I'm A Hunger Games Victor—Not Your Avox

by Maleficent-darkgoodwitch2416

Cinderella has a twin sister named Ariana Tremaine. Ariana grows up first as Jenna Mason, loses memory, then as Nightlock and Rue's older sister, volunteering and winning the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games along with Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen, and Thresh—joins the rebellion and eventually loses her entire family. Will Ella ever get close to her twin or will Ariana keep Ella out?

12. Mice and Punishments

Anastasia ran out of her room and glared at me and Ella. She snapped, "I know you two were behind this!"

She ran into Stepmother's room. Drizella came out of her room and asked, "What did you do now?" Then Drizella ran into Stepmother's room.

We heard Anastasia say, "Mother, Cinderella and Ariana put a mouse under my teacup. A big fat ugly brown mouse!"

Then it was silent, but we knew Stepmother and Drizella were comforting Anastasia. We freed Gus from Lucifer as we waited anxiously for Stepmother to call us. We were in trouble. Ella didn't have much of an excuse, but I did. I would say it was an honest mistake—I mean I didn't know that Anastasia was afraid of mice. I'd only arrived in Nanthia yesterday afternoon.

After what felt like forever, Anastasia and Drizella left Stepmother's room, both smirking. Anastasia muttered, "Now the two of you are going to get it."

We both entered Stepmother's room, not acknowledging either Anastasia or Drizella.

"Come here," Stepmother ordered.

We walked over and Ella protested, "You don't honestly believe that I..."

"Silence!" Stepmother ordered.

Ella sulked—slightly—as Stepmother continued, "It seems we have time on our hands."

"But I was only trying..." Ella interrupted.

"Hold your tongue!" Stepmother snapped.

Ella fell silent and listened as Stepmother listed her chores for the day. "Now let me see. There's the large carpet in the main hallway—clean it. And the windows—upstairs and downstairs—wash them. Then scrub the terrace, sweep the porch, wash the main entrance and the staircase and the tapestries and the draperies..."

"But I just finished..." she protested.

"Do them again! And don't forget the garden. And the mending and the sewing and the laundry. Oh, and one more thing—see that Lucifer gets his bath," Stepmother finished.

Then she turned to me and I blurted out, "I didn't know, Stepmother. It was an accident. I take full blame. Punish me instead of Cinderella."

Ella raised her eyebrows as Stepmother said, "Since you didn't know, I won't punish you as severely. However, you must clean the kitchen and the attic and scrub the roof. And help with Lucifer's bath. And the sewing and the mending and the laundry."

I nodded and Stepmother dismissed us. Anastasia and Drizella both screamed at Ella, "Take care of my things first!"

I walked over and said, "Anastasia. Drizella. Relax. I can do your mending, Anastasia, while Cinderella does the ironing for you, Drizella."

They looked at each other and nodded in agreement.