The room felt empty, even amongst the wooden wardrobe. Once upon a time, it used to be full of beautiful gowns, half of which were destroyed and now lay in a large pile on the floor. There's the dressing table accompanied by a vanity mirror that now sported a huge crack that started in what appeared to be a crater and spread across its face like petals of an unusual flower. Containers that were sitting beneath it had been scattered to the ground, a lot of them broken and their contents spilt on the floor. Two very identical beds were pressed against opposite walls. One neatly made and the other in shambles.

Drizella stared out of the window. The place she had called home was no longer going to be theirs. They were in debt and mother was going to sell the house. If Anastasia had married the Duke of Denvour that Lady Tremaine painstakingly found for her they could have saved the property. Of course, the Duke was nearing his fifties and showing signs of greying but what did that matter compare to the grand life he would have provided for them. They would have been invited to royal balls, fancy dinner parties and the Duke owned a humongous estate with flourishing gardens. What more could one ask for. Anastasia wanted love. Drizella didn't get that, how could her sister find love and happiness living in that small cramped room above the bakery. Why couldn't she have found it with the Duke's large house, with servants waiting on her?

"Drizella, we must not keep his Lordship waiting," Lady Tremaine said from the door, completely ignoring the state of the room, "The carriage will be around in 10 minutes"

Drizella turned around to face her mother. Lady Tremaine was a strong woman. When her husband died so tragically all those years ago, she pulled herself together and got remarried in order to take care of her two daughters. As fate would have it her second husband also passed away and left her to look after her step-daughter. She did the best she could to raise three young girls and manage the estate all on her own. Even with all of the villagers claiming that she had been the cause of both husbands' deaths.

"This is our last way out, I won't have you ruining it"

Even though Lady Tremaine came off as cruel she was right. If she didn't impress Lord Hamilton with her charm and wit, both she and her mother would be cast out onto the streets in three days time. She glanced once more around the room that she used to share with her twin sister Anastasia. She met her mother at the door and they both walked along the hall descended the stairway, crossed the foyer and walked out of the front double doors, down the pathway to the carriage that had just arrived.

They were assisted onto the carriage by a footman and then they set off. The journey was travelled in silence. They left the village far behind, fields and hills rolled by. Soon the manor came into view. It was splendid, the huge grounds spread far. Waiting at the gate where a score of servants each dressed smartly. Once they alighted from the carriage, the party made their way to the front door. Lord Hamilton was standing there, dressed in a grey suit with a red waistcoat and a wooden cane in his left hand. He was far from handsome, with his abnormally large nose and receding grey hair but Drizella could care less.

"Lady Tremaine, Drizella Tremaine" Lord Hamilton announced grandly, "Welcome to Hamilton Manor"

Drizella curtsied

"Thank you, your Lordship"

Then he turned and led them into the house. There is a grand staircase opposite the door and beautiful tapestries adorn the walls, gleaming oil paintings stationed expertly. They moved to the sitting room where a large fireplace was, as well as comfortably soft chairs. Lord Hamilton gestured for them to sit down.

"Lady Tremaine, would you like a tour of the grounds?" Lord Hamilton inquired

"Marvelous idea," Lady Tremaine said raisin from next to her daughter

"I'll have the butler show you around" Lord Hamilton summoned the butler and Lady Tremaine left

Lord Hamilton walked over to the east window and peer out at the grounds

"Do you know why I accepted Lady Tremaine's proposal despite her reputation?"

When Drizella didn't respond he continued.

"It's because I have yet to conceive an heir, you are young and of good breeding"

He turned to look at her

"You'll stay indoors at all times with the expedition of our daily evening stroll about the grounds" he walked towards her

"If you can give me an heir before next fall then I will keep you and your mother, otherwise you will have to leave this house"

Lord Hamilton looked at her with something very sinister in his eyes that Drizella felt a shiver down her spine.

"Mary" he called out

A young girl hurried into the room

"Please help the lady into a more pleasing gown she and her mother will be staying for dinner"

Drizella rose from her seat and followed Mary out the room, up the stairs, down the hall and into a bed-chamber. She was helped out of her dress and into another one that was silky and flowing. Then her black tresses were pinned up into a high bun. As Mary went to fetch some shoes Drizella stared into a mirror. Never had she worn such a dazzling dress before. She wiped away a small tear. This was all happening because she didn't marry the prince. Now Cinderella was living out her happily ever after while she was stuck in some nightmare. Straightening her back Drizella made a vow that once Lord Hamilton had his heir and was rotting in his grave she would make Cinderella pay. They all were going to and she would see to it.

Word Count: 999

Date Completed: 9/8/2021

Contest: Villians of Disney

Type: FlashFiction