The Belle of the Ball

I winced as Mitchell pinched my face. Was this really necessary? "Stay still," he muttered under his breath. I sighed, even though I felt relaxed in his sure hands. "Almost done Bella." My mother sat close by, singing under her breath. The soft brush flew across my face and I prayed I would not look like one of my beastly step-sisters'.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Half passed eight." That meant I had three hours to get to the ball, meet the prince, stop crazed Princess Marigold, leave, and meet Chris. I could defiantly do this. Someone entered the room. "Hello," Mitchell said questioningly.

"Hi," Astra sang. I opened my eyes and Mitchell lifted his perfectly sculpted eyebrows with annoyance. "What is going on?" she asked me.

"I am getting Bella ready for the ball," Mitchell answered. "Who are you?"

"Astra," she simply answered. Mitchell gave the odd girl a grin.

"Lovely."

"I have something for you," Astra continued, not noticing his sarcasm. With that she skipped out of the room.

"I am not going to ask Bella," Mitchell said. My mother giggled. "Smile," I did. Ten minutes later, Mitchell was done with my make-up. Looking in the mirror, I was almost unrecognizable. My eyes were outlined by a thin line of emerald green and my eyelids were shadowed with metallic. My cheeks had been brushed with a blushing pink and my lips were covered with shiny gloss.

"You are gorgeous dear," my mother said squeezing my hand. I smiled, pleased. Mitchell was truly an artist.

"I have the perfect gown for you," Mitchell announced. He and my mother disappeared for a moment and I stared at my reflection. When Mitchell reentered, he had a silver dress draped over his arm. "This is one of the gowns Lady Katrina's daughter could not decide on for tonight. Thankfully her numerous trunks are still in my carriage. I think you two are about the same size." He pulled the gown to my body and nodded, obviously pleased with his selection. "Sit."

"Ugh," I said through my teeth. My mother patted my arm, and Mitchell got to work on my hair, his specialty. It seemed like hours before I was finished. My gown was floor length with a short train. It was a-line skirt sparkled like a starry night. The bodice with a sweet heart neckline fit me perfectly. My hair was swept back, with a diamond pin holding it back. It had been sprinkled with glitter.

"A vision," Mitchell whispered. My mother agreed. Astra swept into the room and upon seeing me, dropped what she held in her hands. It landed with a shattering sound.

"Oh no," Astra said, before continuing in a quite different voice. "You look beautiful Isabella. That," she pointed to the floor, "is what we prepared for you: Blue Jay, Sir Lawrence, and I."

"What was it?" I asked. She did not seem too upset.

"Slippers," she answered hurriedly, "We made them for your other gown but they will match nevertheless." Astra closed her eyes and the space around her turned hazy.

"Astra," I warned. She was too focused. Mitchell and my mother shared a puzzled glance. Before our very eyes, the tray Astra had held floated up to her hands. She blinked twice and gave me a small curtsy.

"For you Bella, a gift for your hospitality to us all." She knelt at my feet, "they also might help you along tonight." She pulled back the sheet that covered the shoes, and I gasped. The slippers had a short heel and pointed toe. They appeared to be made out of some clear moving liquid, and as a looked more closely I realized it was glass. As she placed them on my out stretched feet, the glass molded to me like a glove. I smiled at Astra, realizing what she meant about them helping me along. It seemed that these glass slippers were charmed.

"I should go," I said, breaking the awe-filled silence. Mitchell nodded, and helped me down from the torture chair. As I walked to the door, I felt like I was floating on air. Even the cobblestone of the driveway felt like clouds underfoot.

"Goodbye Bella," Astra said once Mitchell and my mother were settled in the cab. "I have a good feeling about tonight."

"I am going to miss you little Stella." I pulled her into a hug, and she sobbed.

"Oh my, I am going to ruin your dress." She whipped her eyes. "Go, go." The door to the carriage opened and I climbed in. As we started to drive away, Astra waved to me. I waved back until she was out of sight.

******

The palace looked gorgeous tonight, like a picture out of a fairytale. Flowers had been molded into a canopy over head, giving the air a sweet nectar taste. Golden light flooded the front hall and the crystal chandelier sparkled more than normal tonight. I took my time taking this in and was all but alone save for a few guards. A small page caught sight of me, and bowed. He beckoned me to follow him. We had only taken a few steps when he stopped.

"Your name Miss," he asked in a raspy tone. When I did not answer he quickly threw open a grand oak door. I walked into the ballroom hesitantly.

The music that had been playing beautifully only moments before faltered, people stopped mid-dance, their hands still outstretched as if clutched around a partner. Everyone turned as the herald stamped his staff on the marble ground. They looked up at the grand staircase.

"The Belle of the Ball," the herald announced, with a twinkle in his eyes. I gave him a shy smile. As I decided the stairs, all eyes were on me. At any other time, I would have fallen flat on my face, but tonight was different. I shook my head and continued my slow descent. Breathe Bella. A handsome man awaited me. No not Chris, and not Prince Chadwick either, the Crown Prince was seated several paces away on a very uncomfortable looking throne. Prince Chadwick nodded once, sensing my gaze on him. I grabbed the unknown man's hand as I reached the foot of the stairs and curtsied. The stranger bowed, and the music started up again.

"Pardon me," Crown Prince Chadwick said in a deep voice. I had danced for more than four songs, with breaks in between, before the Prince had made his way towards me. The ambassador I had been partnered with bowed and handed the Prince to me. A new song sprang up, a soft ballad, and Prince Chadwick, awkwardly began to dance. There was a look of such deep concentration on his face that I could not help but laugh. "Is something wrong Miss," he asked, once I had shaken him from his meditation.

