holliebollie: I know it's fast, I'm trying to slow it down a little. This one is kind of better… maybe.

melti-chun: Thanks for the review.

superspecialawesome4ever: Thanks for the review I hope you like this chapter!

Chapter Four: The Ball

All day Astrid had me working as hard as I've ever worked. For some reason, even though the Ball was being held at the palace, she felt that every inch of the manor had to be scrubbed. It occurred to me later that this may have been her way of ensuring that I couldn't sneak off to the ball. I could never figure out why she was so threatened by me.

I was cleaning the windows, watching the sun setting over the rooftops. My mind wondered when I was doing chores like this. I started when I heard Astrid and the twins filing down the stairs, they looked like giant cakes. Smothered in ruffles and lace, it was actually quite comical. I couldn't help a small smile in amusement; I tried to hide it by turning back to the window.

"Oh Cinderella, is that what you're wearing to the ball? You know I hear that looking like a beggar is all the rage right now." Estelle drawled, "I love the kerchief in your hair, what a nice touch." She lifted the pink mask up to cover her pretty eyes and she laughed, a high pitched laugh that inspired the same feelings as squawking birds, or rubbing a knife upon a class plate.

"Cinderella the sitting room could use some cleaning, I know you were in there earlier but it could use a little bit more effort than you put into it before. You're slacking off." Astrid scolded, "I want it to be spotless tomorrow when I sit in it. It is very likely that tomorrow Estelle will be receiving the Prince as a guest. He is bound to choose her out of the bunch."

Sure, he might take Estelle to be his wife… if she refrains from talking and definitely laughing. I thought dryly, but out loud I said, "Sorry Madame, I will be sure that it is spotless for you tomorrow."

Ester wasn't so bad, she was just afraid of Estelle and Astrid as the rest of us, and almost as badly treated. She just nodded, "Thank you for helping me button my gown Cinderella." She said softly enough that the others wouldn't hear and she started after them. I just smiled, no, Ester wasn't bad at all, she was just a bit slow and timid.

Soon they were gone and Marianne smiled, "Time to go start getting ready, I'll run a bath for you!" she hurried upstairs and I could hear her working hard to do just that. I finished my chores so that Astrid wouldn't get angry with me and then I went up to take a bath. Marianne had filled the tub, which we rarely got to use, with rose scented water, she had hung my gown up on Estelle's wardrobe and I took the glass slippers there. I closed the door and started to bath, scrubbing the soot from my skin.

I could hear Marianne moving downstairs, no doubt to work on finishing the windows for me. Marianne was a kindly soul to be sure; she was always patient with me, always helping me. She and Jonathan were good people, I felt sad for them, being employed by Astrid all these years, that isn't a punishment I would wish on anyone.

After I had cleaned my skin and my hair thoroughly I got out, I carefully started to dress. Fyn appeared when I was decent and smiled, "Well I'll have to help get that hair dry…" he noted. Soon my hair was dry and I had pulled on my gown, it was dark blue silk. Trimmed in gold thread, it was a fairly simple and elegant gown. Fyn helped me with my hair, pinning small sections of curls back, but leaving most of it down.

He smeared gold paint around my eyes and used a flower from out in the garden, turning it into a mask for me to wear. I reached for the glass slippers but he stopped me, "Those are for the second ball in a month." He said simply and touched my nicest shoes, they were still just raggedy brown things, but suddenly they were delicate golden slippers.

"Remember, at midnight, all of what I have done will fade." Fyn reminded me and giggled, "Oh you are a vision!"

I shook my head and moved over to the mirror and I froze, my skin was fair and spotless now. My curls were soft and shining. My eyes were shining with excitement, "I look like my mother." I said, I couldn't believe it was me. The girl in the mirror was beautiful, a rival even for Estelle, but that couldn't be me.

Fyn giggled happily and clapped, "I know! Now let's go you're already running late for the ball!" I slid into my golden slippers and went out; Marianne beamed and wished me luck. Outside I walked a ways up the road but Fyn stopped me, "You can't arrive on foot. What a thought!"

Fyn skipped over and grabbed a pear from the ground, it was slightly bruised, and he set it down on the street and snapped his fingers. Suddenly the pear was growing and expanding until it was a golden carriage. I shook my head, "This can't be real."

He just laughed and looked around; with the snap of his fingers four little mice ran out and were suddenly lovely black horses at the front of the carriage. A stray kitten became a boy who opened the carriage door to help me in. I got in and sat down on the cushioned seat. The boy climbed up front to drive. Fyn came over to the window, "Remember, all of this will disappear on the final stroke of midnight."

I nodded, "Thank you Fyn, I'll see you again right?"

Fyn quirked a smile, "Of course!" and then he was gone.

I sat back and the pear carriage started to move towards the palace. On that ride I had maybe a little too much time to think. I remembered that I wasn't a princess; this would all fade away at midnight. It wasn't real. I remembered that I was a servant and that tomorrow I would be covered in soot once more. I remembered that this man I wanted to impress was a prince. He would see right through my disguise, and call me out for being a servant.

