A/N: So, this was literally the only thing I was inspired to write.
FIY I do know that my image of dresses in fairytales is warped, just go with it okay? I liked it better this way.
Once Upon a Time,
Long ago, in a far away land, there lived a young prince who was sent away by his father, to live with his cousins, for reason unknown to the boy. His cousins, young and fair, lived elaborate lives, as young heirs and heiresses should.
There was Prince Perseus, the eldest of the cousins, and soon to be king of his province. There lived Princess Hazel and her siblings Prince Nico and Princess Bianca. And of course, the young boy who was in fact, Prince Jason.
It seemed that this was a time of great joy. A time of splendid and remarkable love stories. Romance, seems to define this era.
It was quite a remarkable tale, the story of Prince Perseus and his bride, Princess Annabeth. For the two had grown up together, always promised to one another. Their love had grown as nature had intended. Pure. Whole. Eternal.
But their story is not to be told.
There is the story of Princess Thalia running off on the day of her wedding to the young Prince Luke, for whom caused the uproar between the two kingdoms. A story which resulted in the Prince spending day and night for several months searching, until he happened upon her, and their love began.
Their story is worn thin, and is not to be told again.
Another such love story was that of the youngest Princess Hazel, and her beloved. Lord Frank, son of the highest officer in the royal armies. For it was their love that almost turned to tragedy. Lord Frank's father was not always a part of the royal guard. He was once an enemy to the crown, loyal to his own country, wishing to overthrow the kingdom that had disgraced his own. Even after Princess Thalia and Prince Luke were wed, the two kingdom's found themselves on the brink of war. But the young lovers, Frank and Hazel, brought the two kingdoms together, and married young.
Again, it is not their story we will tell.
We could tell the story of the Royal Smithy's son falling in love with the isolated, Princess Calypso. She who was held captive in her own palace, for her father's fear of losing his own power. It was Smith Master Leo who brought her to freedom and proclaimed her the true heir.
It seems, however, that this is not our story either.
No, the story we must tell is the story of Prince Jason. Heir to the throne, rumored to be the most humble of his cousins, even as he would someday rule over all of them. He was the most sought after prince, as he had always been eligible in the eyes of the people. Girls would swoon at the very thought of him, determined to make him theirs.
We shall open our story on a day of utmost importance. The day our young prince discovered the reason behind his being sent away by his father, on the day that fate would be set in its stone.
Prince Jason, only fourteen years of age, was in his sword play lesson, in the gardens of his Uncle's palace. Prince Perseus and Prince Nico sat by jeering the boy, laughing, and teasing him with every blow to their instructor. Prince Jason walked toward his cousins after his session had ended.
"Don't the two of you have something better to do?" He asked smoothing back his sweat soaked hair, though it made no difference to its close cropped cut.
"Oh, cousin, we never miss a chance to harass you." Prince Perseus assured him.
"I'm certain a sixteen year old has nothing better to do." Jason rolled his eyes teasingly.
"I'm not yet sixteen, don't treat me as your elder now. You'll waste what little humor you had to begin with by then." Percy returned.
"I came along just to see if you'd get your head bashed in again." Prince Nico folded his arms and sent him a teasing smile.
"It happens twice and suddenly it's a common occurrence." Jason sighed. He really had been upset with himself on that account.
"Come now, cousin." Percy took Jason by the shoulders, "We must be positive with these failings of ours, especially when the most desired of the royal family, royally screws up." The two princes laughed as Jason huffed deeply.
"Thanks guys, you are really true friends." The trio laughed until their tutor, Lupa, approached them.
She bowed respectfully before saying, "Prince Jason, your father requests an audience."
"My father?" Jason asked, with wide startled eyes, "Are you certain?"
"Is he here?" Percy stepped forward.
"Your highness, I am certain. Please, come with me." The three began to follow her, "Only, Prince Jason." She said sternly, causing the other two to back away and find another entrance to the palace.
Jason followed his tutor, who was more like a mother to him than his own, into his Uncle's study. There sat the king of the current province, King Poseidon. King Hades stood beside his brother talking quietly, yet angrily about what ever it was they were arguing about. King Hades ruled the lands farther inland.
The country had been split by the three king's father upon his timely death. Though King Zeus ruled over all the provinces in the land. King Poseidon's domain resided over the edges of the country. His lands bordering the seas, his province was well populated, and fortuitous in both harvest and trade. Beneath him ruled many lords and ladies of their own much smaller states. King Hades ruled the lands to the west, his province bordering many other unruly countries. It was under his lands that there was the most order and peace. Justice, was said of this land, to be the highest priority.
