A/N: I do not own any characters/places mentioned in the book Ella Enchanted. They belong to Gail Carson Levine. However, all other characters/ plots are mine . And thanks to all the reviewers who reviewed this, I really appreciate this winks
. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 years later . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Hurry up Lyrin! The ball's going to start soon. Where are you? Come here this instant!" a demanding voice came from the kitchen.
Lyrin sighed. 'Another ball. The third one this month'. She quickly smoothed her dirty tattered dress as she ran surprisingly quickly towards the voice.
"Ah, there you are, you naughty girl" The cook chided her. "Now, take this dish down to the hall and be careful."
"Yes, Tarilne, I know, I know," replied Lyrin with a tiny grin as she left the kitchen.
Lyrin was of an average height, not too tall and not too short but she was awfully skinny. Her green eyes had dark circles underneath, setting off her pale face. Her lips were of an ashen pink, resulting from her recent illness. In short, she was looking very pale.
When Lyrin neared the hall, she saw some guests have already arrived at Turestor Manor. Lord Tory and Lady Evelyn were busily greeting their guests, as their daughter Miss Riana was still preparing herself in the room upstairs.
Lyrin quickly blended in and set the dish on the banquet table. Not wishing to be seen, she quickly slipped back into the shadows and vanished completely before anyone bothered to take notice of her.
Why did they have to have the stupid banquet anyway? She thought as she returned to her quarter. At least Riana will leave me alone today. She'll be too busy flirting with the important guests. Lyrin chuckled as she settled down on her torn mat. Her curly black hair was in a tangled heap as she sat on the mat. She was deep in thought about Riana when she heard a shrill voice call "Lyrin, I request your presence right now!" from the other end of the manor which made her jump.
Lyrin groaned at her bad luck. Typical of Riana to pick on her in front of the guests.
She walked slowly to her doom...
"How many times did I have to tell you to clean the floor properly?" demanded a shrill voice.
Lyrin lowered her head, hiding her angry flashing eyes. Count to three She told herself as she pulled herself together. "I am very sorry miss for missing this speck of dirt." She said in a dangerously small voice.
"Well, you'll just have to clean it now," declared Riana in a very pleased voice.
"Yes Miss," and with that she slowly knelt down and used her dress to clean the floor.
However, Riana was not letting her go so easily. She stepped on Lyrin's hands as she continued with an evil smirk on her face, "Oh! And by the way Lyrin," Lyrin winced in pain as Riana stepped on her hands. "Wipe the juice off the floor," Riana demanded sweetly as she poured the juice slowly and deliberately onto Lyrin and the floor.
Lyrin bit back her anger as Riana left with her friends, laughing at her.
Tears formed at the corner of her eyes, but she willed herself not to cry. I will not cry, I will not submit to mockery. She repeated to herself over and over again.
Her fingers closed in a tight ball as she scrubbed the floor with anger.
"Child, what's wrong?"
Lyrin just stared sullenly at her 'guardian' and only friend.
"Nothing, I'm just tired Tarilne. Do you mind if I go and rest now?" without waiting for a reply, Lyrin ran to her sleeping area.
Tarilne was left bewildered, shaking her head and muttering under her breath.
What is wrong with that child? She was bright and cheerful this morning. What had happened…….Tarilne mused as a thought suddenly struck her. It must be Riana.
Tarilne rushed to find Lyrin.
Lyrin sobbed silently as tears flowed down her face. It just wasn't fair. Just because Riana is rich and pretty doesn't mean that she could treat me like dirt. How I hate her! Lyrin thought bitterly as she bit down in anger on her lips making it bleed.
"Lyrin?" came a voice she recognized well. Tarilne.
"I'm sorry I ran off like that Tarilne." Muttered Lyrin as Tarilne came and gave her a hug.
"It's all right dear. No matter what people do to you dear, remember, I'll always be at your side." Tarilne comforted Lyrin as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"Thanks, I'm sorry I got intimidated by her," Lyrin said softly. "It's just that she treated me like dirt infront of everyone at the hall." She apologized.
"I have to go back now. Are you all right on your own?" Asked Tarilne anxiously.
Lyrin managed a tiny smile as she replied "You'd better go quickly or you'd get your pay taken away again because of me."
Tarilne nodded and left briskly leaving a figure at the corner of the room, pondering on her revenge.
A/N : sorry i updated this so late /... actually i updated it last week but something happpened - . - so i am very sorry...