Rozabella The Mystic Falls Cinderella

by RedRoSe1864

The story is set in Mystic Falls, a small Kingdom in 1782. Every story begins with 'Once upon a time" but this one has a set date in history. This is a story about love, faith, a peasant girl, a royal boy, an evil stepmother, stepsisters who thrive for power and a fairy with magical powers to help true love prevail. Join Damon and Elena on their journey to find one-another.

1. Chapter 1

When you're reading this story, ignore the fact that America was founded in 1776 and that in the United States there is no Monarchy. This is a fictional story that has its own setting so let your imagination run wild.

Enjoy!

The story is set in Mystic Falls, a small Kingdom in 1782.

Every story begins with ''Once upon a time" but this one has a set date in history. This is a story about love, faith, a peasant girl, a royal boy, an evil stepmother, stepsisters who thrive for power and a fairy with magical powers to help true love prevail.

~~Lena the Cinderella~~

~~Rozabella The Mystic Falls Cinderella~~

The Gilbert Mansion

-The attic-

The thunder ripped through the bedroom window causing the wooden frame to bang heavily against the walls of the room. The brown haired girl that was curled under the covers jumped up, her heart racing in her chest as she gazed around the room trying to come to terms with what was happening. A loud roar of thunder echoed through the house before she heard screams from down stairs.

"ELENA! ELENA! ELENA!"

She rushed through the door upon hearing the voices of her stepsisters. As she exited the attic and headed down the unsteady stairs slowly the voices continued to call for her. She could hardly see where she was going; the occasional flashes of lightning helped her work out her path. As she got to the end of the staircase she felt someone grab her hand.

"What took you so long, you stupid girl!" Rebekah, her older stepsister yelled as she dragged her by her hair in the direction of the living room.

"Elena! Where have you been?"Yelled the dark haired girl, who was her other stepsister, Hayley.

"I-l was asleep." She answered still in shock.

"You fell asleep, huh?" Rebekah yelled as she yanked her hair making Elena squeal out in pain. "What about the barn? Have you looked at the barn, you stupid, stupid girl!" She yanked her hair again.

"Your-your mother told me not to. She said to keep it open all night so that the animals can get some fresh-" She was cut off by Esther, her stepmother.

"I told you to keep it open overnight so that it wouldn't stink so much!" She yelled in a strictly British voice. "But clearly when heavy rain and lightning started it should have been a sign for you close it, you uneducated and completely useless brat!"

"I-I-I'm sorry.." Elena said in a small voice.

"Go do it now before I strangle you!" Esther yelled.

Elena stared horrified at her request. Surly she wasn't suggesting that she go outside while lightning and thunder were roaring, was she? "Now?" She squeaked.

"YES NOW! GO!"

"But-but I-I'm scared." She protested, her doe eyes full of tears. She hated thunder and lightning, it had killed her mother and ever since then Elena could hardly breathe when a storm raided through Mystic Falls. Her father used to distract her when she was little by telling her fairytales until the thunder stopped but then he died and she was left to fend for herself.

"You're scared of a little thunder?" Esther laughed. "Don't be ridiculous, child!" She rolled her eyes. "Get out of the house now and go close the barn doors!"

"Please don't make me!" Elena begged, her brown eyes tearing up.

"Elena, don't you dare-"Esther was cut off by a male voice.

"I'll do it."

It was Mathew Donavan. The boy who had came to live with Elena and her father when she only 5 years old. Matt, as she liked to call him, was like a brother to her. He loved Elena dearly and always looked after her. He was an orphan when Grayson, Elena's father, took him in. He helped around the property in exchange for a bed to sleep in and food to eat. By the time that he was thirteen, he worked extremely hard to show that he was grateful for what he had been given, which is why Grayson gave a piece of his property to Matt when he turned 16 and that same year he died from a snakebite.

"What was that Mathew?" Esther questioned in a calm British tone that indicated that she was angry.

"I said I'll do it." Matt stood his ground.

"If I wanted you to do it I would have called you, not her!" She yelled, pointing to Elena. Esther had turned into a complete monster when Grayson died. When she married Grayson and first came to live with them she was nice to Elena, but after his death she stared to despise the child. She would often beat her with a thin piece of wood that bended easily and it normally left marks for months on the girl's skin. No one understood why she hated the poor child, but she did. She had never laid a finger on her own daughters, but she took pleasure in punishing Elena. Her excuse was that Elena was disobedient and needed to be punished. The town's people didn't interfere since Esther Gilbert was one of the richest women in town.

"She's scared; she lost her mother in a storm because she was hit by lightning." Matt said in a calm voice not wanting to anger the woman even further. He was still working on her property to earn his bread.

"Oh so that's the story of her death, how tragic." She rolled her eyes before narrowing them in Elena's direction. "I guess that's what you get for abandoning your family and marrying a man just because of his money."

"My mother didn't marry my father for his money! She loved him!" Elena yelled. She could take anything thrown at her as long as it didn't touch her parents.

"Sure she did." Esther gritted her teeth. "She was a commoner! An immigrant who didn't have enough food to survive until Grayson took her in!"

"I heard she was a prostitute." Hayley added.

"No she wasn't!" Elena yelled at Hayley before turning to Esther. "She wasn't an immigrant! My father met her in Bulgaria on his trip there and they got married before she moved to Mystic Falls!"

"Raise your voice one more time and I swear to god I will strangle you, child!" She hissed at Elena, her eyes popping out of their sockets. "You have the nerve to speak to me like that!" She yelled before walking over to the fire place. She picked up the bendy stick before approaching Elena. "I will show you, you little worm!" With that she grabbed Elena by her hair and twisted her around before she started to whip her bottom with the stick.

Elena cried out, tears streaming down her cheeks as she was whipped. She could hear giggles and laughter coming from Rebekah and Hayley. Matt stood helplessly watching the girl getting beaten by the evil woman. He couldn't do anything to help her because he knew that his family would be punished for it later. He had a wife, April, and a daughter Anna that he had to protect.

After what felt like hours but it was only a couple of minutes, Esther released her as she hissed. "Now, go and do what you're told!"

"I bet she can't even sit on her ass anymore." Rebekah added with a smirk before starting to laugh.

"GO!" Esther yelled as she pushed her in the direction of the door.

"Please don't make her, Mrs. Gilbert, she's always been afraid of thunder. I will do it." Jenna peeped in. She was Elena's nanny. When Isabella died, Grayson found a nanny to look after Elena for when he went on long business trips since she was only 4 years old when Isabella died.

Esther banged the stick against the wooden table before screaming out. "I will not listen to this nonsense anymore!" She turned to Elena. "You get out now if you don't want me to keep whipping you."

Elena was sobbing, tears streaming down her cheeks as she whispered. "I-I'll-do it."

"GO THEN!" She hissed pointing to the door.

Elena slowly walked, tears in her eyes, fear in her heart as she took every step. When she came to the door, her shaky hand reached for the handle and she turned it. She didn't even get the chance to open the door when a loud roar of thunder and lightning erupted through the house. She jumped out of fear and stopped in her tracks.

"GO!" Esther yelled.

She cried silently as she pulled the door open. It was a big storm outside, trees were swishing from side to side, and dirt was being carried by the wind. She stepped out, shaking and feeling like she was about to die. She could do anything. Any kind of job, she never complained, but when it came to walking outside in this storm she was scared out of her mind. She took slow steps out into the garden, the wind blowing her hair onto her face. Her tears dried almost instantly from the gusts of wind. As she approached the barn, she saw Matt closing the doors. He turned to her and yelled. "Get under the patio!"

She nodded her head before she ran in the direction of the patio and waited for him. After he had closed the door, he ran over to her. "Here is the key."

"Th-thank you." She sobbed out.

"You have nothing to thank me for, baby girl. It's okay." He smiled at her as he hugged her quickly. "Go back in. I'll get inside through the back door. They didn't see me sneak out."

"Okay." Elena nodded her head before slowly heading in the direction of the front door. She was scared as the thunder whizzed through the sky and the lightning shined. As she approached the front door and opened it she found Esther, Rebekah and Hayley standing there with smirks on their faces. "Took you long enough." Esther snorted before grabbing the key from her and walking off.

"You're such a scaredy-cat." Hayley teased.

"Oh don't tease, Hayley." Rebekah said with a smirk on her face. "She lost her mummy in a storm."

"Shut up." Elena hissed at then before heading back up-stairs.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Rebekah questioned.

"To sleep."

"Remember that I need you tomorrow bright and early to iron my dresses!" She yelled behind her.