It was at the time, that almost all of these many countries not within the borders of the three kings, were allies or to become allies. The whole continent was to become one, if King Zeus had his way, a time of great peace was to sweep the land. Or so, it was supposed to, if all went according to plan.
"My Nephew," King Poseidon offered a pinched smile, "Please, come. Join us old men in our, discussion."
"Discussion my ass." King Hades rolled his eyes.
"Brother, please." Poseidon grit his teeth, still holding out an arm for his nephew.
"Is my father here?" Jason asked walking to the Uncle who had given him a home for so much of his youth.
"Of course he's here." Hades said walking to a sheltered alcove in the study that hid a very stern looking King Zeus, "Your son is here, brother, finally time to tell him your grand scheme, eh?" Jason had not seen his father's face in all of seven years. It was not a sense of familiarity that swept over him at the sight of his father. It was a cold sternness, a sense of knowing his place.
"Son, come here, so I may see you." Jason walked cautiously but proudly toward him, observing his father's aged and tired face. He still looked as severe and brooding as ever, the harshness in his features seemed only the more prominent. "You look well."
"Thank you, sir." He said formally.
"Your training is going well, your marks are outstanding, so I've heard from your mother."
"Thank you, sir." Jason bowed his head.
"Son, it has come to my attention that your friends, even in their youth have already been promised to someone. Your sister, your cousins. What have you."
"Yes... Sir?"
"You have not been informed of your own betrothal, however."
"My betrothal?"
"Since the day of her birth, you have been promised to a young princess."
"Why have I not known of this?"
"Because, she was not yet a week old when she was stolen from her very cradle." Jason fell back just a little bit more, "Her mother had promised her first born daughter to marry you. The agreement is still in place. We have searched for the babe since she was found to be missing. However, it seems now that she will never be found."
"And so?" Hades egged his brother on.
"And so." Zeus continued, "It is apparent that we must find another bride for you."
King Poseidon intercepted the conversation with his argument, "The boy is only fourteen brother, there is time still."
"Poseidon, the child is more than likely dead, and my boy is in need of a wife. It's not as if you haven't done the same for your own son."
"Yes, but I have given him time."
"My son has no time, brother." Zeus said sternly.
Jason spoke up hesitantly but with an edge of firmness, "Father? What do you mean?"
"I have only so much time left." Zeus admitted under the judgmental eyes of his brothers, "And it has come time that you must begin to fulfill your duties as the future king. You must know what it entails. You will be married before you are twenty years of age."
"Is he ill?" Jason asked his Uncles, as his father would never say.
"He has some years left, nephew." King Hades placed a surprisingly gentle hand on his shoulder, "There is still time for you to learn."
"Brother, do not coddle the boy. He is of fourteen years and must be aware of these things."
"He is still a child, and I will treat him as I see fit." Hades spat back.
"Jason, we will be taking you to a convening in the Capitol next week. There we will meet with Lord Apollo's Oracle. Heavens hoping, she helps us find your missing bride, or lead us to your new maiden." Poseidon told him gently.
The young prince nodded slowly. It was not as if he hadn't know that he would be married off for political reasons. He'd come to expect it. The situation was what got to him more. His father's pending death, his missing bride, the prospect of becoming a king.
He lost himself within the palace walls. Searching for anything to distract him from his current predicament. That's when he heard a voice ringing through the halls.
"And it is love, that hath been kind to thee. For though it seems an ancient thing. Love will set us free."
He followed the fading voice down to a much smaller study. His cousin's bride to be, Annabeth, sat beside a young girl on the piano stool. The young girl was dirty, hair held back loosely and unevenly with an old thin kerchief, her face dusted with dirt. Her dress was patchy, holes covered with random oddly colored fabrics, dust and other grime stuck to the material. She was a mess, all but her hands. Her hands were clean of dirt and filth, the skin was rough, but still clean as they played the same chord twice on the piano before her.
Beside her sat Princess Annabeth, Percy's betrothed at the time. She was much the opposite of the girl she sat so close to. Clean pure skin, dress made from the finest linens that she may only ever wear once, her hair was done in perfect fashionable ringlets. She sat hunched over looking miserable, while this girl sat upright and proper.
Annabeth was having some difficulties hitting the note, but this girl seemed as though she'd never had trouble hitting any note at all in her life.
"You're not really trying are you?" The young girl chuckled.
"Not at all. But you already know my disposition toward music lessons." Annabeth laughed before leaning an elbow on the piano.
