Cinderella slept fitfully. Her room was far larger than she was used to. The soft blankets and bed helped calm her... a little, but the unfamiliarness of the room made her uneasy and her sleep erratic.

She dreamed of a castle dark and mysterious. It was empty except for her. She wandered the halls aimlessly with no directions just to go forward.

"Beast." She mumbled. She didn't know why but she kept seeing his face in her dream. Something in the castle was calling to her but she couldn't figure out who or what it was. She new it was important but she couldn't grasp what it was or why it was important. She searched for it but kept getting distracted. The closer she got the more jumbled her mind felt. She turned a corner and stopped. The pull was strong. She stared down a long corridor and at the end was a closed door. She felt a pull to go towards the door but no matter how many steps forward she took she did not get any closer to it. She continued on trying to go to the door and she felt the pull grow stronger. Slowly she made progress forward. She kept going until she was in front of the door. She reached out her hand to turn the knob and

A knock came from the door. Cinderella woke with a start. The knock wasn't in her dreams but at her bedroom door. Sun streamed through a crack between the curtains. It was well into the morning far longer than Cinderella had slept in years. She shook her head slightly to clear her mind from her dream and come back to reality.

"Mademoiselle? Good morning. Are you awake?" Called Lumiere from behind the door.

"My dear I have hot tea and breakfast for you." Cooed Mrs. Potts.

"Et hem. Mademoiselle. Would you be so kind as to let us in?" Asked Cogsworth. The three of them talked quietly behind the door Cinderella couldn't tell what they were saying. She put on a robe that had appeared on the foot of the bed and opened the door.

"Good morning" She said. Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, and Cogsworth filed in the room.

"How did you sleep dear?" Asked Mrs. Potts as she poured tea into a cup.

"I slept.. okay." She said and picked up the tea cup. "Thank you."

Not convinced by her answer Lumiere asked "Was the room not to your liking?" Cogsworth looked anxiously toward Cinderella.

"The room is lovely. Far bigger and grander than I am used to." She looked down convicted. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to talk badly about my home. It just... I'm not used to just lavish accommodations."

The three objects exchanged a glance. "Well now you don't have to worry about that." Said Mrs. Potts encouragingly. "Well now, there is lots to do today. After you eat breakfast and get dressed we will give you a tour of the castle and get you better settled in."

"Your not sending me back?" Cinderella asked a little surprised.

"No Mademoiselle. Master said you could stay." Lumiere said.

"I never sleep so late. It won't happen again. I will make sure I serve you well." Said Cinderella dully with not emotion.

"No, you don't understand. Your not staying to be a maid. No one sends a note and expects their orders to be followed. I run this castle" Cogsworth said rambling.

"Et hem." Chimmed Lumiere. Cogsworth paused.

"Oh yes, Master is Master of course. But I am in charge of running the household. You my dear are not staying as a maid. Your stepmother may be important where you used to live but her she has no power over you or this castle."

Cinderella smiled and showed a she was relieved.

"Well now that that's sorted. We will let you get ready."

They left the room so Cinderella could get dressed. She ate a biscuit from the tray they had brought with them and got dressed. Life was looking up for the first time in a long time.