran into me, thish is all your fault... Hic!" The woman said drunkenly, Hattie had had enough everyone was enjoying themselves and the obviously inebriated woman became the focus and the frustrations of the day boiled over in her as she shouted.

" My Fault? Its not my fault the Prince married the wrong girl it should have

been me! And it would have been if only she had obeyed my instructions!" The tall woman looked at Hattie for a few seconds then smiled and said softly in a slightly more sober voice.

"I know just the perfect gift for someone such as you child." She raised an arm and pointed a long finger at Hattie and said in a louder voice.

"I am Lucinda the Fairy and my gift is Obedience, you will always be Perfectly Obedient." As she spoke a spark seem to flash from her finger while Hattie felt a tingle run over her from head to toe and a chill ran up her spine.

" My first instruction for you is to stand up straight always look where your going and never accidently or on purpose bump into or knock anyone over ever again." Hattie found her self standing bolt upright and a horrible feeling of familiarity swept over her.

" Please I apologise..." She began but Lucinda cut her off.

" Don't speak and close your mouth." Hattie nearly bit her tongue complying and she began to feel scared to her stomach.

"Apology NOT accepted, you will never tell anyone about your gift, now touch your nose."

Hatties left hand shot up to her face.

" Now touch your toes." With that Hattie found herself bending over and her arms straining to reach her feet, the tips of her fingers just barely reaching her toes. Lucinda giggled

drunkenly and clapped her hands together in glee, still bent over Hattie was

made to bark like a dog then howl at the moon following up with being made to

mieeow like a cat and then say the words. I am an idiot. Ten times until finally

Lucinda said.

" Stand up straight girl and you will speak to me." Hattie shot up and for a few

seconds she thought she would faint as the blood rushed from her head.

" Please don't make me do that again ."She said breathlessly

" So what did that matter to you when you made your stepsister Ella be a

servant?" Lucinda dismissively said in reply, Hattie opened her mouth to say that it wasnt

the same but the words stuck in her throat because she suddenly realised that it

was exactly the same thing only now the boot was on the other foot with a

vengeance, and even worse Lucinda knew who she was!

" Go back inside you will stay until the reception is finished and you will wear a smile on your face until you go home and dance with everyone who asks you to dance with them, and curtsy politely to them afterwards."

" No Lucinda, please i want to go home." Hattie pleaded as she started to walk out of the garden back towards the Palace.

" Well too bad, close your mouth, smile and go inside." Hatties mouth snapped shut on her further entreaties and she was left fuming silently as she walked back into the palace smiling and looking where she was going all the while, as behind her Lucinda vanished in a cloud of golden sparkles. Inside the reception was still in full swing and they had just started a waltz when a young squire on his way round with a tray of drinks said wistfully.

" Dance with me mistress?" Hatties right hand raised itself to his and she was led out on to the floor after he hastily deposited the tray on a nearby table, at the end of the dance

conducted in silence on her part but made up for by a nervous chatter from her

partner who obviously hadn't expected anyone to dance with a lowly squire Hattie

curtisied to him by way of thank you as instructed and then turned away only to

see across the room her stepsister now Princess Ella looking at her with what

she thought was a frown on her face , not waiting to see any more Hattie turned

back to the squire who thought she wanted to dance again.

" Another dance Mistress?" Hettie felt her head go up and down in a nod by way of an answer and was led out on to the floor once more. This time it was a spirited gavotte which left no

time for conversation fortunately, at the end they repeated the same thing. Hattie curtsying and the squire not believing his luck repeating the offer, three more times they danced until at the end of the third dance, a slow sarabande she found herself suddenly face to face with her mother.

"What do you mean dancing with a Squire, never mind you are to go home at once, Hattie i will speak to you later. you will tell anyone who asks that you are feeling unwell do you understand?" When Hattie turned to go without speaking her mother frowned and said.

"Answer me girl do you understand?."

" Yes mother i understand i am to go home at once and tell anyone who asks that

i am feeling unwell." Hattie said obeying her mothers instructions with relief

at being able to speak, as she continued to walked away still smiling.