Chapter Two: Losing My Shoe
906 Words
The night of my sixteenth birthday, as I dreamt, it all came back to me. Every single moment of my previous life. The truth of who I was back then.
My memories:
I had a wonderful childhood until my father remarried. My stepmother was wicked, and my stepsisters were the same. Things were fine until my father passed away. Then my life went topsy turvy.
I ended up becoming a servant when I was once the lady of the house. My stepmother resented me for the love my father had for me. The love he wouldn't give to her.
She knew my father only married her to give me a mother. Not because he loved her. She made it clear to me I was not wanted. I spent the rest of my teenage years cooking, cleaning, and slaving away. All for her and my stepsisters.
They were all too lazy to do anything themselves. My stepmother spent most of her time tormenting me. That and trying to find rich husbands for her daughters.
Of course, although they had some prettiness to them, looks only go so far. Their souls, their personalities, and their hearts were ugly. They were cruel and hateful.
But I endured. One night the King announced there would be a ball to find his son a bride. I wanted to go, not because of the prince, but because I had never been able to do anything like that. I wanted to dress up in a beautiful gown and dance the night away.
I begged and pleaded with my stepmother and she agreed. On the condition that I finish all the chores she gave me. I also had to find something suitable to wear.
I worked hard and did everything that was asked of me. She had tried to keep busy enough that I couldn't fix my dress. It was my mother’s pretty pink dress.
I managed to finish all my chores and run upstairs to try and make the dress suitable enough for a ball. Upstairs I was given a wonderful surprise.
My mouse and bird friends had all fixed the dress for me. They had added bows and given it frills. It may not have been fit for a queen or princess, but it was perfect for me.
I ran downstairs yelling for my stepmother and sisters to wait for me. Then they did the unthinkable. In a fit of cruelness, they tore my dress and began ripping pieces of it off me until it barely clung to me.
I ran out of the room crying and into our garden. A miracle happened. My fairy godmother came and gave me a beautiful blue and silver dress that was fit for a princess. With beautiful glass slippers. She made me a carriage from a pumpkin and enchanted my animal friends to pull it and take me to the ball.
It was wonderful. But I had a curfew. All would be back to normal at midnight. When I got to the ball it was wonderful. I ended up dancing with the prince all night. It was love at first sight.
As I was about to tell him my name, the clock struck twelve, and I ran. I left behind a single slipper. Days later he used this glass slipper to find me. He took me to his castle and there we married.
We were happy. Life was good for us. We ended up ruling together when his father sadly passed away. We had two little girls, and when the time came, they ruled together. It had never been heard of before but because they were twins, they did everything together.
When they married, they continued to rule together. Sadly, I was around to see my oldest daughter fall sick and pass away.
Although there was some sadness, my life was happy. It was filled with family and love. When the time came and I was on my death bed, they came.
What I thought were sweet old women offered me the chance of a lifetime. I would get to be reincarnated and find my true love again. I could have a happily ever after a second time.
At first, I was hesitant, and then I realized how much I wanted it. So I agreed. It was the biggest mistake I have ever made. I'm sure all of us princesses think that now.
My curse was not a pleasant one. I had always been a very affectionate person. I loved to hug people, and pet animals.
I remembered that on my eighteenth birthday I would lose that ability. Anyone I touch, or who touches me, will begin to burn. We will both feel the pain, and it will last a good while after the touch has ended.
I could never hug anyone again, I could never ride a horse again, and kissing my true love for the first time would be painful. That is if we both managed to survive the kiss.
I woke up from my dream that night with sorrow and fear in my heart. I had two years to enjoy being hugged and giving affection. Then it would end unless I broke the curse.
I hated my curse, and for a while, I hated myself for making the deal. The witches were right, it was selfish.
But I would fight this curse. I would not give up. They will not beat me...
- Writer
