*AN: Hey again! much better on the reviews! Thanks yall! Just wanted to mention a few things – I am a terrible speller... and I am really busy with work but I do use a spell checker. If you do spot a spelling error, please just pass by it, I don't have time to go back and fix everything.
The reason I rushed the beginning (besides my lack of writing skills ;) ) I plan on carrying this story out and answering the puzzling questions and so on (like the prophecy). And the other things I just don't see a need to really draw out. It was just to give you an idea of where this story was starting at. I also plan on bringing out the characters characteristics (I hate how Disney never gave the prince a personality!) slowly throughout the story.
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"Estrella!" Estrella slowly opened her eyes, she felt groggy and not in the mood to be woken up. She rolled from the bed anyhow and threw on her old skirts and ran down the many steps to see what Jasmine wanted.
"Yes ma'am?"
"Why are you still asleep? I am hungry." Jasmine said in an almost bored tone.
Because I am tired! Make your own food! Estrella grinned at the image of Jasmine actually cooking. The day a muló turns to a handsome prince!
"Okay, are you happy with just some eggs?" She asked.
"I want scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, sausages and hot coffee." Jasmine said folding her napkin politely on her lap. "And don't burn the sausages this time." Even though her voice was still bored sounding, she grinned evilly remembering the last time that happened.
Estrella shivered, she remembered what happened as well, but that was over a year ago and had never again burned any meal since. She never wanted to face lashes again. Jasmine liked to remind the gypsy girl about every time Estrella had received the lashes.
Estrella walked off towards the stove.
Eggs, bacon, toast, sausages and coffee; how is it that she stays so thin? She eats like this three times a day! Plus snacks, I would have gained a hundred pounds by the time I was her age. And that man who said I was to skinny! He was insane! I should be losing the weight! Her mind drifted as she cooked the food and soon even began to hum.
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Jasmine watched Estrella cook and listened to her soft voice humming. She was so beautiful, even for a gypsy. Jasmine was jealous.
Why should she be the one with the talents of dancing and music? Even the way she walks is graceful yet her I am, a noble! and still I must try so hard to keep myself proper.
"Here you go, ma'am." Estrella said laying the cup of coffee in front of her owner's daughter. "Just have to let the toast brown and it will be ready."
"Well," Jasmine said once more in her bored tone. "It is about time. If you wouldn't day dream then perhaps you would be able to focus on your working much better, also get me some tea – I believe that horrid sound of humming has given me a head ache."
"Yes ma'am." Jasmine watched as Estrella turned to bring her food to her. When the gypsy laid the food gently on the table a knock sounded at the door.
"Hurry and answer it," Jasmine said as she sipped her coffee. Estrella nodded and hurried off. Jasmine waited until Estrella was gone and laid her head in her hands.
Why must she be the one, why must she be the beautiful one!?
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My humming is not horrid! Estrella thought as she opened the door. A man stood there holding a paper, his nose was extremely pointed and his eyes close together. His face dropped the pleasant smile when he saw it was a gypsy who answered the door.
"Give this to the Madam." He said, speaking through his nose and walked towards his horse. Estrella watched him mount his horse. Give this to the Madam, she mouthed mockingly, she turned and went to Mari's chambers and knocked politely on the door.
"Enter," Estrella walked in. "Who was at the door?" Mari said when she saw it was Estrella.
"A man, he brought this paper for you ma'am." Estrella said revealing the piece of paper.
"Well do not just stand there child, bring it to me." Estrella felt suddenly uncomfortable. She did not like being in the presence of this woman, however she never let it show. She knew she was strong, she was a gypsy, she was able to live through anything!
Estrella handed Mari the paper and turned to leave.
"Estrella." Mari said just as the gypsy was at the door.
"Ma'am?"
"I have noticed that after a task is completed many of my friend's servants curtsy. I believe that this would be best for you to do as well. After a task and after being called you will curtsy. This is to me, to Jasmine de la Angeles as well as any other guest we have in the house. Is this understood?"
You have gone mad! Me curtsy to YOU? Estrella was shocked and knew nothing of what do but give a curtsy and leave. She knew better then to say no.