"And what exactly would that be?" Jason chuckled leaning over the stair rail, leading into the study.
"I absolutely detest it." Annabeth wrinkled her nose but laughed nonetheless.
The girl beside Annabeth stood and curtsied respectfully lifting the thin dirty cloth she wore as a dress, "Your highness."
"Oh, no need for that." Annabeth smiled at the girl, "You're a friend not a servant."
"I am both a friend and a servant." The girl reminded her gently, retaking her seat.
"Then you should allow me to pay you every once and a while for your lessons."
"So, it was your voice that filled this hall." Jason said, causing the girl to look up at the Prince. He nearly toppled over himself, she possessed such a sort of beauty, that he'd never beheld in one person. She was dirty, but most certainly not an ugly hag, as one might jump to conclusion to think. She was beautiful, perfectly gorgeous features, with smooth lines to create the image of her face.
"You bet it was." Annabeth said for her, "Piper was named for her voice. I swear she could lull even the most restless of children to lay silently in their beds."
"You allow too much praise Princess." Piper blushed looking back to the music on the piano.
"And you are to call me Annabeth, this little snot isn't going to tattle on you for not calling me by my title."
"I'm a what?" Jason chuckled, "A snot?"
"Affectionately, I meant so affectionately." Annabeth laughed.
"I'm sure you did." Jason rolled his eyes, "Your name, Piper? Is that correct?"
"Yes, your-"
"You need not be formal with me, I'd dare to say you are not a year older than I."
"That depends." Piper offered a small smile, "How old are you?"
"Fourteen years. And you?"
"Thirteen, just turned."
"I see. Well, don't mind my dropping in on your lessons, Annabeth, please continue." The Prince lounged out on a couch near by the piano.
"Your judgment is not well received." Annabeth grinned.
"You will give me no reason to judge." He picked up a textbook and began to skim through it. Though it did remind him of his own school work, and lessons he probably should have been attending. Instead of being a good pupil, he chose to stay for the remainder of her lesson. He held back his laughter as Annabeth screeched to her high note.
"Simply marvelous my dear, you'll be having the composers lining up just to write for your vocal prowess." Jason chuckled at Annabeth's face as it twisted with anger.
"Be silent, Jason. Or I'll have to ask you to leave." Piper said softly. Jason's laughing ceased as Piper showed Annabeth the proper technique for reaching the note. His ears prickled with satisfaction. Her voice was truly remarkable.
The clocks around the castle sounded two, the loud ringing echoed heavily throughout the palace.
"I guess we'll stop there then." Piper stood from the piano to gather her little pouch.
"You are much more pleasant to sing for than Madam Broach." Annabeth told her, "She would have had my head for those notes... Now, let me grab you that payment."
"Oh I couldn't-"
"If you insist on calling me highness than you insist on payment." Annabeth handed her a small sum, knowing Piper would not take more. "Two days from now, the same hour?"
"Yes ma'am." Piper offered a small curtsy.
"And when do these lessons start, so I can be punctual?" Jason teased lightly.
"I'll allow the Princess to inform you of that sir." Piper curtsied again before slipping out the back door of the study down to the servant quarters.
"How ever did you find her?" Jason asked his friend.
"She does many odds and ends jobs in the kingdom." Annabeth informed him, "She's a servant for the Kerrigan family, but she does so much more. I've heard rumors from a few servants, that she's made some of the finest dresses in the country. I've even worn some of what she's made, rumor has it. But I've heard many rumors about her. People believe she's much too kind to be a real person."
"She's too kind to be real?" Jason laughed.
"I'm baffled as well, I can promise you. But she is incredibly kind. One of my maidens told me of her. They had always seen her in the market place. But one day, they heard her sing. They told me of her, and so, I asked for her to make me a dress for the formal we had not six months ago. When she delivered me the dress I requested she sing for me, and when she did, I knew I'd never heard a melody so sweet in all my life. I then asked her to be my tutor."
The two walked together until they happened across their other friends. Jason informed them of his departure in a weeks time, but he left the subject matter of his journey unspoken. He was not wholly sure of what lay ahead for him, and he did not want to be the catalyst for idle palace gossip.
When it came time for Jason to make his journey, he was allotted no time for goodbyes. He was gone early in the day and arrived by that afternoon. Even Jason was surprised by how fast the carriages had brought him to his destination. His tutor led him into the castle, where he was met with a thousand citizens all wanting a glimpse at their future king. People gawked at the very sight of him and bowed as he passed.
