I'm glad that you seem to like the story. I hope this next installment will please you as much as the first. It took me a while to write this. It was hard to add in the dark in this story without making it too angst. I had to erase a lot from my first version of chapter 2. And now that it's done, I have to rack my brain for chapter 3(!). Haha... No matter what, I still enjoy writing. The few perks such as reading encouraging reviews and seeing the alerts almost completely blinds the madness that possesses me when the words just won't come out. Or sometimes, the story is hazy in my mind and I can't write it down. Or even worse, I have no idea at all! Well, luckily this chapter managed to make it. Enjoy!

A Cinderella Story

Chapter 2

A shrilling scream broke the peace of the palace. It was followed by several more. There was a long period of shouts and screams, begs and merciless laughter. Then silence.

A week later, a group of soldiers sent by King Alden of the Great Golden Kingdom entered the forlorn country. Houses were either half burned or ashes. The grass was black, not a healthy colour. The wary soldiers stepped into the palace and were disgusted by what they saw. Death was everywhere. They could smell, see and hear its echoes within the palace walls. Ghostly screams and laughter haunted their every step.

-/-

Ahiru sighed. She had fantasised in a crazy dream the night before that she was going to the ball. She did not tell Edel that the lady burned her invitation, because what could she have done anyway? She wouldn't have been able to go. She had no proper attire. If only she could dance with…

"Prince Mytho." The name escaped her lips softly without her willing to. Her face grew warmer.

"A maiden carries with her a jewel. If she were to hesitate to put on the jewel, it will in time disappear. If she, however, were to bear it too willingly, she in time will crumble." During Ahiru's muse, Edel had silently entered the room.

Ahiru looked up at the woman. Her motherly figure had the tendency to spout words of wisdom that she could not fathom. "Edel?"

"The maiden that has only just found her jewel, must be wary or she will lose it. The jewel appears in many different forms such that what before her eyes are clear, she misses and continues her fruitless quest." Edel's voice was soft. Ahiru blinked, unable to convert the advice into her language.

"As usual, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about," sighed Ahiru.

Whether she was aware or not, Edel had had her eyes closed the entire time. She opened her lids, revealing her dark blue orbs that were a great contrast to her pale skin and light green hair. "Rea had a whiff of pollen and now she has a case of the sneezes. She is determined to have it cured in time for the ball tonight so please take this honey and lime tea to her." Edel handed her a warm cup of clear brown liquid.

It occurred to Ahiru, as she treaded down the spiral staircase, why Edel hadn't given Rea the tea herself. Then she noticed something she had missed all her years, Edel almost never faced her masters, or mistresses in this case. She prepared all meals and obeyed Lady Llewyn's orders that were passed through Ahiru but she rarely met the Llewyns at all. Edel is lucky, Ahiru thought. She pushed the nagging curiosity to the back of her mind and entered Rea's room.

The girl looked horrible. Her cold eyes were dragged down by heavy red sags. Her nose was almost as red as her hair. Her voice, as she ordered Ahiru to stand up straight, was somewhat muffled and had none of its usual menace. The girl spluttered after one sip of the tea.

"What have you given me, you oaf? This drink is vile and pungent," Rea cried.

Ahiru cowered. "It.. that is... supposed to help cure your cold."

Rea narrowed her eyes into suspicious slits. "What is in this?"

"E-Edel-san said it was honey and lime tea. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I thought it would help you because you wanted to look good at the ball," Ahiru apologised in a panic.

Rea's eyes grew wide at the mention of the Princes' Ball. She gulfed down the liquid and felt a stinging freshness as her nostrils cleared up. She could breath properly now though she would never admit that the maids had helped her. "What are you standing there for?" she frowned, "My dress needs to be creaseless and spotless. I will not tolerate a single flaw."

Ahiru spent the rest of the day dividing her time between Rea and Posy. Rea's red hair needed to be tied up in a bun with a few loose strands trailing beside her ears. Posy's curly blonde locks were curled even more until she took on the appearance of a poodle, albeit one with a very cute human face. When she realised that, she immediately ordered for water to be thrown on her head. An order which Ahiru obeyed too willingly considering it justice for her near death experience at the well the day before.

Lady Llewyn did not need much tending to, to Ahiru's relief. All she had asked for were her bath readied with three of the largest roses from the garden scattered across the water. Ahiru felt nervous seeing as the lady was in an unusually good mood.

Lashes curled and cheeks blushed. Corsets tightened and jewellery polished. A vain Rea and a flirty Posy stood in front of the mirror, posing this way and that. Each practicing their smiles and speeches and twirled in attempt to brush the other out of the mirror.

"Both of you look beautiful," Ahiru praised. It was a customary comment she was expected to make.

