Chapter Six: Serenity and her Glass Slipper
Once upon a time there was a rich widower and his daughter. They lived in a grand mansion and the man gave his daughter anything that she wished. Despite this, the little girl was not spoiled, but rather kind and friendly. Because of her sweetness and beauty, the little girl was named Serenity: a name that had been passed down in her family for generations.
The man had lost his wife to sickness and was reluctant to remarry. He did, though, for his daughter's sake. The woman he married was a golden haired, yet cold beauty named Galaxia and she also had two daughters of her own. Karasuma, or just Kara for short, had long red-orange hair and chocolate brown eyes. Her sister, Aya had equally long hair that was an aquamarine color and the same blue-greened colored eyes. Both youths were extremely beautiful, but their beauty was marred by their hateful and generally nasty personalities.
Serenity's father died shortly after marrying Galaxia. Serenity was devastated by her father's death and looked to her new 'mother' for comfort. Galaxia could not have cared less about her blond stepdaughter and sent the poor girl to work down in the cellar. The evil woman and her equally horrible daughters ordered Serenity around day and night, making her life miserable. They stopped calling her Serenity out of spite; they would only refer to her as 'the servant girl' or Serena. Serena spent many unhappy years this way, every day wishing that one day, someone would come and whisk her away from her dreary home.
The sun was shining brightly through the town's square as everyone, royalty and peasants alike, bustled around doing their various chores and errands. This included Galaxia, her daughters and, of course, Serena. Serena was carrying a dozen of boxes, all of them stacked precariously on top of one another. She weaved in and out of the crowd, desperately trying to keep the boxes balanced. Noticing her troubles, Galaxia turned toward her stepdaughter. Instead of helping the poor girl, the cold beauty placed another box upon Serena's impossibly high stack and walked into a nearby hat store with the orders, "Stay put!"
Serena was unable to see over the boxes and suddenly walked right into someone. The boxes of hats and clothes went flying, scattering all around the street. If that wasn't bad enough, Serena also landed hard on her knees and hands, scrapping them in the process. A teasing voice sounded from above the blond girl, causing her to look up into the face of a very hansom man.
"Watch it, girl! Or, should I say, Meatball Head!" exclaimed the raven-haired man, his mouth pulling into a little smirk. Serena, who wasn't having a good morning to begin with, almost burst into frustrated tears. Listening for once to her logical side, the girl simply got up and just started to gather her things. The young man, still wanting to get a rise out of her, bent down and whispered into her ear,
"You know, Meatball Head, normal people don't walk right into people. Is there just air between those meatballs or what?" he teased. Serena's patience finally snapped and she turned angrily to the stranger.
"First of all, my name is Serena, not Meatball Head. Second, I happen to like my pretty, UNIQUE hairstyle. Lastly, I AM A NORMAL PERSON, NOT AN AIRHAED; I JUST COULDN'T SEE WHERE I WAS GOING!!" Everyone turned and stared at the small, but loud girl and the object of her fury. The man blushed in embarrassment at being the center of attention and quickly bent down and helped Serena gather her parcels. He finally got a good look at the girl and realized how pretty she really was. She even looked cuter when she was mad. Maybe that's why I was teasing her he thought and decided to make amends.
"Look, Serena, I'm sorry. Let me make it up to you, maybe over lunch…" he trailed as she interrupted him.
"First you insult me, then try to ask me out? What kind of jerk are you? Do you think I'm just another girl to fawn over you?"
"You're not like most girls, are you?" the dark-haired, blue-eyed man asked incredulously.
"If you mean, by not being one of a million girls that probably throw themselves at your feet everyday, then yes, and I'm proud of it!" she exclaimed, finally getting up with all her packages. The stranger tried to take a few from her, but she shrugged away his help.
"Come on. Let me help you out. You'll just run into someone again," he stated. Serena huffed at him, but handed a few boxes over. She realized that he wasn't that bad, but found that he knew her name but she had no idea who he was.
"What's you're name? Or are you just a nameless jerk who teases young girls like me for a living?"
"Well, since you asked so nicely, Meatball Head," Serena glared at him when he said that, "I'll introduce myself. My name is…"
"SERENA!!! I thought I told you not to talk to strangers!" yelled Galaxia while rushing out of the store with Kara and Aya. The stranger stood dumbfounded as Galaxia yelled at Serena, who shrunk back at each put down.
"Stupid girl! We're going to be late. Get those boxes and move it, NOW!!" Serena quickly grabbed the boxes from the young man and hurried after her stepmother. Before she fled out of sight, the man yelled after her,
"I hope to 'run' into you again, Meatball Head!" Serena turned and instead of being mad she good-naturedly stuck out her tongue and called back,
"Count on it, Jerk!!"
