The next morning, Tori was up especially early. On Christmas day, she had to cook a big breakfast, a large lunch because some people were coming over, and and even bigger dinner.

On top of making sure the house stayed clean through the festivities and decorating the tree.

Yes, Francesca insisted that the tree be put up on Christmas, then taken down the day after.

As she cracked some eggs into a skillet, she couldn't help but remember when she was little.

Her father would put up the tree on Thanksgiving night, and they'd decorate it together. Sometimes some family members, that lived far away would ravel out to celebrate with them.

Then, the tree would stay up till nearly February.

Those few Christmases had been so happy and cheerful. But nowadays, it was hard not to dread it.

All of Francesca's friends and their children came over for lunch, as well as the friends of the Chamberlain kids.

And every one of them were used to having two dozen servants running around to answer their every call.

So, close to forty people screaming your name and demanding one thing or another can get tiring.

But this Christmas, Tori's spirits were up, and no matter how much any one shouted, they wouldn't go down. She didn't know exactly why she was so happy, but it helped pass the day.

"What is up with Cinderella?" Roberta asked as she watched Tori walk into the dining room with steaming platters, humming the entire time.

Ella shrugged, hiding her smile "It's Christmas."

Francesca frowned "She's supposed to despise Christmas!"

Biana gasped "Who can despise Christmas?"

Xavier shrugged "I don't know. Maybe someone who lost their father, home, family, and life on Christmas. Was turned into a slave and sleeps in the woodshed."

Ella wasn't sure, but she thought she saw a look of almost guilt pass over her siblings, not counting Roberta, faces.

A few seconds later, the guests started arriving, then it was nonstop for any of them. Games and food. It was enough to make your head swim.

Ella watched as Tori ran back and forth. She never got a chance to sit down or even stop moving. She just kept running.

At one point, she looked over at Ella and smiled, sending her that 'I'm used to it, don't worry' face.

By time the guests left it was time to start dinner.

Up at the castle, early in the morning, Ethan snatched the trumpet from one of the men and snuck into his mother's bedroom.

The Queen's bed was MASSIVE! So huge, that the Queen slept curled up in the middle.

The blankets were piled high and the soft sound of snoring reached his ears.

With a mischievous smile, Ethan raised the trumpet to hip lips and blew.

As the loud sound erupted from the instrument, the Queen let out a yelp of surprise and sat up "Ethan Ryan Stefan Derek Henry the Fourth!"

Ethan burst out laughing "Merry Christmas Mom."

Clarabelle scrambled out of her bed and quickly stuck her feet into a pair of rhinestone studded bunny slippers "You are in big trouble young man!"

Ethan tossed the trumpet to a maid who had just walked in the room, then took off running.

"You know I can get you!" Clarabelle called as she ran after him. A few feet later, she stopped to catch her breath "Woo! I have really let myself go!" then she ran after her son again.

The chase went all the way around the castle, paused for a breif snack in the kitchen, then ultimately ended in the Throne room.

The biggest tree anyone had ever seen in their lives was sitting in the far corner by a bay window. Streamer, beads and lights decorated the room, and a soft fall of snow outside gave it a magical feeling.

The tree was covered in lights, garland and ornaments. It even had strings of Popcorn and Cranberries.

Presents were piled beneath the tree, as well as some hung in the trees. It was a tradition to get at least one present for all the servants, including the guards.

Clarabelle looked around the throne room "Jessie." she said to one of the maids "Where is my son?"

The maid smiled, then pointed to the Tree. The Prince was halfway up the decoration, the star that belonged on top held firmly in his mouth.

"Ethan! That's what ladders are for!" Clarabelle huffed "Boys. They have to do everything the hard way."

Ethan reached the top, then put the star on top of the tree. Then he quickly descended "Merry Christmas, Mother."

Clarabelle smiled "Same to you son. Now, about that pile of presents!" it took her all of five minutes to distribute the presents to the servants and guards, then she and Ethan were left alone.

They were sitting back munching on cookies, when she brought up the ball "You seemed quite taken with that girl that showed up a little late. Who was she?"

"I'm not sure." Ethan answered "When I first saw her, I thought it might be Tori. But that wasn't possible."

"Why not?"

"All the scars that Tori's got, she wouldn't be able to hide them." He answered "Even under makeup."

"So, you don't know the girl's name?" Clarabelle asked incredulously "Why not?"

"When I asked, she ran away." Ethan laid back on the floor "I'm really good at picking girls who disappear."

"Why don't you start looking for her tomorrow." The Queen suggested "Your birthday is a very few short weeks away."

Ethan nodded "Yes, Ma'am." He knew his mom wasn't trying to force or push him to get married. She was just trying to do what was best for her kingdom... and family.

"But..." Clarabelle frowned "How will you know if it's her? What key are you going to use?"