Jason was brought up to the throne room with great haste. And for the first time in seven years, he saw his parents together. It was at this time that Princess Thalia's love story had finally been fulfilled. For Prince Luke had returned the princess to her kingdom, only to have their marriage continue, this time under much happier circumstances.
However the many months of her disappearance had weighed on her parents, and it was evident that the pair had aged far past their years over the matter. Their unhappy marriage present in their mannerisms and how far away their thrones sat.
"My son." The queen rose from her throne, a half ways smile gliding across her face as she embraced the boy. It seemed as though she slowly recalled him as her own, as her embrace grew stronger with each second that passed.
"My Queen, please, there is much to be done." King Zeus separated her from the prince, "Oracle, step forward." A red headed, simply clothed woman, stepped forward at the beckon call of the king, with an entourage of her own following close behind her.
"Your Majesty." She bowed respectfully.
"Lay hands on the boy, tell us his future."
"His future? Are you certain you wish for such a broad prophesy?"
"If I may." A much more extravagant woman stepped forward, "I was under the impression that we were here to discuss my missing daughter."
"We are here to discuss the future of this kingdom." King Zeus turned to the woman, "The future of my son."
"Yes, his future with my daughter."
"Queen Aphrodite, you know as well as I, the girl is either dead or a slave."
"And if she is not dead, I shall still hope."
"I believe," The Oracle spoke up, "I may intercede. If the King will allow." King Zeus nodded to her, "Do you have something of the babe's. Maybe I could provide insight as to where your princess is."
"We've gone to every oracle in our lands." Queen Aphrodite assured her, "We have been given no answers. She is gone."
"Then what can go wrong?"
"The cradle that once held her." The soft spoken man beside the queen said, "The one that has been left empty. My dear, do you recall?"
"Yes, husband, but it is so far from where we now stand."
"We have no time for this." King Zeus proclaimed, "Oracle lay hands on my son and tell us whom his bride shall be."
The Oracle looked down at Jason's timid figure, "My young prince. Hold out your hands."
Reluctantly, Jason held his hands out to the woman. She lightly touched his hands, and slowly they ran up to his shoulders, until the Oracle gasped. Her eyes filled with a green light, before returning to normal.
"What did you see?" King Zeus asked.
"A young lady..." The Oracle panted, "Beautiful... She sang a melancholy tune... Like a caged songbird..."
"Who was she?"
"I know not her name... I saw a ball."
"A ball?" Jason's mother wrapped her arms around her son, as if to shield him from his own fate.
"On the anniversary of his birth... In his eighteenth year... The ball in his honor... His wife to be... She shall reveal herself... Her true nature... His bride shall be gone... By the twelfth sound... The girl... The girl will run..." The Oracle gasped again.
"And his wife?" The King demanded.
"The Princess, his bride to be, the lost princess... She has fled from him... She has left behind... One thing."
"What did she leave?" The king asked.
"The curse... The curse holds true."
"What curse?"
Before she could answer him she fainted into the arms of her entourage, who carried her away.
"She's alive." Queen Aphrodite looked far more hopeful as she turned into her husband, "Our daughter is alive."
"Silence." King Zeus growled, frustrated with this turn of events, "Jason."
"Yes, sir?"
Looking displeased, the king said, "My boy, I believe we must find you a wife."
"You have heard it just now! My daughter is alive!" Queen Aphrodite scolded the king.
"And yet she is still missing, is she not?"
"But she lives."
"And when she is found the marriage between our two countries will go as planned. But until that time we must find him a bride." The king said firmly.
"In that time we must find my daughter." The queen responded with a sharp bitterness.
"But what does it mean, if the Princess fled from my son? Should we not find him a bride if your daughter is to shun him?"
"When she is found she shall not shun him."
"And what of this curse?"
"I know not what the Oracle speaks." The queen replied, "Our child was taken from us, any curse laid upon her, is unknown to us."
By the king's decree, every princess from across the seas was to be brought to meet the young prince. Though, he took no fancy in any foreign princess. And as he aged, he grew tired of the many seemingly desperate princesses. Every weekend he was surrounded by them. He found a great pleasure in making fun of each girl who so easily flung themselves at him. Not once during this time did he feel as though love would take his heart, and luckily for him, his father could never make deals with the princess's kingdom and they were sent away after one weekend.
It was a time of tension in the palace, the growing pains of the young princes and princess's caused much strife without the added stress of finding Prince Jason a bride. It seemed there was no calm in sight, only storm after rolling storm swept over the palace walls and each thunderous cloud only grew darker.
