W/N: This is an edited version of my WWBY 2015 Round 4 entry. I took in the judges input and remained with Ella's POV. I hope it reads better now.

You squint against the glare of the noon day sun while you wait in undisguised trepidation for their arrival. Your father told you his shocking news, between bites of sumptuous supper last night, and you choked on your dinner and until now you have yet to recover from the surprise. You feel uncertain if the sweat trickling from the back of your neck to your collar is from the heat or from your nervousness.

You spent all morning preparing for their arrival. Your father ordered the servants to create a feast to welcome the guests-no, not guests. You must remember that they are the newest members of your family. You wonder how this came to be. Your father never gave indication that he plans to remarry- he claimed your mother was the love of his life- yet here you are, and they will be arriving any minute now.

The sounds of the carriage herald their arrival and you catch the first glimpse of the woman who will be the new Lady of the House with her two daughters in tow. She is undoubtedly beautiful, though you have your own bias towards your late mother.

"Ella, come meet your new mother," says your father. It is obvious how he adores his new wife. You welcome them to your abode with a smile and a kiss. Your servants prepared a mouth-watering luncheon with the best of the summer harvest, but your new mother and sisters still found much to complain about.

If you are knowledgeable in the ways of the world, you would know from the look of envy in their eyes that they despise you; for you are much more beautiful and full of graces than they are.

You show your new sisters their room and expect their gratitude, but instead they say, "Oh is this it? How can we possibly fit all our things there? Our trunks and beds, our clothes and shoes and looking mirrors..." But there is no other room bigger but your own, and knowing that there are two of them, you choose to be the gracious host. You did feel the need to object when your stepmother ordered your mother's things stored away-but with a look from your father, you instead offer to stay in the attic where her precious mementos are. After all, what could indeed be wrong if your stepmother wants to redecorate and feel more comfortable?

A tiny little voice begins to whisper at the back of your head but you ignore it. You refuse to believe that your stepmother hates you. Why would she? You have done her or her children no wrong.

You make yourself at home with a family of mice and the birds that roost on the rafters. You suddenly feel the blanket of loneliness as you turn down the wick of the lamp. Thoughts of your mother float in the air, weaving shadows made by the eternal moon. A sharp pain crosses your chest and you suppress bitter tears. Your mother's spirit has left the earth and her magic is slowly fading. No longer do the crops yield as much as when she was alive.

If you had known that she won't stay long, you would've spent more time learning what she tried to teach you of your ancestry. Her memories come to you with acute clarity: the way flowers bloomed in her wake and colourful butterflies rested on her hair as she basked in the heat of the sun. But she was oh so frail, and spent more days inside than outside where she belonged.

You cannot forget that day you learned about the truth.

"Her body is not of this world dear child," father said as your mother's coffin was covered with earth. "If I had known, I wouldn't have taken her from the woods and made her my wife!" You mourned his loss just as deeply, and you felt your heart break for him. "She couldn't leave us even as she wasted each day..." And his sorrow was so palpable that it ate away at the corners of your world. You had wished then that you had more of mother's dryad magic instead of her famed beauty for that would surely help you now.

You feel the gates of sleep welcome you and you drift away into Morpheus' realm.

The next days are tougher.

Your new family lavish themselves in frivolities; expensive clothes stitched in gold and precious stones, exotic perfume and rare delicacies from all over. This is too much. Never did you or your mother ask for such things, and you wonder why this woman did. This cannot go on for too long; the farm is not in good condition, and your savings are meager.

The breaking point came all too soon.

Your father announces that he needs to travel for business. You have seen the signs based on the steady increase in household finances.

"Father, please take care of yourself," you say while your step sisters remind him of gifts they want bought. He nods his head, and asks you if there is something you want.

"If you could bring me the first branch of the first tree you encounter, then I will know you will be thinking of me throughout your journey." Your sister laugh upon hearing your request and you almost answer their jeers, but your father stops you.

You thought he understood you, but he whispers, "You must love them as I love them, Ella." You see the seeds of madness in his eyes but as always, you relented. The pain of knowing that his heart is now divided tears at you, but he is your only parent left and you think your love for him far vast than the discomfort you feel for your new family.

Your servants dwindle, until you are the only one left to do the chores. Your sisters spend their time competing with each other, while your stepmother continues to waste your father's money. At night you stay by the dying embers of the fireplace to conserve heat though the ashes coat your skin, and hair, and clothes, a fine gray.

"My, we have a cinder-wench," your stepsisters say during breakfast. You no longer join them, for you might ruin their appetite being as dirty as you are.

