Cinderella Undressed

By Mila Scott

A wicked twist to a classic tale! Instead of a fairy godmother, Cinderella is taken under the wing of an aging brothel owner named Hestia who advises her not to go for the dashing and beloved Prince of the land, but to aim a little higher and go for the king himself. Sick and tired of being mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters she agrees to try and seduce the infamously aloof king Xavier.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mila Scott
• Release date: Nov 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463029541

Book preview

Cinderella Undressed

A scandalous fairytale retelling...

MILA SCOTT

Copyright © 2019 by Mila Scott

All rights reserved.This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

CHAPTER 1

Arabella Belmonte's heart constricted with horror and mild panic as she sunk to her knees and surveyed the broken eggs on the paved market street. Her stepmother would not be pleased. Arabella reckoned that if she was lucky she would get away with only a simple tongue lashing for breaking the eggs, but from past experience she knew that her lot in life was to be mostly unlucky and she would likely receive a whipping and be made to sleep in the cold barn.

Despite herself, tears gathered in her eyes and she was unable to keep them from sliding down her cheeks. Are you alright? she felt a warm hand touch her shoulder gently.

Arabella lifted her head and faced the person addressing her. No, she shook her head despondently. I am royally fucked.

The Matronly looking woman looked at the broken eggs on the ground and tutted. It's just a few broken eggs dear, no need for tears, she said as she hooked her arm into Arabella's and helped her off the ground. There there...all will be well, the woman added comfortingly.

Arabella did not believe for a second that all would be well like the woman claimed, but she appreciated the kind words. Blinking back her tears bravely, Arabella forced a smile on her face. Thank you for helping me up, she said to the woman. Not in a particular hurry to get back home to explain what happened to the eggs to her stepmother and noting the heavy basket the kind lady was carrying, she took the basket from her hands. Let me help you, she said.

Thank you. It was getting rather heavy, she replied with some relief. I am Hestia Potts, she introduced herself. What's your name dearie?

I'm Arabella Belmonte, but you may call me Ella.

Ella, such a pretty name. It suits you, she complimented. I am still doing my shopping Ella...would you mind accompanying me? she asked with her big brown round eyes. I am an old woman you see, and I'm not as strong as I used to be. I need someone to help me carry my things.

Ella felt a little taken advantage of but she did not mind. I wouldn't mind at all, she replied demurely.

Splendid! Hestia said happily. Now come along, we have many things to buy, she said and walked ahead of Ella with a spring in her step.

Ella followed along silently as for nearly an hour the very talkative and animated Hestia took her from one shop to another, buying large quantities of perfumes, scented oils, rolls and rolls of fabrics such as silks, satin, lace, and linens. All the purchases were stuffed carefully into a large box that Ella carried.

Seeing her struggle, Hestia took the basket from Ella. Let me help you dear, she said to Ella's relief. But instead of carry the basket, Hestia piled it on top of the large box. There! she pronounced proudly. Now you can hold onto the box properly she said and then started to walk out of the shop they were in.

Where do you live? Ella asked, hoping she lived close by.

Just near the arm of Kallin, she said, referring to the little stream of water that branched off from the river Kallin.

Ella felt moisture gather on her forehead from her efforts, being no stranger to hard work, she was unbothered by it. But still, walking to Hestia’s would be hard.

Once they had left the market square and made the reasonably long walk back to Hestia's home, Ella was surprised when she saw the large structure before her. This is your home? she asked.

The older woman snorted. I guess in a way it is. I spend most of my time here...for work, she explained.

Are you the house keeper for the family that lives here? she asked as they approached the grand ornate door.

Hestia laughed outrightly at Ella. Do you not know what this place is? she asked in disbelief.

Ella shook her head, not seeing why she was an object of amusement.

Hestia pushed the large door and held it open for Ella. Come in and you will see what this place is, she said with a hint of wicked mischief in her voice. She wanted to see the look of shock on the guileless girl's face when she realised where she was.

Ella walked carefully, not wanting to slip on the shiny waxed floor and break the bottles of perfumes and oils in the box she carried. Where do you want me to put these? she asked.

Just leave them near the side of the door, my girls will take them upstairs, you've done enough.

Ella set the box and basket down and was relieved to no longer be carrying such a heavy load around.

Let's have a cup of tea together before you leave, Hestia said to her and then tugged at her arm.

Ella looked around and was in awe of the ornate ceiling and large Crystal chandelier. The place was grander than her father's house. Soon Ella found herself seated in a small parlour and talking to Hestia.

Are you new in town? This is the first time I have seen you at the market, Hestia said.

Oh no! I'm not new. I have lived here since I was born, Ella quickly corrected her.

