Cinderella's POV 

(Author-chan here. I'm skipping the invitation guy here. We all know what happens. If you don't, please go watch the movie yourself.)

I looked at the invitation boredly before going to the music room where the girls were practicing. Lucifer was outside, a pillow over his head. I smirked evilly at him, making the cat cower under my steel gaze.

Suddenly, we both winced at the shrill piercing shriek that Drizella was "attempting" to sing. I decided to put the listeners out of misery and knocked sharply on the door.

"Cinderella! I've told you never to interrupt our practice!" Stepmother scolded me. I mentally grimaced. You call that practicing?

"Oh, I'm so so sorry," I said, my smirk on my face and my I-don't-care-what-you-think tone out. "Well, I guess you all don't want to know this invitation came from the palace then." I waved the fancy envelope in the air and turned on my heel, ready to leave. 

"The palace!" My stepsisters gasped in shock. They rushed towards me and tried to grab the letter, but I jerked it away.

"Give it!" Anastasia snapped angrily.

"It's mine!" Drizella shouted.

"Oh no no no, I am disturbing your practice time, right?" I said tauntingly. "Guess I should leave. I'll just come back when you're done with your practice." I smirked and jerked the letter from their grasp. My stepsisters got even more angry and tried to get the letter.

"Get out of my way! I'll read it!" Anastasia screamed, shoving her sister. 

"No! I'll read it!" Drizella screeched, pulling her sister's hair. Soon, it became a struggle between them.

"Girls! Stop!" Stepmother said commandingly. "Cinderella. Hand it over." I gave it and leaned against the doorframe.

"It's an invitation from the king," Stepmother said in a dramatic voice. I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Big deal. It's from the king.

"The king!" My stepsisters gasped. Couldn't this go any faster?

"Yes," Stepmother answered in a low tone, her eyes wide. "Listen, it is required for every eligible maiden to attend the ball-"

"The ball!" Cue my eye rolling.

"-and any two girls who pleases Prince Edward and Prince Arthur shall become the brides!" Wait... Arthur? 

"The brides!" Anastasia and Drizella screamed in unison. I winced at their voices. Please, get louder.

"Finally, the ball will be held for three days!" The girls screeched again in pure joy. I was covering my ears at this point. 

"We're going to the ball! We'll meet the prince! We are going to have so much fun!"

"Girls! Settle down! We need to plan for the perfect hair, the perfect gowns, and Cinderella!" Stepmother yelled.

"Yes?"

"You are going to help them get ready."

"Yes." What else is there to say?

"Aren't you going to be alone, Cinderella?" Anastasia sneered tauntingly. I rolled my eyes even more. Any more of this ridiculous drama, and I was going to lose my eyes.

"Oh, I didn't know you cared, Anastasia," I said in a sickly sweet voice. "But you should worry about what you should wear, rather than wondering what I am going to do."

"Why you-!" She was going to slap me, but I just swayed back, avoiding the hand before smirking at her enraged face.

"Enough! Cinderella, get their dresses. We have much to do!" Yay, let's work.

Five hours later, they were ready for the ball. I was bored out of my mind and didn't even bother saying goodbye. Once their carriage left, I went back to my room in long strides, reaching my room in mere seconds.

"It said every eligible maiden is to attend the ball," I murmured, taking out the pale blue gown from my closet. "Well, I'll just follow the King's command. Besides, I happen to know this Arthur quite well." 

Long story short, I met Arthur as a child, he became my childhood crush (like any girl who would be attracted to a handsome, polite, gentlemanly boy), and became close friends with him. His brother was an annoying prick who wanted my attention. He was mean and a bully too. Arthur is still my close friend whom I was unable to see again due to the fact my parents died. My stepfamily weren't allowed to see the royal family personally, because my father didn't introduce them before he died. 

I put on the beautiful ball gown, adding a yellow sash when I was done. I braided my brown hair and pinned the braid around the top of my head. Simple and easy. I added two white and black lilies and put on a pair of nice black leather flats. I don't wear heels. I finished with a dark green cloak to cover myself.

"Done," I said, satisfied. I went to the stables and patted my horse. A sleek dapple gray horse. "Hey girl, how are you?" I whispered. She whined and let me pet her nose gently. 

"Okay then, take me to the palace, please?" I asked her quietly, even though no one else was with us. 

She understood and neighed quietly. "Good girl." I got into the saddle and went to the ball. Let's go pay a visit to my best friend, shall we? Besides, I wonder what he looks like, all grown up.