"We should call her Cinder-Ella then," your step mother agrees, "off you go. You should be cleaning and washing, not dawdling."

You grit your teeth in frustration but stop yourself. Your father would be disappointed if you argue with your stepmother. His actions have been strange ever since he met her. If you had been any wiser you would notice that he is under an enchantment, yet you are not the kind of girl to suspect other people.

One fine morning you receive a letter from the castle. It said that the Prince is going to host a ball where he will choose his wife. You feel giddy as you read the letter for all maidens are expected to attend.

Finally, a chance for freedom!

"You seriously think you can come?" Your stepsister says with a look of contempt. You do not understand why she seems opposed to the idea of you coming to the Ball.

"But anyone can come," you argue. In her most condescending tone she says, "What would people say if they see a cinder-wench in the Ball? Our family will be the laughingstock of the kingdom!"

"And who will help us put on our dresses and fix our hair?" The younger one added.

"If you continue being stubborn Cinderella, I'm compelled to throw you out of the house." You stare in helpless horror at your stepmother's threat. What would happen to all of your mother's memories if you leave?

The day of the ball arrive and you find yourself neck-deep in chores for your stepsisters.

"Cinderella, curl my hair!"

"Cinderella, tie my laces!"

Cinderella this, Cinderella that...

Had you a wicked bone in your body, you would do something appalling to their clothes and their hair, but you wear your most cheerful smile and help them fit in their corsets and curl their hair to perfection. Inside, your heart tears to pieces because you know that you deserve to come with them.

You feel a pang of sorrow as you watch your stepmother bid a happy goodbye to your stepsisters. You wonder how it would be if your own mother is still alive?

Your eyes follow their carriage until they vanish around the bend.

"I wish... I wish I could..." You weep by the tiled floor.

"You wish to go to the ball?" A musical voice say and you raise your tear-stained eyes to a familiar face you haven't seen in years. She looks so very different now.

"Godmother," you whisper.

"That's fairy godmother," she corrects you with a smile. "Now, you have to get to that ball."

"But I have no dress, or coach..." You spread your empty hands in despair.

Your fairy godmother winks at you, "oh, but that can be amended. Get me a pumpkin, quick!" This was a very strange request but you are already desperate. You run to the garden and haul the biggest and the heaviest pumpkin you've been saving for Thanksgiving.

"Oh, that will do nicely," fairy godmother takes the pumpkin from you and scoops out the insides and rinds. She waves her wand and to your surprise, the pumpkin starts growing bigger. Its skin bursts and gold begin to spread out, and cover its entirety. You step back in fear of being squashed. In a few moments you take in the sight of the most delicate looking carriage in your entire life. You cover your mouth with your hand. This is just too unbelievable!

"What's a coach without horses?" Fairy godmother looks around and spots the mice family watching. She gives each one of them a tap and your jaw drops as their features expand and contract, ripple and pinch; until they each possessed equine faces.

"Hmmm..." Fairy godmother taps her chin before her eyes dart around. She spots a rat trap and fishes out the biggest rat. Similarly, she gives the rat a tap on its head and he transforms into a jolly old coachman with the most intriguing curly whiskers. "Now get some lizards from behind the well." You run to do her bidding. You call onto the lizards and they jump into your waiting hand without any fuss. Your fairy godmother transforms them to elegant footmen in green and silver livery with a flourish of her wand.

"Alright, now I say you are ready."

"But I have nothing to wear!" You gesture to your ragged clothes. Your fairy godmother touches her wand to your heart. A bright light covers your body as your garments turn to the most luxurious dress you have ever worn. The silver and gold cloth shimmer and sparkle with each movement you make.

"And here is what seals the bargain," fairy godmother produces a pair of glass slippers. "Go on, try them." You slip your feet onto them and feel nervous. What if they break? What if you are too heavy?

"Silly girl," fairy godmother taps you on the head. "These are magic slippers. They are made just for you."

"Thank you, fairy godmother!"

"Now remember: be back by the stroke of midnight for the enchantment will only last until then." You nod your understanding before going inside the carriage. You utter a prayer of thanks to God for your good fortune. Your hands tremble from excitement and you could barely stay still on your seat. You start imagining all the beautiful people, the sumptuous food, the bright castle halls... you stop and bite your lower lip. The Prince will be there. Will you be permitted to dance with him? You blush at your thoughts. Surely, some beautiful princess is already dancing with him by now. It matters not, you think. The important thing is you will be at the Ball.

