Cynderella

by Katrinity

Many years ago, in a kingdom far from Neopia called Sarnenn, a small, pink Cybunny was born. Her parents, Cyrus and his delicate wife, Cypress, named the dear little girl Cynderella, meaning "Apple Blossom". 15 years later, Cynderella's mother died. Cyrus and Cynderella were quite sad for the death of their cherished Cypress. At her funeral, Cynderella met the prince of Sarnenn, Prince Terit. He had been crying too, and was looking over her mother's grave. She tripped over her skirt and a large rip was found in her black mourning gown. She laughed nervously, but the laughs turned to tears. Embarrassed, she hid her face. Then, she looked back to where she tripped and found a bit of glass poking out of the dirt where she tripped. The prince was making his way over to the glass as Cynderella pulled out two delicate glass slippers. "Why, they're made of glass! How odd to find them here in the dirt! Do you know who they belong to?" She asked the prince timidly. He answered, "No! Why would anyone leave glass slippers in the ground?" Cynderella said with a wry and shaky grin, "Obviously to trip me." The prince laughed. "Try them on. Maybe they'll fit." They fit perfectly. She smiled with awe. "Keep them. I certainly don't need them, and they're so small, they wouldn't fit a twelve-year-old!" Cynderella was known for small feet, like her mother's. Then her father called. Cynderella curtsied awkwardly, and ripped her gown again. The prince laughed a merry laugh and they left. After several more meetings with the prince, he and Cynderella had become quite good friends. When Cyrus married again, Terit was informed about it. When the Queen got a new gown, Cynderella was informed. It was an easy friendship. But then Terit had to leave to talk to the people of Neopia about a treaty to unite the two lands, and was gone for two years. They wrote letters, and in each letter, Cynderella fell more in love with him, and he seemed more and more disinterested. Even worse, her father had died, and her stepmother was cruel, and her daughter was spoiled. They made Cynderella a servant, in charge of keeping the floors clean, tending to fires, and to the likes of others.

"Cinders! Come fetch me my pearls! we are leaving for Neopia! The prince is having a ball to find a bride! Just because I am not a Neopian beauty, doesn't mean I shouldn't be Queen!" Loraine, Cynderella's stepsister yelled across the hallway from her room to Cynderella, known as Cinders to everyone. Loriane continued to shout that she was to go with them, to help Loraine ready herself for the ball. Cynderella was completely desolate. She loved her prince. Why did he have to marry some Neopian beauty with money and high social-status?

Meanwhile, Prince Terit was bored with the ladies at the Neopian Palace. All they cared about was marrying a prince, no matter what he was like. And he cared very much for Cynderella. He loved receiving her letters. She was so wonderful! But he couldn't marry her. Besides, why would she love him? It's just a simple friendship, nothing, well, like that. Hmm. The upcoming ball was going to be terrible. He didn't want to marry, unless Cynderella would be his bride.

Cynderella had reached Neopia at last, a week later, by boat. Loraine kept her on her toes, and she was getting seasick all over. Never would she go on a boat again! They were staying at their townhouse in Neopia Central, the city near the palace where the ball would be held. She had packed her mother's gowns, for she had grown and she had a plan. She didn't want Terit to see her, because Cynderella believed he thought her a nuisance. But she had to see him. She would disguise herself in one of Cypress's gowns, and wear a mask. She would think of a different name, and pretend to live in Neopia. She would wear the glass slippers, just by the slim chance her prince recognized them and did believe her fit to marry. She would not tell her step family. The night of the ball she helped Loraine get ready, and then when they left, Cynderella prepared herself. She got on her mother's green silk gown with dark green "vines" growing up her sleeves and bodice. The gown had a long train. She placed a silver tiara atop her head, and a pearl necklace around her neck. She fastened the gold-painted mask around her head, making sure it was secure, then hopped in one of Loriane's extra carriages and sped off. Every young lady dreams of going down the palace steps to the ball, to be swept away by her Prince Charming, and live happily ever after. So did Cynderella. She was reasonably late, and no one else was coming in. She walked through the doors, down the steps, with people staring and whispering at her. She could hear one phrase: "Who is that young lady? She will be announced Queen tonight for sure!" Although she did not believe that, she lifted up her skirts and the glass slippers glowed and sparkled. Terit was sitting in a tall chair over next to the wall in the center of the room. He looked up, but did not see the shoes, but he did see the beauty walk carefully down the stairs. He ran up to dance with her. When they had started dancing, he asked, "Who is this fair lady?" She replied cautiously, "My name is Lady Larella. I come from far away. I do not live in Neopia." The prince looked anxious. "You dance quite well. You must be an expert. I knew a lady with tiny feet. Are yours small?" Cynderella was worried. Had he guessed? "No, your Highness, my feet are sturdy, as are my shoes." She lied. They kept dancing all night, until Loraine pulled Cynderella over. "I must ask, who are you? For the safety of my prince, I must know. I need you to remove your mask." Cynderella simply said, "well, Madame, my name is Lady Larella. I will not remove my mask. Tell me, is everyone in Neopia as rude as you? If so, I wish to never return." And she turned around to dance with her prince. After several more dances, she saw Loraine come up behind her.

Knowing what she planned to do, she prepared to turn away, but Loraine yanked off her mask, and Cynderella lost her shoe in her hurry to try and hide her face. Too late. She ran out the door, and passed the carriage, until she returned to the townhouse. She threw off the gown, packed it in her bag, and was about to leave when Prince Terit came and blocked the door. She opened her mouth in shock. "Why did you follow me home? I am not suitable for you. I am a scullery maid." He gasped. "A scullery maid? Did your stepfamily do this to you?" She nodded. "Besides, you are not interested. I could tell from your letters. But I was interested. I had to see you again, but I figured you thought me a nuisance." The Cybunny wailed. The prince replied with relief, "Nuisance? No! I would love to make you my wife, if you accept." Cynderella sobbed, for being so silly, and turned to sit down. She nodded vigorously, and found a tear in her gown. How did that happen? Oh well. "Yes!" she cried, as her prince twirled her around. Loraine marched in. "No! Your Highness, I am sorry she is disturbing you. I will take her away." Terit replied angrily, "No, I will take you away! On the day of our wedding, you will be shipped to the worst place in Sarnenn. Cynderella will be Queen, and you a scullery maid!"

In six months they were married. They had a son and a daughter, Cypress and Alex, and they were quite happy ruling Sarnenn. Neopia became their most important ally, and everyone (except Loraine) lived happily ever after.