A Mask

“What?” The ethereal woman stared at Estella, one eye twitching.

“It isn’t that I’m ungrateful,” Estella went on, holding out the glass shoes further. “But, well, no one is really going to see them anyway. A mask is far more practical.”

It was beyond presumptuous, she knew that, and her stomach churned. Already, she had made a request, one that had nearly given the fairy heart failure.

Black. To distract from the dirt beneath her nails, the circles under her eyes. A magical gown was a gift like no other, but it didn’t change the massive workload, the crack-of-dawn mornings, and weary late nights.

And so, layers of black satin and velvet engulfed her, black irises and golden stars trimming its wide neckline and full sleeves, silver threads of art deco cobwebs cascading downward, tiny beetle wings winking at her hem. Like wearing a midnight garden.  

“But you need shoes!” the fairy stammered. “I conceded on the gown, that was logical, I agree. But you cannot dance the night away barefoot!”

“True.” Estella said, setting the shoes on the ground. “But, there won’t be any ‘dancing the night away’ if someone recognizes me. And I’d rather not spend the whole evening sneaking around the edges of the room. Though, no guarantees I won’t end up hovering in the corner by the food. I’ve heard the palace chefs are geniuses,” she chuckled.

The fairy’s frame sagged, sparks dripping out of her wand, then rallied. “But what about finding your true love? How will he seek you out in the morrow if you wear a mask?”

“True love?” Heat clamored up Estella’s neck, her stomach twisting, an embarrassed giggle spilling out.

She cleared her throat, gladly embracing reality.

Her? Find love? Among the nobility?

“All the more reason for a mask.”

Cinderella retelling, historical fantasy, fairy godmother mistake, fairy tale retelling, fairy tale twist, fairy tale flash fiction author, by SM Jake