Not all who grew, found themselves so lucky or so unlucky as the case would be, as the young prince. For not all in the kingdom were princes or princess's. There were a great many like the servant girl, Piper, who had almost nothing. Piper had been born to a family far too poor to raise a child, and thus, she was taken from her parents and sold as a servant to a wealthy family.
In her oldest memories, she recalled no such father or mother. Rather, she recalled the kindness of her master. For it was he who insisted she learn wisdom over knowledge, who taught her to be kind and just. He would remind her that knowledge was power but wisdom was more refined as it was less often abused. He taught her the trade of music so she could have some hope of finding a good marriage, even as she was a common person, and that was highly unlikely.
Though he died when she was a mere six years, the young girl had always remembered his teachings. "Kindness, little one." He would say to her, "Kindness is needed more in this world than any other. Where there is kindness, there is joy. Where there is joy, there is love for all people."
Piper had hardly felt any love at all after the death of her master. Once her mistress took hold of the house, she sent out the young girl to find work any place she could, so long as she was paid and paid well. The servant soon found work in many odd places, first the bakery, delivering goods in the early hours of the morning to the door steps of wealthy buyers. Then she'd go to the dressmaker and do whatever chores they gave her until noon. Before returning home for the day, she would bring grocery items to the poor old auger who lived on the outskirts of town, she'd help keep his home clean and prepare him an evening meal. He would pay her a small sum, which she would use to buy his parcels the next day, rather than give to her mistress. She would finally return to her home and report back with her day's pay. Depending on the day and likely, the mood of her mistress, she would either scrub the floors, polish the dinning ware, change the linens, do the laundry, and on the rare occasion work in the gardens.
Though the household had a great many servants who could have lightened the load of the young girl, her mistress took an interest in torturing her. Mostly because, it seemed to the lady of the house, that her late husband had loved this young girl more than their own two daughters. Piper did not see her tasks as torture no matter how long and monotonous they seemed, to her, her work was merely her work. She lived in their home and ate the food of their table, this was her part to pay.
Piper kept about her, a kind demure stature all through any task she preformed. She seemed to be the living embodiment of humility. She handled every situation with poise and modesty. Every single person she met, she treated with respect and kindness. If she was lucky enough to meet some poor soul, still awake as she made her morning rounds, she would allow a graceful smile and a bright, hello, to lift their spirits. She would help in the dress shop to make and deliver beautiful gowns. Which gave her a great joy when she could tell the recipient of her work that they looked beautiful. She was known throughout the servant class of the city and her popularity even branched a bit father, into the upper classes of society.
What brought her the most happiness, however, was when she could allow herself the luxury of music. When she was alone enough that she could sing soft lullabies, little laments, and sweet melodies, that brought life to her sunken cheeks and light to her eyes. Sadly, this joy of hers was contained for many years. She did not like singing in front of people, she did not like to be stared at, for something so trivial. She was just another dirty, poor, peasant girl. She was nothing special simply because she could sing.
It was one day when she was left alone in the dressmaker's shop, to sew the underskirts for a new client. Assuming she was alone in the shop, she sang to herself, which made her work pass by much faster than its usual repetitive monotony. She did not notice the window hanging open on its rusted hinges. And so, she did not notice that people stopped in the streets to listen below. That window remained this way, even on the coldest of days, the window was eternally open. Just a crack, barely noticeable from the inside unless one stood right where the crack was stationed.
She was not yet thirteen when she encountered the princess. As the story told to the young prince was entirely true. Piper sang for the princess, who then asked her to become her tutor. Piper and Annabeth's lessons were later accompanied by Prince Jason seeking sanctuary from his newest courtship.
We shall resume our story one week before Prince Jason's eighteenth birthday. The kingdom was alive and constantly moving. Every King and Queen in the country was to be in attendance. As, at this time, almost all of the countries had been united. Except for Queen Aphrodite's land which was still in a state of mourning over the loss of their Princess.
Outside of her country, however, no other land knew of the missing princess. It would spark controversy and even an attempt to overthrow the queen if they believed her incompetent enough to care for her own child. Not to mention her infertility since the birth and loss of the princess.
The kingdom, bustled with excitement, every young maiden had been invited to the prince's birthday celebration. As such, Piper found herself busied with work at the dressmaker's. She made many grand gowns for many grand ladies, and she would even make dresses for those not as fortunate to pay for such extravagance at no cost to them. It was a time of joy, and so Piper took it as a time to be grateful even if she herself would be unable to attend the festivities.
