Chương 10: What Must be Done

I lay sweaty and happy on my bed while a wide smile spread across my lips. Cinderella will apologize to his highness the cat, right about….

"I'm sorry if Your Highness objects to an early breakfast," I heard Cinderella's voice, exactly as predicted.

"YES!" I shouted excitedly! I didn't even go to sleep, and I didn't need Lucifer to slap me again; the two days had repeated once more. The whole kingdom forgot about how rude I was to the prince! And Mother won't banish me from the house, or lock me in my room! My door then opened slowly.

"Drizella, is everything alright?" Cinderella asked. She had noticed the noise I made in my excitement.

"Yes, fine," I said dismissively, and just to make sure the timeline was right, I added, "You didn't hear of any ball coming up by any chance?"

"Ball?" she asked.

"No, but I'd love to attend one. It's been ages since—""Yes, good," I cut her off.

"Hurry along now." She made a face and closed the door.

"Come back, Lucifer!" I heard her call out, trying to coax that stubborn furball into eating his breakfast. Ok, Drizella, I thought to myself. Today I will actually do it. I will change things. Just as Cinderella said, I will make the days whatever I wish them to be. Like... like a goddess! And what I wish for, is for Cinderella to attend the ball, while I do not.

Let her have her fun with the prince, while Anastasia and all the other ladies suffocate in those silly dresses of theirs, waiting for hours only to be rejected by His Yawning Majesty. I will stay, and watch with my own eyes how Cinderella gets her beautiful dress, glass slippers, and a ride to the palace. I will solve the mystery! But for all of that to happen, I need to make sure some events happen just as they did before. In several minutes, Cinderella will come back up, bringing us breakfast.

Then one of us will get the mouse, because of this... random thing. Gosh, I hope it's not me! Then Cinderella gets punished, cleans the floor in the main hall, receives the ball invitation at the door, and brings it to our music lesson. Mother stupidly reads it out loud, Cinderella hears and wants to come too. Mother will then give her endless chores, and she somehow finds time to fix her old mother's dress? Oh, that's another mystery! And then Anastasia and I will ruin it.

Then I just find excuse to ditch the stupid ball at the last minute. Yes, all of that needs to happen... Huuuu, this was fun! I felt like... I was playing a wonderfully wicked game! Ammm... the screaming for Cinderella should happen right about now...

"CINDERELLA!"

"CINDERELLA!" Mother and my sister shouted.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," she groaned.

"CINDERELLA!" I added my own shout, even though I didn't really have a reason to. After a few more minutes, my door opened and Cinderella came in.

"Good morning, Drizella," she said, and put the tray on the table.

"Uh... take... take that basket to ironing," I said, trying as hard as I could to have events go like the first time. What was it?

"Amm, and have it back in an hour!"

"Yes, Drizella," she sighed. I looked at the tray. It had the porridge bowl, a kettle with tea, and one cup upside down—with possibly a mouse inside. Ewww. That would be so disgusting! I put my face close, trying to listen.... nothing. I pulled up the cup, just a little bit. Hmm, no mouse. Good. Now I waited for my sister or Mother to scream... I waited… waited some more… Amm. That's weird... no scream. Could Anastasia simply faint from the sight of a mouse inside her cup without making a sound? No...

Apparently, this time there was no mouse. Uh, interesting. Cinderella said that the mouse was escaping Lucifer and hid in one of the cups. So I guess he could just as easily hide somewhere else. That was a random. But what did that mean? I still needed Cinderella to get punished… Oh, darn it. It just meant more work for me! I sighed, got out of bed, and marched straight to the garden. I found a small mud puddle and made sure my shoes had a thick layer on them. Eww, I did not enjoy that!

Then I grabbed a bunch of straw, circled the house, and entered through the main doors, making sure no one saw me. Then I walked all over the place, scattering straw and stamping muddy footprints everywhere. I took inspiration from Lucifer! Now for the next part.

"Mother!" I shouted.

"Mother, oh Mother!" After a few moments, she arrived.

