Short Story - Cinderella - Grant Eagar

Head of a women by Leonardo Davinci

To order my books:

 Angelica: The Princess and the Pig  

Henry and Sophie: A Steampunk Adventure 

Sheila the Vampire: Dancing with the Enemy

Cinderella

Prompt:

"Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness.It took me years to understand that this was a gift."Mary Oliver

The teenage girl looked at the mop bucket full of grey water with a few dying soap bubbles still floating in place. She thrust her hand into the tepid water and retrieved a scrub brush. Shaking the extra water off she resumed her attack on the sludge that covered the stone slate floor.

            The large manor house would have been considered a fortunate abode if she did not have to clean its vast halls by hand. But alas it was her lot to assist the servants since money could not be spared for additional help. The family’s fortune was being spent to provide Anastasia and Drusilla; her stepsisters, the proper attire of fine ladies. They were officially out in society and must now act the part. 

            She shifted on the floor to ease the throbbing pain in her knees and in her back. She glanced up and was startled by loud pounding at the front door. Raymond, their butler, briskly walked up to the door as if he was expecting someone. He opened the door wide and a rabble ran past him into the great hall.

            Her stepmother and her stepsisters rushed from the parlor where they were having a tea. ‘What is the meaning of this?” demanded her stepmother.

            “How dare a rabble of fools come in such a state!” yelled Drusilla.

            Anastasia smirked. “Now off with you the lot of you before we call the watch. Raymond, throw these black-guards out!”

            The butler smiled a thin smile. “My ladies, I no longer work for you." He then glanced about, "This place will now be free of your tyranny.” Then turning to the mob he added, "These are the women I spoke to your about."

            The leader of the band smiled a toothy grin. “Long live the French Revolution.  Because of the injustices of the aristocracy the poor are rising up and taking what is theirs and you my dear ladies are going to that prison that you so richly deserve. Let them eat cake indeed.”

            The three women were then grabbed and led away. As they walked past Cinderella Anastasia pointed at her stepsister and said, “She, she is our sister, if we are going to prison she should go as well.”
            Cinderella cocked an eyebrow. "Sister? If I was your sister, would I be scrubbing the floor while you had tea? If I was your sister would I be dressed in rags while you are dressed in silk? Sister indeed!" 

            The leader glanced at the girl kneeling on the floor in rags with a brush in her hand then back at Anastasia. “You demand your maid serve you in prison as well?  Be assured that this poor girl will never have to do your bidding again. Now off with you.”  
          After they had left the butler approached the girl, who was still knelling on the floor. He reached out a hand and gently raised her to her feet. "Mistress, the manor is now the property of its rightful owner." He nodded at her then gave her a bow.   



This prompt brought the question to my mind, what would Cinderella's life be like during the french revolution and the reign of terror? Let me know what you think. grantswritingstuff@gmail.com