cinderella .
it was not the first comment that had been made regarding ella’s appearance, and she was certain it would not be the last, but ella supposed that, from anastasia, it may have been well-meaning. she knew she and drizella cared a great deal for their appearances ( and hadn’t they, in their own way, tried to bond with her through it on that first day, as they had tugged at her hair and suggested it should be styled? ) and so, perhaps in her own way, anastasia was looking out for her.
❝ of course, you’re right, ❞ she replied as she dunked her hands into the washbasin, the phrase now her automatic answer to any advice dispensed to her by her step-family. over the past year, she had grown quite accustomed to saying it, usually with a bowed head and a slightly heavier heart, but that day, the backhanded comment had no effect on her at all. her heart had been aglow since the night of the ball, and nothing could seem to bring her down from the clouds on which she seemed to dance at every moment, not her step-mother’s foul mood, nor her step-sisters sugary malice.
❝ a new evening dress, how wonderful! ❞ droplets of water slipped from tapered fingers as she withdrew her hands from the basin, reaching for the cloth nearby so that she may dry them off – if anastasia wanted her tea early, she may as well set up the kettle and cup as soon as she could. ❝ the ones you have are all so lovely, this one is sure to be too, ❞ and they were – ella had seen them all as she had washed them, finely crafted, with such beautiful patterns that she took every effort to preserve, more out of admiration for the gowns than for her family’s sake. some of them she was sure were only worn once before they were discarded, banished to the back of anastasia and drizella’s closets, or used to carpet the bedroom floor. ❝ would you like some help, picking it up? ❞
with cinderella’s agreement, anastasia gave her own brisk nod, hoping the girl would take it to heart. even MAIDS should have some standard to uphold! though there was only one maid now and thus no point in proper livery, the redhead could not help but dream of the day she may have her own little circle of ladies to command, all neatly clothed and hair tucked away. CINDERELLA’s hardly what anastasia pictures in these reveries, but she supposed all had to make small sacrifices till their prince charming came about. figuratively, of course -- the ball had not gone as mama had planned, but anastasia had enjoyed her night nonetheless, dancing and watching the beautiful array of ball-gowned guests move about. not that she would voice anything other than her disappointment for losing prince kit, however.
she received the reaction she had more or less hoped for from ella, deep pink smile perking up even more at the corners. though cinderella had a vast many talents that none of the family ever seemed to appreciate, it remained that one of her most important skills was mollifying anastasia’s ego. a DIFFICULT, thankless, unending task, like feeding some curly kitten who was constantly scratching for milk, but the youngest of the household took it on either way. ❝ mr. chevalier said i shall be sure to wow them all at mama’s next soirée. this one has velvets embroidered with ROSES and pleated basques trimmed with gold embroidery! ❞ she gushed, mood as bright as could be. nothing -- not delicious dish, nor handsome man ( who may also fall under the former’s epithet ) -- could compare to the feeling of dressing in a new frock for the first time. POOR ella, to never know the joy! little did anastasia know, she knew it even greater.
cinderella’s offer came as a surprise, a FIRST -- though usually, anastasia would leave for town without any warning to the other, so an offer to come along had not been possible. OR she and her sister had bogged the poor girl down with so many chores, it would be too difficult to waste hours following the twins around. naturally, anastasia could not wear an evening dress fresh out of the store . . . but even the spoiled SHE could manage a box that light. STILL, appearances are appearances, and in order to seem much better off than the tremaines truly were, having a maid to accompany anastasia did sound like a good suggestion.
❝ -- all right. DELAY the tea, then! ❞ anastasia clapped her hands. ❝ with you around to carry it, i should be home much faster. ❞ and she didn’t like to think of her dress waiting for her in the shop besides. waving her fingers as she primped herself in the reflection of a hanging pan, she instructed -- ❝ call the carriage, cinderella. ❞