She found herself with a great number of other workers helping in the dressmaker's shop. Many of whom had become close friends of hers, as it seemed, all who met her did. Though these women were much older than Piper, she grew close to them and their humor.
"This one will be especially beautiful." The dressmaker who had kept the young girl employed all these years, Ethel, commented on the bodice Piper had been working.
"That's because it has been touched by Piper's hands." Maria teased lightly.
"But of course, anything she touches turns to gold." Alice joined in the fun.
"You flatter me in the most unflattering of ways." Piper glanced around her work to give them a look of humor.
"It's rightfully deserved, it seems that only you can satisfy every customer." Ethel told her as she went around the other workers benches.
"What is your dress going to look like, dear?" Catherine asked.
"I have no dress." Piper said, "For the umpteenth time, I'm not going to the ball."
"But you must, or the prince will surely miss your company." Beth smiled getting a laugh out of the other ladies.
"The Prince will not notice my absence. He'll be much too busy meeting his bride." Piper shook her head.
"Oh, but you know that love will win out in the end. Love is simply in the air, child." Alice assured her with a wink.
"And I certainly hope he loves her dearly." Piper retorted.
"You know the only stars in that young man's eyes belong to you. And I can't blame him! He hears you sing so often." Beth laughed.
"There are no stars in his eyes for he knows not of love." Piper sighed stitching beads onto the bodice.
"I'm sure he has told you that, so to make believe he does not love you." Catherine assured her as Maria stood to observe Piper's work.
"He does not love me." Piper shook her head as she finished the stitch. She turned the bodice toward Ethel and Maria.
"He most certainly should, if he does not, his is a fool." Beth assured her.
"The lace?" Ethel asked of her. Piper showed her where the lace was to be sewn.
"You must ask him if he expects to see you there." Alice told her, "Then you will know whether you should attend."
"I will not be attending." Piper said, through the pins clamped between her teeth as she set the dress.
"Oh you're so stubborn child, I'm sure if you ask, Ethel will let you off." Maria returned to her work.
"Aye, I would dear."
"But, my mistress would never allow it." Piper sighed returning to her work.
"Have you thought to ask?" Catherine inquired.
"Oh, the thought never occurred to me." Piper rolled her eyes, " I simply can't go, and have no desire to."
"What a liar you are, girls like you belong at fancy parties. Dancing with the finest men these lands have to offer." Beth smiled.
"Girls like me? Poor young servant girls belong only in the shadows."
"No dear, beautiful sweet girls. Not the wicked kind like the daughters of your mistress. Now those girls belong in the gutters." Maria said.
"Hush, no one belongs in the gutters."
"Oh, you say that because of your overwhelming sense of goodness. I commend you on being able to forgive such wretched people."
"Maria they are not wretched, just difficult."
"There is almost too much kindness in you, child."
"Never too much kindness, lord knows the world is always in need of goodness. Even in these happy times." Ethel said, "Now, young one, take the parcels at the front of the store to the palace. They were specially ordered for Princess Hazel's dress."
"Oh is it true then? That her and Lord Frank have conceived a child? They always were my favorite." Alice's eyes gleamed.
"We must not speak of this outside these walls. But we have been told that her dress is to hide her growing child." Ethel smiled as the women squealed softly, "Go on, dear." She smacked Piper's rear as if spurring a horse.
Piper wandered through the cluttered streets offering a nod and a humble, "Good afternoon." To everyone she passed. Her smile provided a different source of light to any who saw it. She left the streets smiling in her wake as she approached the servants entrance of the palace.
"Good day to you." The guard greeted her.
"Good day." She smiled back, "Delivery."
"You don't need me to lead you through the castle now, do you?"
"Only if the princess is in a sour mood."
"You'll find her in the study."
"Thank you." Piper rushed to meet with her friend, after dropping off the parcel.
"My, my, late for once. What diverted you?" Annabeth teased as Piper climbed down the stairs.
"Princess Hazel." Piper smiled at the sight of a familiar figure laying out on the couch. The familiar figure in question, dramatically groaned as he flipped onto his stomach.
"Make them go away Annabeth." The prince moaned into the cushions.
"Who was it this time?" Piper asked taking her seat at the piano.
"Princess Drew of some land we've never heard of." Annabeth laughed.
"Princess Drew of the biggest brat you'll ever meet, seems accurate." Jason rubbed his face.
"Scales." Piper instructed.
