A Step-sister's Story

I looked across the ballroom floor at Lucida, and catching her eye smiled all my happiness and pride at her. She glowered back, before being lost amongst the dozens of twirling dancers that carpeted the grand marble floor of the palace like so much confetti.

Grumpy little ogress. I know I don’t look much better, for sure, but at least I’m not wearing a scowl every second of the day. The only time that she or my accursed mother look halfway happy is when they’re tormenting little Cinderella. Poor girl. And I haven’t the backbone to stand up to them or protect her. The most I can do is help in small ways; extra food here, a new scrubber there.

I feel so sorry for her, such a pretty thing under all the soot and with a good heart. She deserves better than what she has.

She’s strong too. Never complains, just does what she is told, though I have listened to her cry herself to sleep of a night, on her tiny little pallet in the corner of the cellar. It breaks my heart to hear it, and makes me feel so weak that I can’t help her.

Mother was going to bring her to the ball, to humiliate her, but she found out that Cindy was looking forward to it and in standard fashion left her at home. They really are awful to her.

I hope Godmother heard me. She could help Cinderella.

I noticed my partner was staring over my shoulder and turning an unhealthy grey colour, and after hastily excusing himself he hurried away as fast as he could reasonably go without running into people. I can’t say I blame him. Lucida has that effect on pretty much everybody. I reluctantly turned to face her, but before any words leave her open maw a whistle blows from the steps, signalling the arrival of another guest. Whoever it was must be very important to arrive so late.

Lucida had arrived at the same conclusion, as I saw her mentally change tack from berating to courteous. It sickens me to see her chatting and flirting with the highborn, the noblemen’s sons and daughters, especially when it is clear to everyone else that all they want is for her to leave them alone. But I took my place beside my mother as we made our way to the steps with the other guests, to see who had arrived.

Nobody was prepared for the sight that met our eyes, though I very much doubt that the reactions of my sibling and parent were in any way similar to my own.

There before us, at the bottom of those marvellous steps, was a silver apple carriage towed by six pure white horses in feathered harness, sparkling in the light of the full moon. It was an incredible sight. Magical, I thought to myself, and felt a tiny flutter of hope in my breast.

The driver, a red liveried and handsome man, opened the carriage door and offered his hand, and from the apple stepped a creature of such exquisite beauty that they outshone the carriage and most of the palace. So stunning was she that the whole congregation gathered on the steps let out a collective sigh, myself, Lucida and Mother included.

She was a vision, she was. Golden hair, ivory skin, sapphire eyes, a dress of white silk, silver tiara, slippers of moonlight. I am sure my sister and mother were unaware of just who they were staring at so enchanted, but I knew. I would recognise her anywhere and in any clothes.

My little sister, Cinderella.

And even if I had not known on sight I would have found out soon enough, for as Cindy mounted the steps with the driver on her arm a small voice, wise with age and power, whispered in my head.

Behold, daughter, the good you have wrought. You are of pure heart and unblemished thought. You have proven to me your love for her, and one day she shall place your name on a daughter.

I knew I was fainting but I didn’t try to fight it, still stunned as I was by Cinderella’s beauty and my Godmother’s words, flowing into my head.

The favour will be returned one day, daughter. The wrongs of fate shall be corrected and you will be able to shine beside her, so have faith and follow your heart.

As oblivion smothered me I could only think to myself, thank the spirits she made it.

Author's Note

A little challenge I occasionally set myself, which is to write an excerpt from an existing book, but from the PoV of one of the side characters and with as original a take on their character as possible.
It's an interesting test of creative limitation. Try it out. :)