"How could I forget?" Elena muttered as she rolled her eyes. For the last month all that they talked about was the arrival of Prince Damon Leonardo Salvatore from Italy. The Salvatore family ruled Mystic Falls. King Giuseppe and queen Rozalia were at the head of the town, even though Mystic Falls had a mayor of its own, the Salvatore family had the biggest influence and input when it came to making decisions. Their oldest son Prince Damon Leonardo, was at age now and was expected to marry in the next week which is why the King had organized a ball for all the girls who had reached the age of 16 to attend so that his son could choose his queen. Hayley and Rebekah had received their invitations a month ago and have been talking about it ever since.

As she made her way into the attic, which was her bedroom since her father died, she quickly walked over to the window and closed it before lighting up a candle. She held the candle as she grabbed her little booklet and walked over to the bed. She got under the blankets before opening the book and starting to read, trying to take her mind off the events. Her backside was hurting so much that tears were glistening in her eyes but she ignored it as she read the passage.

September the 18th of 1766

Her soft locks remind me of velvet, she's such a beautiful child, just like her father. She's only 7 months old but so clever for her age. She coos at me like a little bird in the mornings, she reminds me of what I have gained by leaving my home and my family. In her big brown doe eyes I see the reflection of my soul. The reflection of what I first fell in love with. I see Grayson every time I look at my beautiful little girl. She has his eyes but I'm positive she has my glow in them. She has that beautiful pure glow of innocence and beauty. I can see her at age, in her wedding dress smiling at me, ready to start a life of her own.

Even more tears streamed down her cheeks as she read the passage. It was the only thing she had left of her mother. The only thing father had left of her, and he passed it onto Elena on his death bed telling her that it contained something very important for her. She read it every night, it was a constant reminder of what she had lost so many years ago, but also a reminder to fight and keep hope that one day she would leave this place and start a life of her own, just like her mother said. She had hope that Mr. Fell would take her in…at least she would be his personal assistant.

She laid on the pillow, tears in her eyes as she read over the passage again and again until she grew tired and fell asleep with the little booklet clutched to her chest.

The Royal Salvatore Palace

-The Princes Bedroom-

The young man had hardly gotten any sleep last night what with all the thunder and lightning irritating him and now his mother was pulling back the curtains and letting the rays of sunshine light the room up. "Mother, please…"

"Hush, Damon, it's time to get up." Rozalia told her oldest son as she approached him and took a seat beside him on the bed. She raised her hand and ran it lightly through his black raven hair. "The maid will be here soon with your breakfast."

"In bed?" Damon asked, opening only one eye.

"Don't be cheeky, you know the rules."

"You keep forgetting mother that I haven't been home since I was 12. Those rules don't really apply to me."

"Oh, what about the holidays? You have always spent the holidays with us, Damon, and might I add it wasn't your father's idea or mine to send you to Italy to study, you wanted that my boy."

"Yes, I wanted freedom. If I had stayed here, father would have made me get married when I turned of age, I escaped two years." He smirked.

She ruffled his hair smiling. "You haven't changed at all. You're still the cheeky little boy who used to steal all the cookies from the kitchen when our guests arrived."

"I really don't remember that." Damon smirked as he sat up on the bed.

"Well I do." Rozalia smiled at him as she stroked his cheek gently. "You need to get ready. You have to give the speech today."

Damon's mood instantly changed. He didn't want this. He despised this idea. He wanted to bring Katharina, his best friend from University, and marry her but his father refused saying that he needed to choose a girl from Mystic Falls. A born and raised citizen from their land and now he was expected to attend a ceremony and give a speech in front of the entire town about his intentions. He was to greet all the girls of age and personally invite them to the Ball which was in less than five days. "This is being forced upon me."

"Damon, we don't have a choice."

"Why not marry Stefan, he'll be of age soon and leave me out of it?" He yelled throwing the covers and getting out of bed.

"It doesn't work like that and you know it." Rozalia said to him sympathetically.

"I don't want to just marry a girl that I will never love." He stomped his foot angrily.

"Well, find a girl that you will love. You can choose anyone my boy." Rozalia smiled at him as she stood up.

In that moment Kyra, the maid walked in. "Oh I'm sorry for interrupting." She bowed in front of Damon and the Queen.

"Okay fine. I'll marry Kyra." Damon gestured to the woman. "She's nice to me and-" Rozalia cut him off.

"Apologize to Kyra right now!" She hissed at him.

"I'm sorry, Kyra, I'm just trying to make a point." Damon smiled apologetically.

"That's alright, my lord."

"Damon, remember?" He smiled at her.

"You're just like your mother." She smiled at him before glancing at Rozalia.

"He is, but he's stubborn just like his father." The queen said with a smile on her face. "Ignore him, Kyra, he can be a pesky little bug."

"Tell me Kyra, do you believe it's fair that I should be forced upon marriage just because I am of age?" Damon questioned trying to make his point.

"Way past of age." Rozalia added.

The maid looked from the queen to the angry young prince. "It's not my place to say, Damon." She said in an apologetic tone.

"Well, I'm the prince and I give you the right to tell me what you really think."

"Damon, don't be silly. This is pointless." Rozalia told him as she walked up to him. She moved a part of lose hair that was on his forehead to the side as she said. "I suggest you spend this time looking for the girl you want."

"I've already made my decision. I want Kyra." He smirked at the maid.

"Well, my lord, I'm already taken." Kyra peeped in knowing that it was okay to speak freely because Rozalia and Damon weren't very formal when they were around the staff, only the king was.

"Bad luck my boy, but keep looking." Rozalia smirked back at him. "There has to be a girl here that you will be fond of."

"You married father not because you were fond of him but because you were in love with him."

"Yes, but I knew your father since I was 12."

"Well, I've know Katarina since I was 14."

"But Katarina isn't qualified."

"Why not? What difference does it make if she's a citizen of Mystic Falls or not? Upon marriage to me she will become one."

Rozalia huffed. She stared at her son as she said. "It's still not a marriage out of love."

"At least it's friendship."

"This is pointless, Damon, and you know it. You need to get ready for your speech so no more arguing and wasting precious time."

"But-"

"No more!" She hissed. "Eat and bathe. We haven't got much time left. I let you sleep in. I should have woken you an hour ago but I let you sleep in, now don't be disrespectful." She pointed her finger in his direction.

Damon huffed, knowing that it was useless fighting with his mother because she wasn't the one in charge. His father was and there was no way he was going to change Giuseppe's mind about this marriage. He had already started going on about how Damon had wasted two years instead of looking for a wife in Mystic Falls.

When his mother left the room he took the tray from Kyra and sat it on the table before walking over to his window. He could see the entire town, every mansion, house, cottage, and even the barns. He watched it for a while realizing that one girl, of age, was in less than five days going to be his wife. He hardly knew any of these girls; they had all seemed interested when he arrived yesterday. Some of them were standing on the side walk watching as his carriage passed, others were lined up in front of the castle watching him get out of the carriage and waving. It all seemed foreign to him. In Italy he was treated just like any other citizen. All the girls he had been with were just looking for fun. Katarina was carefree and fun. She used to sneak around and get in trouble along with him. She never stared at him as if he was a prize, these girls did.

"Look for a born and raised Mystic Falls girl, Damon. Don't pick her because she's a lady or because she's rich. Pick a girl with a heart, I'm sure there must be at least one." Kyra said from behind him.

"I-I don't know how to. I've never been in love. How do I know it's real?" He questioned.

"You'll know when you meet her. She'll take your breath away with her beauty and with her kindness."

"It all seems like a fairytale, but this is real life. I-I can't just-" She cut him off.

"Yes you can. Your father is a good man. He has given you a choice to choose any girl from Mystic Falls, and my god there are many of age, but be wise with your decision." She told him softly with a smile. In that moment the maid was called by one of the staff members. "Eat your breakfast and bathe. You have to be ready in an hour. I must go now." Kyra said to him before exiting the room.

"Great." Damon mumbled rolling his eyes as he looked back out of the window. "I wonder which one of you will end up being my wife."

The Gilbert Mansion

-Rebekah's Room-

"Pull her hair back and braid it." Esther said to Elena as she brushed Rebekah's long blond hair.

"No, mother! I want to curl it!" Rebekah yelled as she spun around on her chair to face her mother. "I don't want to look like all the others! I want to look special so that he will notice me!" She hissed.

"Then what are you going to do for the ball, Rebekah?!"

"I'll figure something out. It's better that I catch his eye now." She smiled, her chin held up high.

"I suppose you're right." Esther said folding her arms over her chest. "Elena, make her hair curly." She told Elena before turning around and leaving the room.

"With a rose in the back, Elena." Rebekah added.

"Okay." Elena said as she placed the brush down. "I'll go get the cotton strips." She said before walking over to the cupboard and taking out the box of cut cotton strips. She returned to where Rebekah was sitting and placed them beside her. "You're going to have to wet your hair."

"Fine." Rebekah rolled her eyes.

