Thanks again to all of my reviewers! Last chapter was just the kick I
needed.I have so many new ideas! Special thanks to:
Jenny the Chica-Yes, special thanks. And special thanks again.
Stargazer-Your questions will be answered in due time. You said you liked John and Charles the best. Actually, to tell you the truth, I was considering bringing them back. They were pretty cool. Lucky for you, your comment inspired me to bring them back as soon as possible. Also, how did the Robin McKinley version end? I never got to read it.
And ArwenStar914-Hey, she has two more pieces of Jewelry! Of course they're going in the royal food!
Also thanks to Smiley and Sakura-Chan.
Oh, and after this I am putting replies to my reviewers at the bottom. Don't ask me why; I just feel like it. And read my a/n about a new story I am writing at the end of the chapter.
Review this story again, it's finally chapter ten!
Isabelle flopped onto her bed, worn out from the night. Not only had she gone to a ball and become acquainted with a prince, but she was also accused of trying to execute the king and Queen!
She reached under her mattress and pulled out her notebook. I've neglected you, she thought tenderly as she dipped her quill in some ink and began to write.
Prince William is the first actual friend I think I've ever had, apart from Angie, She wrote. When he was speaking to himself in the garden, what he said really mirrored my thoughts. Besides Angie, I think he is the only person who didn't notice my beauty and instead got to know me for me. And tonight, when the King and Queen threatened to execute me, he kept looking me over in a most peculiar way, like he knew it was me. Of course, he couldn't have. I think my disguise is too good for anyone to know that Mary Isabelle Elise and Cat-skin are the same girl. Well, I don't know how I am going to see him again. If I come out as Lady Mary the Queen might have the castle surrounded by the army and won't let me out until I say my wedding vows to poor William. Well, I must go to sleep. I have had a terribly long night and I have to get up at sunrise.
*~~*
"What shall be the reason?" the Queen asked her husband about the ball over breakfast. "We can't have a ball for William's birthday again, we just did that. Maybe we could have a celebration for...for..." she trailed off.
"Mother, who says we have to have a reason? We're royalty, we can do what we want." William grumpily mumbled, seeing his reflection in a platter and smoothing his messy light brown hair over.
"You have a point there, dear. We could just have a ball."
"That's what I just said." Snapped William, obviously not a morning person. "But what makes you so sure Lady Mary will come again?"
"She simply has to, dear, it's just the way it works."
*~~*
Isabelle listened intently to the King, Queen and William as she brought up breakfast. Even though she was supposed to be a poor kitchen maid, she was easily recognizable in her coat of many furs. She hoped they wouldn't notice it was "the kitchen maid who tried to execute them." She had considered asking for her ring back, but she didn't want to call undue attention to herself. She wondered what they did with it.
"We will hold it in the same place..." the queen was tittering on about something or other. "The music will be played on the other side of the room this time, I didn't like where it was last time...and we can have guests come in at the other entrance, that one is so much more scenic...oh, William, dear, this ball will be our best one yet!"
Ball? Isabelle's thoughts raced. Another one? It seemed too perfect. She could see William again, she could wear another dress...She dreamily placed a platter in front of the King and Queen as she wondered what it might be like.
"We can have jesters this time...and, oh, William, you can see lovely Lady Mary again, and you can fall in love-well, she can finish falling in love with you, you're already in love with her...oh it's so romantic--"
Isabelle's thoughts were ripped through by the Queen's last words. Love? Romantic? Her dream-like happiness changed to annoyance and outrage at the Queen's breezy plans for her love life. And was William in love with her?
"Mother, how many times have I told you I am not in love with the girl! She is merely a friend!" She filled with relief and turned just as William looked up at her. She could feel him staring at her back as she turned to serve the others and once again and it bothered her so.
She tried to ignore it as she went down the table serving the knights and other subjects of the King and Queen. She spotted John and Charles, who winked at her.
"Looks like you're fattening a bit, Cat-Skin." Said John, filling a plate with meats and eggs. "I'm glad to see it."
"Yes, Sir, I am." She curtseyed politely. "I'd like to thank you once more for getting me my job. I haven't been this content since before me parents died."
