Chapter 2

To all my readers: I know I am summarizing this, but that it b/c she is reminiscing about her younger years, I don't think any one wanted to read a 21 chapter selection…review if you have any comments

I couldn't concentrate on any of the words; Prince Alexander's name ran through my mind and sent shivers up my spine. I had never been an indecisive person, but my mind was going back and forth on a solution. I had to go to the ball, but how? I had nothing to wear, no jewelry, no shoes, no perfumes.

I never considered myself brilliant, my I was quite crafty and clever. Jameson, the owner of a cloth shop, owed me a favor, for I had watched over the shop a few months ago when he went to visit his red headed lover in a neighboring fiefdom.

However, I still needed shoes. The shoemaker was an old man who owed me nothing. He was quite obstinate, and would not give into my womanly wiles, for he could barley hear or see. I sighed and paced back and forth, I needed shoes. I could not go barefoot to a ball; I would be seen as a barbarian and intruder. I looked at a small glass vase, racking my mind for ideas.

I picked up the tiny vase; a smile crept onto my red lips. The glassmaker was a middle-aged, unhappily married man who often flirted with me when I came into the store. Glass shoes, I would be seen as a goddess in glass shoes.

My ears were pierced, but the earrings that I wore were dull from constant use. Well, that ends that. I cannot go to the ball without jewelry; they will know I am common. I sighed, I shall think of something later.

I half walked, half ran to Jameson's store. I burst in the door with a radiant smile on my face. I ran over and hugged him, "Jameson, my pet, my dear, I need a favor." I traced my long, elegant finger over the lines on his face, smiling enticingly. "Och, lassie, what is it you need. I do owe you," he replied with his thick, Irish accent. "I need you to make me a queen!" I pointed toward the silver silky material, indicating my choice. "Och, Ella, that is my best material. You are going to drive a man into debts." I chuckled quietly, "You should have thought of that before you went to your red-headed hussy. I need it in a fortnight, Jameson. Do not disappoint me."

I walked out of the store and headed to the glass shop. I peered through the window, before entering. I saw Charles, the glassmaker, rubbing his head, as though it hurt. And then I could see why, for his 6 children were crying and his thin, nagging wife was lecturing him on something. I grinned and strolled in. "Charles," I said in a light, airy voice, "how do you fair?" He looked up and stared, his mouth agape and his hands flopped uselessly on the desk. "Well, if it isn't pretty Miss Ella. I fair well thank ye. What can I do for you?"

I leaned over, giving him full view of my swelling bosoms. I squeezed them together, like I had seen many women do, and poked out my bottom lip. He started to pant and gawked unashamedly at them, like a hungry dog.

"I heard you were the best glassmaker in the county."

"Ye heard right missus," Charles said smiling

I lifted my skit to show my small, dainty foot. "I have a challenge that only you can fulfill. I need glass shoes. And I need them in two weeks. Now of course, if you can't do it, I will gladly ask Marcus, he owes me a favor." I looked at him, pouting, brows furrowed, he was making me work for it.

"I will have them done in a week!" he measured my foot and sent me on my way. As I left the shop I noticed his wife's disgusted look. I smirked and walked off; swaying my round hips side to side for her husband's viewing pleasure.

I still did not know what I was going to do about my jewelry dilemma, but that could be taken care off later. I was going to be the belle of the ball. I was going to be the most divine creature there. I was going to be queen!