It was noon, Frida waited nervously by the stream. Manny soon arrived.
"You're here. I thought you had forgotten all about me." Frida said.
"Me? Forget you? No way, after all you're the first maiden who hasn't swooned at the sight of me."
"Ha-ha, very funny." She said unamused. "So do girls often swoon over you? And if so why is that?"
"Oh...well." He had forgotten that Frida didn't know he was the prince. "Well I exaggerated. "That's not important. Ready to go?"
"Go? Go where?"
That's when she became aware that Manny had brought two horses with him.
"For a ride."
"On a horse? I've...never been on a horse."
"Don't worry, I'll be here to help." He helped her on to the saddle. "Try not to be too nervous, if they sense your fear they'll throw you off."
"What?!"
"I'm kidding."
He got on his horse and the two animals began walking through the woods.
"So what's with the rag on your head?" He asked.
"My stepmother made me wear it."
"Why?"
"It's a long story. She and my stepsister live to ruin my life."
"And your father let's this happen?"
"My father's dead."
"Oh..."
"I really don't want to talk about it. Tell me about you, where do you live?"
"Up in the castle."
"Really? What do you do there?"
"I work close to the king."
"Are you a guard?"
"I've been told I'm good with a sword."
"I've never met the king, what's he like?"
"Wise and good, he's a great king but he can be stubborn sometimes and a little too self righteous."
"I heard he was very upset when the queen died."
"Yeah, and so was the prince."
"I've never even seen the prince. I wonder what he's like."
"Well pretty much every girl is in love him."
"He must be very handsome then."
"He is and super macho too."
"Is he now? You've met him?"
"Yeah."
"Have you always worked at the castle?"
"Yes."
"I've always wanted to see what the castle was like."
"Maybe you can."
"What do you mean?"
"The king is throwing a ball and everyone is invited. Would you like to go?"
"That depends, will you be there?"
"Yes."
"Then so will I."
"Great."
...
Frida happily ran home thrilled and excited about the ball but when she arrived she learned that her stepfamily had also heard the news.
"I can't believe it mother! A ball! And we're invited!" Zoe said.
"I know Dear and the prince will be looking for a wife." Carmelita said.
"You think it could be me?"
"Let's hope so. Maid, go into town and buy two new dresses."
"Okay, two dresses for Zoe and me." Frida said.
"You?!" Zoe screeched. "Don't be stupid! You're not going! What would the prince say?"
"But I don't even to see the prince." Frida said.
"Is that right?" Carmelita said. "Then why do you want to go?"
"To have fun and to meet a friend who will be there."
"What friend?"
"No one important to you. Just a palace guard I met in the woods."
"Hmmm..." Carmelita said. "Very well you may go. If you get me and Zoe ready first and if you finish your work."
"Alright." Carmelita handed Frida the money and she went into town.
"Mother! Do you realize what you just said?" Zoe said.
"Of course. I said if."
"Oh...if."
The two devious women smiled at each other as they began to concoct ways to keep Frida busy. And boy was she busy, one chore after another then she had to spend hours getting her stepfamily ready. It would be a miracle if she could finish her work and find a dress to wear.
Zoe was dressed in a black dress with a purple feather boa. Frida watched as her stepsister admired herself in the mirror.
"Aren't I beautiful?" She said.
"Oh yes." Frida said rolling her eyes.
"Just wait til the prince sees me."
"Do you even know what he's like?" Frida asked.
"He's a prince and he's handsome what else is there to know?"
"I don't know, how about his personality? And how do you know he'll choose you?"
"Don't be idiot! I watch him everyday when he rides through the kingdom with the king. And he always gives me a look."
"Yeah a look of disgust." Frida mumbled.
Soon she had gotten both of them ready, she had no time or money to buy a dress so she decided to find one.
"Well..." Frida said looking at the old red dress she found in the attic. "It's not much but it's better than nothing. Wish me luck." She said to the doves and iguanas. "Okay I'm ready." She said to her stepfamily.
"You're going in that?" Zoe laughed.
"Indeed most improper." Carmelita said.
"Well I didn't have time to go but I dress."
"So you're blaming us." Carmelita said.
"No it's just-"
"Typical, neglecting chores, blaming others, and having foolish thoughts. Just like your father."
"And your mother." Zoe added. "You're just as ugly as she was and stupid."
Frida clenched her fists, that was it. Frida could tolerate a lot of things from Zoe but no one would ever insult her mother. As Zoe cackled, Frida punched her right in the face.
"You dirty little wrench!" Zoe said.
"You ungrateful child!" Carmelita said. "How dare you treat your sister such a way."
"She deserved it." Frida said.
"You ragged, dirty faced, servant girl! The ball is no place for you!"
"But you said-"
"Enough! Come along Zoe, we'll be late and as for you maid." Carmelita said. "Why don't you get started on the laundry."
They left and headed to the carriage, once they were gone Frida did something she hadn't done since she was eight years old. She started to cry. The doves and iguanas looked at her with pity.