She gave the 'curtsy' a try, though failed miserably.
"Practice, Estrella. I expect to see a much better one in the morning when I call you to make breakfast."
"Of course ma'am." Estrella quickly retreated out of the room.
Curtsies? What has gotten into the woman? She shook her head and felt near tears. Who am I? Who turns out this way? Why must life be so cruel to me!? Who has cursed me!?!
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"Mother you are taking this far too seriously!" Anton argued, knowing better then to believe it would truly have an effect on the Queen.
"You will go host the ball, you will dress in these cloths, you will pick a woman to marry, you will marry her and give an heir and I don't want to hear another word about it! As much as I would enjoy it I will not live forever! I want to see my only son having a place on the throne." The Queen said sternly.
"Mother you are living the life of a hundred year old woman! Don't make me live it as well!" In truth, Anton did not know why he was arguing with his mother, not only would it not make any difference but he really did not mind marrying; he had been prepared for it since he was five. Truth was he loved to see the fire in her eyes. His father had died many years ago and the only time he saw his mother showing any sort of emotion was when she was arguing with the prince.
The Queen stood to her full height and lifted her chin in the air with much nobility. Her eyes seemed to be lit up and Anton swore if he argued with her a second longer she would be just as she used to. But suddenly it all went away. The Queen fell back slightly, the fire in her eyes was gone and her face emotionless. Deep inside those sky blue orbs Anton saw a mixture of emotions, but that was the only place on her old body that seemed to be alive, and even though it was alive, it was sad.
"My son, do as I say." She said in a tone of giving up, of pain and torment, a tone that stung Anton's young heart.
"Very well Mother, I will do as you say." He said also giving in to the realization that his mother was now a ghost to the world, she seemed to live life for only the sake of living, and nothing more. A small smile crept to Anton's handsome face, perhaps she felt the same way he did.
The Queen nodded and walked from the room, Anton glanced down at the young seamstress who was finishing the hem on his pants.
Marry a woman from the ball, what if I find a peasant woman as lovely as you? He thought looking down at the young girl's blonde hair. She was pretty, but with a gown and her hair done she would be as lovely as the queen herself. But Anton knew that he should not marry a peasant, he should marry a noble. However he wasn't truly a good judge of this. When a woman wore a gown and looked so lovely how ever could one tell?
What does it matter?
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Jasmine walked out of her mother's room and nearly ran into Estrella on her way out.
"Sorry ma'am," Estrella apologized quickly, practicing her curtsy that she was actually getting kind of good at.
"Don't worry about it," Jasmine said, in a happy? voice and a starry look in her eyes as she walked away, she hummed and played with her skirts as if she was dancing.
Everyone has gone insane except me! Estrella thought, staring after Jasmine. 'Don't worry about it'?! What has happened to these people?
"Estrella, I am hungry, fix me a light chicken sandwich with toasted bread." Mari said walking from the room.
"Yes ma'am," she said and was just about to turn and leave when she noticed Mari had dropped the paper from the morning and then turned and walked into her room. Estrella quickly picked it up and read it.
An invitation to the ball? Oh my! I can only imagine how much fun that must be. To dance not only alone, but with a man. Her mind lost in daydreams for only a second then she quickly shook her head and knocked gently on the door.
"Madam? You have dropped your paper." Estrella said softly through the heavy doors. Mari opened the door and accepted the paper before slamming the door in Estrella's face. Estrella did the same dreamy walk as Jasmine had just done, but in her mind she was not dancing with the prince, just a man, any man.
When she closed her eyes she saw the man who rescued her. Yes, he truly was the most handsome man, his brown hair slightly windblown, his gray eyes were so amazing, but they were also so confused. She soon imagined him leaning closer to her... Why am I doing this to myself? Like he would love a gypsy girl!
She prepared the meal for Mari and after being dismissed and had the nod of approval on her now perfect curtsy, one of which she did with the grace of a noble, she returned to her work in the large house.
*AN: Next chapter I plan on explaining the prophecy and bringing a few new characters into the story.... please tell me what thought of this chapter by Reviewing!!!! (hint hint)