"But be aware that it might become frizzy when it dries since your hair is naturally really frizzy."

'So what are you saying?" Rebekah yelled. "Can you make my hair nice and curly or not?"

"I…I don't know, I've never tried it before." Elena answered honestly.

"Yes you have! You've done it to Hayley many times!"

"Yes, but Hayley has naturally straight hair…you don't."

"Are you calling my hair horrible, you little worm?" The blond hissed.

"No, all I'm saying is that your hair might not curl like you want it to." Elena explained suppressing the urge to roll her eyes at the girl.

"That depends on you!" Rebekah hissed. "Do you want me to look ugly in front of the prince? Do you?"

"No, you do not understand what I'm trying to tell you." Elena rolled her eyes.

"DON'T ROLL YOUR EYES AT ME!" Rebekah hissed. "MOTHER!"

"Yes dear?" Esther yelled from somewhere outside of the room. In a few seconds she was inside the room staring at her daughter. "What seems to be the matter, dear?"

"Elena is making fun of me and my hair. She's rolling her eyes at me and taunting me, mother!"

"ELENA!" Esther approached her with her hand raised. "I will not have you put down MY DAUGHTER!" With that she slapped Elena across the face. It stung like a bitch.

"I didn't!" Elena defended herself as she stepped back. "I'm just trying to explain to her that her hair might not curl the way she wants it to."

"And why is that? My daughter has beautiful blond hair! She'll have beautiful curls!" She hissed.

"Her hair is frizzy."

"She has beautiful hair!" Esther yelled.

"I didn't say that she doesn't have beautiful hair, all I'm saying is that she-" She was cut off by Jenna.

"Mrs. Gilbert, may I suggest taking the girls to someone with more experience like Lila, after all Elena is just a girl she doesn't know very well." Jenna said in a soft voice looking over at Elena and giving her a signal to stay quiet.

Esther placed her hand on her chin as she thought for a second. "I suppose so, after all this is an important event." She looked over at Rebekah as she said. "Come on, I'm taking you to Lila, she's the best…she does my hair." She smiled as she pointed to the monstrosity that was her head.

"Yes, your hair is absolutely beautiful." Jenna added with a fake smile.

"Thank you, Jenna." Esther smiled happily. "Come along, dear, we have to hurry."

Once they were out of the room Elena walked over to Jenna and asked. "You do realize that it's 7 o'clock in the morning. Lila is probably not even up yet."

"Well, let's see if she has the guts to tell Mrs. Wicked Witch of Mystic Falls to leave." Jenna smirked. "I couldn't care less about Rebekah's hair, what I'm concerned with are those marks from last night." She pointed to Elena's backside.

"I-I'm fine." Elena said avoiding eye contact.

"You are not fine, my child." Jenna shook her head. "Now come, let me see."

Elena slowly walked over to the woman before lifting her dress up. "It's not that bad. I've had worse."

"It's still red, but the skin isn't broken which is good. I'll put a wet cloth on it to clean it out." Jenna told her before exiting the room. She returned with a cotton cloth and a bowl of water in it. She wet the cloth before placing it on her back side. It stung and Elena yelped.

"I'm sorry, I have to clean it." Jenna said in an apologetic voice.

"I know…."

She held the cloth on her marks for a while before pulling it away. "You should avoid sitting down for a while and sleep on your tummy."

"I will." Elena nodded her head.

"How are you doing? Did you sleep at all last night?" Jenna asked.

"A little." Elena answered honestly.

"I'm sorry sweetie." Jenna said as she brushed her brown hair away from her beautiful face. "Are you excited about the ball?"

"I'm not going." Elena looked away as she answered.

"What? Why? You're of age, Elena. You should be-"

"I'm not allowed." She answered.

"What do you mean you're not allowed to? Of course you are! All girls from Mystic Falls are attending, sweetheart."

"I didn't receive an invitation and Esther is making me look after the house while they attend."

"Nonsense!" Jenna yelled frustrated. "You must have received an invitation! All girls did, even Genevieve has received hers and she's sick. We all know the poor child won't make it." She shook her head sadly before looking up at Elena. "You had to have received an invitation, Elena."

"I didn't, and it's because when the man showed up to the mansion asking if Esther had any girls of age she only listed Rebekah and Hayley. She never mentioned me." Elena said sadly."But I don't care. It's just a stupid ball where every girl is going to try and persuade the prince to marry her." She rolled her eyes. "You know rumors are going around town that he doesn't even want to get married. I can't blame him though."

Jenna smiled at her as she asked. "And since when do you believe in gossip?"

"Since Caroline Forbs told me." She giggled before adding. "She said that he's very bad and wicked."

Jenna chuckled. "And what do you think?"

"How should I know, I've never met him." She smiled a sparkle in her eyes. "He's probably just like King Giuseppe." She rolled her eyes before imitating the king. "I am your king, and I will do what is best for this town-errr Rozalia, my queen, get me my trousers."

"Elena!" Jenna scolded her but couldn't help but laugh herself. "Don't let anybody hear you say that." She pointed her finger in Elena's direction. "The king is a nice man, and I'm sure his son is wonderful too."

Elena giggled as she added with that sparkle in her eye. "I'm sure he is."

The Gilbert Mansion

-Outside in the garden-

"Come along girls!" Esther called as she stood in her blue gown in the middle of the garden.

Rebekah and Hayley walked out of the house with their heads held high, they could hardly see where they were going.

"Here comes the gruesome twosome." Matt whispered in Elena's ear making her giggle. The entire staff was standing outside waiting for them to come out. Rebekah was dressed in a green gown with shiny diamonds. She had her hair pulled back into a bun with a red rose in the back. She looked like one of those evil witches from fairytales. Hayley had half of her hair pined up while the other half was down resting on her shoulders. Her dress was a light yellow color that made her look like a fairy.

"Hayley, walk like a lady!" Esther scolded as she watched her daughter almost trip over her dress. Hayley kept her head down watching every step she took. "HAYLEY! For the love of god, head up, and walk confidently."

"I can't! These shoes are making me wobbly!" She cried frustrated.

"You're so dumb you don't even know how to walk properly." Rebekah said rolling her eyes.

"Rebekah, don't' speak to your sister like that!" She hissed at her daughter.

"What? It's true." She rolled her eyes. "I don't want her anywhere near me when we get to the town square. I don't want Damon to think I'm an invalid like she is."

"Enough!" Esther hissed as she turned to the staff. "Don't they look lovely?"

Everybody nodded their heads and said that they looked lovely. Most of them didn't mean it but said it anyway because they knew that they had to in order to keep their jobs. Elena, Matt and Jenna kept on giggling and whispering amongst each other little comments on how ridiculous the girls looked and how Esther was acting.

The carriage soon arrived and stopped in front of the yard for them. Once they had gotten in and were off to the town square Jenna turned to Elena. "I will do your chores before they get back, you go with Caroline and have fun."

"What?" Elena questioned not understanding.

"I said, go and have fun, but be back by nightfall so that the Wicked Witch doesn't ask questions."

"But-"

"No buts, Elena." Matt interrupted. "You are going." He smiled at her. "Caroline is up in the attic waiting for you. Take the back roads and hurry." He told her.

She stared at them for a second completely shocked and overwhelmed before jumping up and embracing them into a hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much!" She squealed.

"Go!" Both Jenna and Matt said to her with smiles on their faces. She rushed quickly into the house and headed upstairs to meet Caroline.

The Salvatore Royal Palace

-The foyer-

As Damon stepped down the stairs, all dressed up and looking dashing, he was greeted by his brother, Stefan, and his father.

"Damon, you look dashing my boy!" Giuseppe smiled slapping his son on the back.

"Thank you, father." Damon tried to smile. He was in no mood to act happy about this but he also knew that there was no point in putting up a fight.

"You certainly look good, brother." Stefan added, his green eyes smiling up at Damon. "You're quite the ladies man I've heard."

"Of course he is!" The king beamed. "I've heard stories from Romano that you have acquainted with quite a few ladies while you were in Italy." Romano was Damon's monitor. He went everywhere Damon went to make sure that the young prince was safe.

"Oh let's leave that part out, after all, he needs to get married. We don't want the bride running off upon hearing that the Prince has had so many women friends." Rozalia said as she made her way down the stairs.

"We certainly don't want that." Giuseppe agreed.

"Then it's about time we left for the ceremony." Rozalia said as she locked her hand through her husband's.

"I simply cannot wait." Damon said sarcastically in a low tone so that Stefan could only hear.

"Your facial expression doesn't give anything away, brother." Stefan teased.

"For once in my life I wish you were born first." Damon smirked at him.

"Oh, but don't believe that I will have much luck either. I'll be coming of age next year." The younger Salvatore said sadly.

"Then start looking for a girl." Damon told him, realizing that he should have done the same.