"Ugh, must we? I'd much rather listen to you sing. Besides it's a waste of time trying to get a tone deaf pig to sing on pitch."
As Jason chuckled, Piper assured her, "You are not a tone deaf pig."
"I never knew you to be a liar." Annabeth said.
"I am not a liar. It's just that-"
"Oh my, I can't wait to see what excuse you come up with this time Pipes." Jason snickered behind her.
"Hush." She turned to glance at him. As she always did, she buried her want of him deep down inside of her. She would never admit to that feeling within her every time she even allowed herself a thought of him. "The king just doesn't pick songs in your range, that's all."
"Oh, I'm sure, that's it." Annabeth chuckled.
"As am I." Piper smiled, "Let me teach you some other song to sing."
"Joy."
"Alright... Let me recall... Let's try this one." Piper played the chords and fed her the lyrics. A lower key was much better for Annabeth's voice, that much was already noticeable. When she'd learned the whole thing Piper had her sing through it.
"You must be some sort of magic practitioner if you can get Annabeth to sing like that." Jason remarked.
"Or just very optimistic." Piper smiled.
"That as well." Annabeth agreed, she then turned her attention to the prince laying on the couch, "So, Jason, aren't you going to ask her?"
"Annabeth!" Jason blushed scarlet.
"Ask me what?" Piper chuckled nervously.
"Jason's been just dying to ask you something."
"Aren't you in the middle of a lesson, Annabeth?"
"I can do as I wish, it's my lesson. So, ask her."
Jason sighed, and then allowed his eyes to meet with Piper's, "I was just wondering if you would be in attendance at my birthday celebration?"
Piper felt her heart flutter and then fall deep in her chest, "I'm sorry, I will not."
"Why not?" Annabeth asked.
"I have far too much work." Piper excused herself.
"Not one store will be open on that day." Annabeth would not take her answer.
"The dressmaker will be."
"No one will need a dress by then. From what I've heard you've been making every girl in the kingdom a dress, even those who cannot afford them. Why not make yourself one while you're put to the task?"
"My mistress would not allow me to attend."
"Well, I'm sure I could convince her otherwise." Jason gave a small smile. Piper simply shook her head, "I could, you know."
"I'm sure you could, but I will be doing last minute tailoring and... and... deliveries." The clocks though out the palace sounded two, "I must be off." Piper gathered what little she had brought.
"I certainly hope you change your mind." Jason stood to say his goodbye to her formally, however, she rushed to leave the royal family members.
"Goodbye." She called behind her.
She returned to Ethel's store just before three. The other ladies still sewing and laughing to their hearts content.
"Look at the flush on her cheeks. Must be the prince's doing." Beth joked.
"Shush, Beth." Piper swatted her hand as she returned to her station.
"Oh, look it must be. Oh, dear, tell us about it." Alice prodded, "What says your beloved?"
"I have no beloved." Piper felt her blush deepen.
"The youthful sparkle in her eye. It gleams, it gleams." Catherine faked a swoon. Piper gave no response, "Did he ask you about the ball?"
"He... He might've." Piper said softly.
"Oh, what did you say!?" Alice asked.
"I said I wasn't going."
"Why on earth would you say that!?" Catherine asked.
"Because it's the truth, I am not to go."
"But now you must, he has asked you to attend, personally."
"I cannot."
"You must." They now all protested.
"But-"
"Don't you want one night of dancing?" Alice asked.
"Well-"
"One night where he could see you truly beautiful?" Catherine asked.
"I-"
"Who knows what could happen if you don't go?" Maria asked her.
"I just can't." Piper sighed, "As much as I wish I could, I can't. You know my mistress. She would have my head for it."
"My dear, everyone has been invited to the ball, that includes us servants. The King wouldn't allow a servants death for something so petty." Maria scoffed, "And besides, dear, when the King lays his eyes on you, he'll be begging for a dance, just as any sane man will."
Piper's blush burned more fiercely with each stitch, she would have loved to share even the shortest of dances with the prince. Alas it could not be, she knew that all to well. While she longed to go to the ball, she yearned more to make her mistress happy. For it was that Piper's mistress was a cruel woman, by who's hands Piper had been struck many a time. Maybe, she'd always thought, if I could just make her happy, her life might find itself better. Maybe she just needs to be met with kindness.
The night grew dark, soon Ethel's husband came as he always did when Piper worked late into the evening and walked her home.
"Piper!" Her mistress called the moment she stepped foot in the home.
Piper slipped off her shoes, which were hardly still shoes, simply worn cloth and leather now, and quickly made her way to the dinning hall. There at the long table, sat her mistress and her two daughters.