Once Serena and her meatballs were out of sight, the stranger sighed and headed toward the castle on the outskirts of the town. What most people didn't know when they looked at the dark-haired man was that he was Prince Darien, future king of the land. He liked to dress as a peasant and walk through town in order to be treated normally once and a while and not like, well, a prince. Darien's mother and father were waiting for him when he walked in.
"Darien! Where have you been? Your father and I have just been talking about you!" exclaimed his mother, while his father just rolled his eyes.
"You're mother was doing all of the talking; I was just listening," said the king. The queen simply ignored her husband and continued talking to Darien.
"I have planned a small, itty-bitty get-together for the day after tomorrow…" Darien quickly interrupted her,
"What do you mean, 'small', mother?"
"Oh…Umm...just a few friends and family," Darien walked over to the desk his mother was at and pulled out a very long list of guests, "and all of the eligible maidens in the kingdom," she finished in a small, begging voice.
"Mother! I refuse to be paraded around like a piece of meat: just a prize to the prettiest girl. Call it off!" Darien exclaimed while walking away angrily. His mother was speechless so his father spoke up,
"Son, your mother and I only want to see you find someone and be happy."
"And produce an heir," Darien angrily replied.
"Well, that would be nice…" muttered his mother while his father glared at her.
"If you don't find the girl of your dream there, we'll leave you alone and you can fall in love in your own time," proposed his father. Darien took less than a second to think it over.
"Agreed!" he exclaimed as he shook his father's hand, sealing the deal. Darien's mother squealed excitedly and started to plan the event.
"Let's see, we'll need a caterer, a band, and oh…we need to decorate the ballroom…" Darien and the king groaned and muttered together,
"What have we gotten ourselves into…"
Royal proclamations were sent to every noble man and women and to every eligible maiden in the kingdom. One such invitation was sent to the household of Galaxia and her daughters. When it came, the three eagerly went to town to shop for new dresses. They were unpleasantly surprised, however, when they arrived at the clothing store and found that it was sold out. After scolding the storeowner, Galaxia ushered her daughters home to figure out a solution.
Kara, Aya, and Galaxia were rummaging through their closets when Galaxia had a grand idea.
"Girls, gather some of your old dresses and make a pile right here." Soon there was a good-sized pile of too-short, slightly used dresses in the middle of the hallway.
"SERENA!! SERENA!!" called the blond women, yelling down into the cellar. Serena came running, almost tripping over the clothing pile.
"Now, unstitch these dresses and make three grand ball gowns out of them," commanded Galaxia. While Serena's blue eyes widen at the enormity of the task, Kara exclaimed excitedly,
"Oooo, Mama, you're so clever!"
Galaxia proceeded to shoo Serena into the cellar, now burdened with a dozen of old dresses. The last thing Galaxia told her stepdaughter before leaving was,
"And make sure you have it done by the time we leave tomorrow."
Serena stared, dumbfounded at the door which her stepmother just exited. She knew that she would never be able to finish with only a day to do the task. And that was even if she could sew. Serena couldn't even thread a needle without pricking her finger, let alone sew a whole dress. She sighed and then got to work. It would not be good for her if Galaxia found her not working.
Serena worked all day and late into the night. At about midnight, Serena threw her needle and thread down in frustration. She looked sadly at the three cloth covered mannequins. There was no way that those monstrosities would ever pass for dresses. Serena felt tears gather in her cerulean eyes. She could remember the last time that she didn't finish a task that Galaxia gave her. She was sore for a week afterwards from the whipping she was given. She let her silver tears fall, wetting her pricked and cut hands as she covered her face with them and tried to control herself. There's no use crying about it she thought, but couldn't quite convince herself.
As she continued to cry, she suddenly felt a gentle hand stroke her hair. Afraid that it was her stepmother, Serena looked up sharply and found herself gazing at a beautiful silver-haired lady. Serena gasped as she recognized the woman.
"Mother…" she whispered. The regal looking woman nodded and was hugged her daughter tightly. Serena pulled back after a few moments, confusion filling her eyes.
"But, you're…dead," she said in a small voice. Serenity smiled at her daughter and explained.
"Yes, my daughter, I am. But I have been allowed to see you and help you out." Serena suddenly remembered the dresses and turned toward the mannequins. Instead of three extremely ugly dresses, there were three gorgeous gowns, each one made of the finest silk and lace. Serena jumped up and examined the clothing and turned back to her mother.
"They're beautiful. Thank you," she said sincerely, but she was still sad although Serena didn't know why. Serenity motioned for Serena to sit next to her again and said,
"I know what you want, Serena, even if you don't."
"What is that, mother?" asked the blond girl, genuinely confused. Her mother simply said,
"Wait for me after those three she-devils leave. And please, darling, get some sleep tonight." And with that, Serenity vanished. Serena stared for a moment then shrugged. She would just have to wait to find out what she was planning.