Hmm...that's strange. This is the first time I have seen you since I moved here five years ago. I am sure I would have noticed a girl as pretty as you, Hestia mused.

Apart from doing the weekly shopping, I don't get out much. I have too much work to do at the house, she explained.

Why, your parents should be punished for hiding away a beauty such as yourself! Hestia declared.

I don't- Ella began to correct Hestia but was interrupted by a loud scream. She looked around curiously trying to determined the source of the scream but could not locate it.

You were saying? Hestia encouraged her to continue.

Oh umm...I don't have parents they both died. I do have a stepmother though and two stepsisters.

Hestia openly surveyed Ella from her worn out shoes to her threadbare dress. Where do you and your stepmother live? she suddenly asked.

We live in the house at the edge of the forest, Ella answered innocently.

Hestia raised her brows, she knew the house Ella spoke of but more importantly, she knew that it’s owner was the haughty Carolla Belmonte who lived there with her two daughters. She had no idea that the arrogant woman had a stepdaughter as well, it was no wonder she did not make the connection even after Ella had told given her her last name. I had no idea Carolla had a third daughter.

Like I said, I don't get out much, Ella said just before she was startle by another scream. Oh my goodness, what is that? she asked as she stood.

It's nothing, Hestia dismissed.

It didn't sound like nothing...it sounded like a woman getting hurt, Ella insisted.

It's only Celine.

Shouldn't you go check on her?

Hestia sighed, she had set out to shock the child in front of her before she got distracted by their little conversation, but this would work out just fine as well she thought. You're right, I should go check on her...we both should, she said.

Ella followed Hestia up the stairs and through a long hallway, as she walked she could hear moans and groaning coming out through the closed doors they passed. Are you taking care for sick people here? she asked, she was sure that was why she was hearing people moaning.

Just wait and see, Hestia said. She and Ella walked into a dark room and Hestia went and pulled down a curtain that was covering a wall and revealed what at first looked like a window. Step closer to the mirror, Hestia bid the now nervous Ella.

Ella got closer and her eyes widened to the size of saucers when she looked through the glass. She wasn't entirely sure what she was witnessing but she quickly averted her eyes and shut them tight but opened them again almost immediately when she heard another shriek.

What...what is going on? Is that man hurting her? she asked even as she stepped closer.

Just keep watching...does it look like he is hurting her? Hestia asked.

As Ella crinkled her brow and watched Celine get ravished by a man, Hestia wondered if the girl was as truly ignorant as she looked about carnal matters.

Ella's eyes were unblinking as she watched the man on the other side of the mirror thrust in and out of the petit black haired girl named Celine. It took her a few dazed moments but after catching a glimpse of the man's arousal she finally understood what was happening, she had seen the cows engaging in a similar activity of mating. With the fresh realisation she also realised that the dark haired woman was no screaming in agony but in pleasure. Oh my, she whispered as she suddenly felt an unfamiliar throbbing ache between her legs .

Ella snapped her head towards Hestia.Is this a brothel? she demanded.

Yes, Hestia answered with more than a little amusement, they were the most famous brothel in town and it baffled her that she hadn't already known.

Umm...I have to go, Ella said in a rush as her cheeks caught fire. Thank you for the tea Miss Potts. She quickly left the room and ran down the hall way. She needed to get out of Hestia's sinful establishment before anyone saw her...for the sake of her reputation.

Wait! Hestia halted her escape and caught up to her just at the top of the stairs.

Ella obediently stopped running and waited for Hestia to speak.

Here take this, Hestia said, pressing a few coins in Ella's hand. For all your help.

Ella shook her head and tried to hand the coins back to Hestia. I can't accept this.

Hestia refused to take the coins back and pushed Ella's hand away. When I found you, you were crying over some broken eggs. You could use that money to replace them, she suggested.

Ella heard another moan echo and she took one step down the stairs. Thank you, she said, accepting the money a bit nervously as images of what she had seen just a few moments ago flashed inside her head.

Seeing how uneasy Ella was, Hestia chuckled. She was sure she wouldn't see the young girl again and if she did, Ella would no doubt treat her with disdain now that she knew about her line of work, just like everyone else in the village. I'll walk you to the door, she offered and then walked down the stairs with Ella.

Do you service the men who come here also? Ella asked curiously, surprising herself with her bluntness.

No...I'm a little to old for that. I used to though, she said candidly.

Ella coughed awkwardly at Hestia's answer. You mean you used to work as a pros- she stopped herself quickly before the foul word could slide off her tongue.

Yes, I used to work as a prostitute, Hestia replied honestly and completely unashamed.

D-did you like it? Do the other women here love their...work?

Hestia laughed again. That dear...depends on who the client is.

I see, Ella said thoughtfully. Good day, she finally bid after a moment.

