Lady Thorne: Thank you for the reviews! I like Fyn too, he's somewhat based off of another of my characters. Every story needs a Fyn… or Finn.

Chapter Three: The Prince

When I lay down I my bed the next morning I had only a few hours of sleep before dawn. Evangeline and I had stayed up all night working on my gown by candlelight; my fingers ached from poking them so much in the dark and my eyes from struggling to see. But the gown was basically finished; I would get my glass slippers today from Michael, finish the gown tonight and bring it home. I could hide these things up in my attic and I would be ready for tomorrow night.

I slept for a few hours and then got up, ready for the day. I was exhausted but happy at the same time, everything seemed like it would work out just fine. I couldn't believe this was all happening, and so fast too!

I worked hard all morning and finally got my chance to slip out to the market while the ladies of the house were having tea in the sitting room. I hurried down the street to Michael's shop, he was waiting, he saw me and had me sit down a stool right there in the street. He came out with the glass slippers wrapped in a piece of cloth. Clearly Michael was excited that he got to advertise his expertise in glass blowing.

I smiled eagerly, I had never seen anything like them, I knew I would have to be careful on the heels so as not to break them. I slid out of my boots. A crowd had gathered, I caught a glimpse Fyn watching eagerly. Michael knelt and put the first slipper on my foot gently, the glass was cool and solid, I worried about how these would work again.

Fyn just winked in encouragement as the other slipper was slid onto my foot. He helped me stand; I tried to put most of my weight on the balls of my feet, knowing the heels would give if I didn't. Everyone waited for a long moment and then cheered when I took a step carefully. Fyn clapped and nodded, I had taken the slippers off and wrapped them carefully in cloth, I was about to head home when something happened.

Everyone moved to the edges of the street quickly to make way for a horse, I could hear the sounds of the hooves clopping on the cobbles noisily. I moved out of the way and looked up, it was the Prince. Prince Hayden was riding down the street on a large gray horse. He sat up straight and he was certainly very handsome.

His hair was cut just above his eyebrows and was dark brown, it seemed to want to curl slightly, and his eyes were piercing blue. His nose was straight and strong, his lips looked soft and full. He was clearly tall and strong, a few steps behind him was another horse. On it was a young man that must have been his friend. This man was scrawnier and blonde, but he had a pleasant face.

When my gaze returned to the Prince I suddenly felt those piercing blue eyes boring into mine. I could see sadness there, but he was kind, and very strong. I saw all of this in only half a moment, because then he was past me and his eyes were ahead of him again. A blush rose to my cheeks and I just watched the prince and his friend vanish around a corner.

Everyone had watched them pass in awed silence, when the prince was out of sight all of the young ladies hurried off, giggling happily and going to make plans for the ball. I sighed realizing that even though he had met my gaze, it probably hadn't meant anything to him, I was a servant girl covered in soot. He was a distant dream for something like me. I could never have him, that I was certain of.

So that night when I entered the dress shop I wasn't as excited as before. However, Evangeline had enough excitement for the both of us it seemed. "Oh Ella did you see the prince earlier? He had a cute friend too! Maybe you can marry the prince and I can marry his friend!" she laughed happily.

We sat down to finish up the gown, "Did Magda finish your gown?" I asked curiously and Evangeline nodded, "Yes, and my brothers all went out and bought me some slippers that I can wear to the first and second ball. We are going to have so much fun!"

We spoke as he finished the gown; she helped me wrap it in fabric so it wouldn't get dirty in the attic. "I will see you tomorrow night at the ball."

Evangeline nodded, "I can't wait. Be careful."

I smiled and carried the gown home carefully and up to the attic, I hid it in the wardrobe with my slippers and sighed. Glad that I was going to get a good night's sleep, Fyn watched me and nodded, "It's going to be just fine. Don't worry."

I sighed and shook my head; I just lay down again and closed my eyes, falling into another dream.

"Oh Bella, what have you been doing?" my mother looked over my muddied clothes, "Rolling in the mud again?" I laughed and shook my head, "Nope!" She shook her head, "You tracked it all over the carpets, come on let's get you washed up my little mud princess."

She took my dirty little hand and started down the hall with me. I looked out the window, "Where's papa?"

"His friend is heading home and so papa went to ride with him part of the way; he will be back before dinner." My mother assured me. I frowned, outside it was dark with storm clouds, "What happened to the sun?"

"It's just a little storm Bella, don't be such a worry-wart." My mother made me laugh.

I woke and frowned, what a silly dream. I shook my head and got up, going to get ready for the day, I after I was dressed and ready, I moved over to the wardrobe and opened it, touching the soft fabric of my gown. I closed it again quickly and started to head downstairs, only one thing on my mind, tonight was the ball.

So here's the next chapter, I know that my chapters are short. I plan for a lot more to happen before the story ends though. Personally I love short chapters; they make you feel like your accomplishing more than you actually are! Haha!

Ali