My take on a combination of "Cinderella" and "Beauty and the Beast". It's kinda dark and rated M for a reason. This is my first fanfiction. I do not have beta but I appreciate constructive criticism and if you're interested in being my beta reader please send me a message. also be warned this story will contain dark themes including dubious consent at first, mild bestiality (depending on your definition of the word though I don't think so)
Anna Marie stared at her reflection in the clear pond, the purple color around her eye growing darker with each passing moment. Her face was blank, emotion buried so deep she wondered if she even had the ability to feel anymore.
"Belle," Anna looked up in response to a childhood nickname, "again?" Anna didn't bother to respond to her half sister's question. Crystal like tears cascaded down perfect cherub cheeks making Anna look away in slight discomfort.
"Why does mother do this to you?" Anna only shrugged and looked back at the pond. For half sisters they looked remarkably alike. Both had chestnut wavy hair though Anna's was clearly unkempt and knotted unlike her sister's. Clear beautiful skin but while Margret's was pale and porcelain like, Anna's was a few shades darker from hours spent working in the garden. Both where curvy with an hourglass figure, though Margret's was fuller with obvious health while Anna was much more slender and slightly frail. The biggest difference between the girls was the color of their eyes, Anna was a muted teal color while Margaret had beautiful azure eyes that shone with laughter. Margaret was 5'3" and Anna stood at 5'5" but from a distance they looked almost exactly alike.
"I miss daddy," Margaret sighed sitting next to her older sister.
"I miss your father too." Anna admitted softly a slight pang in her chest triggered at the memory of the only person who had ever treated her like a person, other than her sister that was. When Anna Marie was almost one years old, she lost her father, Jacob Emmett Lawrence to a bandit trying to rob him on the road. Michael Caleb Johnson married her mother the following year and little Margaret Elizabeth Johnson had followed almost exactly nine months later. As years passed Rose Marie began to become increasingly neglectful of her older daughter, in favor of her younger one. Anna had been hurt by the neglect but she had Michael to fill in the gap created by the loss of her father and absence of her mother. He'd been the one to nickname her Belle. On Anna's 11th birthday Michael succumbed to sudden chest pain, turning her happy day into her worse nightmare. The grand estate her family lived on soon became a prison for young Anna as her once simply neglectful mother turned into a full blown tirent, tormenting an already grieving child. Seven long years passed seeing Anna moved from her beautiful room and dresses to a cot in the kitchen and rags to wear, with only the dying embers of the kitchen fires to keep her warm at night.
Margaret studied her elder sister in silence, she often wondered just what Anna had done to make their mother hate her so much but for the life of her she had no idea what to make of it. To Margaret, Mother was always kind and dotted on her. She got anything she wanted but had learned early she shouldn't ask about Anna. Rose Marie would get very quiet then lock Margaret in her room for hours, only to come back later and pretend nothing had happened, depending on what she did sometimes it was for much longer. It was only times like that Margaret was scared of the woman who had given birth to her.
"I have chores Maggie, I got to go," Margaret only nodded as her sister got up dusting off the old but tidy dress.
"Okay Belle," Margaret got up as well and followed her sister out of the gardens. They soon parted ways; Anna heading to the service entrance and Margaret to the taress to join her mother for afternoon tea.
Anna shook her head at her sister's boldness knowing very well if their mother discovered them hanging out both girls would be punished. Anna had little care for her own safety but she hated when Margaret got locked away sometimes for days after associating with Anna. She would sneak food to her little sister against her mother's orders because Anna refused to allow Margaret to suffer over much. Despite their mother's efforts the girl's were quite close, maybe because of Michael, maybe because they looked so much alike, no matter what it was Maggie helped Anna feel again.
"Where have you been?" Cook's harsh voice broke through the noise of the busy kitchen silencing the servants at work there. No one said a word as Augusta Ellen Host bore down on Anna who had just passed the threshold. Anna knew better then to respond, she didn't lie and the truth would get her in more trouble than silence.
"So the princess is too good to talk to a humble servant is she?" Cook sneered at the girl who didn't so much as flinch. It wasn't that Anna thought she was better, far from it but she had no desire to add another bruise to the shiner her mother had issued earlier. Anna noticed the moment Cook zeroed in on her left eye and she could see pity flash in the older woman's eyes before it was quickly gone.
"Pot duty should teach you some respect," She nodded to the girl signaling she could leave. Anna retreated gratefully to the small room at the back of the kitchens used both for cleaning the large pots utilized by the kitchen staff and as her bedroom.
"Hello Trolley," She greeted the large black cat sitting on the small kitchen window sill, her fat body clearly to big for the space but by some miracle she was able to keep balance. The cat glanced at Anna and purred softly but didn't move clearly enjoying the sun. Anna hummed to herself as she heated the cleaning water and prepared the sink. All too soon Anna completed the large stack of dishes, regretfully she returned to the main kitchen to inform Cook that her chore was completed. Cook glanced into the room verifying that Anna told the truth but it was unnecessary, she had never heard the girl utter a single lie.