Nothing would come of this.

The carriage stopped and I looked out the window at the palace doors, the boy opened the door and took my hand, helping me out. I adjusted my skirts; I only had a few hours here, so it was time to forget who I was. For a few hours I could be a princess, I could be someone that a prince would love. I nodded and walked into the palace. I knew I would be the last to arrive, and probably the first to leave, there were large mirrors lining the walls of the hallway leading to the ballroom. I paused and used one to tie my gold mask on, I took a deep breath.

It would be easy to become someone else for tonight, already, looking in the mirror I realized that I looked like a princess. I took a deep breath and nodded and I turned towards the brightly lit ballroom. I paused at the top of the staircase and looked down. King Geoffrey was sitting in his throne at the other end of the ballroom, there were people talking and dancing elegantly. I had never seen anything more beautiful, all of the different colored skirts mixing with the music.

I started down the stairs carefully, afraid to fall and humiliate myself so soon. I saw Evangeline before she noticed me and I made my way over to her, "Hello." I greeted and she blinked at me, "Ella?"

I smiled and nodded, "I know… I didn't recognize me either." I glanced out at the dance floor, the unfortunate prince was dancing with Estelle, and I could tell that he was regretting that decision. He was all too relieved when the song ended, and he certainly did not ask her to dance again.

Evangeline giggled, "I got to dance with the Prince earlier, and he was very nice he seemed a little frustrated though. I don't think he likes all this spectacle."

I nodded and sighed, "I have to leave before midnight, I still have chores to do, and if I don't get them done then Astrid is sure to notice and I'll never be able to leave the house ever again."

Evangeline nodded, "I'm sure he'll notice you, you're radiant."

I just shook my head, "You look gorgeous." I told my friend, but she seemed distracted. A young man came over and I vaguely recognized him, he was wearing a mask, as the boy that had ridden through town with the Prince.

"Good evening ladies, I am Brantley, I was wondering if I could have your hand for this next song?" Brantley bowed to Evangeline, who blushed and curtsied, "Of course." He took her hand and started toward the dance floor. That's when I noticed that he hadn't been alone, the prince, looking glorious in white, he was the only one who hadn't worn a mask to the ball.

Hayden stood and watched Brantley dance. I felt sorry for the prince the ball had not been his idea that much I could tell. He had been away studying and Brantley was probably the only person here that he knew and was friends with. Then I felt even more pity for the prince when I noticed Estelle moving toward him like a vulture about to land on her prey.

Afraid that Estelle would recognize me, and also I wanted to protect him from another dance with her, I sighed and spoke to him, "Prince, if I may make a suggestion. I believe that remaining stationary might not be so good for your well being." He looked at me and then followed my gaze to Estelle, "Ah…" he noted and I heard slight laughter in his voice, "Then would you be as kind as to save a Prince in distress by honoring me with a dance."

I laughed, "Anything to help a Prince in need." I let him take my hand and lead me out onto the floor. For a moment we danced in silence, finally he spoke up, "Thank you for that. That girl is insufferable."

I nodded, "Oh I know." I laughed.

"Clearly you know who I am, but who are you?" he questioned after another moment. I blushed, realizing that I hadn't introduced myself properly, "My name is Bella." I lied, I wasn't Cinderella tonight.

Prince Hayden nodded, "Do you live here Bella?" he asked and I shook my head, "No, I just happened to be visiting friends and decided to attend the ball. I am from the country."

"Ah, so you were hoping to find yourself a prince?" Hayden teased.

I shook my head, "Not particularly, in my experience Princes have been overly vain. They think everyone always wants to marry them."

This made him laugh again, a musical sound, "You sound as though you have met many princes before."

"Only one I'm afraid," I teased and he seemed taken aback as though shocked that someone would actually say that, but not offended, he smiled and replied.

"You, Bella, are very unique, and not like the other girls here."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, I can always let you get back to your blonde friend over there she does seem pleasant." I noted, glancing at Estelle who was watching angrily, she didn't recognize me, but I was the enemy since I had captured his attention.

"Heavens no, that would be cruel Bella. I meant no offense by my observation. Actually I'm very pleasantly surprised by you." Hayden shook his head; he then noticed that the song would be ending soon, "Bella, would you be opposed to doing something scandalous?"

"I think that would greatly depend on the scandal." I responded warily.

The dance ended and he took a bow, "Would you join me in the next dance?"

I looked over his shoulder and saw my stepmother and the twins waiting to pounce on him when I left his side. I saw Evangeline, talking to Brantley happily. I saw all the other waiting faces of the other girls, wishing for me to share him. Then I looked at him and I nodded, "I think I would."

So another chapter is finished and I think I did better on this one. Plus there's some real interaction with the prince, the next chapter gets pretty fluffy too!

Ali