The Twisted Tale

I was always confused about my thoughts. I was happy fulfilling people's need and their expectations. That's what my father had taught me. First I fulfilled my dying mother's wish, then my father's wish, then my step-sister's wish, they by stepmoms wish, and now Prince's wish.

I had to tell him what I felt because there was an uncertain burden on my chest of my feelings. He is the only person that ever tried to know me and understand my emotions Hence, I cannot hide my true intentions.

I hear his footsteps and immediately set my bun with flowers and spray the lavender scent. He opens the door softly and enters my room with faint steps. His face gleams, and he strolls to my makeup table.

He pecks my forehead and draws a chair towards me.

"Do you know? You are so lucky for me. I made a pact with my neighboring country, and our trade is going to flourish."

A smile was plastered on his face and a beam of self-confidence was radiating from him.

"You always taught me that to cherish and show 'courage with kindness' which has greatly impacted my life." He said. "And I don't think I would never have understood its true meaning unless I had found you at the ball."

I gulped down my tears and palmed his face in my hands. With a heavy breath, I uttered.

"I want to say something." I know it tough, but I don't think I could contain it longer.

"Yes, go on," He said. " I know you will have something worth to say."

We heard a tap on the door. A messenger entered and called the Prince for some urgent news. The prince sent him with the assurance that he will come to the Royal Court soon.

"So, what were you saying Ella?"

I was not sure if he was ready to hear about my feelings. The ongoing pact with the other kingdoms was pondering his mind. So, he needed some space for these ongoing arrangements.

"You should not wear this robe while meeting the traders.," I said. "Try the Indigo robe and cufflinks when you go to meet them. It will show them the grace we carry with our kingdom."

He smiled and left. I was again drowned in my own thoughts.

My stepmother was jailed in our kingdom. Because you all know the pain she caused me due to my kindness and beauty. I had many things contained within me for the things she had done to me. The behavior she displaced, the actions she had done and the conspiracy she planned to hide my true identity against the Prince. I want to speak out all my buried emotions to her and make her see the impact of her actions.

I marched down the hallway and went to her cellar. When I reached there my breath stopped and my feet stuck to the ground.

She was in a pale blue dress and her face was covered with dirt. The beauty that she boasted about was all gone now. Her hairs were covered with cobwebs in place of brooches, and her feet were covered by chains instead of expensive sandals.

Her dull eyes fell on me and she gained her posture. She had a strange emotion in her eyes and tears flowed down her cheeks.

With a trembling voice, she mumbled, “How are you, Ella? I hope everything is fine and the kingdom is prospering.”

“Yes, mother the public is cherished and the seas are turning into gold.” I hated saying her mother, but she was wedded to my father once upon a time.

I came back to my room. Frustrated and tensed.

Why was I never good at expressing my feelings? I had the courage but never used it for showing off my emotions.

“Ella, are you back?”

I turn to see Anna holding a letter. It was a message from the Royal Court.

I open it to see the message which was directed to me.

Dear Ella

 We are going to hold a ball tonight to celebrate our ties with our neighbors. I request you to attend the ball in your best gowns. I know for sure you will surprise me with your look.

Waiting for you.

                                                                                             Yours forever

                                                                                                  Prince

I was not in the mood to attend the ball. But as I was a queen, I am obliged to follow my duties. I called for a coffee and some chocolate cake. It always soothed my nerves and calmed my senses.

My helping lady brought the tray full of goodies which made my mouth water and feet dance. She placed it on my reading table. The tray had coffee, chocolate truffle cake, strawberries dipped in molten chocolate, and eclairs. As I was to pounce upon my eatables. I heard a faint voice from my drawer.

“Did you forget us in the luxuries of palaces?”

I recognized the voice and rolled my eyes. Gus, my pet, and friend in my distress times. He came out with his bobbling tummy. I laughed out seeing him.

Instead of talking to me or asking me anything, he grabbed a slice of cake and started to gobble it up. I was upset with Gus too.