"What is it Drizella—oh heaven above! What is all this mess?"

"It's her, Mother!" I said, acting utterly offended.

"She must have mistaken our house for a pigsty, coming here all muddy and dirty! Look at my shoes, Mom! They are all mud now!"

"CINDERELLA!" Mother screamed.

"Come here! NOW!"

"Yes, Stepmother," I heard her voice from the other room. Then Mother looked at me.

"Clean yourself!" she said.

"Be quick about it, and then get ready for your music lesson."

"Yes, Mother," I said, and was on my way. I saw Cinderella hurrying toward Mother for her coming scolding. Yes, I got her into trouble, but it would probably not be as harsh as a mouse in Mother's tea was. Mostly, I just needed her to clean the main hall for the coming hour or so, and she was definitely going to have to do that. I got ready and waited in the music room. Lucifer lay there on the couch, and I gave him a good rub on the head. He affectionately hissed at me. Anastasia and Mother joined soon after.

"Drizella," Mother said to me, "Do you have something in mind?" I hated music lessons. I also remembered Cinderella's advice about using the repeating days to practice more and more until I was an absolutely master singer. But…

"MBRODDERR," cough! Cough!

"MRA VOUSS! BR CANT SBINGGG!" I really hated music lesson.

"Oh dear!" Mother said.

"But this morning you sounded fine! What happened to you?"

"BRA BRONT BROW," I said. Cough! Cough! Mother squeezed her eyes at me in suspicion.

"Fine, just sit and listen!"

"BRAY." Cough! Cough! Mother started playing the piano, and Anastasia followed with a sound like a strangled goose wailing in an alleyway. Lucifer immediately jumped off the couch and fled the room. Oh, I was jealous of him! Honestly, it was usually easier to endure my sister's caterwauling when I was singing too, since my own bad voice helped mask the sheer horror of hers. It was a mistake to pretend to be hoarse! Now I had to suffer through this for an hour until Cinderella came with the letter!

But somehow I endured it, and just after my half-witted sister managed to get her chubby finger stuck in the flute again, the long-awaited, blissful knock came at the door. Knock! Knock! Knock! Mother slammed the piano keys in a chaotic discord.

"YES!?" she shrieked. Cinderella then entered the room.

"I warned" Mother barked, "you never to interrupt while—""But this just arrived from the palace," said Cinderella brightly, holding the letter in her hand. Good… everything was working so far.

"From the palace!?" Anastasia called in surprise, reaching to take it from Cinderella, but I was ready and quick about it. I snatched it from Cinderella's hand and hurriedly brought it to Mother for her to read.

"Well... There's to be a ball," Mother said, reading through the lines. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"A ball!?" Anastasia yelped.

"In honor of His Highness, the Prince!" Mother continued.

"Oh, the Prince!" she called out, almost fainting.

"The Prince!" I hurriedly chimed in, forcing my eyes wide to look suitably thrilled and surprised.

"And, by royal command, every eligible maiden is to attend," Mother finished.

"Why, that's us!" I said.

"And I'm so eligible!" Anastasia sighed dramatically. So very, very eligible...

"Why," said Cinderella suddenly, "that means I can go as well!"

"Ha," I said, remembering my first reaction.

"Her, dancing with the Prince!" Yes, who could ever imagine that!

"I'd be honored, Your Highness," Anastasia said, making a mocking voice as she bowed.

"Would you mind holding my broom?" she offered her flute as a mock-broom. I took the flute and we did the little dance, but this time it wasn't very funny to me.

"Well, why not?" Cinderella asked seriously.

"After all, I'm still a member of the family. And it says, 'by royal command, every eligible maiden is to attend.'""Yes, so it does," said Mother calmly.

"Well, I see no reason why you can't go... if you get all your work done."

"Oh, I will! I promise," said Cinderella happily.

"And if you can find something suitable to wear," added Mother.

"I'm sure I can!" said Cinderella, beaming.

"Oh, thank you, Stepmother." She ran out happily. Good, good. Everything was moving forward. Now, what was my line here... uh, I forgot.

