Disclaimer: Should I still state the obvious? I do not own Grand Chase. But I guess everyone already knows that. :D

"Papa, papa!" A tiny voice called out. "Look what I found!" She beamed proudly, holding up a lovely lilac flower with the same shade as her eyes and hair.

"It's beautiful. As beautiful as my little mademoiselle here even?" He ruffled the violet locks of his giggling daughter.

"I think the flower's prettier." She said, gazing at the lilac. "I'm gonna show this to Mama. She hasn't been to the gardens lately because she's sick. I hope she gets better soon…" The girl said plainly, eyes still glued to the flower.

"I'm sure she'll love it, darling." Her father said wistfully, his eyes shining. He looked at his daughter who was looking at the flower with such interest. Silently, he thanked the flower for being so beautiful that his little girl couldn't seem to take her eyes off it. Wiping the tears threatening to fall with his hand, he took a deep breath ad smiled, taking her little hand in his. "Let us go then, shall we?"

"Yes Papa." The little girl smiled brightly, her other hand gently grasping the petite flower.

"Wake up, you lazy child! Do you know what time it is?" a voice yelled.

Arme shifted underneath her covers, and sat up groggily. "Coming mother…" She mumbled.

*Click*

Her door swung open, revealing a tall woman dressed in a long purple dress embroidered in gold silk and adorned with all sorts of precious stones. She glared at her "daughter" and threw a dirty rag cloth at her face.

"The chimney's quite black with soot again and the floors are all dirty. Go clean the up you worthless child." She spat and with that, she turned her heel and marched out of her bedroom.

Arme sighed as she wiped the dirt of her face. "Oh where are you papa?" She thought wistfully, picking up the rag and made her way down the spiral staircase to the living room. She picked up the duster and began cleaning the chimney.

After an hour of dusting the chimney, she proceeded to mopping the floor, which was covered in Luna's muddy paw prints—Again.

As she was cleaning, the doorbell rung and she went to answer it, expecting the usual bills and fan mail her mother and sisters often receive. To her surprise, it was the Royal Guard Master of Kanavan.

"I have come to formally invite you and your entire household to the King's ball tonight." He said handing her an envelope sealed with the royal emblem of Kanavan. "All are invited, rich or poor, young and old. That includes you, mademoiselle." He said, winking. "I bid you good day milady, adieu."

She bowed hastily and received the letter with both hands and quickly made her way to her mother's quarters as soon as the Royal Guard Master left.

"Mother, mother!"

"What is it you disgusting child?" Her mother shouted.

"The Royal Guard Master gave us an invitation to the King's Ball!" She said cheerfully, handing the envelope to her mother. "He said anyone and everyone is invited. I have never been to a ball before." Arme said dreamily.

"And you never will." The witch spat. "You have work to do and you haven't got a dress to start with."

"But…" Arme's voice faltered. "I… What if I finish all the chores before the ball?" She said hopefully.

"Impossible. The ball is tonight at 6pm sharp. We shall be leaving at five so as not to be late and you expect to finish by then?"

"Yes," the purple haired girl said. "I can… I"

"Even if you can," interrupted her mother, "You haven't a dress to wear."

"She can borrow one of mine," a voice said.

"Shut up Elesis and return to your room at once!" The woman shouted.

"I am in my room, mother, and I suggest you be the one to go to yours." Elesis retorted.

"Why you insolent-"

"Yeah, yeah." The red head said as she pushed her mother out and slammed the door in her face. There was silence in the room and they could hear their mother's angry shrieks from the other side of the thick oak door. "So Arme," she turned and saw Arme's dirty hair and rag clothing. "Choose a dress."

"But…"

"For the hundredth time, Father, I will not choose a stupid princess from this ball!" A silver haired boy shouted exasperatedly at the King. His voice echoed through the grand hallways of the castle. Some of the maids who were supposedly attending the king scurried back in fear of the young master's temper.

"My dear Prince, you are of age and…"

"I am only eighteen, Father! I still have my youth ahead of me. Please stop meddling with my life! I don't care if I marry or not. It doesn't matter!" He yelled, smashing his fist on the wall. The kings sighed and waved his hand at the maids, signaling them to take their leave. The maids bowed gratefully and hurried out of the room.

"Son, I… You don't have to marry now. I just thought you might need some help…"

"I don't need help! I am perfectly fine on my own!" He slumped down one of the chairs and looked away, his azure eyes refusing to meet his father's.

"And I can see that." The king sighed and looked out the window. "If only your mother were here… She'd know what to do."

The prince let out a heavy sigh. "Fine I'll… Father, I'll attend the ball tonight and try to act amused and even entertain some princesses. Just… don't do it again okay…" He stood up and left his father to his thoughts.

A/N: Typical Cinderella story with a twist~ Elesis as stepsister #1 and Ronan as the Royal Messenger? Haha :))