Ethan thought a second "She could play the piano like an angel. I don't think there's another person alive that could play it like her. I mean, we sat in there for over an hour, and the more she played, the better she got." he put his hands over his head "She said she hadn't played in sixteen years but..."

"Alright..." Clarabelle nodded slowly "Then, we'll invite every girl up to the castle to play the piano. How's that?"

The Prince cringed but nodded "It's the only thing we can do."

The next morning, Ethan went out to town to post the announcement. It was put in the newspapers and on anything else that people would see.

"Hi Ethan." Mrs. Lacely called as she scurried around "How are you?"

Ethan shrugged "I'm okay. You seem busy."

"Quite a few of us are." the woman answered "Tori came running into town with a big order last night." she shook her head and frowned "Because of all the Christmas money her stepfamily gets, they order a heap pile of stuff, then bring the wagon to pick it up."

"So..." Ethan cocked his head confused "How is that bad?"

Mrs. Lacely sighed "It's generally when us town folk see a smidgen of what happens to Tori every day."

"What happens?"

"Her orders are to be standing here waiting when they arrive." the woman said "But, she's not allowed to leave her front porch until their wagon is out of sight. Then she has to run here!" she threw her hands in the air "Their house if ten miles from town! And they expect her to beat them here when they get the head start? With horses!"

Ethan frowned "That's not right."

"No!" Mrs. Lacely shook her head defiantly "Those Camberlains treat her so wrong!"

Ethan cracked a smile "Chamberlain? As in the Duke Chamberlain?"

Lacely gasped "I was not supposed to tell you that!"

Ethan laughed "Well, no show for town today." he said as he ran and mounted up on the horse he'd brought with him "Just have everything here and ready." then he turned and rode down the road.

Tori watched as her family's carriage headed down the road.

She hated this day. Mainly because her stepmother pulled out the whip and used it in town... in front of everyone. Whenever someone stepped forward to try and stop her, they'd quickly back up as she used it again... and again.

Tori blinked back the tears that were starting to build up behind her eyes. She hated that all her friends in town had to see that. She'd always tried to keep it hidden what happened to her a home. But they knew... all too well.

She watched as the carriage disappeared around a bend, which was about a mile down the road.

With a sigh, she turned towards the woods. It was a little bit of a shortcut, but she still couldn't manage to make it there within an hour.

She looked around as the sound of hoof beats reached her ears.

Just then, a white horse sprang out from the trees, and ran towards her.

"Hello." Ethan said as he reached down and pulled her up in front of him "Nice to see you again."

Tori looked up at him shocked "How... How did you find me?"

"Someone in town slipped." Ethan answered as turned his horse back towards the woods "And I thought I'd help." then he kicked his horse forward.

Tori smiled and shook her head "You really are crazy."

The horse sped through the trees effortlessly, then came out behind Mrs. Lacely's shop "Everything's already here." he said as he slid off the horse, then helped her down "All you have to do is wait."

They heard a carriage pull to a stop out front.

Tori quickly stood up on her tiptoes and kissed the boy's cheek "Thank you." then she ran into the store and stood there, waiting till her stepmother entered.

"Where is..." Fracesca stopped short as she saw Tori gathering up the items "How..."

Tori didn't answer as she carried the items out to the carriage.

Ella looked at her in shock "How did you get here so fast?" she whispered.

Tori just flashed her a smile "Tell you later." she mouthed, then she ran back in for the next load.

As soon as it was all loaded, the stepfamily left.

Tori sighed with relief, then turned to face Mrs. Lacely "Thank you."

"Don't thank me." Lacely said, waving her off "Thank that boy."

Tori smiled, then stepped out of the shop. She quickly spotted Ethan standing off to the side smiling "Hi."

"Hello." he nodded "That went exceptionally well. Do you need to beat them home?"

"No." Tori shook her head "Thanks again."

"It was my pleasure."

She saw his smile slightly falter as he spotted the long scar down her arm. That's hadn't been there the last time he'd seen her. She was relieved when he didn't ask about it.

"So... the Prince is looking for the girl he danced with at the ball." she said leisurely.

Ethan shrugged "More like the girl he played the piano with at the ball." he turned to face her "Were... you there by any chance?"

Tori opened her mouth to answer, but stopped. Her reflection in the store window that was behind Ethan caught her attention.

Dirty. Poor. Rugged and beaten. Ethan was the Prince. The total opposite of what she was. He needed someone better. He deserved someone who actually had a life. Someone who wasn't... her.

She lowered her head "No."

Ethan nodded slowly "Oh."

"I should get back." Tori said "It was good to see you again... Ethan."

He smiled "You too." he watched as she took a few steps back "Don't hide from me again. Okay?"

She smiled slightly then nodded "Okay." then she took off running.

Ethan sighed "So much for that." then he returned to the castle.

"Mother." Roberta said, finding her mom alone in the parlor "I know why precious little Tori has been so happy."

Francesca looked up at her oldest daughter "Oh?"

Roberta crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame "She went to the ball."