She took years to make and in all but moments , she was shattered.

*****

"Cindy, if you are trying to push me off the bench, it isn't working. It's giving me quite the 'edge of the seat' experience, though." Hazel said.

"Sorry." Cindy said, fiddling with the rings on her fingers, nervously.

" Cindy, stop squirming."

" I am not, you are!" Cindy snapped.

" Why not !" Hazel sighed.

The students in the music room chattered nervously, rehearsing their bits for the impending test. Their instructor, Madame Evelyn was not someone who they would like to cross. This was a most difficult task, as it turned out that she was extremely easy to offend.

" Bonjour , descendants." said Madame.

" Bonjour, Madame." the students chanted.

"A glass chalice will be placed in front of you. You succeed when a crack appears on the glass."

Agitated whispers echoed through the hall.

Almost cruelly , Madame Evelyn , called out the girl who looked the most giddy of them all (which wasn't Cindy, surprisingly)

The girl started off with a quavering voice and it took Madame a few seconds to send her away.

" Young lady , I can assure you that with that beginning, you will never reach the C ."

The remarks never stopped, in fact, they got more and more severe, with every examinee.

"Good gracious ! You are utterly discordant. Leave my sight, right now please !"

" I wouldn't call this singing . Bawling would be precise."

Finally, Cindy was summoned.

" Good luck !" Hazel whispered. Cindy nodded.

She walked up to the chalice and straightened her spine. Her eyes were firmly shut. Taking a deep breath, she began.

The notes were like the waves of an ocean of melody. They descended and ascended, gently. They brought along relief and melancholy. They seemed to unite the rhythm of each breath, each heart beat.

They slowly transcended. They rose and rose till they consumed every corner of the room. As they peaked, Hazel was deprived of her senses.

The applause deafened her , the next instant. Madame Evelyn wore a proud smile.

"Satisfactory." she announced.

Cindy gasped. She met Hazel's eyes and smiled with pure joy and accomplishment.

Their gazes fell down, almost together, to the chalice.

It was broken into small pieces. Completely shattered.

********

The doors closed with a thud, as the white robed ones all entered the hall.

Their aim was to provide peace. But now , it all seemed ironical.

For at that point of time , they were the wielders of utmost trepidation ; they carried fear on their brow, for they knew what was impending.

" For peace and greater good." they pledged and sat down soundlessly in their respective seats.

" Good Morning , Royal Council ." Fiona , the eldest daughter of Beauty said , " Thank you for being present here at such a short notice and pardon me for the inconvenience caused. I am to reveal something deeply concerning to this Council."

Their eyes met each other with identical nervousness.

She inhaled deeply , "Our land is in grave danger , more so than ever. Our most prized possession , the spirit of our land , has been taken away from us ." She paused. " The Mirror of Reality has disappeared from the royal palace ."

Gasps and shrieks of horror filled the court.

"Silence! Our duty is to get to the root of this. We must not lose clarity. All hope is not lost. We can find it."

A lady got up from her seat.

" Madame Rosalind , do you have something to say ?" asked Fiona.

" Pardon me , Princess but what you say seems quite impossible to me. Don't we all know that the Mirror has one of the strongest wards in existence , the protection of the spirits of the purest of hearts itself ?"

" You are right , Madame, but I speak the truth. The impossible has happened. The Mirror is nowhere to be found. There is only one plausible explanation for this . Perhaps , it is finally upon us ."

" I agree with you, Princess Fiona, but it is common knowledge that evil cannot work without a host . A strong host cannot ever get past the wards , let alone touch the mirror ." Rosalind said.

" Yes. This is the job of a traitor. It is one among us. Someone who has not been possessed completely." a lady with silver grey hair and ageing lines on her face, said.

Fiona considered this . " Princess Carolina , I am afraid that you are right. There seems to be no alternative explanation. However , if anyone would like to propose something..."

She gazed at the twelve others expectantly and was met by nods of agreement.

" Well , then ..."

" I know who the traitor is."

All the heads turned towards the person who had spoken.

Fiona sighed. Every so often, mistakes can happen in choosing members of the Council. Princess Marilyn was an example.

" Yes, Princess."

" It is a descendant of Cinderella."

" You can keep your ideas to yourself ! You need not bring your prejudice and folly to the Council. " This came from a Cinderellian , who need not always be jolly.

" Please , silence ! And on what basis have you come to this decision , Princess Marilyn ?" Fiona asked.

"I saw her ... the girl who is the head of the descendants of Cinderella at the chateau."

" Princess ! If you are referring to Cindy, let me tell you that she has been absolutely loyal to us and served us without hesitation, on many occasions ."

Glances of surprise travelled to the other corner of the table. After all , this was the first time , Princess Snowflake had raised her voice on someone. Her gaze was wild, challenging Marilyn into a duel.

Marilyn gained confidence and continued,

"Are you suggesting that what I saw was wrong , an illusion , perhaps ? On the very night of the reported theft, I saw Cindy coming out of the palace. Her mannerisms were suspicious."

" Did you not take any action ?" Fiona asked.

Marilyn's cheeks flushed. " Er...I called upon the guards to look into the matter, but she had disappeared, by then."

" I think I saw Cindy leave chateau earlier that night but , her face was hidden from my view , so I could not be too sure." Rosalind said.

" If you didn't see her face, Madame, how can you be so sure that she was Cindy ? It could very well be an imposter. " Snowflake said.

" It only seems fitting , Princess Snowflake." Marilyn smiled almost evilly at her. The argument was in her hands.

"You did not see her leave with the Mirror, Princess. You have no clear evidence against her. She is innocent ." Snowflake said.

" The evidences point towards her , Princess Snowflake. Besides, it is not you who declares a person guilty or innocent. That is for the Council to decide. You do have a vote to voice your opinion."

" Yes. We must take a vote right now." Snowflake said.

" Those who believe the accused to not be guilty ?"

A mere number of hands shot up.

" Those who suspect the accused of guilt ?"

The majority.

" Madame Rosalind , you are responsible for detaining Cindy and bringing her forth for her trial. The statements of the witnesses and the proofs presented will be deliberated upon . After the trial , a verdict will be passed. The Council is dismissed."

*******

A / N

Before u all kill me , let me tell you why this amazing person couldn't update fast as promised .

a) there's this jerk called Time which has no mercy on me .

* Work , work , work !! You think i'll wait for u ? Aww , you are adorable love !*

b.) I work really hard to achieve perfection . I just CAN'T publish anything that doesn't seem right to me . One flaw , folks ..one !

c.) *Bookworm is a plodder . She needs a push to walk ahead .* If you like what Bookworm writes , then you vote and comment . Okay ? Okay .