"Alrighty then, Young Miss has retired to her room with a headache so you may take her dinner up to her." Anna almost smiled, Cook knew the girls were close and helped her see her sister as often as possible but not a single person knew that. Cook was a big softy even if she had a lot of bluster. The servants were terrified but Anna knew better.
"We have a party to serve get to moving!" Cook announced to the staff effectively dismissing Anna to her next chore. Anna picked up the silver tray and made her way up the servant stares that excited near her sisters room. She refused to look left as she made her way to her sister room, ignoring what once had been the door to her own room.
"Miss," She called not wanting her mom to happen by and hear her being too familiar with her younger sister. Maggie answered almost immediately, tears streaking her face putting Anna instantly on guard.
"Whats the matter? Why are you crying?" Anna demanded as Maggie let her into the room. Anna put the food on her vanity only to have an official looking document shoved into her hands.
"Mother gave me this today." Maggie said before throwing herself onto her bed.
Anna quickly read the letter in her hands:
Madame Rose Marie Johnson,
Your eligible daughter(s) of marriageable age is/are invited to three Royal Masqued Balls celebrating his majesty's Twenty-First Birthday.
October 7th
October 8th
October 9th
On the 9th the King will select a wife to take as Queen of the Realm and Empress of the Royal Iles
This is a Royal decree, you and your daughter's presence will be expected.
His Royal Majesty,
King Adam Reginald Edward LeFaye
Adam Reginald Edward LeFaye
"Oh," was all Anna could say glancing over at her sister. At sixteen Maggie was definitely old enough to get married.
"She wants me to woo and marry the Beast," Maggie's wail was muffled by her pillow but Anna was worried that it might draw some unwanted attention. Fear gripped Anna's heart at the idea of "The Beast" getting his hands on her sister. Everyone knew there was something dark and wrong about the King. No one who lived outside the castle could ever remember laying eyes on the King. Even his guards, who did enter the village, seemed wrong and other worldly. Many dark rumors circled the town that the king was ugly and deformed earning him the name "The Beast". Mother's used him as a threat to scare their children and old people made signs to ward off evil every time they crossed paths with a soldier or even came too close to the castle.
"Sh, Maggie we will both be punished if you don't calm down," Anna admonished her sister sitting next to her on the bed. Maggie stopped almost instantly at her sister's words, she didn't want to make her mother any angrier than she already was with her.
"Oh Anna, what will I tell William?" Anna nodded absently at her sister's words as plans flashed through her mind. William actually might be a big help, at 17 the boy was already and earl because he was the only male on his mother's side and would soon inherit a dukedom as his father was very sick and had been managing his father's estate with the help of a Stewart for almost three years. While he was young and at the shock of most traditionalists William loved Maggie absolutely and until this summons her mother had been thrilled with the match.
"Why didn't your father set up a marriage contract with them? Then you wouldn't be considered eligible." Anna asked staring at her sister.
"Daddy wanted me to have a choice but Mother won't give me one." Maggie sniffed moving to lay her head on her sister's lap.
"I know for a fact that your dowry is in your name so Mother can't hold it over your head. Also I have an idea." Maggie perked up her puffy eyes now sparkling.
"What?" Maggie asked her voice filled with hope making Anna's heart almost stop, her sister had so much faith in her.
"We will have to get William's help." Anna cautioned
"Don't worry, William will be as upset as I am, he will definitely want to help." Maggie said with such conviction and for the first time in a long time Anna felt jealous. To be so sure of some one's love that you know without a doubt they would do anything for you.
"So I think that I should go in your place," Anna stated with more confidence than she actually felt. Before Maggie could yell Anna quickly covered her sister's mouth affecting effectively muffling an impressive screech.
"Think about it, it's perfect, just listen. Mother has always had me get you ready for events because she can't find a single maid who can do hair better than I can. Instead of getting you ready I will just wear your dress and mask. If we take the heels off your shoes then I would be the same height as you in them." For the first time in a long time Anna started to feel excited about something. Maggie wanted to protest but seeing her sister's eyes so alive after such a long time stopped her short.
"How does Will fit in?" Defeat clear in her voice and Anna excepted her sister's resignation with grace.
"Well on the third night while we are out the ball you and Will can elope, by then the King will have picked a bride so you won't be breaking his law, you could simply say you've had a secret engagement. Mother will go along with it at that point because she will want to save face." Anna felt very accomplished at her idea, a big smile plastered to her face, while she did look beautiful Maggie also thought she looked almost unnatural.
"After we marry I will talk Will into letting you come stay with us, and then you can take your place back in the world you belong in." Maggie declared with such finality that Anna didn't argue. She knew once her mother found out it was unlikely Anna would live long enough to taste freedom again.
