Dirty Villains

by Cheri Marie

  “Oh thank you, Stepmother, thank you! I will, I promise.” Cinderella happily says as she exits the room.

  The girls storm my side. “Mother! Do you know what you have just done? Do you not want to see us succeed? Why would you ever allow her to come with us – she is not fit to meet the Prince!” Drizella and Anastasia press me for answers.

  “Ladies, did you not listen to what I said? Where is your faith in me? Of course I know what I said. I said “if.” I explain with a shrewd smile.

  The realization across their faces warms my heart. “Oh! Yes – “if.” They snicker and I tell them to return to their lessons. My girls will always come out on top. I will see to it as long as I am breathing.

  Tonight is the night. Tonight I take my beautiful daughters to woo the Prince and secure our future at the royal ball. Each move must be made with purpose, each glance done rightfully so. Drizella and Anastasia look as amazing as possible. I am overwhelmed with joy and admiration for all the work I have done with these two.

  I hardly heard a peep from Cinderella since yesterday and have yet to see her as we prepare to leave for the evening. I gather the girls close to me before the carriage arrives.

  “Drizella. Anastasia. I am so proud of the women you have become. Tonight, one of you will catch the attention of the Prince, I am sure of it. What are your goals this evening?”

  “We will be poised and graceful, Mother. We will be attentive to how we are around others and be sure to hold the attention we deserve. We will not lose sight of the Prince, and we will make you proud, Mother.” They assured me and I cannot help but beam with pride. This is my proudest moment in life; I have created goal seeking women rather than mindless pawns.

  I hear the horses approaching with our carriage, and turn to open the door. From the back hallway, a small shout echoes.

  “Stepmother, wait! Please wait for me! I am ready – do you like my gown? Is it not lovely like yours?” Cinderella exclaims.

  “Mother, no! You cannot allow this – please!” The girls are pulling at my gown, acting like children.

  “Girls, please. Stop this. We did make a bargain, after all, did we not Cinderella? And I never go back on my word.” I slowly explain. “However, where did you find all the materials to pull this ensemble together? Your necklace looks familiar, as does the fabric for your gown.”

  It dawns on Drizella and Anastasia that Cinderella took their belongings to string it all together. I see the rage begin to take fold as they tear her garb to pieces. Before it takes control fully, I stop them and center their focus back on their evening.

  “Girls, girls… that is quite enough,” as I open the door out to our carriage. “Let us move along now, both of you, hurry up. I do not need either of you to sour your moods before this evening.” I follow the girls, but look back at Cinderella before I go. ‘Good night Cinderella,” and I shut the door before hearing her sobs behind.

  A few hours into the ball and it is a beautiful sight to behold. The royals spared no expense when it came to finding their son a suitable match. I have only seen the Prince personally a few times in passing. I am staying to the background, allowing my girls to shine on their own. One cannot oversee each move forever, and I must let them be independent. I will not be around as long as I would like and this is a key opportunity at a new life.

  As I glance around the room, I see Drizella and Anastasia together waiting their turns to approach the throne and introduce themselves. My breath is caught in my throat. This is the moment I have spent so much time working towards, working with them for this. I see the girls perk up and walk towards the Prince. They curtsy low and smile endearingly. He too bows upon meeting them. The Prince appears to be looking intently at the pair. This could be promising, I think to myself.

  Suddenly, I realize his gaze is not fixated on my daughters. He straightens and walks through them towards another young woman in the distance. Like everyone else in the room, I follow the Prince’s every move. I cannot contain my anger and disappointment in the blatant disrespect he has shown Drizella and Anastasia. He grabs the hand of a beautiful maiden in a light blue gown. He walks her to the center of the ballroom and begins to dance with her. With this, the rest of the attendees join him on the floor.

  I stare keenly at the woman who interrupted my daughters’ chance with the Prince. I continue to watch her face with every turn. I know that maiden. I can almost pinpoint who she is but not quite. As the music continues, the clock strikes midnight, signifying the ball is almost at an end.

  Abruptly, she ends the dance and it seems she is in a state of panic. She turns to run from the castle, and that is when I place how I know her. It cannot be. There is no way, and I begin to doubt my mental clarity. I will get to the bottom of this, but for tonight, I will focus on my girls. They will need my strength and resilience after what they went through. We will rectify this night, at any cost.

  Today is the day. Today is the morning after the ball. The kingdom is an uproar over the mysterious maiden who dashed away from the Prince. I have had all night to think with clarity over the situation. It appears the maiden left a glass slipper behind and the Prince is set to meet every maiden in town until he finds the foot to fit.

  After these many years, I can still move swiftly throughout the home. If I wish to remain hidden, it will be done. I sneak away towards Cinderella’s quarters, key in hand. Only I know her true identity, even though I am unable to explain how she made it happen. I hear her singing as she gets up for her day. I can only imagine the look on her face when she realizes she has no chance again at taking the Prince from Drizella and Anastasia.

  I quickly insert the key into her door, lock it from the outside, and slip the key back in my pocket. I turn and walk away, confident I have made the right choice. I hear her wails and pleas as I descend back towards the front of the house. “Not today, Cinderella. I cannot understand how you made last night take place, but you will not ruin this for me today,” I whisper back.