"Wonderful. We're happy to hear it." Charles smiled warmly and dug into his greasy food. Isabelle decided that even though the two were gullible they were likable as well. She finished serving the food and went back to the kitchen.
Another ball, she thought happily.
*~~*
The day of the ball grew near. Isabelle could tell by the sudden burst of activity in the kitchen. All of a sudden it was like a beehive; everyone bustling about in a busy manner and paying no attention to anything other than what his or her task at hand was.
This was a good time for Isabelle. Eliza, the head cook, was much to busy with preparations for the ball to bother with poor old cat-skin. She was obviously stressed, but Isabelle managed to avoid her so she took her temper out on the other servants. Isabelle could come and go as she pleased and not have to worry about anything. She wrote in her little book more often, and lied in her bed thinking about what the ball would be like.
From various accounts she heard she pieced together exactly what it would be like. Caputo was a much richer kingdom than Ginovia, so Isabelle had never seen the amount of lavishness put into balls like she did at this one. She watched in amazement as a five-course meal was prepared, the grand hall was adorned with silk, and the room was covered in fresh flowers that day.
Isabelle was looking forward to the ball greatly. She set out her dress as silver as the moon and after doing her kitchen duties of sweeping the floor, cleaning the pots and setting the bread out to cool she slipped out to go to her room to change.
But on the way there she bumped into someone.
"Sorry, sir." She said meekly and continued on her way.
"Wait!" called a familiar voice, and she turned quickly to see the Prince standing there looking at her quizzically. Isabelle immediately bowed. "You can get up." He said, and Isabelle timidly rose. "Aren't you the kitchen maid who my parents accused of trying to kill me?"
"I didn't mean to, I swear, I--"
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Yes, I did, but I've never seen that ring in my life, I--"
"Have we met before?"
Isabelle's train of thought was interrupted. "What?"
"I said, have we met before?"
Isabelle tried to look confused. What she really felt was fright. She was terrified that the prince knew who she was. "No, I do not think we have."
"You talk very articulately for a kitchen maid." He said, looking at her with one eyebrow raised; his hands on his hips.
"I do? I didn't know." She said, sniffing a bit, trying her best to keep her wits about her. She was still fearful to the point of breaking down and giving everything away.
"How long have you worked here?"
"Almost two months, so it please you sir." She curtseyed.
"Where did you work before that?"
"No where. I wandered the woods."
"Before that?"
"I-I..." she thought of something as quickly as she could. She didn't expect this kind of interrogation. "I worked as a kitchen maid in...Ginovia!"
"Ginvoia?"
"Aye."
"Do you know a Lady Mary, by chance?"
Isabelle tried again to look confused. "No, I do not think I know a lady by that name."
"Are you sure? You don't remember anyone?"
"No." she shook her head until she was dizzy to prove her point.
"All right then. Move along." He brushed past her and disappeared around a bend in the corridor. Isabelle watched him the whole way, making sure he was gone, and then slipped into her room to change.
A/N-I've been trying really hard to find another fairy-tale to re-write, but I can't seem to find one that suits me.
The beautiful girl searched far and wide for a story to please her. But none would do. She was about to give up hope when lo and behold, a vision came to her. A story that had been read to her as a child. Once that one came to her several others did. The land rejoiced, and the girl went on to re-write these stories.
Sorry, just thought I could make it more interesting. Anyway, I found these old books I read as a kid, by this guy named Jay Williams, and they were really good. They had excellent illustrations as well. So I thought I might re-tell them.
There are three: One was called The Practical Princess, about a, well, Practical Princess who is captured by an evil lord, and was about to give up hope of being saved when she realized she had practicality.
Another was The Silver Whistle, about a plain girl who works for a witch who wants to marry a prince, but can't without the magical mirror of Morna, which makes anyone who looks into it beautiful.
And the last was called Stupid Marco, about a cheerful but rather dumb prince who made friends wherever he went and had an infailable cure for the hiccups, but couldn't tell right from left.
They were really good, so I think I'll rewrite them. If anyone likes these summaries and wants to suggest which one I write first (I can't decide) tell me! Thanks, J.S.
