Chapter X

While they talked, little did Anastasia and Amable know that Albert and Cinderella talked as well, the princess concerned about her sister.

They sat, looking out over the castle grounds from the balcony, Albert, his hand wrapped around his wife. "Everything all right?", he asked, knowing it wasn't, hoping she would bring up her sister.

With a sigh, Cinderella shook her head. "I wish... I'm happy for Anastasia and glad we're getting along now. I'm thrilled she's happy now with Amable... but, I'm just wondering... What about my step-mother and Drizella? Will they come back and try to hurt her or someone else I love?", she whispered while subconsciously laying a hand on her stomach, giving Albert another clue to her worries.

Taking her hand into his own, Albert lifted it to his lips so he could gently brush his lips over her skin. "I understand... I want you and everyone we care about to be happy too... as well as our little one.", he replied, hoping it made her feel better in someway.

"I know you do.", she whispered before laying her head on his shoulder. "But, what can I do for her?", she asked in a whisper.

Now kissing the top of her beautiful blonde hair, Albert nodded, doing his best to figure out whyat he could say to her. With a moment, he took her hand, gently squeezing it. "Just trust me and my father... We'll protect you both and if your step-mother comes my father can handle her.", Albert whispered, wishing that while she trusted him, that he also gave her some peace of mind, which he knew he didn't.

So, it wasn't long after that, that the two went to bed, though neither one slept well.

The next morning as the sun came up, Jack and his clan were either trying to wake up or ready to listen as they sat, wondering what he would say to them.

"What is it, Jack?", Mary asked, clearly worried about what he wanted to say, but only because she worried anytime he or their sons went off into the castle, which was much larger than the home they had lived in.

"We gotta help Cinderelly and Anastasia.", he said, slightly startling the others, causing them to wonder what plan he would have this time.

"But... how, Jack?", Mary asked, laying a hand on his shoudler, while her other hand nervously squeezed her skirt, trying to give her mind some form of relief.

Looking toward her, Jack did his best to keep from releasing a sigh. "I wish I knew... I was hoping one of you had an idea.", he replied, hating that Mary sighed, shaking her head as she looked down at the hand that now lightly brushed her skirt instead of squeezing it so hard her hand had turned numb.

"I'm sorry..." Jack whispered, though he was somewhat glad the others looked up to him despite the fact that he wasn't perfect.

"It's ok." Mary whispered as the others nodded their heads in agreement, each of the mice ready to help those they loved.

While those at the castle both worried about what could happen and rejoyced about the upcoming wedding, things were far from at ease at the chalet.

"Mother, what are we going to do?" Drizella cried, arleady tired of the few chores her mother had ordered her sister to do that she was now finishing because she wasn't here now.

In reply, her mother growled, giving her an extremely devious look while barking yet another annoyed comment at her daughter.

"Stop worrying about that and do what I tell you, Drizella!" she ordered.

"Yes, mother." she whispered before turning back to the dishes she was almost finished washing, hoping maybe someday something good would happen to her.

Later that night, she sat, as usual locked in her room, Drizella sat on her bed, head in her hands, looking up at the sky through the bared windows. "Gosh, wonder what Cinderella and Anastasia are doing now?" she asked herself while wondering what those things could be.

"If only mother could see whatever Cinderella and Anastasia have and then show me what it is." she whispered to herself, glad the house was now dark and quiet without her mother's loud yelling, ordering her to do anything she wanted her to.

She sat, silently thinking about these things when she was startlied, suddenly hearing a squeaking noise.

Slightly nervous, she sat, scared when a small creature managed to make it's way into the light, startling her when she saw it.

At first, she gasped, disgusted, but after a few moments realized that, not only was the small creature not going to hurt her, but it was also injured and needed her help.

Hesitantly, she climbed down from the bed, nearly tripping over her gown as she did.

Slowly reaching down, she cupped her hands together, scooping the small mouse into them.

But, after that she was stuck, unsure of what she should do.

"What's wrong?" she whispered, wishing the mouse could talk when-

"My leg." it spoke, startling her so she almost dropped her mysterious visitor.

"C-Can I do something?" she whispered, wondering why she was asking.

And, in reply the mouse nodded it's head in reply both reassuring Drizella that the mouse had spoken and causing her to wonder if she had lost her sanity.

"Wrap it up so I can't move it." it finally spoke.

Now over her initial confusion, Drizella wondered what she could do for her new little friend. As she sat, wondering about what she could do, the bell on the palace's tower rang, startling her, this time causing her to look up, seeing how late it had become. However, it also caused her to look to the vanity where her sister knpt the tiny clothes she gave the mice she found.

Seeing this, Drizella wondered. So, after laying her new friend on the bed, she stood before walking over to the desk, smiling when she saw what was in the drawer, a ribbon, which she figured would do just what she would need it for.

Kneeling once more by the bed, Drizella reached out, gently taking the mouse's leg, unsure of how she would handle wrapping it.

"Hope I don't hurt you." she whispered, while slowly beginning to wrap the ribbon around it.

"Is that better?" she hesitantly asked, then smiled when her new little friend replied,

"Thanks, that feels better."

"Good. I was afraid I wouldn't do it right." she replied with a sigh.

"Either way, you tried." her new little frined replied, causing Drizella to smile.

"What's your name?" Drizella added, just now thinking of the fact.

"I don't have one... Would you like to give me one?" the mouse asked in a high squeaky voice, obvously saying it was a girl.

"Is there a name you would like?" Drizella asked, hoping she didn't offend her new little friend.

"Julie?" the mouse replied, wanting to know what her new human friend thought of it.

And to the mouse's delight, Drizella smiled. "It's great... Julie." she replied before a yawn escaped her.

"Sorry, but... I need to go to sleep so I can work early tomorrow." she whispered, climbing into her bed, laying Julie on the floor at her side, laying a small piece of cloth over her to use as a blanket.

And it wasn't long before the two were in a deep sleep.