Sitting in darkness as I look at the blank ceiling with my body stretched out towards the bed. Unfortunately I didn't get to see Anastasia, but I was hoping that I could see her at the market place. I guess it will be either me or Drizella who will have to put up with Mother's vicious rambles about how our family have been disgraced.

Mother got Drizella up early that morning. She gave her two hours to clean the whole place up. Two hours sound like plenty of time, but really it's nowhere near long enough to clean a mansion. It would take Cinderella half a day to make the house spotless every-day. It would take her about five hours when I go out and help her.

Drizella and Anastacia were really spoiled as children. Mother pampered her girls the way her husbands pampered her. Anastacia was able to redeem herself, but mother was holding onto Drizella as if her life depended on it. Mother dosen't understand what she's doing: she's killing my sisters. They have their disagreements like any normal siblings do, but she's driven them apart. Anastacia and Drizella were once the best of friends: completely unbreakable.

When I got downstairs, Drizella had completed cleaning the stairways. She had done a decent job, but when Cinderella did it, you could see your reflection on the floor. I chose to remain silent. I couldn't make it any worse for Drizella. Mother barged past me in a puff. She gasped as her hands clasped her cheeks. She was dripping in pearls. Not even a simple good morning.

She chuckled as she patted Drizella's back. "Now go and get changed into your best clothes. The King is coming."

"Yes mother," Drizella stammered. She radiated fear when she scurried to her room. I had never seen Drizella so submissive. She flashed her big eyes at me and said, "You better do as you're told for once in my life. This will be a great opportunity for me."

"Opportunity for what?" I asked.

"To get out of this... PRISON!" Drizella screamed. "You get Belle and I'll get Gaston!"

I dropped my jaw in amazement. I felt nothing but shock overwhelm me as Drizella stormed off. I can't believe that Mother would poison Drizella's mind like that. Why Mother? Why? I couldn't see Drizella and Gaston as a good match. She was always stubborn: she wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted. Drizella was showered in praise as a child. Mother would always say that was worthy of capturing the hearts of many men. I want to feel sorry for Drizella for how Mother deceived her. No matter how hard I try to give sympathy, another part of me felt that Drizella deserved what she got.

Drizella was in very best green dress. If she found the time to smile, she could look just a little bit more attractive. Time flew. Mother insisted that I dressed smart, but I thought I was fine just the way I was. She told me to tuck my shirt in and straighten out my collar. One crease on my shirt was enough to send Mother rolling her eyes at the sight of me.

When Gaston came, he brought his wife and all their friends. Mother wouldn't touch them with a bargepole if it wasn't for Gaston's status. His friends all wore common clothes and they reeked of beer. Mother bowed her head as she tried her best to evade everyone, but Gaston.

"Welcome to our humble home," Mother said with a delightful grin on her face.

"Why thank you, Madame Tremaine," Gaston spoke in pride. "I hope you don't mind me bringing my crew along." He leaned closer to Mother's ear and whispered, "You know I like to help the poor."

"Of course. You are the hero after all."

She was not satisfied in the slightest. She brought everyone into the dining room where they all had lunch provided by Mother's catering servants. Despite that, Mother kept her cool. She had placed Drizella next to Gaston and me next to Belle. Belle was reading some sort of book. Whatever the book was about, she couldn't put it down. Even when having her dinner, her eyes were on the pages.

"You're Majesty," Mother said. "I'm afraid I've had a few problems with my youngest daughter."

"Problems?" Gaston said, raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

"You see she's married to a baker."

"I'm glad you've chosen to consult me, Madame." Gaston rubbed his hands together. "Well...I can solve this problem for you. I'll make your son-in-law a duke."

"Wow Gaston," cried out the little man on the other side to Gaston. "That's a really good idea. You are seriously the best at everything."

Mother had a sarcastic smile as her eyes rolled from me to Gaston. "You're such a genius, Your Majesty."

"You know me," Gaston snorted. "I like to make everyone happy. By doing this, your daughter will get to marry the man he loves and you don't have to be ashamed."

Mother sounded relieved, however I felt that it was too good to be true. How can a baker become a duke? It would count as a blessing from the king, but I had a bad feeling that something bad was going to happen. I held my tongue for the time being. It was no longer my concern. As long as Anastasia is happy, that's the main thing.

"Does anyone here like books?" Belle asked.

The whole table was silent.