"I don't look beautiful. I am," corrected Rea.

Ahiru nodded meekly.

"Of course. Pardon her mistake," said Edel.

Rea made a noise, something between a grunt and a scoff, as she glided out of the room. Posy followed with even less elegance. The Llewyns left in a carriage, less impressive than the royal's but grand nonetheless, after reminding Ahiru that their beds were to be warmed up in time for their return. Precisely midnight. Edel was still bowing, even after the carriage disappeared over a hill.

"Edel they're gone," Ahiru said.

The woman straightened her back and gazed at the landscape. For some reason, Ahiru felt that Edel was not seeing the prairie. Something else. She didn't know what.

It was absolutely amazing having the house to themselves. Ahiru jumped around the hall, a huge weight was off her shoulders. Free. "It's not often that we get time off. What should we do, Edel?"

Edel looked at Ahiru. She stared too long and Ahiru began to feel worried. "Ahiru."

"Yes?" she answered too forcefully.

Silence. A great deal of hesitance showed on Edel's face. "Never mind," she sighed.

"What is it?" Ahiru asked, unconvinced.

Edel shook her head, then smiled. "I have something for you."

"For me?" Ahiru jabbed a finger at herself.

Edel was in possession of very little. That consisted of a few dresses, two sandals, a ribbon, and her most treasured, a jewellery box. The jewellery box was kept a secret from Lady Llewyn for Edel was sure the lady would take it from her if she knew about it. The jewellery box doubled as a music box. Ahiru loved the song it played, it made her feel unusually calm.

"It's a pretty sound, isn't it, Edel," said Ahiru as the woman turned the lever.

The box opened. Revealing a dozen jewels that gleamed brighter than Lady Llewyn's diamonds. Ahiru gasped as Edel held out a stunning red gem.

"For me?" she squeaked, then flustered, "I can't."

Edel shook her head, "This has always been for you. Accept it."

Ahiru stiffened. She felt inexplicable delight and nervousness as her mother figure placed the necklace around her neck. Her first jewellery.

"There is happiness for those who accept their fate," Edel crooned into her ear. "There is glory for those who fight their fate."

Ahiru blinked, confused as usual. Edel fastened the hook on her necklace. The jewel shone brightly.

"Fight, dear Ahiru," Edel whispered before the light from the gem engulfed all.

Ahiru felt herself becoming lighter. She felt her feet free from the tight slippers of five years of service. Her hair escaped from its braid and fell out around her like a cape. Lady Llewyn had forbid her from wearing her hair out, because when she did, her looks posed a threat to Lady Llewyn's pride. She opened her eyes and saw her body adorned in a stunning white dress. It fanned from her waist onto the ground, and on her feet were light glass slippers. The girl quacked a few times in surprise.

"Edel!" she gasped. "It's m-magic."

Edel nodded. A letter appeared in her hands. That was magic too. Ahiru recognised the golden seal. "The invitation still stands."

"C-Can I really?"

Edel handed her a feathered mask. "Just in case they recognise you."

A carriage rode into the castle grounds. It stopped before Ahiru, waiting for her to enter. Edel helped the girl into it.

"What should I do?" Ahiru flustered. "I don't know how to dance."

Edel chuckled. "Don't worry. Just be yourself."

Ahiru stared helplessly out the window. When Edel's figure disappeared from view, she turned and sank into the seat.

"Ahiru!"

Who? Ahiru wondered. It was Lilie dressed in a pink gown. Pique sat beside her, also dressed for the occasion.

"What are you guys doing here?" asked Ahiru.

"Lady Howe borrowed us a carriage for the ball. She also gave us these dresses, a gift for our loyalty," Lilie explained excitedly.

Ahiru smiled. The manor Lilie and Pique worked in was owned by the charitable Howe family. It was a much more pleasurable workplace than back at Caerlyn Castle.

"Ahiru, how did you get that dress? It's amazing. Don't tell me, the Llewyn hag turned nice?" Pique asked, her tongue hardening when she spat out 'Llewyn'.

"No, this is a gift from Edel.."

Lilie embraced Ahiru tightly. "Oh, cute Ahiru! Tonight, you are no maid. Go confess to Prince Mytho, and then when he has rejected you, come back to me. My shoulder is always free for you to cry on. A weeping Ahiru is cute too!"

"Lilie," said Pique. "Don't encourage her. It is a hopeless crush. Everyone knows the prince will marry Miss Rue."

"Poor Ahiru. Are you sad, miserable, in despair?" Lilie cradled Ahiru's head with one hand and patted her with the other.

"I'm not in love with Prince Mytho," Ahiru protested weakly.

Pique and Lilie laughed. "Everyone loves Prince Mytho."