The next morning, Galaxia came rushing into the cellar, expecting Serena to be asleep on the floor, none of the dresses done. She gasped in surprise when she saw the three beautiful dresses in the middle of the room. She masked her astonishment quickly and shook Serena awake.
"Get up! Go and fix breakfast, you ungrateful, lazy girl!" Serena rushed out, but couldn't stop the satisfied smirk that formed on her face when she saw her stepmother silently appraising Serenity's work.
The hours flew by quickly and soon the unholy trio of Galaxia, Kara, and Aya left their mansion in a splendid spectacle. As their carriage hurried away, Serena's ears heard Galaxia's voice yell,
"You pay for it tomorrow if we're not a hit!" She just shook her head and went back inside, almost running into her mother in the process.
"Oh!" exclaimed Serena, stumbling back into the door. Her mother chuckled silently while her daughter sighed sadly. Why am I such a klutz? Her mother hugged her gently and reassured her,
"Serena, it's just a part of growing up. I was a little bit clumsy too." Serena stood in shook as her mother laughed and continued, "Now, you better hurry. You're going to miss the ball!"
"The ball!" Serena exclaimed, "You have got to be joking, mother. There is no way I'll get past the front gate looking like this." Serenity pointed to a mirror and asked,
"You mean, they wouldn't let you in looking like that?" Serena turned and gasped as she saw her reflection. Instead of a servant girl, a beautiful princess stood in front of the old mirror. She wore a beautiful, white silk dress that shone like spun starlight. She had a delicate pearl necklace around her neck and beautiful earrings to match. Her hair was in her customary buns, but they were adorned with pearls and her makeup done perfectly. Serena looked down at her feet and was surprised to find glass slippers on her feet, weightless and beautiful.
Serena's eyes filled with tears as she hugged her mother. "Thank you," she whispered. Serenity kissed the top of her daughter's head and helped her out the door. Outside there was a gorgeous carriage made of crystal and diamonds. The doorman held the door open for Serena and she moved to get in, but suddenly turned back to her mother.
"But, what about Galaxia? She'll recognize me for sure!" Serenity shook her head and told her,
"No she won't. The magic will shroud you identity and no one will know who you are. For tonight, you are Princess Serenity." Serena turned to go but her mother warned her, "Serena, this is the last time you'll see me. I love you so much, daughter. But this night can't last forever; the magic I have bestowed upon you will fade at midnight. Please leave before then. Now I must go. Goodbye, Serena…" with that, Serenity faded and disappeared into the night sky. Serena wiped a lone tear from her face and got into the carriage. She would make sure this would be a night to remember.
Meanwhile, at the ball, Prince Darien was thoroughly bored. He had spent countless hours dancing and entertaining wealthy maidens, all eager to gain his hand in marriage. He had danced with both Kara and Aya and found both of them to be extremely shallow and petty. He was just about to excuse himself when the doorman announced another arrival.
"Presenting the Princess Serenity." The entire room fell silent in awe at the beautiful girl that entered the ballroom. She glided down the stairs gracefully, the entire time thinking to herself Don't trip. Don't trip. Darien met her at the bottom and for a moment couldn't speak. Serena curtsied low and said,
"Pleased to meet you, your highness." Darien gently pulled her up and whisked her into a waltz. They dance all night long, falling more deeply in love with every moment. Darien finally led her to the royal gardens, away from the prying eyes of the court. They walked through the gardens peacefully and finally stopped at the royal fountain, filled with crystal clear water. Darien sat down and motioned for Serena to do the same.
"You're so different from all of the other girls I've met. You're nothing like them," he motioned in the direction of the ballroom, "You don't look at me like a prize or a hunk of meat. You look at me like a person, and I thank you." Darien blushed as he realized that he just poured out his heart to a near stranger but Serena didn't laugh at him. She decide one act deserved another in kind and started to make her own confession,
"I also have to say that this is extremely different from what I'm used to. I'm used to being yelled at or mistreated. You're the first person I've met who hasn't complained about my clumsiness or treated me like a fool." Serena gasped in surprise as Darien kissed her gently and was even more surprised when he said,
"I love you." Serena's heart soared with those three words and happily hugged him.
"I love you, too," she replied while leaning in for another kiss. Darien complied then pulled back with a confused expression on his face.
"You know, I feel as if we have met before. You think I would remember someone with meatballs in her hair." Serena's blue eyes widen when she realized that he was the stranger in the marketplace. I called the prince a jerk! She didn't get to confirm his suspicions because a servant came into the garden and asked to speak to Darien. He apologized and spoke with the servant a few feet away from the fountain.
"My prince, the king and queen request an audience with you and the Princess Serenity."
"Of course. Tell them we'll be right there," Darien replied, turning toward Serena. At that moment the clock tower started to chime. Serena quickly realized that it was midnight and that she had to leave. NOW!
