Page 288 of Naughty Nelle

“Dahling, come on now. Get in the moment. You can do it.”

I try again and almost topple over. Forget it! I can’t walk in them.

“Dahling, don’t give up.”

I force myself to take another step and then another. Yes! I’m doing it! I’m strutting in my killer heels and my LBD! In no time, I’m prancing like a cat.

The Emperor claps his hands with childlike glee. “I think I’m having a Cinderella moment.”

I’m not quite sure what he means, but who cares. I’m ready to go the ball!

But wait! There’s one little problem: how am I going to get there? The coach that took The Prince, Marcella, and Calla is long gone. I wish I had a pumpkin and a couple of mice handy so The Emperor could do some more Cinderella magic. My heart sinks. I guess I won’t be going to the ball after all.

“Dahling, stop worrying. They don’t call me a clothes horse for nothing.”

With one little jab of his magic wand, he magically transforms into a white stallion. My mouth drops. This is no ordinary horse. It’s a sparkling unicorn with wings. And it can talk!

Straight from the horse’s mouth come the words, “Dahling, time to PAR-tay!”

The equine emperor lies down, allowing me to mount him easily. Spreading his wings, Armando leaps to all fours and charges through an open window. I cling to his silky mane.

Holy crap! We’re flying!

So much for my not-so-fairy-tale life. I’m going to The Prince’s ball! As we eclipse the grinning moon, King Midas’s palace, the crown jewel of Lalaland, comes into view. That’s when reality throws a spear my way. I’m not going to your everyday fairy-tale ball. It’s going to be the wedding of all times. Generations will read about it. Forever and forever.

My sky-high joy takes a nosedive. The Prince is marrying Marcella!

So much for my fairy-tale life.

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