  As I get towards the front door, I hear the door knock loudly.

  “Oh Mother, get the door! It is the Prince and he must see us again. We deserve our chance – we will make that slipper fit one way or another, Mother! Hurry, hurry, do not let him wait!.” I give them a stern look to stop the whining immediately, tell them to wait in the other room, and they do so.

  I open the door with my best smile, and realize it is only the Duke and his footman; I encourage both men to come inside. The Duke has his footman holding the glass slipper upon a pillow, and they both look exhausted from their travels.

  “Please, gentlemen, take a seat while I gather my daughters for you.” I encouraged.

  “No thank you Madame. Please produce the young maidens that were present at the ball so we may continue this search,” the Duke ordered.

  “As you wish your grace,” I say, bowing deeply as I exit the room. I tell the girls to come over quickly but to enter the room with confidence; make a lasting impression this time.

  Both of the girls sit down in the chairs I had provided for the standing gentlemen. The Duke takes no time in fitting the girls. He approaches Drizella and it cannot fit. He quickly moves on to Anastasia who also cannot squeeze her foot into this slipper.

  “You are the only ladies of the household I presume?” the Duke questions before turning to leave. I am disappointed we did not have a chance at any interactions with the Prince but I am happy for future chances as the Prince will not find his maiden today.

  “There is no one else, your grace.” I kindly answer him, and allow him to let himself out.

  “Quite so. Good day, Madame, good day.” The Duke puts his hat on and begins to close the door behind him.

  “Wait! Your grace, your grace – please wait! May I try it on?” From the top of the stairs, I hear Cinderella’s voice, begging for him to turn around. How can this BE?!, I think with fury. I feel my pockets and discover the key is gone. What sort of trickery is at foot here? But now is no time to think ab
out that; I must concentrate on the here and now.

  “Oh, your grace, pay no attention to her. It is only Cinderella, our scullery maid. Really, no woman fit for a Prince anyway. Please do not waste your precious time,” I beg of the Duke.

  “Madame, my orders were to fit this slipper on every maiden, now please do step aside,” the Duke says while moving towards Cinderella. I look on with disgust at the situation unfolding in front of me. He sits her down and goes to fetch the slipper from the footman assisting him. In a last hope effort to foil Cinderella’s deceptive plan, my foot appears from under my gown. The footman trips effortlessly and the glass slipper shatters.

  I cannot hide my happiness with this turn of events, as the Duke becomes visibly upset. He is on the floor, scraping the pieces together as if that would help.

  “Oh what will the King say? What will the King DO? He will have my head for this – how will the Prince find his maiden without the slipper?” The Duke begins to panic over the news.

  I look to Cinderella, seeking her reaction. However, she has a small smile on her face.

  "Would this help, your grace?" Cinderella pulls the other glass slipper from her apron. The Duke leaps up in joy and quickly whisks Cinderella out to his waiting carriage. Neither look back and I cannot blame them. Drizella and Anastasia have paled at the sight, unable to comprehend much like myself. I walk to our front door and shut it in silence.

  "Back to your lessons, ladies. We will think of another plan, but we will need to do so quickly as it appears our scullery maid is to be Queen."

  Today is the day. Today, my daughters leave this shattered home for a fresh start. Courting during their season proved to be very difficult for Drizella and Anastasia. With their stepsister as the new Queen, word traveled fast about her humble beginnings, which did not fare well for us.

  Regardless of my past decisions that have led us to this point, I did what was best for my family. If people only knew MY beginnings, they would be less hesitant to toss such blame around. I did what had to be done. I made the difficult choices to ensure my family's survival. I live without regret and my daughters know the same.

  Both girls were accepted as governesses for two different wealthy families. I know they will be incredibly successful with these new positions after all the lessons I have provided. They will be paid generously, as well as provided with room and board. The two families were mutual acquaintances of their late father. It would seem Francis was of some use to his daughters after all.

  They are hesitant to leave me behind, but I assure them that I will be fine. I give them both long, warm embraces before they leave. In all my life, other than Claude, these two have been my only source of love. I have lived a productive life when I reflect back on it... but how sad a life without love really is.

  The girls choke back tears, and I dab my handkerchief at their cheeks to stop them. "I love you girls, and always will. I expect you both to succeed in life and live it to the highest extent. Think every decision out thoroughly before committing to it, and you will always make the right choice." I squeeze them both one last time before I send them on their way. I continue to watch as they near the distance.

  I go back inside my new prison that I am shackled to. I feel overwhelmed with today's events and decide to lay down for a bit. It is as if the years have caught up to me now that I am alone. I slowly make my way up the stairs towards my room. Suddenly, I can feel every ache and pain that I have ignored for so long. Who am I anymore? I think to myself.

  Before I can make it around the corner, I hear the faintest whisper. After everything I recently went through, I am not surprised the stress is catching up to me. I brush it off and continue towards my room, when I definitely hear something again. I swear I hear someone saying my name; a name I have not heard in many years.