Jenny the Chica-Yes, special thanks. And special thanks again.
Stargazer-Your questions will be answered in due time. You said you liked John and Charles the best. Actually, to tell you the truth, I was considering bringing them back. They were pretty cool. Lucky for you, your comment inspired me to bring them back as soon as possible. Also, how did the Robin McKinley version end? I never got to read it.
And ArwenStar914-Hey, she has two more pieces of Jewelry! Of course they're going in the royal food!
Also thanks to Smiley and Sakura-Chan.
Oh, and after this I am putting replies to my reviewers at the bottom. Don't ask me why; I just feel like it. And read my a/n about a new story I am writing at the end of the chapter.
Review this story again, it's finally chapter ten!
Isabelle flopped onto her bed, worn out from the night. Not only had she gone to a ball and become acquainted with a prince, but she was also accused of trying to execute the king and Queen!
She reached under her mattress and pulled out her notebook. I've neglected you, she thought tenderly as she dipped her quill in some ink and began to write.
Prince William is the first actual friend I think I've ever had, apart from Angie, She wrote. When he was speaking to himself in the garden, what he said really mirrored my thoughts. Besides Angie, I think he is the only person who didn't notice my beauty and instead got to know me for me. And tonight, when the King and Queen threatened to execute me, he kept looking me over in a most peculiar way, like he knew it was me. Of course, he couldn't have. I think my disguise is too good for anyone to know that Mary Isabelle Elise and Cat-skin are the same girl. Well, I don't know how I am going to see him again. If I come out as Lady Mary the Queen might have the castle surrounded by the army and won't let me out until I say my wedding vows to poor William. Well, I must go to sleep. I have had a terribly long night and I have to get up at sunrise.
*~~*
"What shall be the reason?" the Queen asked her husband about the ball over breakfast. "We can't have a ball for William's birthday again, we just did that. Maybe we could have a celebration for...for..." she trailed off.
"Mother, who says we have to have a reason? We're royalty, we can do what we want." William grumpily mumbled, seeing his reflection in a platter and smoothing his messy light brown hair over.
"You have a point there, dear. We could just have a ball."
"That's what I just said." Snapped William, obviously not a morning person. "But what makes you so sure Lady Mary will come again?"
"She simply has to, dear, it's just the way it works."
*~~*
Isabelle listened intently to the King, Queen and William as she brought up breakfast. Even though she was supposed to be a poor kitchen maid, she was easily recognizable in her coat of many furs. She hoped they wouldn't notice it was "the kitchen maid who tried to execute them." She had considered asking for her ring back, but she didn't want to call undue attention to herself. She wondered what they did with it.
"We will hold it in the same place..." the queen was tittering on about something or other. "The music will be played on the other side of the room this time, I didn't like where it was last time...and we can have guests come in at the other entrance, that one is so much more scenic...oh, William, dear, this ball will be our best one yet!"
Ball? Isabelle's thoughts raced. Another one? It seemed too perfect. She could see William again, she could wear another dress...She dreamily placed a platter in front of the King and Queen as she wondered what it might be like.
"We can have jesters this time...and, oh, William, you can see lovely Lady Mary again, and you can fall in love-well, she can finish falling in love with you, you're already in love with her...oh it's so romantic--"
Isabelle's thoughts were ripped through by the Queen's last words. Love? Romantic? Her dream-like happiness changed to annoyance and outrage at the Queen's breezy plans for her love life. And was William in love with her?
"Mother, how many times have I told you I am not in love with the girl! She is merely a friend!" She filled with relief and turned just as William looked up at her. She could feel him staring at her back as she turned to serve the others and once again and it bothered her so.
She tried to ignore it as she went down the table serving the knights and other subjects of the King and Queen. She spotted John and Charles, who winked at her.
"Looks like you're fattening a bit, Cat-Skin." Said John, filling a plate with meats and eggs. "I'm glad to see it."
"Yes, Sir, I am." She curtseyed politely. "I'd like to thank you once more for getting me my job. I haven't been this content since before me parents died."