"Mother! Why would you let her?" I said.

"Of course," Mother added in a quiet, creeping voice.

"I said,'if.'" Then she and Anastasia started smiling and laughing slowly. I tried to smile too, but now it all looked too silly to me. Weirdly, I felt embarrassed. I went to my room and waited for the next part; it would start soon. It all felt weirdly like acting in a play. I wondered if all my days from here on out would feel like this.

"CINDERELLA!" I heard my sister and Mother call for her.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," she groaned from below. Yes... they were supposed to corner her soon in the dressing room. I needed to be there... Oops, I almost forgot to grab an armful of wrinkled laundry to dump on her! I walked in and saw them exactly as I remembered.

"And this as well," said Anastasia while handing her a pile of dresses.

"Cinderella, my slippers. Now don't forget to press my skirt as well."

"Uh, Cinderella," I said, shoving the pile of clothes into her arms.

"Take my dress! Here."

"And don't forget to mind the ruffles," continued Anastasia.

"You always forget!"

"And, Cinderella...." started Mother.

"After you are done with your regular chores, I have a few little things."

"Yes, Stepmother," she said.

"Mother," Anastasia called in a distressed voice.

"I don't see why everybody else seems to have such nice things to wear, and I always end up in these old rags. This sash! Why, I wouldn't be seen dead in it!" And she threw it on the ground. Oh, I was supposed to throw the beads now! Shoot, I forgot to bring them! Well, never mind.

"Drizella," Mother then turned to me.

"Yes, Mother?" What? This didn't happen last time.

"Your voice is better, I see."

"Yes, it's quite alright, Mother."

"But still," she said, "you're awfully quiet today. Are you feeling well?" Oh, even as I tried to do everything the same, she noticed something was off about me. Mother was sharp; you had to give her that.

"No, Mother!" I improvised in a whiny voice.

"All my things are old and ugly! Why can't I have anything new like the other girls?"

"Oh, stop your complaining!" Mother scolded.

"But Mother—" I started.

"Come to my room later," Mother told us.

"I have your dresses ready to be fitted."

"Okay, Mother." Now I was free, and as Cinderella was fully occupied with her chores, I had something important to do. I went to the tower and started climbing the creaking, splintered wooden stairs carefully to Cinderella's room at the very top. Oh, it's all dark and scary up here, and there are cobwebs everywhere! And they all—Shoot! It's stuck in my hair! I stopped and brushed myself off. Disgusting creatures, these spiders. Looks like Cinderella hasn't cleaned up the cobwebs in ages!

I was huffing and puffing by the time I got to the top of the tower. What an awful place it was. This stupid tower. I saw the door to Cinderella's room, as well as the tower's windows. Ammm.. Lucifer fell from here. That was also a mystery… what was he doing up here anyway? And why would he fall, just like that? Cats don't usually fall from windows. There must be a reason. I went to open the door. But as I put my hand on the handle, I could definitely hear something inside. Squeaking? It sounded like… singing?

These high-pitched voices… could it be? I had to know. I slowly opened the door, very quiet, and very slow. And what I saw caused my jaw to drop to the floor. The room was full to the brim with birds and rats! Hundreds of them… um, maybe dozens. But they were all over the room, running, jumping, and flying… and singing. I was about to scream my lungs out, but at the last second I clamped both hands over my mouth to stifle the sound. It was… disgusting! So many creepy animals!

But what were they doing running all around? Wait… I think… they are… yes, they are doing something! They were moving pieces of cloth, holding tiny scissors... I almost gasped but held myself back. They were fixing Cinderella's dress! Yes! Or trying to, at least. I couldn't imagine them actually doing tailor work... but I knew it for a fact! They are the ones who fixed Cinderella's dress the first time around. Then one of the fat mice suddenly noticed me.

He was wearing a tight little green cap and a tiny shirt that strained over his plump belly. He took a few steps in my direction, and I jumped back.

"Uh…" he squeaked.

