Ella perched on the seat of her armchair. She played with the seams of her gown while she waited nervously for her guests to arrive. It would be her first visit with the prince's extended family. She was especially anxious about making a good first impression on his grandmother, the dowager princess. She was rumoured to be especially harsh on commoners, and would certainly not be pleased to hear that her grandson, the heir to the throne, had married one! The prince, of course, had assured Ella that his family would simply adore her and except her into their family as a child accepts a gift. For a while Ella had been reassured, but then she had heard the whispers of the palace guards. The bets being placed on how long it would take before the dowager princess chased her out. But Ella knew that no matter how awful the princess was, she would stay by her prince. He was everything and anything she could have asked for. She slid back in her chair and remembered the day she agreed to be his bride. It had been the single best day in her life. The sound of trumpets in the distance awoke her from her daydreaming: the royal family had arrived.

Ella hastily picked up her skirts and slipped on her glass slippers. They were her favourite shoes, for they held so many wonderful memories soaked into the glass. She hurried down the winding staircase, silently cursing the architecture that was causing her to be even later. She burst through the doors at the palace entrance. A warm breeze tinged with the scent of the baker's goods wafted into the palace. Fortunately for Ella, The procession had not yet reached the palace gates. She made her way to the throne, and gracefully took the seat next to Prince Char. He lovingly pecked her on the cheek and praised her for making it on time. He was aware of her tendency to lose track of time. It was one of the qualities that he loved about her. Whenever she arrived, it seemed just right. The prince looked up. He could see his grandmother's red and gold coloured carriage approaching. Six handsome cream coloured horses pulled it closer and closer. Although he would never tell Ella, he was secretly nervous about how his grandmother would feel about Ella. He wasn't sure if she even knew about him breaking his betrothal with the hideous Princess Jean. He hoped she did. It would have given her time to calm herself; she would have been furious when she found out, as she had arranged the betrothal herself and greatly prided herself on the match. He could barely recall when he had last seen Princess Jean. He had been barely seven, and she already a young woman of eighteen. Even then, she was spoiled. The stories of the betrothal celebration counted nine changes of dress by the princess, each less flattering than the last.

Finally, the dowager princess' carriage pulled up to the gates. The driver stepped out first, and assisted the princess to elegantly exit the coach.

"Presenting, her Highness, Princess Louise!" The announcer's voice filled the streets. People lined the crowded streets, pushing to catch a glimpse of Princess Louise, who had not returned to visit her grandson in over ten years. She was but a legend to the children, and a cruel memory to the others. One woman from each family was made to serve her in some way, until she was banished by her father who realised that a rebellion might have arisen if she stayed any longer.

The dowager princess strutted towards the throne. She scrutinized her family for a moment.

"What," she demanded icily, "Is this?"

Ella glanced over her shoulder, trying to figure out what princess Louise was talking about. Suddenly it dawned on her. Her new grandmother in-law to be was talking about her. Ella tensed instinctively and looked at Char.

"Hello, Grandmother" he said calmly, ignoring her comment. "It's been a while; I hope you are doing well."

"I was," she said, eying Ella disgustedly, "until I saw her. Now answer me!" she commanded. "Who. Is. She?"

Prince Char sighed. He knew that the dowager princess was determined not to rest until she found out his news. She obviously didn't know about his new marriage arrangements.

"Grandmother," he said formally, "This is Ella, my bride,"

The dowager princess' eyes grew in size, and her beautifully powdered face turned a dark scarlet. "What did you say, grandson?" the princess' voice was dangerously low, "Have you forgotten about Princess Jean?"

"No, grandmother, I love Ella now." The prince looked tenderly at Ella, and she smiled self-consciously back at him.

"Love!" Princess Louise spat, "Love! You know nothing about the word. Love is what an heir must have for his country, not for some silly country girl!" She smiled wickedly, "But love is what you'll have, Char, and when you have it, you'll forget all about this… Ella…" she said Ella's name as though it burned her tongue to say it. Prince Char and Ella both knew then that the dowager princess had an unpleasant surprise in store for them.