all was quiet at her father's Estate during the three days of mourning. Ella's father died in the morning. his body was in the mourning room, Ella was cleaning up the living room, Parlor, stairs, and Guest rooms for father's closest friends, Cohorts, and business associates.
Ella had met them all and knew them by name and face. she was hard at work mopping sweeping and polishing. after all mother and her sisters were in the kitchen The funeral feast and hosting father's Friends and family as well.
she checked in the mirror to make she was Presentable, the black ribbon in her hair was held in but her Curls were loose. she had re-fixed her hair by re-curling the Curls with her fingers and smacking away the Dustin and dirt off her black dress with Silvery Gray trim, she took another look at herself in the mirror before she covered it up. she jumped a bit at the Sudden sound of knocking.
she put her mourning Veil on and opened the door. it was her father's friend, Adelaide he was a tall man with dark brown hair and brown eyes, his nose was a bit Pronounced with a bit of a hump, his jawline was strong and handsome, he wore a black three-piece men's suit with Black loafers, black gloves, and black cravat. it was sad not seeing him in His usually Bright and Sunny attire but Ella knew he was just showing Respect for her father and his best friend.
He held his hand to her and she took it. He lead her to the parlor and sat on a couch nearby. " My condolences Ella... One so young should not have to suffer losing a father... "
Ella nodded but was quiet for a while. " Thank you, uncle Willard, for your kind words and for coming to show respect for my father's memory " he looked at her with sad eyes and hugged her. " Ella... You're eight years old ... You don't have to pretend to be an adult just yet ... " She didn't even realize she was crying before she heard herself sob. " I miss him so much uncle will..." he pulled Elle in for a hug, she pulled herself deeper into his embrace and sobbed more. she missed her father deeply. she wiped her eyes, nodded at him, and let go when she heard someone knock on the front door. she ran to the door and opened it to give a greeting. as more and more guests came for the funeral.
Elle had repeated the same greeting as before. she and her family were all given condolences for their loss.
her stepmother had held her and Consoled her when the dark of night hung over the manor. all Guests that came over today were going to stay for two nights as expected. " shhhhh Ella it's ok... please try to sleep... " She grabbed on tight to her mother. she was scared to fall asleep. what if she had a nightmare? father wasn't here to scare them away... she held on till eventually, she was able to fall asleep.
her stepmother pried herself away from the child's grasp. as she left the child's room and walked the dark hallway to her room to let out an annoyed sigh and walked in and locked to door behind her. " you just have to deal with the child a bit longer, Madonna. and once all these halfwits leave, you can deal with Ella for a bit longer. " She sat down at her vanity table and undid her hair and took off her makeup and applied lotions to her face. " And once she's out of the picture and I'll finally have the money for me and my girls and we'll finally have the life we deserve. after all, that brat doesn't need that money. she can get married to someone, and she can use her looks to fool some poor sod into taking care of her. "
When she was done she walked to her bed and slept for the night, dreaming of the life she'd have soon, without her husband and Ella.
The next morning the lady of the house fixed her hair and makeup and put on that Hideous black dress and Veil. She got ready and walked down to breakfast with her children, Ella, and Guests waiting for her. " morning to you all " they greeted her back and nodded To her. Lady Tremaine nodded back and sat down at the head of the table. she didn't notice the looks the other adults around the table were giving her.
as soon as the children were done eating and left the room is when they decided to strike, the first to strike Was Caroline hawkethrone. " we're so sorry for your loss Madonna " Lady Tremaine reared back her head as though she had been struck. her face showed the shock she was Experiencing. " what?... "they let the Question hang in the air Before they continued. " are you all right Madonna? " Lady Hawthorne continues. " Did you hit your head and forget your name? " Molly adele asked this time. " she must be more grief than we thought. " Molly said, she gave Lady Tremaine a sad look.
she looked them all in the eyes, Her face still showed shock but you can see a little bit of panic in her eyes before she got up from her seat and left leaving them all in the Dining room. molly let out a Laugh as soon as she knew that lady Tremaine was gone " haha did you see her leave! She looked like a dog with its tail tucked between its legs. " Molly Happily began to eat her breakfast. " Molly Don't say such a thing, A dog is far more respectable than her. " Willard Adelaide said with a grin. lady hawkthrone let out a sigh. " Thomas must have truly been desperate to marry that. "
Molly sat one her elbows and Look at them with a smirk." Not to mention that Thomas never adopted There's too hideous daughters of hers, their only family by marriage. And now that Thomas is gone well the note really family are they she's no the true lady Tremaine " everyone laughed because it was true. She probably didn't know and by the time she Figures it out, ella will be lady Tremaine. As is her right.
Lady Tremaine was Boiling with anger, how dare they look down on her. she was the head of the family now. she was lady Tremaine! she was in charge and this was her house! she Slunk back into her room for the rest of the day.
after the three day's wake was over and everyone had left, lady Tremaine went about her day. Pretending to be in the throes of grief. after a good bit of time, she stops wearing black and started to wear red and silvery purple. her Drizella and Anastasia were doing the same. wearing their normal greens and pinks while Ella was still wearing black. she rang for a maid to fetch her some tea while she plotted her next move.
maybe after some time, she put Ella to work around the house a bit to make her a more Desirable wife.