"Zuk zuk?" I turned around and ran like the devil himself was at my heels! On the way down, THWACK! I smacked my head terribly hard against a low wooden beam! That hurt a lot. What in heaven's name, Cinderella!? A mouse or a bird for a friend is one thing, but a whole army of them? Doing complex needlework for you? That was a different kind of madness. Madness, I tell you! And she could order them around? Could she tell them.. to attack us, for example? How dare she keep such a secret! Oh..

but she actually did tell me, when I asked. That the mice and birds helped her. But I didn't think she meant it like this! This was utterly preposterous! I went back down to the house and joined Mother and Anastasia in Mother's room, where the cloth torture device was laying on the bed, waiting to put me in pain. I couldn't believe I needed to wear a corset again, especially if I wasn't even going to the ball. But I couldn't not wear it; this was right before one of the most important events. Curse it!

Anastasia snorted from the corner.

"Look at her, terrified of a simple dress."

"Oh, shut it," I said. Then came a knock on the door.

"Yes?" said Mother.

"The carriage is here," announced Cinderella, her voice placid. Mother glided out to the hallway to meet Cinderella.

"Oh. Why, Cinderella, you're not ready, child," said Mother. Anastasia and I went to join Mother. Yes. Just like last time.

"I'm not going," she said in her resigned voice. Oh, but you are going, very much so.

"Not going?" asked Mother.

"Oh, what a shame. But of course, there will be other times, and—""Yes," Cinderella cut her off, upset.

"Good night." And she went upstairs. Interesting. I didn't give it much thought before, but she appeared not to know about the dress being fixed by her rodent minions. Did they like... do it without her ordering them to? Like a surprise for her? So now Cinderella will get back to her room, all sad and disappointed, then the rodents and birds will surprise her, and she will be absolutely beaming with joy, all sunshine and roses.

And just as we were about to exit, she would appear, looking every bit like a princess, and then... and then...

"The carriage is already here!" Mother said.

"Come on, we must hurry!" Oh no… now it's…

"Suck it in, Drizella!" Mother commanded, grabbing my corset. She planted her foot against my back for leverage and pulled the laces. I felt the air leave my body in a rush. OH, NOT AGAIN!

"Mother, it hurts! Stop it already!" my voice sounded thin and squeaky.

"Pain is a small price for a Prince," Mother snapped. Like I even wanted that stupid prince! From the corner, Anastasia laughed at my purple face. After what felt like an eternity in hell, Mother was finally done with me.

"Perfect," she said.

"Anastasia, your turn." Once the preparations were finished, the three of us headed for the door.

"WAIT!!" Cinderella's voice echoed. Mother and Anastasia turned around. I didn't.

"Please, wait for me!" Cinderella called. I heard her steps coming down the stairs and imagined that breathtakingly beautiful dress and her happy, beaming, sweet, good-hearted smile.

"Isn't it lovely?" she asked.

"Do you think it will do for the ball?" I still didn't turn around. I kept my face to the door. But I felt something. Something cold and horrible washed all over me. I... I could barely breathe, and not because of the dress this time. Something... something was wrong with me. It wasn't that I remembered her. I knew she was outstandingly beautiful; I had seen enough of that. It was that I remembered how I felt the last time I saw her. I felt like dirt. I felt like utter nothing. Ugly.

That was why I couldn't turn; I was too afraid.

"Mother, she can't come," whined Anastasia. I forced myself to turn, head down, forcing myself to act the part.

"You... You can't let her!" I murmured to Mother.

"Girls, please!" said Mother, slowly advancing toward Cinderella.

"We did make a bargain after all. Isn't that right, Cinderella?"

"Yes..." she said hesitantly.

"And I never go back on my word..." said Mother, looking her up and down.

"How nice." Mother then paused.

"This sash... it's just the right touch. Great choice indeed. Don't you think so, Anastasia?" Now… now it's the part that… I started hyperventilating, tears stinging my eyes... I.. I couldn't understand why.

"OH, THIS!" exclaimed Anastasia in surprise.

