Chapter 4 The Gown

I found my stepmother in the living room in the morning, and I asked her about the ball. "Stepmother, can I go to the ball with you?" Lady Clarissa was surprised at my inquiry.

"My dear, don't fancy yourself on these occasions, you are not of noble birth like us," she said while laughing mockingly.

"But Stepmother, the invitation was addressed to our family," I said pleading.

"Don't be an insolent child!" She said irritably, "You don't even have anything nice to wear." her amused face turned to disdain.

"I don't want to bring you with us, that's final!" She said while staring scornfully at me.

I was heartbroken because it meant I could not see my prince again. I went to my room in the attic and cried.

Our home was a flurry of activity in the days leading up to the grand masquerade ball. My stepmother, Lady Clarissa, Belle, and Lindsay were immersed in the preparations, searching for the most extravagant ball gowns.

Meanwhile, I found myself watching their preparations from the shadows. With the loss of most of our servants over the years, our home had grown quiet and empty. The space that had once been mine was taken over by Belle, and I had been relegated to the attic, a solitary room where the memories of my past life lay dormant.

But despite the injustice of it all, I had found solace in the treasures that my birth mother had left behind. Her dresses, carefully preserved in the attic, had become my source of comfort and a tangible connection to the mother I had lost at a young age. The dresses may have been of a bygone era. Still, they fit me perfectly, enveloping me in the elegance and grace that my mother had once possessed.

Then that day, I uncovered a treasure of immense sentimental value - my mother's wedding dress. It was a breathtaking garment, rich with history and tradition, and beside it, her glass slippers sparkled with timeless beauty. My heart swelled as I gazed at these cherished relics, a tangible link to the mother I had never known.

'Maybe my stepmother would allow me to come with them if I wear this'

I stood before the full-length mirror, my eyes fixed on the breathtaking crystal white ball gown. The gown appeared to be a vision of celestial beauty, a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. I couldn't help but marvel at its exquisite details.

The bodice of the gown was an actual work of art. It featured a delicate, off-shoulder neckline that emphasized my graceful collarbones. The intricate silver and crystal beadwork, meticulously hand-embroidered onto the bodice, glistened like a sky full of stars. The patterns formed elegant swirls and curves that seemed to dance across the pristine white fabric.

The gown's waistline was cinched, creating an hourglass silhouette that accentuated my natural grace. The skirt, I noticed, was a voluminous cascade of layers, giving the gown a sense of regal grandeur. I couldn't help but run my fingers over the silk and tulle that formed the layers, each as soft and delicate as a whisper.

I lifted the gown and held it to my form. I couldn't help but be enchanted by how the gown seemed alive as I draped it over me. It billowed around me, and I felt like a radiant goddess. The beads on the bodice caught the light, sparkling and glistening with every movement. The gown created a breathtaking image, and I was left in awe of the celestial beauty it exuded. The layers of the skirt flowed gracefully, and I could almost imagine myself floating as I walked.

I proceeded to the kitchen to help Mrs. Shirley. I told her "I discovered my mother's wedding dress in my room in the attic, I think Lady Clarissa would allow me to come with them if I wear it," "What do you think?"

Mrs. Shirley, a woman with kind eyes, speaks gently to my ear, "Ella, there's something we need to talk about."

I looked at her and asked in a shallow voice. "What is it, Mrs. Shirley?"

Mrs. Shirley glances around to ensure no one is eavesdropping. "I've been worried, dear. Your mother's wedding dress and those glass slippers were meant for you."

My eyes widen with surprise. I take a moment to absorb Mrs. Shirley's words. "For me?" I whispered to her. She nodded and said, "Your father, Mr. Oliver, intended them to be yours. He believed that you would wear that dress on your wedding day."

My heart aches at the thought of my father's intentions. I realize the significance of these heirlooms, not just as beautiful items but as a legacy from my parents. "I had no idea, Mrs. Shirley."

She whispered, "Lady Clarissa may not have the same reverence for your parents' memory."

"She could misuse or even sell these precious items for her gain."

My determination surfaces. I know what I must do. "I won't let that happen. I'll keep it a secret, and she'll never know."

Mrs. Shirley smiles warmly at me, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"That's the spirit, dear. Your parents would be proud."

I nodded with newfound determination, vowing to protect my mother's legacy.

"Thank you for telling me, Mrs. Shirley. Your support means the world to me."

"You're like a daughter to me, Ella. I'll always be here for you."

I was sad knowing that I may never have the chance to see the prince again, but the thought of losing my mother's things outweighed it.

The grand ball was a much-anticipated event in the kingdom, a night for the nobility to gather and revel in lavishness. It was a golden opportunity for my stepmother and stepsisters to shine in the royal court. As the anticipation for the ball grew, so did the extravagant expenses that my family incurred.

The price of the gowns they chose was nothing short of outrageous, adorned with the finest fabrics, intricate lace, and jewels that glistened like stars in the night sky. While incredibly beautiful, these gowns come with a price tag that further strains our dwindling resources. As I watched them prepare, I couldn't help but wonder where the money for these luxurious items was coming from.

The answers to my questions were revealed as the days went by. My stepmother's extravagant lifestyle had pushed our family to the brink of financial ruin. To finance her lavish desires, she had been selling our belongings individually.

Two weeks before the masquerade ball, the truth came crashing upon me. I had no inkling of the dark secret beneath my stepmother's preparations for the ball.

The evening sun cast a warm glow over the estate as I went to the spot where I used to feed my beloved pet, Fluffy. I called his name, expecting his usual enthusiastic response. But the familiar sound of his purring and soft meows never came.

My stepsister, Belle, known for her sharp tongue and a penchant for cruelty, approached me with a wicked grin. "Looking for your precious Fluffy, Ella?" she taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

'Oh my God, I felt a sudden uneasiness in my gut' I swallowed hard.