The sound of running footsteps startled Cinderella. She whipped about and ran for her chamber, terrified. She hadn't permission to leave. Would they put her in the dungeon? She reached her chamber, panting, the exact moment Esmeralda emerged into the corridor, tears streaming down a face flushed and contorted with anger.
Not an attractive sight by any means. Cinderella peered around her red-headed sister, but she was alone. Defiance crept over Cinderella and she drew herself up, squared her shoulders. Storming to her room and slamming the door in Esmeralda's face warred with curiosity as to what could possibly have warrant this unexpected visit.
After a moment Cinderella realized that Esmeralda's distress was so complete she had not realized she must have gotten herself lost.
Cinderella assessed Esmeralda in a silent cool countenance, something she would never have braved in the past.
"What are you doing here?" Esmeralda snapped. Her haughty effect was ruined by an unfeminine sniff.
Keeping her expression carefully neutral, a wicked pleasure stole over Cinderella while she basked in Esmeralda's flushed appearance. The impulse to retort back, however, subsided as long habits of passiveness prevailed.
A lengthy pause ensued before Cinderella's shoulders dropped and she let out a long, tired sigh. Cinderella surprised herself by asking, "Why do you cry so?"
"What do you care? You should take thrill in my misery." Her distress so absolute and out of character, Cinderella could not help but feel some pity, especially in light of Stepmama's recent lashing out from their recent journey.
She took Esmeralda by the shoulders and guided her inside the bedchamber, pushing her none too gently into the overstuffed chair. She even went so far as to dampen a cloth from the sideboard. With an unhurried stroll back to Esmeralda, she handed it over. "Here, cool your face. Your suffering is quite obvious."
Esmeralda's glance remained suspicious but she complied without comment, breath ragged, eyes watchful. Cinderella perched on the end of the bed, and crossed one leg over the other. She studied Esmeralda with an unnatural boldness.
Her sister's heart-shaped face and straight nose turned up at the end weren't so unattractive, Cinderella decided. Even the full mouth appeared generous when not in its constant scowl. Rich copper locks fell, disarrayed across her smooth complexion.
"You know, Essie, you are quite pretty when your manner is not so scornful."
"Scornful!" Esmeralda's face puffed up as she flashed her eyes at Cinderella.
Cinderella curled her fingers appearing to study her chipped nails, yet in reality, dared not take her attention from Esmeralda "Mais oui. Wicked. Unrestrained. Morally decrepit. Though, I speak in regards of human decency toward others."