"Ella, you can do this. James is waiting." She said to her reflection in the mirror, trying to calm down her nerves. She took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm free. Remember this. They can not control me anymore, right?" She nodded to the reflection.
She smiled and went into the grand hall. People looked at her, worried. She found it odd, but kept going. Wonder what's going on?
She went into the chapel and he wasn't there. The people there were cleaning up everything and when she came in, they looked at her.
"What's going on?" She asked, freaking out.
"I'm sorry, miss. The wedding is off." A servant nearby replied to her.
"Why?"
"A merger is happening. His highness has to marry the princess of the other kingdom. I'm sorry for your misfortune, miss. Good day." He left to keep working.
She became devastated and fell down, with the wedding dress spread out. She cried and cried and cried.
After this, she met with the prince and he expressed his condolences. She nodded to him, with puffy red eyes. She gave him one request.
"Is it alright if I can stay here? I mean, can I work here?" She said, still sad and grieving.
The prince was taken back. "Are you sure? I mean, yes if you want, but um."
"Yes, as long as I don't have to go back there. Thank you very much." She slightly bowed her head to him. "When can I start?"
"Uh, now is fine."
She nodded. "Thank you."
There weren't any available jobs except one.
"Okay, so all you do is bring him food at the scheduled times." The guard said to Ella. "Also do not tell him your name or else he'll have power over you."
"What kind of power?" She asks him, holding some bread and cheese on a tray.
"No one knows. The previous king locked him up and when the current king took over, he was left in there." The guard explained.
"I understand. Will I be given a key to the door?" She asked him.
The guard gave her a once-over. "Okay, here. Don't lose it." He handed the key to her and left.
She went further in. "Hello? Mr. Prisoner, are you here?"
"Oh, who are you? What happened to the mean man?"
"Oh hi, I'm El...Cinderella. I'm new here and I'll be delivering your food from now on."
He grinned at her. "I see. El..Cinderella. That isn't your real name is it? It sounds like a horrible name to be addressed by."
"It is." She put the tray into a slit. He took it.
"Tell me what's your real name." He urged.
"I'm sorry. I'm not allowed. The guard said if I did, you'll have power over me."
"That is only a rumor. I have no such power. And even if I did, I promise I wouldn't do anything bad to you."
"Promise?" She tilted her head at him.
He nodded. "On my life."
"Okay, I'll hold you to that. My name is Ella."
He grinned wider. "Ella."
Poll Please review.
