A/N: I'm sorry it took me so long to upload this chapter. I had a lot of schoolwork to get done, and then when I tried to upload it yesterday, FanFiction's server was down.
The rest of Ella's day was thrown into chaos as she rushed to get her stepfamily ready for the ball that night. Her stepsisters kept complaining that their hair wasn't done right or wasn't tight enough. Their whines kept Ella running around trying to finish everything she needed to get done for her stepmother.
Her one true wish was to go to the ball with hopes that the man she had met in the woods, Kit, would be there to dance with her. However, she knew that her stepmother would never allow it. The plan she had devised was to sneak out after they had already left for the ball.
"Make it tighter!" Anastasia complained as Ella was trying to fix her hair, "It'll fall out and I'll look like a fool in front of the Prince!"
Drizella laughed at her comment, "You will always look like a fool to the Prince! Look at you! How could a Prince love you?"
Ella knew as soon as the Prince was mentioned, a fight would ensue between the both of them. They were in a constant argument over who would win the heart of the Prince at the ball. Lady Tremaine kept reassuring them that one of them would be the future Queen to the kingdom. Being as clueless as they were, of course they believed her.
"Is that tight enough?" Ella asked kindly, trying to keep her hold on her stepsister's hair as she fought with her sister.
Stopping long enough to answer, Anastasia's whiny, high-pitched voice sent shivers down Ella's spine, "That's good. Don't forget to put in the crystal pins. I want to make sure I catch the Prince's eye."
Her comment sent Drizella into a jealous rage, "No, no, no! Mother said I could have the crystal pins! I'm the oldest! If anyone gets to marry the Prince, it's me!"
Sighing and shaking her head, Ella tied up Anastasia's hair, going to grab the crystal pins. She was just planning on asking Lady Tremaine who should have them, "Perhaps your mother should decide. I'm sure you'll both look lovely." She smiled kindly.
"We can decide on our own!" Drizella shouted, standing up to show her authority, "I get the crystals and that's final!" She snatched the box from Ella's hands, "You're done here. Go help my mother." She said coldly.
A frown pulled down the corner of Ella's rosy lips as she curtsied, hurrying out of their room and into the chambers of the Lady Tremaine, "Madam?"
"You took too long." A harsh voice came from the back of the room, "I've already gotten myself ready."
"I'm sorry, madam. Your daughters are ready. Shall I call for the carriage?" She spoke quietly so she didn't sound disappointed.
"Yes. Do so quickly. I want to be there early so my daughters will have time to seek out the Prince's affections." She nodded, smiling darkly.
"I'll be back soon then." She walks back out swiftly, heading to the front gates, "Excuse me, sir." She called to the young stable boy.
He turned to look at her, "Yes, miss?"
"Send for a carriage. The lady and her daughters are waiting to attend the ball." She said excitedly.
"Of course, miss." He nods his head to her, hurrying off down the long dirt road, that lead from the gates of the mansion and all the way into the town.