"No, I was just thinking that dancing is rather different than riding a horse." He chuckled, a genuine sound not the feigned noises he had been making around Lady Marisa all evening.

"Do you like horses Miss?"

"I love animals," I answered simply. There was no use lying to him. I had done enough of that for a lifetime. He gave me a crooked glance.

"I am sorry, but I seem to have forgotten your name." He started to say something but then shook his head, "I guess that I will have to do without it." I nodded.

"You can call me Belle." The dance ended but we did not notice until applause filled the ballroom. Prince Chadwick bowed deeply.

"Belle," he repeated. He kissed my hand and excused himself, off to dance with the next available maiden. As I walked to the tables packed to the brim with food I caught sight of Lily. The undistinguished public were enjoying the ball a level up. The ballroom had been designed like a theater, each level smaller then the last. Lily was leaning against the banister, looking wonderful in a deep v-neck magenta gown. Her group laughed and pointed out the ridiculously dressed royalty. I turned towards an exit.

I walked through the empty corridors, in no particular direction. There was a noise behind me. "Hello," I called, looking back from where I had come. The shadows flickered under candelabras. "Hello," I tried again.

"Ellooooo" a voice answered, sounding very much like a twisted echo. I ran, not caring where I was going. When I reached the doors of the ballroom I caught my breath, and sat down against the wall. My heartbeat was out of control. One door quickly opened, and I shuffled to get up.

"Belle," someone said. A cool hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me to my feet. "Are you okay?" I nodded, staring straight into Prince Chadwick's warm brown eyes. "I saw you come out here, but it took me awhile to get away. My dear, some of the girls can really hold a conversation. Oh Belle," he said squeezing my moist hand that was still in his. "You are as pale as a ghost. Why don't we get some fresh air?" He led me outside, ignoring the cries of everyone who saw us. The gardens were littered with flowers, and Prince Chadwick was unsure of where to step. When we finally reached a bench he sat me down. "Better?" he asked, kneeling on the ground, so that he was at my eye level. I nodded again, but then decided to make the effort to speak so that he would not think I was a complete idiot.

"I am sorry."

He looked confused. "No, this is a great excuse to miss the ball."

"I don't mean to be any trouble."

"I have been waiting for a chance to speak to you since you entered,"

"Oh." Prince Chadwick blushed, embarrassed about what he had admitted.

"Where are you from?"

"Not too far." He grinned.

"Alright then, who is your father?"

"He is dead."

"An orphan?"

"Poor me," I teased, placing the back of my hand on my head. Prince Chadwick laughed.

"Hum and I am to call you Belle."

"Yes,"

"Belle" he took my hand, "you might be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." I almost chocked. "Are you alright?"

"You are too kind Crown Prince Chadwick," I said giggling.

"That laugh," I stopped and took the time to sooth my skirts. "Are you sure I have not met you before?"

"Quite," I answered hurriedly. He gave me a perplexed glance before moving on. Time with Prince Chadwick was enjoyable. We laughed until we had tears in our eyes. He brought up Lady Jacqueline. He thought he was in love with her, I could tell. Astra was right, I had been so close to getting her home. I smiled, and played off what I knew about him. Even though he was so easy to talk to, it still felt wrong. Like I was deceiving him, flirting and smiling, when I knew all I wanted was to be speaking to someone else.

"Crown Prince Chadwick," a guard huffed no doubt having run to us, "forgive me but the king and queen have missed your company for some time now." Prince Chadwick nodded.

"Of course Paul, thank you." He helped me to my feet and we strolled back to the palace arm and arm.

We entered the ballroom, and Princess Margaret rushed to dance with the Prince. I was left alone, wishing this ball would be over with. As I settled back at my place by the buffet table, a peculiar woman with tan olive skin, a long black gown, and a trail of ebony hair, made her way over to me.

"Hello dear," she said in an exotically accented voice, "enjoying the ball?"

"Yes."

"You seem friendly with our Crown Prince Chadwick."

"He is very pleasant."

"Hum. Well, he certainly is." Glancing up, I noticed a huge clock hung high above me. A quarter to midnight it read. I rolled my eyes, how could time have passed so quickly? The woman was saying something, and looked annoyed that I was not listening.

"Excuse me, I have to go."

"But the fun has not yet begun dear." I gave her a nervous laugh before turning for an exit. I walked hurriedly, ignoring the eerie feeling I had. I had to make it downtown in fifteen minutes. I scanned the courtyard, but no carriages were around. I cannot believe this! I thought. Where in the world in Mitchell? I felt eyes on my back and turned around. The courtyard was dark and barren. I shuffled my feet, my eyes trying to spot my stalker. A black figure emerged from behind a column. She was long, so tall and thin that she swayed in the soft breeze. I took a step back. The woman seemed to float towards me.

"Ello," said a rich voice. The woman laughed, her evil snicker vibrating through the bare courtyard. Princess Marigold, I thought, recognizing the laugh. What in the world was wrong with that girl?

"What do you want?" I shouted.

"The same thing you want dear, the Prince's heart, and I am not too fond of competition."

"You can have him."

"Oh my sweet, I know I can, but what is the fun in that." I tried to take another step back as she got closer, but I found that I could not move. Her eyes seemed to glow and she doubled in size. I took a deep breath. "That might just be your last," she warned. I fell to me feet and tried to wiggle out of the glass slippers. Victory! I wanted to scream as I yanked one off. The woman hovered over me now. I held the heel clutched in my hand. She put a cold bony figure to my face and as she knelt to whisper a boast in my ear, I pushed the slipper into her cold blue eyes, heel first.

The witch shrieked in pain and I ran, racing through Faylinn like a shooting star into the night.