A few moments later, a voice filled the empty silence of the house. "Rory! Are you home?" Sir Jess poked his head in the doorway, his rusty-brown hair mostly covered by a blue cap. He slowly entered the building, revealing a blue waistcoat and black pants. In his hand, he held two flowers.

"Jess, is that you?" Rory came rushing from the basement to the door, trying to brush out the dust from her hair and dress.

"Jess, I thought you were going to the ball to accompany the Princess Michelle."

"I was, but I came to pick you up first. No lady should be forced to go to the ball alone, or with her distasteful stepfamily." Jess mocked bowed and handed Rory one of his flowers. She graciously accepted it and stuck the rose into a vase.

"By the way, I've found your mystery man," Jess continued, "You know, the guy you've been describing. He will be there. Wait till you find out who he is, you'll never believe that this is the same man who has been following you. Why I didn't really believe it until he confirmed your name. Trust me Rory; you're going to be shocked. Wait - there's something wrong here," he paused to take a breath, "Rory, your still dressed in your work clothes." Jess sized her up and down, wondering what was wrong.

"I can't go. Cheri has forbidden me. And I was so looking forward to seeing him again, finding out his name." Rory's voice reflected her disappointment, along with a bit of conception.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I will tell him you were looking forward to meeting him though. You can come with me to meet him another day."

"Thank you Jess, you are the best," Rory ran to her friend and gave him a hug,

"Good luck with the Princess," she whispered.

"Of course my charm and wit has all ready won her heart. Now all I have to do is keep it that way." Sir Jess chuckled and left.

"Hmmm. I do hope Jess has a grand time. Oh, I wish I could be at the ball too. If only wishes did come true." Rory whispered to herself.

"Do you want to go to the ball?" a girl with violet eyes, and long, bouncy blond hair, wearing an odd, out of place flowered dress asked, appearing in the room only after a smoke of red dust had exploded.

"Who are you?" Rory shrieked, frightened by this strange encounter.

"Rory," the woman said, "It's me, your fairy godmother."

"Aren't you a little young to be a fairy godmother?" Rory asked skeptically.

"If it's any of your business, I'm one hundred and fifty four years old." Rory looked a little embarrassed. "But godmothers don't really age much. Enough about me, I'm here about you." She replied. "You want to go to the ball, right?" Rory nodded. "First off, you are not going in that. Rory, don't you have any nice gowns?" the woman asked.

"No, my stepsister took them all from me. But anyway, I can't go. Cheri, my stepmother, won't allow me. And even if you found a way to let me go, I couldn't. I have to clean the house." Rory collapsed on a chair, her eyes fighting back tears.

"Nonsense. If she wants to keep you from the ball, she'll have to get through me," The woman said. "And as for the manor," She pulled out a little wand and in seconds the entire house was sparkling clean. She smiled. Now you need a gown." With that remark, a flowing, dark red dress appeared on Rory. It reached down to the floor. The top was simple, straight necked and strapless. Silvery see-through gloves appeared on both of her arms, only reaching to the elbows. Finally, a silver intricate tiara appeared on her head and a simple ruby necklace draped across her neck. Her hair was swept off of her shoulders, twisted into a fancy French-twist. She wore glass slippers on her feet.

"Perfect," the woman commented. "Now that that's all settled, it's off to the ball for you. Remember, you must be home by midnight," Her godmother mentioned.

"Wait! How will I-" Rory stared around in amazement. One minute she was sitting in her overly decorated living room, the next minute; she was right in front of the castle. "Get there?" Rory finished uselessly. 'Well, what I'm I waiting for?' Rory thought and walked through the front doors of the huge castle.



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