So here I am back from camping. Lucky for all of you, I went on a writing spree and finished almost two chapters! Yea sorry the last chapter was kinda sucky. Any one who is confused at who "Cinderella" is, relax. All will be understood in due time. **************************************************************************** **************

The next day I was cleaning the chandelier in the entrance hall when the bell rang. With Madame and Sir out, and no one else around I was free to answer the door. Sliding down the banister, I landed on my butt with a thud. Getting up and brushing myself off, I opened the door and came face- to-face with a royal messenger. He frowned at me as I curtsied. "Is the lord or the lady of this house around?" he sniffed. "No sir" I replied stiffly. "They have entrusted the affairs of the household to me for the day." The messenger shuddered at the idea. "Very well." He sighed. "Here are two letters from the royal palace. Make sure that they get to the appropriate persons. Think you can handle that wench?"

I responded by slamming the door on his face. Palace servants- they thought they were better than others of their same class. Lowly scum if you ask me. And no one EVER called me a wench. I looked down at the letters in my hand. One was addressed to the Trachlein family, from the prince himself. I looked at the other letter and almost dropped it. It was addressed to me! More specifically it was addressed to "Mabel, the beautiful."

Before I could dwell on who sent me it (I wonder), Ella came whisking into the room like a hurricane. Stuffing my letter into my sash, I handed her the other one and hurried upstairs. I had just reached the top of the staircase when an ear-piercing shriek filled the house and brought Madame's other daughters, Ann and Nina, running down the stairs. "What's wrong Ella?" Ann asked, panicked. Ella just pointed to the letter. Nina peered at it and gasped. "A formal ball! How exciting!" Ann grinned. "Yes, that does sound like fun!" Ella looked at them as if they had just turned purple. "But.But what would I wear?" I rolled my eyes while Nina, being the kinder of the two, chuckled gently. Ann just laughed aloud. "Ella don't be stupid. You have the largest wardrobe of all of us"

I sensed a storm coming so I hurried upstairs before Ella could unleash her fury. Once I found a safe spareroom to read in, I lit a candle and opened my letter.

Dear Mabel

I hope that my lie didn't convince you as well.

I wish to see you again. As I am sure you will

know soon, there is a ball being held about 3 weeks

away. Every noble family requires a handservant

to help them with their coaches. I am sure you could

convince your family to let you go. I will be on front

entrance guard duty until 10. Then I shall meet you in

the gardens by the gazebo. Call me a classic romantic

but I see you as a red rose. So beautiful and delicate,

but you have your thorns and I respect that. Therefore,

what better place to meet than a garden where the rose

meets the insignificant beetle. I hope that this letter isn't

too demanding or insulting, but I can't sleep at night because

I keep thinking of you. I am new at this, but I believe this is

what the poets call Love.

Ethan

I sat down hard on the floor dazed. Then the tears started. Tears of joy, relief, and amazement. My thoughts were ended all too abruptly as the doors flung open. Hastily stuffing the letter into my sash, I stood up, facing a rather amused Ann, a worried Nina, and once again, a furious Ella. "Where have you been?!" Ella demanded. "I've been calling you for the last five minutes!" I dropped a quick curtsey. I had to be careful what I said around Ann and Nina, because unlike Ella, they would repeat my "misconduct" to the headservant, Belinda. She made a tornado seem friendly. "I was just checking for any linens that needed to be cleaned. I was distracted by a trail of cockroaches along the table edge." The last bit was said just to make her squirm.

"Well come along. We have loads to do. Only three weeks until the ball!" She whisked away to her room and I reluctantly followed.

**************************************************************************** ************** Oh damn, another short chapter. The next one is longer, I think.