"I'll try to persuade father to give me a little more time, perhaps two years." He smirked at Damon.

"Not very likely, son." Giuseppe added as he turned to face them. "You have had more than enough time to fool around, now it's time to settle down." He pointed to Damon. "Not to mention that it's a disaster for a royal to be seen at a Brothel."

Damon's eyes widened and so did Stefan's. "What? Where did you hear this father?" Damon asked shocked. It wasn't true. He had never been to such a place. He had enough female company that he never felt the need to visit such a place. "I assure you that it is not true. I have had female company and indulged in it but I have never visited a Brothel."

Giuseppe smirked at his son. "Just making sure." Damon rolled his eyes. His father's humor could be shocking sometimes. "After all, you don't need to. You are stunning just like your mother. I have no doubt that women would be after you."

Damon looked over at Stefan who was holding in his laugh. "I will have you hanged if you so much as squeak." Damon pretended to threaten his brother.

"I'm so lucky not to be you." Stefan smirked.

Damon slapped him around the head.

"Enough fooling around. We must behave like royals." Rozalia said to her two sons.

Once they were outside two carriages were waiting for them. One was for the King and Queen, the other for the two Princes. They all got into the carriage and headed to the town square. Damon watching out the window as they passed little houses, people greeting them and waving. It all seemed so wonderful…but there was one thing missing…a girl…a girl that he would love.

The town square

-Behind the carriages-

"Isn't he just perfect?" Caroline beamed as she peaked from behind the carriage while pointing to the boy who was standing beside the king. "Look at how handsome he is?"

"Yes, I suppose he does look good." Elena agreed as she looked at the man dressed in a guard's uniform.

"He's the head of security and I've also heard that he's the Prince's best friend." Caroline beamed.

"You know that you are of age now. What if the prince picks you at the ball? You might end up as the prince's wife instead of the guard's wife."

"That's not going to happen. I won't be at the ball."

"What do you mean?" Elena asked confused.

"I'm going to sneak out…I can't risk it." She said softly. "I like Prince Damon, he's nice-"

"And you're gorgeous. If he's going to pick anyone it's going to be you." It was true. Caroline was the most beautiful girl in Mystic Falls. Her family was already acquainted with the royals and her living standards were pretty good. She was a nice girl even though she was rich. She loved to gossip but in general she was a sweet girl and the only friend that Elena had. People mostly believed that Elena was Caroline's little helper, but it wasn't like that. They were real friends.

"And that's why I'm hiding. I can't risk it. I will sneak out as soon as I get to the ball so that he doesn't see me."

"And is that why we're hiding behind a carriage?" Elena asked, cocking her head to the side.

"Yes!" Caroline smiled. "You don't mind, do you?"

"No, I shouldn't even be here. Jenna and Matt are covering for me. I have to be back home by nightfall."

"That's enough time for us to have some fun." The blonde giggled.

They watched as the King gave some speech about his son before the young prince stepped on the podium. Elena had to admit that he was extremely handsome. She had never seen him before but he took her breath away. He had beautiful black hair and he was tall. She couldn't really make out his face from such a distance, but she could tell that he was good looking by the reaction he was receiving from all the other girls.

"And now they've gone wild." Elena added with a smile.

"Who wouldn't? Even I would go wild if I wasn't in love already." Caroline added before chuckling.

The town square

-The podium-

"Thank you all for coming." Damon greeted when the crowd of girls stopped cheering. "I assume you already know why you're here. All of you have received an invitation to the ball but I wanted to invite you all formally myself." They started yelling and cheering again so he stopped. He decided to wait until they were calm again before continuing. "At the ball, 79 of you will attend but only one of you will become my wife." They started to cheer again and it was starting to annoy him. "Please can you girls calm down?" He spoke in a loud voice trying to get their attention but it was no use. Some of them were yelling 'I LOVE YOU' others were saying 'PICK ME' and so on. How did his father expect him to marry one of them? They were all wild and completely out of their minds.

"PLEASE MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION?" Giuseppe yelled as he stood up but received a glare of disapproval from his wife. The town square grew quiet instantly. "Thank you. I know you are all excited but let's keep the excitement in until until the ball." He turned back to Damon. "Continue."

"Thank you, father." Damon said before turning back to the crowd. "I here stand asking every girl out there who already has found her companion to not feel obligated to attend this ball. You are all young ladies now, and please do take responsibility for yourselves. I am your Prince but I wish to not intrude to those of you who are already being courted and very much in love." He smiled tightly hoping that somehow over night every single one of these girls would fall in love but he could tell by the glares they were giving him that that was not going to happen. "As for the ladies who are very much single, I am honored to see you attend." They gave a little cheer, not so loud this time since the king was still standing next to his son. "Thank you once again for attending this public invitation." He said before smiling at them and waving. They started to cheer again loudly but Damon just turned around and headed to where his mother and brother were sitting.

"I think the majority of these girls are preposterous." He told them.

"Damon!" Rozalia scolded. "Don't be mean."

"I'm not. Did you miss the part where they were screaming and shouting at me?" He asked his mother in disbelief.

"They're just overwhelmed." She said to him as she stood up. "This doesn't happen very often so they tend to get a little overexcited."

Stefan smiled as he added. "Don't worry brother, Romano will always be by your side. Your safety will be ensured."

"You won't be joking or laughing when you come of age and when father forces you to marry but the only choice you have is a bunch of lunatics." He hissed at Stefan before saying to his mother. "I'm going with Romano for a drink."

"Behave, Damon" Rozalia told him, "and be home by nightfall."

The Mystic Garden

-Sitting by the open market-

"At least he said that those who were already being courted didn't have to attend." Elena said as she popped a cherry into her mouth.

"My father would have had a heart attack if I refused to attend the ball. He wants me to marry the Prince." Caroline said sadly.

"Would it be such a bad thing? I mean you haven't even spoken to the guard. What if he's not fond of you? You would be missing an opportunity to marry a very handsome royal."

"The guard has noticed me…he always notices me. We haven't spoken yet but he's always looking at me when we cross paths." The blonde said happily.

"How romantic." Elena teased.

"It is!" The blonde squealed. "You should try to find yourself a man, Elena." She giggled before adding. "If I were you I'd crash the ball…actually it wouldn't be crashing since you're of age and you should be invited."

"Don't be ridiculous." Elena shook her head. "He wouldn't even notice me."

"Well obviously when you're dressed like that and with bushy hair." The blonde pointed out. "But you're so beautiful, Elena." She ran her hand down Elena's long hair as she said. "If only you'd dress up and do your hair nicely, you'd be stunning…better looking than I am."

"Don't be silly, Caroline, I could never compare to you." Elena blushed.

"You don't see it, Elena, but you're a natural beauty." The blonde told her with a smile.

"It doesn't matter, because I'm not going." She shook her head. "And besides, the Prince is such a wuss."

Caroline chuckled before asking. "Why do you say that?"

"He was literally scared of the girls." Elena rolled her eyes. "How do you expect a man like that to rule and protect the people."

"He's still young." Caroline added.

"I know, but he's just so…"

"What?" A voice came behind them.

Both of the girls turned around and were met with a pair of beautiful blue eyes and dark black hair. They stared in horror at the man before saying in union and bowing before him. "Your majesty."

"He's just so…what?" The Prince ignored their bowing and tapped his foot as he waited for an answer.

"I'm so sorry your majesty." Elena apologized with her puppy-dog eyes as she stared up at him. He was even more beautiful up close.

"I will dismiss this if you honestly tell me what you were going to say"

Elena gulped staring at him. "I-I was going to say wonderful." She smiled. It was true, he was wonderful, but it wasn't what she was going to say at the time.

"You're lying." Damon told her before looking her up and down. She was wearing an old white dirty dress, her hair was all messy but her face was child-like beautiful. "What happened? Didn't have time to bathe this morning little girl?" he decided to taunt her since she was gossiping about him.

Elena stared back at him. She opened her mouth to tell him that she had awoken this morning at 4 am to get the girls ready, but then stopped and narrowed her eyes before snapping. "No, actually, I didn't but at least I'm not scared of a bunch of girls."

Damon smirked. "And there we have it. The real answer I was looking for."

"Elena!" Caroline nudged her. "I'm so sorry your majesty, she's never like this. She's just a little ill today." She smiled apologetically at Damon before grabbing Elena's hand. "Let's go!"

Elena stood up to her feet and turned to leave but Damon stopped them. "Wait."

They both turned towards him. "Are one of you by any chance attending the ball?"

"No." They both answered.

"Great." He smiled. "Now, tell me girls where is a good place for me to hide out until the dragon girls stop coming after me." He asked glaring at them.

"Dragon girls?" Elena repeated in a low voice so that he wouldn't hear before chuckling softly.

