Disclaimer: I do not own "Twilight."

Cinderbella

Written by TWILIGHTOBSSESOR

Beta'd by Tjix

Chapter One: Invitations

Setting: London, England (1921)

"Cinderbella!... Cinderbella!... CINDERBEEELLLLLAAAA!"

This has been my wake up call every morning since my father died. I loved him more that anyone can ever know… but honestly. Of all the people he could have married, Esme Stanford? That evil shrew?

"BELLA, GET OFF OF YOUR LAZY REAR AND COME TO YOUR MOTHER!" Mother? My mother died when I was just a child—too soon, far too soon. This wicked imitation could never pass for my mother.

I got up from the fireplace—I hadn't realized that I slept on the floor again—and, like last time, I was covered in cinders. That's where I got my nickname, Cinderbella. (I'd really rather that they called me Bella, but they do anything they can to torment me.) I brushed off as much of the cinder and ash as I could, but a few stubborn rocks clung to my clothes. After a few pats, I gave up and decided to see if my book had burned to a crisp from a stray ember as I was sleeping. Relieved to see that it was still in nearly-perfect condition, I clutched the book to my chest. It was the only thing I would read: my father's memoirs, his life experience. It was all I had left of him. In this book, it was evident that he had adored my mother and I—especially my mother (again, how could he have replaced her with ESME?!)

I started to tear up, remembering the look on his face when she died. I had been too young to really understand his pain, but I can understand it all too clearly now.

"CINDERBELLA, YOU BETTER COME TO ME THIS INSTANT!"

Sighing, I wiped away my tears and made my way down the stars to my stepmother's room, nearly tripping on the hem of my skirt as I did so. That's just like me. What a klutz.

As I walked, I heard my two stepsisters arguing loudly over who would order me around today. They've taken a sadistic sort of pleasure in having me wait on them hand and foot, and I loathed them for it.

"I want Cinderbella to clean my shoes first! She cleaned yours last time!" shrieked Lauren in her shrill, irritating voice.

"You had her clean your ENTIRE ROOM last time!" Jessica screamed back. "She's doing my shoes and washing my dresses!"

"Fine." Lauren's fuming turned into a sweet stickiness that I just knew would mean trouble for me. "I know how we can solve this. We'll just make her do both."

I didn't want to hear any more of that, so I rushed to Esme's bedroom before they caught sight of me. Esme was feigning exhaustion as I entered the room—a guilt tactic she used on me often. Her legs were crossed as she sat in front of her vanity mirror, applying excessive amounts of makeup.

She turned and glared at me. "You finally decided to come and help me," she complained dramatically. "You're the only one who can help me, and you decide to just ignore my cries for help!"

I rolled my eyes at her melodrama. Why didn't she just call her little demons to help her? "I won't let it happen again."

"Good. Now you can help me pick out my clothes for the day." She smiled sweetly at me. "It's so fortunate that I made you learn to be a seamstress."

Sighing, I went to her wardrobe. I, as usual, was wearing the rags I had received on my sixteenth birthday. Luckily, I had remained the same size, so the clothes still fit. Pushing aside Esme's countless dresses—most of which were covered in many assortments of bright-hued ruffles—I thought dryly that it was impossible for one woman to own so many dresses that other women would gag at.

I pulled out a simple yellow dress with black ruffles at the hem. It was the least colorful of the bunch, so it wasn't bad—even if it would make Esme look like a bumblebee. I handed it to her. She smiled sweetly at me and went to put it on. At times, Esme has the presence of a truly caring person. Then she opens her mouth and speaks. The 'nice' impression of her is instantly blown away.

When she reentered the room, she looked stunning—a first for her. With an abrupt motherly look, she came and hugged me. "Thank you, Bella." I gave a start at the sound of my preferred nickname, but she didn't seem to notice. "This dress is a perfect choice," she continued.

I was stunned by her sudden motherliness. This was the first time she had ever behaved that way toward me. Smiling weakly at her unfamiliar embrace, I slowly conceded to her hold.

Mid-hug, Jessica burst into the room. She coughed loudly to announce her entrance. Instantly, Esme released me and spoke in the voice I was accustomed to from her. "Yes, Bella—I mean Cinderbella—go and prepare our meal before we leave for town. I want the girls and I to be well-fed before we leave."

Jessica was pleased with this demand from her mother. I, on the other hand, was still shocked by her mood swing. What was going on with her?

Before I left the room, Jessica grabbed my arm. "Don't think that you could ever be loved by my mother," she hissed. "She pities you, that's all."

I jerked my arm out of her hands and walked away, avoiding her eyes. I wasn't surprised by Jessica's words, even if I was a little hurt. The look Esme had given me reminded me of the loving looks my mother used to give me. It was a good feeling.

I went to the kitchen and began to prepare crumpets and sandwiches. Within an hour or so, I was finished and the table was set with three places. I ate a sandwich and a half before they came; I wasn't planning on joining them, as they had never invited me and probably would not start today. Of course, with the way that Esme had been behaving today, I wasn't entirely convinced.

A messenger came later that day. Just before I went to open the door, Jessica and Lauren shoved past me. "I'm going to get it first!" squealed Lauren.

"If you touch that doorknob, I will BURN EVERY DRESS YOU OWN!" Jessica was giving Lauren a look that even I wouldn't dare to undermine. Lauren's hand flinched away from the doorknob as if it were diseased.

Jessica chortled as she assessed the look or pure loathing and fear on Lauren's face. She dusted off her skirt and opened the door for the messenger. It was a tall, somewhat gawky young man with dark brown hair. He was slightly hunchbacked and had a long crooked nose stained with black spots, ominously pale skin, and purple bruises under his eyes. Despite all of these unattractive features, there was an unusual beauty about him.

Snatching the four scrolls out of his hands, Jessica slammed the door and turned back to us, squealing in delight. She tore one of the scrolls open and read its contents aloud to Lauren.

You are cordially invited to Prince Edward's Grand Ball.

For his twentieth Birthday, the Crown Prince is hosting a Celebration Ball, to which he invites every Eligible Maiden of every household in the Kingdom.

The Ball is scheduled for the evening after next, by the hour preceding sunset.

The moment that Jessica finished reading, she dropped all four scrolls to the ground and shrieked in ecstasy, rambling about what gown she planned on wearing for the ball. Both she and Lauren were already off to their rooms, speaking quickly and excitingly. I walked slowly to the dropped scrolls and knelt by them, lifting one and unrolling it to rake my eyes over the words.

every Eligible Maiden…

Every eligible maiden.

Every eligible maiden.

Well, I was eligible alright. And I was interested.

By all accounts, Prince Edward had the looks of a god. I'd even heard that some women fainted at the sight of him (ridiculous). As far as I was concerned, he was just another pretty face—another pampered and spoiled child who grew up with a highly undeserved sense of self-worth. Someone like my stepsisters.

And yet, from what I'd heard, this perfect spoiled-brat Prince Edward had never had a girlfriend. He could have had any woman in the world with a snap of his fingers, and yet he'd never so much as shown interest. At least, not that I had heard.

I wasn't interested in making him fall in love with me or anything. I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

I'd do it, I decided. I would go to the ball and see the prince. Just out of curiosity.

"CINDERBELLA!" howled Lauren from upstairs. "I NEED HELP WITH MY DRESS!"

With a sigh, I got off my knees and headed upstairs.

It was going to be a long two days.