The trip is over all too soon and you find yourself walking up the grand hall where two of the palace guards welcome you. Their smiles were radiant as they opened the double doors while a man in fancy livery announces your presence. You did not even notice the hush that fell across the room when they take in your attire and your angelic countenance. The glitter and sparkle of the decor mesmerize you, and to your surprise a handsome youth offers you his hand. You did not notice the crowd part from his approach and you blush as you take his hand.

"May I have this dance, milady?" He asks and you feel heat suffuse your cheeks. The whole crowd is abuzz with whispers; who could this mystery princess be?

"It is my pleasure, my lord," you reply, and he gestures to the musicians. It has been a long time since you've danced and you feared to make mistakes, but he smiles at you and you get lost in his dark eyes.

"Do not fear. Feel the music, my princess." He whispers as he holds you close and leads you across the dance floor. Time seemed to stop as you get lost in each other's eyes. He made small talk, and seemed to delight at your answers. He is attentive, and sweet, and exhibited a wit that challenged you. You spot your stepsisters with looks of envy evident in every line of their body. You sit with them and you are surprised that they do not recognize you.

The minutes melt to hours and soon the time for the enchantment to end came to a close.

You stumble out of the castle gates just as the clock strikes twelve. The enchantment is gone and everything returns to normal. You hear the Prince and his men call out for you but you cannot turn back. Only your glass slippers remain as they are and you skip back home with a word of thanks to your fairy godmother.

You couldn't believe how lucky you are! Of all the ladies in the Ball, the prince chose to dance with you alone.

You remember gazing into the eyes of the Prince and catching a glimpse of the man he is; the kindness in his gaze and silent adoration. His words hint of an intelligent mind beneath the mantle of royalty. You could drown in those piercing eyes forever.

Sounds of your sisters' arrival penetrate the haze of your thoughts. You get up from your sleeping pallet and welcome them.

"We just met the most beautiful princess!" The younger one exclaims. "The prince had no eyes but for her. Surely, he has fallen in love with that maiden." Inwardly you smile at this great news. If the prince had been moved... well then... Your heart flutters at the idea that he might develop feelings for you.

"I would very much like to meet her. Lend me your dress, Javotte," you ask your stepsister.

"What? Lend it to a cinder-wench like you? You are mad!" You expect this reaction and smile.

The next evening, your fairy godmother arrives and the enchantment once again takes place. Just like last night, you dance the night away with the prince and he is more persistent to know all about you. The clock strikes twelve and you cry in dismay!

There is no time!

In your haste, you trip on the steps. You did not have time to pick up your glass slippers for the whole throng is in pursuit and you absolutely cannot let them know the truth.

"Princess, come back!" Their shouts come so close and you fear that they will catch you. You almost scream when the branches of the trees close in and hide you. Thankfully, the trees seem to be in your side and they chose to help one of their own. Your mother's dryad blood has never been so helpful before.

You slip back into the house just in time for your stepsisters' arrival. They chat animatedly about the mystery princess of the ball.

"The prince will marry the maiden who owns that glass slipper," says the younger of them. "I will try, for surely my feet will fit the shoe."

"No, mine will." Argued the older one and you hide a smile as you help them out of their gowns and bid them good night.

That night you dream of being in a field of roses.

Morning light filter in from the eaves of your tower room and you wake up and greet your animal companions. They chatter to you news from around the kingdom. Your prince is going from house to house in search of you. How your heart swell with so much happiness.

Your slender fingers grope for the treasure you hid beneath the cinders. You hear the sounds of their arrival-the loud, booming voice of the Royal Herald announcing the presence of the Prince and his retinue. You clutch the thing beneath your breast against the wild beating of your heart. You peek outside the milky glass of your dilapidated window to make sure. A soft smile play upon your lips... finally, he has come.

You've dreamt of this moment for a long time, as all girls dreamt of meeting their Prince. You tiptoe down to the parlour where you peek at the unfolding scene. Your sisters take turns in shoving their feet into your slipper, but try as they might- their faces red in exertion- they could not fit neither heel nor toe.

"Here, let me try." You step in and your sisters burst out laughing.

"You did not even come to the Ball!" They guffaw but you simply wait for the gentleman who had the shoe to slip it on your foot.

"Behold!" The man cried joyously as the slipper fit you perfectly. "We have found the Prince's bride!"

"A princess beneath the ashes," the Prince was immediately by your side and you slip out the other shoe from your pocket and show everyone how they fit. Your sisters both fall to their knees and beg for your forgiveness.

But you only had eyes for your prince, and he yours.

And because your real beauty is inside your heart, you forgive and you forget... and live happily ever after.