Broken: An Expansion of Disney's Cinderella

by clicketykeys

This story parallels the original Disney movie, beginning immediately after the transformation scene and continuing through the rest of the movie. The idea is to focus on the "untold" parts or perspectives of a familiar story. *NOTE* This story is currently on hiatus, as my Star Wars characters are being much louder in their demands for attention. I do intend to finish it!

2. And Found

Chapter 2: And Found

"Mademoiselles Drizella and Anastasia Tremaine, daughters of Lady Tremaine!" cried the herald.

As he watched Cinderella's stepsisters prance up the red carpet, the prince sighed and glanced up to the balcony, where his father the king sat, peering down at the ballroom. And he wonders why I'm not already married. He was somewhat gratified to see the older man shudder when he saw the girls' attempt at flirtation. At least he has some sense.

The stepsisters curtsied, and the prince bowed, as he had countless times already that evening.

And then he paused.

Out on the terrace stood another girl - one he didn't remember - he didn't think she had been introduced - surely he would have remembered if she had. Her brows were pulled together in the most adorable expression of uncertainty, and for some strange reason, he wanted to go over and tell her not to worry, even if it wasn't protocol. And then she looked at him.

The one with the red hair noticed first, and batted her eyelashes coyly, but he hardly noticed, and he certainly didn't much care, because the girl turned to go, and - no - Hang protocol, he thought, and let the gossips talk all they want. He couldn't let her leave, not when she smiled so sadly.

And so he stepped forward and walked past the two sisters, ignoring them completely as he went between them, for his eyes (and his heart, though he didn't yet realize it) were fixed on the girl ahead of him.

He reached out and touched her hand. "Excuse me," he said.

She turned, with a soft "oh!" of surprise.

"I'm sorry," he tried again. "Were you leaving already?"

"Well..." She looked back into the ballroom, then sighed. "I don't much know what I'm doing here, I'm afraid."

With a quiet chuckle, he held a hand out to her. "Sometimes, I feel the same way. But... it would be a shame to leave without a dance." He held his breath as she looked up into his eyes.

"No one else is dancing." And yet she placed her hand in his, and just as she did, the lights in the ballroom dimmed, and the orchestra struck up a waltz.

He smiled as he led her into the room. "Well, then, perhaps we can show them what they're missing."

And she smiled back at him, and this time, her smile didn't have the slightest trace of sadness.