"Is something funny, little one?" Damon asked raising his eyebrow at the girl with messy hair.

"So you're admitting that you're afraid of a bunch of girls?" Elena asked before she could stop herself. "And you've even give them a name. Dragon Girls."

"Elena! My sweet Jesus, what is wrong with you, girl?" Caroline hissed at her.

Damon just laughed. "At least the little one is honest." He turned to Caroline. "You just lied to me about the ball." He smirked.

"I-I-I didn't lie…I'm just…" She stopped talking and turned completely red.

"I knew who you were, Miss Forbes." Damon added a smirk on his face. He knew her, his father had already pointed her out as soon as the ceremony was over. He admired her beauty and that was the reason he decided to come and talk to her. She really was beautiful with her blonde hair and blue eyes…but that wasn't the only thing he was looking for. He turned back to the dirty girl and smirked. "Yes, I'll admit they scare me."

Elena stared at him for a second before starting to laugh. He was honest and funny, maybe she had the wrong idea about him. Damon watched her laugh, she had a cute laugh and her nose reminded him of a little rabbit's nose when it scrunched up. The girl was clearly innocent and honest which he admired.

"I'm sorry your majesty but I think Elena needs to lie down. She's clearly not okay." Caroline said as she grabbed Elena's hand in an attempt to drag her away.

"Oh please, call me Damon and don't drag the funny girl away." He smiled at Caroline. "She's making my day much more pleasant."

"I have a name you know." Elena said to him as she pulled out of Caroline's grip.

"Elena, right?" Damon smirked.

"Yes, Elena…The Elena." She smiled and giggled.

"Nice to meet you, Elena…The Elena." Damon smirked at her as he extended his hand a gesture that surprised Caroline.

"I have germs." She teased not extending her hand.

"You might be right about that." Damon played along.

"We don't want the Prince to get germs so I'll keep my hands to myself." She smiled at him again before giggling.

He couldn't help but laugh at her. Caroline just stared at them. Looking from Elena to the Prince and wondering if she was going crazy. This was not happening. She wasn't seriously making fun of the Prince, was she? Caroline wanted to just turn away and run off or if it was possible for the ground to open and swallow her alive.

Damon and Elena both turned to Caroline with raised eyebrows. The blonde stared at them, crimson red, as she said. "El-Elena we should-"

"Oh come on, he's not that bad. At least we can save him from the girls." She smiled at her friend before looking back up at Damon. "Don't worry; I won't let them swallow you alive as long as you don't mind hiding out in a barn," She leaned in closer making an adorable disgusted face, "with pigs and cows…you can get germs."

"I'll survive." Damon whispered back with a smirk.

In the barn

-Sitting on the hay-

"So you're helplessly in love with my guard?" Damon asked Caroline as he twisted a piece of hay in his hand.

"I'm sorry your majesty-"

"Call me Damon, Caroline." He offered with a small smile.

Caroline swallowed the lump in her throat before saying. "Damon, I know this is rude of me to ask but I beg you not to choose me."

He pretended to consider it for a moment before making a serious face, deciding to taunt her a little bit. "What's wrong with me? Why don't you want to be my wife?"

Caroline stared, her blue eyes full of fear. "No your majesty, it's not like that. You're an extraordinary handsome, smart, and wonderful man. I-I'd be honored to be your wife…it's just that I…"She stopped herself from talking knowing that if her father ever found out he would literally murderer her. She stared Damon in the eyes as she said. "Like I said, I'd be honored to be your wife if you choose me."

Damon eyed her, she was very brave and honorable, as he smiled. "Do not worry Caroline, I'd never take you away from true love."

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. "I'm sorry? I don't quite understand?"

He laughed as he stood up and approached her. "Nicklaus Mikaelson is my friend first and then my guard. I would never stand in his way, in the way of true love, Caroline."

"Does that mean…" She asked, her voice hinting on her insecurity.

Damon nodded his head smiling. "I will let him know that he is one lucky man to be loved by a woman like you."

"No! You cannot say anything." She panicked.

Damon raised his eyebrow suspiciously. "Why not?"

"Because he doesn't know…we've never talked before." She confessed turning red from embarrassment.

Damon stared stunned by her confession. "How-how can you be in love if you do not even know him?"

Elena peeped in. "It's love at first sight." She smiled at Caroline who looked completely flushed before turning to Damon. "They've never talked because they didn't need to. A simple look is enough to completely capture a person and fill their heart with love." Elena smiled as she explained.

"Forgive me but I don't quite understand this sort of love. How can you love someone who you know nothing about? It's absurd!" He cried.

"It's passionate and pure…and real." She smiled at Damon as she added. "A simple look can tell an entire story."

"You sound like Shakespeare." Damon smiled at the dirty girl with bushy hair. "You're a hopeless romantic, aren't you?"

"On the contrary, my Prince." She giggled, "I am anything but romantic." She jumped on the hay and bounced like a ball. Damon shook his head and laughed. She was so childish and he loved it because she reminded him of Katarina. She was carefree just like her. This girl was making his day. She fell back and got comfortable on the hay before saying. "Life is too cruel for me to believe in romance and happily ever after."

"Elena, don't say that." Caroline intervened. "You will meet someone and fall in–"

"No, I won't. It's simply not written into my destiny and I'm okay with that." She pretended to smile. In reality she wasn't okay with any of it, but refused to let the other people around her see it. She was well aware that her life would never change for the better. She smiled at Caroline as she said. "Perhaps, I will get lucky and Mr. Fell might take me in as his personal assistant. He's been hinting at it for almost a year now but the Wicked Witch won't allow it."

"Mr. Fell? The old man who owns the dark castle?" Damon asked, his blue eyes wide in horror.

"Yes, that would be him." Elena nodded.

"You cannot go with him!" Damon shouted. "That man is not to be trusted!"

"He's not a bad man." Elena defended. "He's simply different."

"He's evil!"

"Oh in god's name, where did you hear that? Just because he dresses funny and hardly talks to people doesn't mean he's evil." Elena rolled her eyes at the Prince.

"Elena, don't trust him…promise me?" Damon asked, his eyes pleading with the girl. He felt this huge pressure in his chest when she mentioned Mr. Fell. He didn't want her to end up with such a dark and mysterious man.

"You're being ridiculous. He's just an old man who happens to like spending time on his own, away from the towns people." She shook her head. "He used to be my father's friend."

"Used to be? Why past tense? Surely your father wouldn't give you away to him-" Elena cut him off.

"My father is dead."

"Oh…" Damon closed his mouth. He hesitated not knowing what to say. He swallowed thickly before uttering. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you…it was a long time ago." She said sympathetically.

"You cannot go with him! You deserve to find a man who you will spend the rest of your life with, not to be someone's personal assistant. What does that even mean?" Damon demanded suddenly getting upset with the girl. He wouldn't allow this.

"A personal assistant is someone who tends to all the needs of her master." She explained.

"And you want to be his slave!" Damon yelled.

"I don't have a choice! He's better then that Wicked Witch!" Elena yelled back.

"Of course you have a choice! Find yourself a nice suitor! There are plenty of men out there, and when you're of age, I am sure they will gladly take interest in you! I'm sure you'll be able to find someone." He tried to convince her.

"It is not that simple!" Elena shot back. "I am not a lady! I am a servant if you haven't noticed."

"Elena! No, you are not!" Caroline yelled.

"Caroline, do not!" Elena pointed her finger in Caroline's direction warning her. "That is not my home anymore! I am simply a servant there!" She refused to let herself believe that that mansion was her home. It stopped being her home when her father passed away.

Damon stared at the two girls. They were at war with their glares. He cleared his throat before turning to Elena. "There are many male servants that I am sure would be delighted to go steady with you."

"Oh please don't lie to me. You're a Prince and you should never lie to your people." She pointed in his direction with her little finger.

"I am not lying. I am simply telling you that life has more to offer. You should explore." Damon explained.

"I would be very grateful if we started a new subject, I'm quite getting bored with this." Elena said as she jumped up on the hay and started to bounce again. "I want to enjoy my free days thinking about happy times and laughing." She declared as she jumped on the hay and started to twirl like a ballerina. "I am happy right now and that is all that matters!"

Damon watched her with amazement. This girl was full of surprises. She started to sing, didn't care that it sounded terrible, and jumped up and down like a bouncing ball. Caroline laughed at her and clapped her hands.

"You are one extraordinary creature, Elena…The Elena." He said more to himself then to her.

On the way back to the Gilbert Mansion

-On the road-

"I think you should go to the ball." Elena blurted out as she walked down the path next to Caroline.

"What? No! You heard Damon. He told me that he wouldn't choose me, so what's the point."

"The point is that you'll get to see the guard. I bet Damon will even introduce him to you." She smiled.