"That's my sash! You little thief!" I looked up and saw Anastasia violently tear the sash away.

"Oh, dear!" Cinderella cried. I started shaking. I felt tears spilling from my eyes; something was very wrong with me... What was my problem anyway!? I had done this before, hadn't I? I had a plan. I just needed to stick to it.

"You dirty thief! How dare you!" continued Anastasia. I managed to walk over to Cinderella, turning my head aside so she couldn't see my tears. But I did get a glimpse of her dress. So beautiful it was. It was.. it was her mother's dress. And she was just so surprised and excited to have it fixed and ready for the ball! Still, I tried to do my part.

"And this is..." I said, my voice choking, "is my... ribbon." I pulled the ribbon, but... it was stuck. I probably didn't pull hard enough. I was openly crying now. What was I doing? But my half-hearted effort was enough to give my sister more courage, and she started pulling and tearing violently now. She was doing the work that, in her eyes, must have been done.

"Oh, stop, please!" begged Cinderella.

"Kitchen wench!" Anastasia retorted. It took some more effort, but it was done. The dress was a torn mess. Cinderella cried and ran away, despair now fully replacing the hopeful gleam that had been there just moments before.

"What is wrong with you, child?" That was Mother. She looked at my swollen eyes with distaste.

"She is just a servant put in her place." I went outside. I needed air. I was shaking violently and sobbing now. What was I even feeling? Shame? For tearing her dress the last time? She's just a stupid servant, damn it all! And anyway, this is all for her own good. Now she gets to dance with her prince. They are going to live happily ever after. Well, not ever —like, only until the day after tomorrow—but still. I needed to calm down now. I... I needed to ditch the ball.

I closed my eyes for a few seconds and tried to take deep breaths—at least as deep as the torture of this dress allowed.

"To the carriage, now," Mother said coldly.

"We are late as it is." I took a few steps toward the carriage, and then threw myself onto the ground.

"AAWEEE!" I shouted.

"My ankle! I think I twisted it!"

"Get up, child!" Mother's gaze was ice. She probably didn't believe me, what with the hoarse voice shtick and how weirdly I'd been acting all day.

"It hurts!" I made a show of trying to get up and failing.

"I couldn't possibly come, let alone dance! Oh, but I dreamed about the ball! What a cruel twist of fate it is…"

"You are coming!" Mother gritted her teeth and grabbed my arm by force.

"Do you have any idea how hard I have worked to secure our status? These balls are not for your amusement; they are the very foundation of our future! You will get in that carriage if I have to drag you by your hair!" But I didn't budge. I stood up on both legs and ripped my hand away from Mother's grip.

"I won't be coming, Mother!" I said, with as much courage as I could muster.

"Your leg is suddenly fine," Mother noted coldly.

"Just like your hoarse voice from earlier."

"What is wrong with you?" Anastasia asked.

"The prince will be there! You've gone mad!"

"Yes, my leg is fine," I said.

"But I won't be going, Mother!" Nothing would happen to me. At worst, she could lock me in my room for another day. She slapped me then. It hurt. But compared to the slap I received after I scolded the prince, that was nothing. I looked her dead in the eye, totally serious.

"I'm not going," I said quietly, coldly. No tears this time. Mother then pushed me hard, and I fell back to the ground.

"A demon has gotten into you, child," Mother said in a low voice.

"I will deal with you when we come back." Then they got in the carriage and left. Stupid strumpet of a mother. I lifted myself from the ground, covered in dirt. I went into the house, and the very first thing I did was tear off that cursed dress as quickly and violently as I could. I heard the seams rip and pop—hardly the proper way to disrobe—but frankly, I didn't give a flying fig. Someday, I will burn that cursed dress. So I was left standing there in nothing but my cotton chemise and my bloomers.

Now at last I could breathe normally, and I was finally alone in the house. Well, not really alone. It was me, Cinderella, and a hundred rodents. And now, I am about to discover exactly how Cinderella goes from a crying, pitiful servant with a torn dress, to a radiant Queen on the dancing floor in less than an hour.