  I turn around and look to either side of the hallway but to no avail. I look down the stairs and almost faint. It cannot be - I am dreaming, I say in my head. At the base of the stairs, I see a foggy image. It appears to me like a familiar cloud. As it materializes, I make out the shape and hear my name clear as day. Only one person has ever referred to me this way, so I know immediately.

  "Hello Vinia, it is so good to see you again, and to have you actually see me this time," I hear what looks like Claude say to me.

  "This cannot be. I am going mad! I really must get to bed or I will be the early death of myself, if I am not dead already!" I shout above my head to the ceiling.

  "Oh, sweet Vinia. Ever the skeptic still, I see," Claude chuckles.

  I warm at the sound of his laugh again. "Claude? How can this be? Why now?" I batter him with question after question.

  "My love, you have closed your heart off for so long and had your defenses so high. I have been unable to make you see me, although I have been with you every day in one way or another. The wind blowing through your hair, the sun kissing your cheeks - all me, my darling. Do not fret. I understand why you had to become the person you did, and I am here now to keep you with me," Claude explained.

  I could not keep my eyes away from him. Claude was here, practically in front of me, and I was lost for words.

  "Claude ... I have missed you so much," I begin to loudly sob and for once in all my years, I do not care who hears me. I fall to my knees and let years empty out of me. So much guilt, self-loathing, resentment... pouring out of me as I sob in front of Claude. This continues for quite some time before I almost fully exhaust myself. When I feel comfortable rising to my feet, I turn and address the "man" in front of me.

  "How can we be together now, my love? After all this time and our current situation... how does this work? How can you keep us together?" I ask of him.

  "Darling Lavinia, are you ready to begin a new adventure? The one we were destined for since we met? Do you trust me, and are you ready to leave your current life behind?" Claude suggests with the same devilish look he always had.

  "Claude, you look exactly the same, while I have aged. You could not possibly still wish to be with me."

  "Lavinia, what did I tell you? I will always choose you, and we will disappear together. Just say you will come with me, and be with me forever."

  I take one last look around. What did I have left here for myself? I have no family or friends left. My daughters have found their places in the world. I look back to him, and finally make a decision for myself. "Yes Claude, I trust you and I am ready for our adventure together. Tell me what I must do."

  "Simple my love, just jump into my arms and we will be off together forever." Claude says this like it is nothing, but my faith in him is restored to what we used to share.

  I study my surroundings. Ironic that it is now I at the top of some stairs leaping to the bottom. However, my fall is not for my demise but for my new beginning. I say a simple prayer for my girls and jump.

  As I fall, I feel my body changing. I am becoming lighter and can feel my youth returning. I gracefully land in Claude's arms and we embrace. God, I have missed him so! He smiles warmly at me, and I feel at home. I finally feel that all is right in this world.

  "Falling for you Claude is as easy now as it was then."

  I look back at the crumpled heap on the floor. Even my old self has a smile on her face.

  FIN.

  Mirror Mirror

  JM Schalm

  Chapter One

  I finally exhale the breath that feels like I’ve been holding it for years now as I look down on my company’s gorgeous showroom through my full length glass office wall. Elle Queen Designs has won Atlanta’s Leading Interior Design Company Award for the last three years. It’s been no small feat, but my team and I have worked our asses off to say the least. We deserve the title and we have the many sleepless nights to prove it.

  My name is Elle Simone Queen. I am the CEO of Elle Queen Designs located in the upscale and trendy Buckhead area of Atlanta. I own and run one of the most prestigious interior design companies, catering to our clientele locally and all over the wo
rld.

  My office door slams open and in walks my god of an assistant, Jenson Abbott. I love him and couldn’t live without him. He’s wearing a hot pink silk shirt paired with grey slim pants and brown Italian leather shoes that are to die for. “Watch the fucking door, ok? What if I had a meeting going on in here?”

  “Well, since I set up all of the Evil Queen’s appointments, I knew for a fact you didn’t.”

  Laughing at his nickname for me I say, “Jenson, you have to quit calling me that. What if someone else hears you?”

  “Elle, love, where do you think I heard it from?”

  “Just because I want everything a certain way doesn’t make me evil. Demanding- yes. I’m guessing my resting bitch face doesn’t help. But look at where we are now, so it’s worth it.”

  “Holy Shit, Elle. Your RBF is fierce- people are seriously scared of you! I mean you are a beautiful woman, but some of the looks you give these poor men have me thanking my lucky stars I’m gay.”

  “Jenson, is there a reason you are in here making my head throb? If so, get to the point.” He follows that up with blowing me a kiss!

  “Have you seen the newest edition of Interior Design Magazine yet? I wanted to warn you first because Emmelia Langston is coming for you- in her own words.”

  “Are you serious? Give me that magazine! Who does this little bitch think she is? I have worked years to achieve this!” I’m 36 years old, have sacrificed love and a family for this company. I will be damned if a 29 year old girl is taking my business down without a fight! “Thank you, Jenson. I need a few moments alone.”

  “Don’t forget you have the Children’s Hospital charity event at the Ritz tonight. Wear the red dress we got last month. Your ass looked amazing in it!”