Caroline blushed, a small smile creeping its way onto her lips. "You think?"

Elena nodded her head, her bright and wide smile making her look like a little child.

Caroline skipped as she twirled. "I can't wait!" She sang song.

Elena skipped also smiling. "Today was a great day." She declared.

"Oooh reeally?" Caroline smirked in a teasing voice. "Have you changed your mind about the prince?"

Elena giggled. "He's so not what I expected." She chuckled before saying. "I still think he's a wuss though."

"Oh please, don't lie to me. You like him."

"I do, I didn't say I didn't like him…all I'm saying is he's a wuss." She smiled brightly.

"Elena…" Caroline narrowed her eyes. "I said you like him as in-"

"NO! He's a Prince for god sakes, Caroline!" Elena shook her head.

"So?"

"Don't say such silly things…I'm a servant girl." She rolled her eyes.

"This isn't England. You don't have to be royalty to marry a royal." Caroline smiled. "Besides you'd be a good princess."

"Shut up!" Elena slapped her hand playfully. "Don't say those things in front of people and especially not in front of the wicked witch."

Caroline stopped in her tracks when an idea popped into her head. "Why didn't you ask him to take you in?"

"What?" Elena turned around to face her with confusion.

"I mean, why didn't you ask him to take you in as a servant? You'd be treated well in the castle."

"Because I don't want anyone's pity!" Elena shot back a disdainful grimace on her face.

"It's not pity! It's a favor. You'd meet someone nice there and Damon would make sure of that." She smiled at her friend as she came closer to her. "He's a nice man, he could help you."

"NO! I don't want his help!" Elena argued. In all honestly she didn't really know why she was acting this way. Caroline had a point. She could have asked for help but there was a part of her that didn't want to ask him. He was nice…nicer than any boy that she had ever met before apart from Matt, but every time she thought about it, it just made her feel sad. She didn't want his pity, she didn't want him to see her so weak and helpless…she wanted him to smile at her like he had done today. A huge grin was on his face when she was just being herself and she wanted him to see her like that always, not a scared little girl who cried every night.

"Well…we're here." Caroline said in a soft voice when they reached the back of the house.

"Thanks for today…I really enjoyed it." Elena smiled as she hugged Caroline.

"It was my pleasure." She smiled. "I really hope you change your mind about the ball."

"Let's not push it." Elena smiled when she pulled away.

"You deserve to go." Caroline pushed.

"What I deserve isn't in my hands anymore." Elena said sadly before putting on a smile. "But it's okay. I'm okay. I don't need to go to the ball. Besides, it's not for me. I-I don't wear fancy dresses and shoes."

"You should."

"It's not written in my destiny, Caroline." Elena smiled. "It's okay. It's what life is."

The Royal Salvatore Palace

-The Princes Bedroom-

The sun was setting, a dim lamp was lying by his bed as he sat and stared out of the window. Today he had spent the day with two very interesting girls. One was very lady-like while the other was child-like. He smiled remembering Caroline's happy face when he promised to introduce her to Nicklaus. He didn't understand the kind of love she had for the man but it wasn't his place to judge or ask unwanted questions. She had never even met him but she was in love with him. In that that moment Damon wished that he could meet someone and fall in love with them instantly.

"My beautiful son, how did you spend your day?" Rozalia asked as she approached him and took a seat next to him.

"Quite well, mother." Damon smiled. "I got to know two ladies."

"Oh really?" Rozalia smiled. "Is one of them by any chance Caroline Forbs?"

Damon shook his head. "You had me followed?"

"No, but Romano told me." She smirked. "So, do you like her?"

"She's in love already." Damon answered.

"Nonsense." Rozalia shook her head confused. "Her father said that she-"

"He doesn't know." Damon turned to his mother. "She's a girl who's helplessly in love with Nicklaus."

Rozalia's eyes widened. "Nicklaus? Nicklaus Mikaelson?"

"Yes." Damon smiled. "From what I've heard he fancies her as well."

"Oh my…I had no idea." Rozalia said a little stunned. "So you're not going to choose her?"

"No, I can't…I'd never stand in the way of true love." Damon told her honestly.

"Oh my dear boy, your heart is pure gold." Damon smiled at her as she cupped his cheek. Rozalia smiled as she asked. "Have you met someone else today that you might be fond of?"

Damon chuckled before saying. "I met a girl who is rather very cheeky but child-like also." He shook his head remembering Elena bouncing on the hay and singing. "She's like no one I have met before." He smirked remembering their meeting. "She called me a wuss and challenged me."

"Oh really? Not very lady-like." Rozalia added but smiled.

"She's no lady. She's a servant that I'm very worried about. She has no sense of what her future will be like. She's willing to be taken away by Mr. Fell."

Rozalia gasped. "Oh my! Tibias Fell?"

"Yes…she claims that he's a good man. I'm very worried about her. She doesn't know where she's going with her life…she's very confused and child-like…she's unaware of the consequences of trusting too easily." Damon said worried.

"But surely her family wouldn't give her away to that dreadful man." Rozalia spoke softly.

"She doesn't have a family…I mean her father and her mother passed away." Damon said sadly.

"Poor child." Rozalia spoke softly.

"It's eating me up inside." Damon confessed. "I want to help her…but I don't know how."

Rozalia smiled at his generosity. "My boy, you are as good as gold." She cupped his cheek. "You are meant to be king."

"Not now, maybe someday." Damon smiled at his mother before asking. "Is there anything we can do?"

"Is she of age?" Rozalia asked.

"No." Damon shook his head.

"Then there is nothing we can do."

"But what if they give her away? Can't we do something?"

Rozalia thought for a second. "What is her name?"

"Elena."

"Elena…?" she waited for him to tell her Elena's last name.

"I don't know. She just told me her name was Elena. The Elena."

Rozalia smiled. "Okay, so The Elena." She teased.

"I didn't ask for her full name." Damon rolled his eyes. "What can we do, mother?"

"I'll ask around, but I can't promise you anything." She stood up to leave before adding. "I'll help with The Elena, if you promise to go wife hunting tomorrow."

Damon rolled his eyes. "I'd rather spend the day with Elena rolling in the hay."

-A WEEK LATER-
-THE DAY OF THE BALL-

The Gilbert Mansion

-The Living Area-

"Elena, you missed a spot, there is a line there." Hayley pointed to the hem of the dress.

"I can't get it out." Elena said angrily. It was no use. She had ironed it over ten times by now but the cease was still there.

"Well, try harder!" Hayley yelled.

Elena huffed angrily as she started ironing over the crease again. She pressed really hard into the material trying to get it out. When she lifted the iron the crease was barely visible. "Thank god." She murmured before placing the iron down onto the stove and getting up to her feet. She grabbed the dress and carried it into the parlor. "Here, your dress is done." She handed it to Hayley.

"Oh goody." She smirked happily taking if from the girl. She looked at the dress and inspected it very careful to make sure that there were no creases before looking up at Elena. "You can start my bath now."

Elena just nodded her head before leaving the room. As soon as she was out Esther walked in. "Let me see darling." She smiled as she took the dress. "Divine. You will look exquisite in this."

Hayley smiled happily before saying. "I hope he chooses me mother."

"If he asks you to dance, do accept, but if you see him with your sister do not interfere." She said in a threatening voice.

"Yes mother." The girl nodded her head.

"Good…Where is…" She looked around the room for Elena.

"She's gone to start my bath." Hayley said.

"Good."Esther nodded her head. She took a seat on the sofa before saying. "She will have chores to do tonight."

"Good. I don't want her with the rest of the staff waiting in front of the castle. It's so embarrassing."

"Of course, I won't let that happen. She will have enough chores to keep her busy the entire night."

"That's good to hear." Rebekah said as she walked in. "She hasn't been working hard enough…look." She pointed to her dress that had a crease on the hem.

"She did the same to me!" Hayley cried.

"Oh my…this won't do!" Esther yelled. "ELENA!"

In less than a minute, Elena came running into the room looking annoyed and tired. "Yes?"

"You little worm!" Esther hissed. "Look!" She pointed to Rebekah's dress, showing her the crease. "What is that?"

Elena stared at the barely visible crease and huffed. "If Damon's going to like her, which I hardly doubt he will, that crease won't make a difference."

"What did you say you little ungrateful worm!" Esther hissed.

"You troll!" Rebekah yelled making a move to slap Elena. Esther grabbed her before she could reach for her. "Don't! I'll deal with her! Go take off your dress and bring it here! The brat is going to iron it again!" She hissed as she grabbed Elena. Rebekah took off in the opposite direction while Elena just stood there staring at the witch. "What?" She asked when Esther wouldn't stop staring at her.

"You will never say that about my daughter again! She will be his wife!" She hissed shaking the girl.

"I don't care!" Elena cried. "Let me go!"