"Wonderful. We're happy to hear it." Charles smiled warmly and dug into his greasy food. Isabelle decided that even though the two were gullible they were likable as well. She finished serving the food and went back to the kitchen.
Another ball, she thought happily.
*~~*
The day of the ball grew near. Isabelle could tell by the sudden burst of activity in the kitchen. All of a sudden it was like a beehive; everyone bustling about in a busy manner and paying no attention to anything other than what his or her task at hand was.
This was a good time for Isabelle. Eliza, the head cook, was much to busy with preparations for the ball to bother with poor old cat-skin. She was obviously stressed, but Isabelle managed to avoid her so she took her temper out on the other servants. Isabelle could come and go as she pleased and not have to worry about anything. She wrote in her little book more often, and lied in her bed thinking about what the ball would be like.
From various accounts she heard she pieced together exactly what it would be like. Caputo was a much richer kingdom than Ginovia, so Isabelle had never seen the amount of lavishness put into balls like she did at this one. She watched in amazement as a five-course meal was prepared, the grand hall was adorned with silk, and the room was covered in fresh flowers that day.
Isabelle was looking forward to the ball greatly. She set out her dress as silver as the moon and after doing her kitchen duties of sweeping the floor, cleaning the pots and setting the bread out to cool she slipped out to go to her room to change.
But on the way there she bumped into someone.
"Sorry, sir." She said meekly and continued on her way.
"Wait!" called a familiar voice, and she turned quickly to see the Prince standing there looking at her quizzically. Isabelle immediately bowed. "You can get up." He said, and Isabelle timidly rose. "Aren't you the kitchen maid who my parents accused of trying to kill me?"
"I didn't mean to, I swear, I--"
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Yes, I did, but I've never seen that ring in my life, I--"
"Have we met before?"
Isabelle's train of thought was interrupted. "What?"
"I said, have we met before?"
Isabelle tried to look confused. What she really felt was fright. She was terrified that the prince knew who she was. "No, I do not think we have."
"You talk very articulately for a kitchen maid." He said, looking at her with one eyebrow raised; his hands on his hips.
"I do? I didn't know." She said, sniffing a bit, trying her best to keep her wits about her. She was still fearful to the point of breaking down and giving everything away.
"How long have you worked here?"
"Almost two months, so it please you sir." She curtseyed.
"Where did you work before that?"
"No where. I wandered the woods."
"Before that?"
"I-I..." she thought of something as quickly as she could. She didn't expect this kind of interrogation. "I worked as a kitchen maid in...Ginovia!"
"Ginvoia?"
"Aye."
"Do you know a Lady Mary, by chance?"
Isabelle tried again to look confused. "No, I do not think I know a lady by that name."
"Are you sure? You don't remember anyone?"
"No." she shook her head until she was dizzy to prove her point.
"All right then. Move along." He brushed past her and disappeared around a bend in the corridor. Isabelle watched him the whole way, making sure he was gone, and then slipped into her room to change.
A/N-I've been trying really hard to find another fairy-tale to re-write, but I can't seem to find one that suits me.
The beautiful girl searched far and wide for a story to please her. But none would do. She was about to give up hope when lo and behold, a vision came to her. A story that had been read to her as a child. Once that one came to her several others did. The land rejoiced, and the girl went on to re-write these stories.
Sorry, just thought I could make it more interesting. Anyway, I found these old books I read as a kid, by this guy named Jay Williams, and they were really good. They had excellent illustrations as well. So I thought I might re-tell them.
There are three: One was called The Practical Princess, about a, well, Practical Princess who is captured by an evil lord, and was about to give up hope of being saved when she realized she had practicality.
Another was The Silver Whistle, about a plain girl who works for a witch who wants to marry a prince, but can't without the magical mirror of Morna, which makes anyone who looks into it beautiful.
And the last was called Stupid Marco, about a cheerful but rather dumb prince who made friends wherever he went and had an infailable cure for the hiccups, but couldn't tell right from left.
They were really good, so I think I'll rewrite them. If anyone likes these summaries and wants to suggest which one I write first (I can't decide) tell me! Thanks, J.S.