Ella ran back to the market as quickly as she could, she was already late getting back home but if she showed up empty handed her stepmother would be even more furious.

When Ella reached the vendor's stall she handed the money to Mr Garret in a hurry, practically shoving it at him. Twenty eggs please, she said breathlessly.

Mr garret looked at Ella apologetically. Sorry, I am all out.

All out? Ella asked confused as she looked around and saw that there was not an egg in sight. You had a mountain of eggs not too long ago.

I did but people from the palace came and bought them all, he said handing her back her money.

Selfish bastards! Ella muttered heatedly.

There is going to be a grand ball in honour of the Prince's twenty-fifth birthday, so I guess they will have a lot of cakes to bake, Mr garret supplied helpfully and then leaned into Ella to whisper to her confidentially. They are even going to invite a few of the prominent families from the village , and rumour has it that the Prince means to pick a bride on his birthday.

How wonderful for him, Ella said drily. The only other person she knew who sold eggs was Mrs Gaines, but her eggs were known to be mixed in with rotten ones. Many an unsuspecting customer had regretted the decision to buy from her, not seeing any other choice Ella decided that she would simply have to try her luck.

You're a real pretty one Ella, the prettiest girl in the whole village I dare say. I bet if you went to that ball the Prince would take one look at you and pick you to be his bride, Mr Garret said.

Ella smiled, Mr Garret was a nice man but he tended to give her more compliments that she actually deserved, he was a reputed over-praiser and people tended not to take him too seriously because of his exaggerations, but Ella always felt a little warmer on the inside whenever he gave her a compliment. Careful Mr Garret, one day I might actually believe you and grow a big head.

Bah! Mr garret dismissed. Pretty girls have every right to be big headed.

Good day, Mr Garret. Ella said politely and left.

When Ella got to Mrs Gaines stall she felt her heart plummet as she saw that she too did not have any eggs. What happened? she asked.

Palace people bought up all my stock, Mrs Gaines said with a shrug.

Ella's shoulders drooped in defeat, she was going to get it from her stepmother once she got home. But maybe, just maybe, her stepmother would go easy on her if she told her that there were no eggs in the market because the palace had bought them all. Her stepmother need not know that she had managed to buy eggs on her first try and broke them. Feeling more confident now that she had an excuse Ella walked back home.

You are late, Carolla said in a deceptively soft tone when Ella presented herself to her in the living room.

Ella wrung her hands nervously. I was looking for eggs all over the market, she said.

And yet here you are...without any eggs, Carolla said slowly, without taking her eyes off the teacup in her hand.

I couldn't find any, the palace bought all the eggs in the market, she rushed to explain. They are making preparations for the prince's birthday, she added.

Carolla finally lifted her eyes and fixed them on Ella. A birthday you say?

Yes.

Carolla clicked her tongue. If you had gotten to the market earlier you could have bought some before they were all gone. See what your laziness has cost us? What shall we have at breakfast tomorrow? she asked pointedly.

Umm...I'll think of something, Ella spoke demurely. So far her stepmother and not spoken of punishing her so maybe everything would work out.

If you say so Carolla said, swirling the tea in her cup. She had already lost interest in Ella. Now hurry along and get the laundry done, you've already wasted a lot of time at the market.

Ella nodded and rushed out of the room, she only let out a sigh of relief when she was out of her stepmother's sight.

Looking at the tall pile of clothes she was supposed to wash, Ella felt a deep exhaustion settle into her bones. She couldn't go on like this, always slaving away for her stepsisters and mother, not having a life or friends to speak of. It just wasn’t healthy.

She needed to leave, but before she did that she would have to secure some form of employment for herself. Finding employment would be hard for her for several reasons, the most prominent being that Carolla never let her out of the house beyond the usual weekly market trips, but even if she could work around it, she would still have to contend with the fact that hardly anyone was hiring. Ella was willing to work any job, she was not a lazy person by any means, despite Carolla's claims, but most families in town were not hiring maids or housekeepers, they simply couldn't afford such a luxury, those that could afford to hire her would want references, which she did not have. Ella had contemplated working as a shop girl but most shops were family run and did not employ outside help.

Ella's mind briefly flashed to Hestia's establishment, maybe she could...Ella blinked and dismissed the thought quickly, she was not yet that desperate, she would not dishonour herself like that.

CHAPTER 2

Cinderella! Matilde called out excitedly. Cinderella!

Ella sighed as she put down the dust pan and looked at her soot stained hands, Cinderella indeed...because that was all she had been reduced to.

Cinderella! her stepmother's more authoritative voice called out.

Ella ran down the steps, abandoning her task of cleaning up the upstairs fireplace and presented herself to her so-called family. Yes?