Darien turned to see the back of Serena's head and quickly ran after her. Serena could hear the prince calling her name, but the chiming clock drowned his voice out.
"Please, stop!"
Serena made it to the front gate but tripped and fell onto the ground. Cursing her clumsiness, she quickly got back up, but not before one of her delicate glass shoes slipped off her foot. She paid it no heed and ducked into some bushes just as the clock struck twelve. Serena looked down to find herself back in her old dress, makeup and jewelry gone. She hid in the bush as the king's guards were deployed to find the missing maiden.
When they were gone, Serena slowly rose to her feet but realized she was slightly off balanced. She looked down and saw that on one of her feet was encased in a small glass slipper. The blond girl took it off and examined it. She then smile and made her way back to her house. Her mother had given her one last gift: a keepsake of the most wonderful night of her life.
The next morning, the entire castle was in a bustle. Prince Darien had ordered all the troops to look for his missing love, but they had no success in locating her. Heartbroken, he looked down at the only clue to her identity. The delicate glass slipper was far too small for most of the girls in the kingdom. Really, Darien doubted that anyone had feet that small. His brain suddenly came up with a brilliant plan.
"I shall try this slipper on every girl in the kingdom and whomever it fits will be my bride," he announced to the guards. The news spread like wildfire through the kingdom and soon Galaxia and her daughters caught wind of it.
"To think, all you have to do is fit into a shoe. The prince must be out of his mind. Anyway, girls, you must look stunning for the prince when he comes," said Galaxia while preparing her house for the royal visitor. Actually, she was just standing while Serena cleaned the house. She didn't mind, though. The blond servant was still on cloud nine from the night before. None of her evil relatives noticed, but as someone knocked on the outside door, Galaxia shoved Serena into the kitchen and locked the door.
"It wouldn't do for the prince to see a rag doll like you," Aya said cruelly while her sister laughingly agreed. Serena could hear the prince come in and try the slipper on her stepsisters, but concerned herself with trying to escape.
Aya was the first and pushed her foot with all her might into the shoe. She tried for a few minutes before Darien shook his head and the servant trying the shoe on pulled it off the girl's foot. Aya huffed as Kara pushed her out of the way and took her turn. Her foot was also too big and the prince sighed as he asked,
"Are there any other women in the house?" Galaxia thought for a moment then pushed Kara off the couch and held her foot out. The servant was disgusted and quipped,
"He meant young women." Galaxia forcefully took the shoe from his hand and tried to put it on. When it didn't fit, Galaxia became so frustrated that she threw the shoe. The servant just barely grabbed it before it hit the ground. Darien sighed in relief then glared at Galaxia.
"Come on, we're leaving," stated Darien coldly as he walked out the door, servant right behind him. Darien took the shoe from the servant's hands and was examining it when he felt something crash into him. He was so surprised that he dropped the shoe and it shattered into a million pieces. He looked up angrily, prepared to lash out at the person who destroyed the slipper. He found himself staring into two very familiar blue eyes. His anger got the best of him as he got up and he yelled at Serena.
"Look what you have done! Now I'll never find her!" Galaxia and her daughters came out to see what was going on. Serena had found a way out of the kitchen through an open window and had been running away. She hadn't been looking where she was going and bumped into the prince. Her eyes filled with tears as he continued to shout at her. Galaxia made it worse by grabbing Serena forcefully and pushing her towards the house in order for Serena to be punished. Darien got a really good look at her and stopped Galaxia.
"Wait a moment!" Dairen rushed to Serena's side and turned her to face him. She wouldn't look up at him so he gently pushed her chin up with his hand and looked into her tear filled eyes. He stepped back in surprise as he recognized her.
"You're…. Princess Serenity!!" Galaxia and the others gasped when Serena nodded her head in confirmation. Darien immediately gathered her into his arms and started to apoligize,
"I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Why did you…" Before Darien could finish, Serena's stepmother interrupted him. There was no way that that little ungrateful brat would be queen if she could help it.
"Your highness, I must be honest with you. There is not way that our servant could be the one you're looking for. She is just lying to become your bride." Darien opened his mouth to protest but closed it again when he realized that she might be right. Serena quickly quelled any doubts he had when she reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out the other glass slipper. Aya and Kara swooned in disappointment and Galaxia raged in silent anger as Darien placed the shoe one Serena's foot and kissed her passionately. As he led her away, Serena turned back to her family and called to them,
"In my happiness, I forgive you all!" With that, Serena and Darien rode off to the castle to start their new life. Galaxia and her daughters never became better people and were miserable and hateful for the rest of their lives. Serena change her name back to Serenity and she and Darien got married in a grand ceremony. After being pronounced man and wife, Darien and Serenity ran down the aisle. Serenity tripped and lost her shoe, but Darien just laughed and carried her the rest of the way. The happy couple rode off into the sunset, destined to live happily ever after.