"No! You are to do your chores!"

"No!" Elena yelled yanking out of her hold. She had never said ''no'' before but now she just had this surge of power. She didn't know where it came from; all she knew was that it was too much and she needed to speak her mind for once. It was about time for her to show them that she wasn't a rag doll to be dragged around and beaten and yelled at all the time. "I won't iron her stupid dresses anymore! I wish Mr. Fell will just come already! I want him to take me away from all of you!" She yelled with a murderess look on her face.

Esther just laughed. "You think I'll let him just take you away? Don't be ridiculous, Elena."

"I want to go! I am of age and you can't stop me!" Elena yelled back.

"You will leave when I let you leave!" She yelled grabbing her hand. "Keep your voice down you little brat!"

"No! I have had enough of you and your stupid daughters!" Elena yelled. "I hate you! You treat me the worst!"

"Because you're disobedient."

"No, I listen to you! I do everything you say, but you still hate me! You hate me because I look like my father!" Elena yelled. Esther gasped, her eyes full of anger before she raised her hand to slap Elena but the girl placed her free hand up to sheild herself. In that moment Jenna rushed into the room. She looked scared and frightened.

Esther looked over to the nanny before shoving Elena away from her. "Get out of my sight, worm!"

Elena squinted her eyes at the woman before turning around and running out of the room. Esther turned to Jenna with a murderous look on her old face. "You will make sure that she doesn't step foot off this property tonight. She will have chores to do and you will make sure that she does them! Am I clear?"

"Yes." Jenna nodded her head.

The Salvatore Royal Palace

-The foyer-

Giuseppe huffed as he stared at his wife and his eldest son. "No. I have given you more than enough time!"

"But I don't know who to marry! I don't love any of them!" Damon yelled.

"Then just pick one!" Giuseppe yelled back.

"Peppi!" Rozalia scolded her husband. "Do not say that!"

"What do you want me to tell him? I've given him time! The ball is tonight, Rozalia!" He shook his head in disbelief. His son and his wife were out of their minds if they thought he was going to change his mind about this.

"So you expect me to just choose any woman and marry? You expect me to live with this choice for the rest of my life?" Damon yelled, feeling sick of this.

"Two years you wasted! Two years! You could have found a wife by now!"

"But he hasn't." Rozalia added.

Giuseppe stood up and approached them, a stern look on his face as he said. "Tonight is your night. Every woman will be there. Look carefully and choose the one you want. Don't hesitate to choose the one who's in love with another man, like you did with Miss Forbes."

"What was I supposed to do? Marry Caroline even though she loves my best friend?" Damon stared in disbelief.

"Yes, if she's the one you want! She wouldn't have had a choice! You are the prince!"

"Well, I'd rather not be the prince if I have to take someone's happiness away."

"Damon, watch what you are saying!" Giuseppe yelled.

Damon's blue eyes turned a shade darker, his facial expression became harder as he said. "I will marry, father. I will pick a bride tonight and my decision will be solely on what you want."

"Good. Then the matter is settled." Giuseppe held a hard face as well, but a part of him felt guilty for making him do this. Rozalia shook her head her eyes staring daggers at her husband. Damon didn't say a word, he just turned on his head and headed out of the foyer.

"Nice…very nice." Rozalia muttered.

"Don't even start." The king held his hand up.

"Oh I have nothing to say." The queen shot back angrily. "I'm speechless."

"We all know that this day had to come."

"Yes, but you could have broken it to him lightly." She hissed.

"He wouldn't have heard me." He poured himself a drink as he added. "This way he knows what needs to be done."

The Gilbert Mansion

-The attic-

She sat on the bed holding the little booklet as she prayed. It was already dark, a candle was lit by her creating a soft glow. She was locked inside the attic with no escape. Esther had locked her in and taken the key with her. A tear rolled down her cheek as she stared down at the only thing she had left of her mother. The prayers were just above a whisper. "You gave me life, and I thank you for that, but I am so miserable here…I hope you are happier up their mother. Sometimes I think about what it would be like if I had a chance to be with you…up there." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I-I miss you so much. I-I hardly remember you but I miss you. I miss father too. I hope you two are together…happy. " Another tear rolled down her cheek and landed on the little booklet. "Sometimes I wish that someone might come for me. Someone I will fall in love with…but it seems useless, especially now that I've met him." A third tear rolled down her cheek and right onto the little booklet. "It hurts mummy…I think I might love him…but I'll never be with him. Tonight he's going to pick a bride at the ball."

"Is he?" Came a voice somewhere in the dark. Elena jumped upon hearing the voice and grabbed the candle.

"Who's there?" She asked frightened but there was no reply. She waited for a little bit to see if there was a reply but there was none so she walked over to the window to check if it was closed properly. As she got closer, the light from the candle reflected on the glass window and showered a face. Elena jumped back frightened. "Who are you! Come out!" She demanded.

"If you wish." The voice said as the room lit up brightly. It lit up so much that anyone could have been fooled that it was broad daylight. A girl with black hair and dark brown skin stepped in with a smile on her face. She was dressed in a white long gown. "Elena, am I right?"

"Y-yes. Wh-Who are you?" Elena asked as she took a step back frightened.

"I hardly doubt you would believe me if I told you." The girl said with a small smile.

"J-Just tell me." She choked out.

"Okay…I'm your wish for tonight." She smiled as she took a seat on the bed.

"My-my wish?" Elena asked confused.

"Mhmm."

Elena eyed the girl carefully. The girl's skin was glowing, literally glowing, her face looked so perfect and it was glowing like the rest of her. "Why-why are you glowing?"

"Because I'm a fairy." She smiled.

"A fairy?" Elena stared at her. No this was not happening. This was some game. She turned away from the girl as she huffed. "No, I am not in the mood for games whoever you are."

"This is not a game Elena Rozabella Gilbert." The girl said gaining Elena's attention.

"How? How did you know about my middle name? How? Only I know about that…" She asked, her eyes wide.

"I told you, I'm a fairy." The girl said softly. "Rozabella." She rolled the name off the tongue perfectly. "Your mother chose it." She smiled as she came to stand right next to Elena. "You are beautiful as a Rose, Elena."

"What are you-"

"-doing here?" The girl raised her eyebrow before smiling. "I'm here to give you your dream night, Elena." She placed her hand on Elena's cheek softly, and the girl didn't even flinch. "Tonight you get to go to the ball as Rozabella."

"What? No." Elena shook her head. "I can't go. I'm not-"

"-allowed?" The girl raised her eyebrow again. "Nonsense. Esther is not your mother, and you're of age. This night is your night." She smiled at Elena as she gazed right into her eyes. "Isabella sent me."

Elena's eyes widened at the mention of her mother's name. The brown haired girl smiled. "I can see the dead, Elena." She said softly. "Your mother wants you to go to that ball."

She shook her head. "No…I won't. I can't." She backed away from the girl.

"Why not?"

"I don't want to be there." She said softly.

"Because of the prince that you've fallen in love with?" The girl asked.

"No! I am not in love with him." Elena denied it. "I simply can't go."

"Yes you can, and you will." The girl said before starting to chant something. Elena stared at her, she couldn't understand a single word that was coming out of the girls mouth. All of a sudden she saw a flash of bright light forming on the girl's hands. She mumbled something else before blowing on the bright light. It started turning different colors. Elena stared amazed at what she was seeing. The colors were changing and floating all around her. They then started to fall all over her. Every time a new color fell, she felt like she was getting sprinkled with water. When the last one fell she felt something wanting to resurface from inside of her. The girl chanted only two words over and over. "Decus naturalis." She felt the power inside of her becoming unbearable, she spread her arms wide feeling the need and then it popped. A huge sprinkle of color bursted around her.

"And there we have it…Rozabella. " Said the girl with a smile on her face.

"Wh-what happened?" Elena asked looking at the power of the bright colors still falling around her.

"Look in the mirror, Rozabella." The girl told her.

Elena eyed her for a second before making a move to turn around. Instantly she felt the weight of the material that was wrapped around her body. She looked down and gasped. A long white dress with gold thread was hanging on her body. She then felt her feet adjusting to the shoes she was wearing. She picked the dress up and stared at her foot. A beautiful white little slipper was carving her left foot. She turned quickly to the mirror and that's when she nearly fainted.

Her hair was up in a bun, a tiara on the top of her head with sparkling diamonds. The dress was so long, a real ball dress with diamonds and sparkles all over it. Her face looked completely different. The only thing that made her realize that it was her face was her eyes. They were still brown and doe. Her lips were rosy as well as her cheeks. Her eyelids had this gold glitter on them.

"You are so beautiful." Said the girl from behind her.

Elena stared at herself in the mirror. "How? How is this possible?" She asked still in disbelief.

