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Chapter 3
I slept little the week of the ball. I spent restless nights pondering the rest of my problems, and dreaming of the prince.
Adele and Cyrille were more demanding than ever. Their desire for constant attention took away the precious time I needed to arrange and organize my plan. It didn't help when Cyrille pried into my business either.
"My dear, Ella," she would say with sarcastic gentleness, "You seem to be quite busy these days. Everyday you visit the village and come back smiling quite gleefully. What ever do you do there?" Before I could utter and answer Adele would cut in. "She probably has a lover, Cyrille. Mayhap it is Old Man Williams. He has had his eye on you since the day you came here. What a lovely match that would be, Ella." She smiled cruelly and flounced off, her brunette curls bouncing frivolously.
I shuddered. Old Man Williams was a nasty, wrinkled creature that had a reputation for fondling the pretty young women in the village. I hated to go to his bakery, for all he did was gaze at my face and full breasts, itching to caress them.
When the two nagging sisters were finally done with me: I rushed to my room to try on the delicate glass shoes. They were so frail and lovely, that when I walked I made sure to put little pressure on them, which gave me the appearance of floating.
When I picked up the shoes, Charles the Glassmaker also gave me a bag full of little, glittery dots. When I gave him a puzzled look he laughed and told me to put it in my hair so it would sparkle. I gave him a radiant smile and thanked him warmly, which produced a scowl from his wife.
After picking up the slippers, I headed to Jameson's to see how my dress was coming along. It was a divine garment, fit for an empress. It was long and sleek, with a train and a gossamer, shimmering cape that was held up by two silver leaves on my shoulder. The collar was lined with small, crystal flowers with emerald leaves coming off a few of them. Ti add to its elegance, a silver belt divided the dress in half with a lengthy chain that held an emerald drop at the end.
"Jameson," I muttered in awe, "It's absolutely majestic. The queen herself will not have a better costume."
"Aye, lassie, it is the best thing I have ever made. You will be a goddess among mortals."
He handed me the dress and placed on top of it a matching mask. It was made from the same, soft fabric and was outlined in silver sequins. A large emerald was placed in the center of the forehead and white feathers aligned the top.
"Perfect!" I exclaimed and smile delightedly. I started to walk away quickly, excited to try the dress on, when Jameson yelled after me, "Wait, lassie! I have a carriage for you. Tis a bit outlandish, but it shall give you a comfortable ride! I shall be your coachman and pick you up at eight, after your sisters have left."
I bowed politely and strolled toward the manor, and suddenly, an idea occurred to me.