Yes, he was my friend, but his friendship was more with food rather than with me. Prince hated rats, so I had to hide Gus. I gave him a small cozy space in my drawer so no one could find him. But all he cares about his taste buds. He does not even care about my hunger or cravings. I stood up from there and start to walk towards my closet. He calls me from behind.

“Hey, where are you going? Don’t you want to eat your portion?”

I turn to see a coin-sized piece of cake was left for me. I was about to bash him with my harsh words, but his chocolate-filled cheeks melted my heart.

“I am not hungry anymore. Enjoy the buffet.”

I grab the cup of coffee and head towards my walk-in closet. It was the only thing that I cherished in the present. The satin gowns, the lace embroidered skirts, the scarves, the jeweled tiaras, the feathered hats, and the famous glass slippers. All were showcased here. It was like a part of my life now. The glass slippers were framed in a glass box, refrained to be touched.

This was the only item that I love the most. It was delicate yet strong. It was glamorous yet simple. I removed it carefully from the case and let my feet slip into it.

The shoes were nostalgic to me. It reminded me of both good and bad times.

But right now I have to get ready for the ball. I press the bell and poof she appears with a shower of sparkles. If you haven’t guessed. She is the infamous Fairy Godmother.

After the success of my life and my story. She changed her career because she had always a taste for dresses and shoes. So, she turned out to be my personal stylist. I did not appoint her the position, she made it for herself. Well, she changed my life and took me out of shambles. So, I had to be humble and generous to her ideas and styles.

“ What is the occasion today? I do have some ideas in my mind.” She waved her wand and a book dropped in my lap. Yes, with the shower of glitter.

“Can, I say you something Fairy Godmother?” I replied timidly.

“Yes, dear why not?” She giggled and gave me a weird look.

“Can you stop the drama of the glitter when you enter?” Her expression soared. “Like can you decrease a bit, because later it gets tough to clean the carpet?”

Finally, I said something to her which she will never agree on.

“I haven’t asked about your opinion. Tell me the occasion to prepare you for.” She roared.

“Well, we are having a ball tonight. It's kind of political yet friendly. With all our neighboring kingdoms and states. So, I have to dress diplomatically yet elegant.” I said everything with fast breaths. “So, I was thinking of light lilac color with lace at the..”

“Stop.” She Shouted.

“I have a great idea, and the Prince will love it.”

Before I could say something she waved her wand on my dress and the transformation began.

You must be thinking that she has made the most gorgeous and beautiful gown ever. Then why I was not trusting her choice.

First, I hated the color blue. I wanted a gown in a light pink color. She had turned the volume of the gown so big that I had to squeeze in my chariot. The gown was tight on my torso that after the ball. I was left with marks and scratches. And all the time either she gives me tight-fitting clothes or a loose mid escape gown. Her magic could not even find the right size of my waist.

My transformation got completed and I felt tight bondage towards my chest. This time she made the gown smaller than my actual size.

“So, let me describe the dress to you. The gown from your waist to toe is having all the national flags and the slogans of your respective neighboring countries.” She continued. “ And your upper waist has the markings and coloring of your flag. On the belt I have drawn the ships and sea creatures, remarking the trade between waters. And the outfit is made up of pure lotus silk, to show the richness of the kingdom.”

I was standing in front of the mirror looking like a flag store. The gown is so full of colors that it merged into one color.

I felt that the rainbow too had fewer colors compared to my gown.

I was looking like a circus clown.

Fairy Godmother stood beside me and said, “How did you like the gown?”

She had changed my life in one night and has made me an inspiration to thousands of girls, and millions of people. It would be better if I fake praised her rather than giving her harsh critiques.

“It’s the best dress you have made so far. I love you, Godmother. Thanks for helping me always.”

We had a microsecond emotional connection between us until she did this.

“I think I am missing something.” She waved her wand and I was dressed in the shower of glitter. Here goes my carpet.