"Magic." Answered the girl as she smiled. "You shouldn't ask questions, all you need to know is that the Prince is waiting for you at the ball." She stared right into the reflection of Elena's eyes as she added. "When the clock strikes 12, you will return back into your former clothes. Make sure that you tell the Prince who you really are…he'll love you either way."

Elena stared at the girl…the fairy. "No…I can't go. He can't know that I love him…I can't…"

"Yes, you can and you will." The girl smiled. "He is as miserable just as much as you are. Tonight he's supposed to find a wife, and if you don't show up he'll marry someone he'll never love…and you'll be left to suffer for the rest of your life."

"No, this isn't real!" Elena shook her head and closed her eyes. This was all a big dream. She didn't want to believe it. She wasn't pretty and she wasn't going to the ball. When she opened her eyes she was in the garden with the fairy. A huge white carriage was right in front of her. "This will be your ride, and it will return you here." Said the fairy. "Do not hesitate, Elena. This was meant to be. You are meant to be there tonight."

"But-"

"No. If I can make this happen, then you should trust my judgment." The girl smiled. "Remember when the lock strikes 12, you are to return because the spell will break." And with those words she disappeared into thin air.

"Wait! Where did you go?" Elena asked as she looked around. "Fairy?" She called out but there was no answer.

"My lady, are we ready?" Asked a man from the carriage.

Elena turned to face him, stunned and not sure of what to say. She opened her mouth to ask him where the fairy had went but then closed it realizing that it sounded silly."I…Where are we going?" Elena asked suspiciously.

"To the ball of course. Mrs. Bennett hired me." He smiled softly. "Your fairy." He added with a small smirk.

"So you saw her too?" Elena asked to make sure she wasn't crazy.

"Yes, my lady." He nodded his head. "Now come along. We're already late."

Elena looked around one last time. This was real. She was wearing a dress and a carriage was waiting for her. She looked up at the man. "Okay…let's go." She said softly still uncertain of what this was.

The Royal Palace

-The Ball Room-

Damon had danced with so many woman that he lost count. Every single one of them looked the same to him. All of them were dressed up, smiling and acting like ladies. He simply couldn't decide which one to choose. He looked over at Caroline who was standing in the corner of the room watching Nicklaus. He walked over to her and smiled. "May I have this dance, Miss Forbes?"

She looked a little panicked before nodding her head. "Of course, my lord." She extended her hand and Damon took it. They started to dance to the music, softly swaying as he asked. "So, have you spoken to him?"

"No…I can't. My father is here." She said softly.

"As soon as I pick one, I'll introduce you to him." Damon promised.

"Thank you." She smiled happily. They continued to dance around the ball room when Caroline asked. "So which one have you decided on?"

"I still haven't." He answered as he looked around the room. All of the girls were staring at him like he was a prize. "They all look the same, I simply can't choose. I keep thinking that one of them might be a little different." He answered.

"I can see what you mean." She said as she looked around. Every girl was smiling, a huge grin and showing teeth, and watching him like hawks.

"So, how's Elena?" Damon asked as he focused his attention on Caroline again and tried to ignore the stares he was receiving from the rest of the girls.

"Elena is Elena. I came to see her today, but she wasn't allowed to see me. She was locked in the attic."

"What? Why?" Damon asked concerned.

"Her stepmother is a real witch and she locked her in." Caroline explained. "She's really mean to Elena. She makes her do everything around the house and then she…" Caroline stopped talking when Damon's gaze wandered off. "Damon?" She asked but there was no response. She turned her head to see what he was looking at and there it was. A girl with the most beautiful white dress Caroline had ever seen was standing and receiving all the glares from everyone. She was stepping through the double doors while the guards held them open for her. She had a tiara on her head that shined so brightly. Caroline turned back to Damon who was in a trance. "Would you like to dance with her?" She asked.

"Wh-What?" he asked as he looked at Caroline. "Did you see her? She's so beautiful…" He said as he looked back up at the girl.

"Go dance with her." Caroline told him.

Damon didn't seem to hear her. He just stared at the girl. "She's so beautiful…oh my god." He said softly.

Caroline gripped his arm a little tighter gaining his attention. "Go dance with her then."

Damon nodded his head like a child."Yes, I'll go do that." With that he let go of Caroline and headed towards the beautiful girl. As soon as he met her stare he felt this cluster of emotions wanting to burst out of his chest. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life. Her face was carved like an angel's. She looked so innocent and confused as he approached her.

"Welcome, my beautiful lady." He smiled bowing in front of her and taking her small hand. He brought it up to his lips and kissed it lightly.

"My lord." She smiled softly slightly blushing. She quickly made a move to bow in front of him but he stopped her.

"There is no need. You are the princess and I am just one lucky man to have the pleasure of laying my eyes on you." He said softly as he gazed into her eyes. He felt this feeling of resemblance. It's like he had seen her somewhere before but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"Thank you.' She blushed again and bit her bottom lip.

"May I have this dace, my stunning lady?" Damon asked as he extended his hand.

"Of course." Elena said as she placed her hand in his. She felt the tingle instantly. It was like a little spark of electricity. He led her to the middle of the dance floor before taking the lead. As he twirled her around he asked. "What is your name my beautiful lady?"

Elena hesitated for a moment. She could tell him her real name, he'd pull away immediately. It pained her heart that he was looking at her with so much amazement and…and love in his eyes now, but if he knew the truth he wouldn't even take a second glance in her direction. So she settled for the name her mother gave her. "Rozabella."

"Rozabella." He repeated. "Your name suits you. It's a reflection of you, my beautiful maiden." He smiled.

Elena blushed at his words. He was handsome enough to make her blush, but his comments were making it a great deal harder. "Thank you, Damon-I mean, my lord." She quickly corrected herself.

He smiled. "No, do not apologize. You will always have the privilege to call me by my given name, Rozabella." He twirled her around before bringing her back in. She giggled and laughed…and it seemed familiar but he still couldn't put his finger on it. It was like he had met this girl before…a long time ago but he simply couldn't remember it. "You have such a beautiful smile." He complimented.

"Thank you, my handsome Prince." Elena complimented as she smiled back at him.

He watched her closely, steering into her eyes as he said. "I never thought I'd say this…I never imagined to ever fall in love at first sight."

As the words left his lips Elena's face turned to horror. Damon noticed it. "What's wrong?" he panicked.

"No, my lord, you cannot fall in love with me." She told him, avoiding eye contact. This was not what was supposed to happen. She was supposed to come here and see him and that was it.

"Why not?" Damon asked, fear in his voice. "Do you-do you already have a suitor?"

"No, no, it's just-" He cut her off.

"Then Rozabella I will marry you." He told her, a smile on his face. "I-I am sure that I love you. I may know nothing about you, but you have captured me as soon as I laid eyes on you."

Tears were forming in her eyes. This was her dream come true. The man she was in love loved her back…but if only he knew who she really was. She felt him place his palm gently onto her cheek. His eyes staring right into hers as he spoke the words that were holding his biggest fear. "Please don't tell me you don't want to marry me."

Elena stared back at him, fear in her heart. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to become his wife this night, but she knew that it was wrong to lie so she told him what was part of the truth. "I am not the right woman for you."

"Let me be the judge of that." Damon told her. "I want you. I am sure of it. I will choose you." He told her seriously.

"Damon, please don't. You can't, I beg you." She begged with her teary eyes.

"Why not? Do-do you not want to be with me?" He stared back at her, pain in his heart. This girl held so much power over him.

"No I do, I-I love you." She answered honestly as a tear rolled down her cheek.

His face lit up at her words. That's all he needed to hear. He was going to marry her and that was final. "Then you have nothing to fear. You will be my bride." He smiled, as he cupped her wet cheek. "Do not cry, my beautiful Rozabella. I will give you anything you desire, my love, I promise."

Elena's eyes were flooding with tears. She wanted desperately to become Rozabella but she knew what the fairy had told her. She looked up at the clock and it was five minutes to midnight. She pulled away from him as she said. "I will always love you, Damon, my prince, but you deserve a real lady…and I am not that." With that she turned around and started running for the entrance.

"Rozabella!" Damon yelled as he ran after her. He followed her out of the ball room and down the steps. He could see her running to a carriage. She quickly got inside before taking off. He placed one hand against the wall breathing heavily, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched the love of his life disappear. He stared into the darkness as he felt someone place a hand on his shoulder.

"Who was that son?" Giuseppe asked.

"My bride." Damon answered before turning to face his father. "I need to find her."

"All right…what's her name?"

"Rozabella."

I hope you guys like it. It's always been a dream of mine to write a Cinderella story…so here it is. Tell me what you think. Do you like it?

Review and I'll shortly (in a couple of days 5-7) update with Part 2. :)

Promise!

XoXo RedRose1864