"Your days payment."
"Yes, mistress." She quickly curtsied and gave her days earnings.
"More than usual." Her mistress observed.
"More dresses went out today, final payments were made." Piper responded.
"Good. You shall eat quickly and then finish the work on Isobel and Gretchen's dresses. I don't care when you finish that, so long as the entire hall is scrubbed before you find your bed this night."
"Yes, mistress." Piper held back a sigh. The front hall was minute compared to her usual tasks, but after a whole day of sewing, her fingers were already red and sore. At least her fingers would be numb, she cheered herself slightly.
"Go." Her mistress waved her off.
Piper curtsied before scampering off to the kitchen.
"There she is." Several of the servants turned toward her, "We thought you wouldn't be coming home tonight. With the ball so close."
"I had to, Ethel refused to let me stay."
"You're lucky she takes care of you, or you'd work yourself to death."
"I'm afraid, I wouldn't be the one working myself to death." Piper said softly as she quickly ate her food. She then hurried up to the lounge where she had set up Isobel and Gretchen's dresses. The dresses were made from fine materials, all the beads and embroidery were created by Piper's own hands. The pink dress that belong to Isobel had much more sparkle, while Gretchen's red dress had a much fuller skirt. Piper had spent many hours making the dresses to match each girl's shoes. A curious thing, to want your dress to be made specifically to match the shoes you've bought. In Piper's mind the thought made no sense, but she did not question it, nor did she vocalize her thoughts.
The girls and their mother sat in the parlor and watched as Piper finished each dress. At one point Isobel decided to sing for the three of them. Suddenly, Piper was finding herself thankful for Annabeth's screechy high notes, at least her low notes didn't sound dreadful as well. Isobel was unfortunate enough to actually be tone deaf.
"Piper." Her mistress called.
"Yes, mistress?"
"Are those dresses done yet?"
"Gretchen's is ma'am. I have but a few details left of Isobel's."
"Get Gretchen in her dress then."
"Yes mistress." Piper nodded and began to help Gretchen into the dress. Piper felt as though the dress would eat little Gretchen alive. But the girl just swooned and seduced herself in the mirror. Absolutely thrilled with the product. Piper expected no thank you, and her expectations were met. As she finished Isobel's dress she heard the squeal of delight from Gretchen who had put on her shoes and gloves.
"Oh mother, don't I look lovely?"
"Ravishing dear."
"I want to try mine on!" Isobel stopped her foot, "Piper, is my dress ready yet!?"
"Yes ma'am." Piper nodded, tying off the last stitch.
"Then why is it not on me?" The girl demanded before smacking Piper. "Get me dressed!"
"Yes, ma'am." Piper nodded, dressing the young girl as quickly as she could. At eighteen the twins couldn't have acted past the age of four. They still threw tantrums and beat their little servant girl. Though Piper was not yet seventeen, she felt as though she should have had some authority over them. However, when that thought surfaced, she shoved it down deep in her mind. She was their servant, and she was to be kind to them. They were giving her their home, sharing their food when they did not have to. Kindness is required by all.
"Oh I look just as beautiful as Gretchen don't I mother?" Isobel squealed with delight.
"Yes my darling." Her mother smiled broadly, "Piper, go polish the hall."
"Polish, ma'am?"
"Are you deaf?"
"Well, I just thought I was to-"
"You are to scrub and polish the front hall, understood?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Oh mother, the trials that one puts you though." Gretchen spat at Piper as she passed by.
"I hope you girls will learn from my patience with her."
Piper then began to scrub the front hall, and as she did so, under her breath she allowed a sweet tune to fill her up with hope. She smiled through her task, singing softly until every last inch of the front hall was washed and polished.
The clock sounded one, as she finally lay down her head upon the stony floor beside the fire, what she would call her bed. Her sleep was rough and interrupted when her early job called for her to wake.
It was at this same time that many nobles arrived in the kingdom. Among whom were King Zeus, Queen Aphrodite, Lord Apollo and his Oracle. As they were welcomed to the palace the Oracle stopped where she stood. The other members of her party turned to her.
"What do you see?" King Zeus asked.
The Oracle blinked, "With kindness spark and gentle curl... A simple touch will... Make her wife?"
"What?"
"She is near. Her curse... It makes no sense." The Oracle then came back to herself.
"Lord Apollo, what does this mean?" King Zeus asked.
"I believe, if I'm not mistaken, she now refers to the princess."
"My daughter?"
Lord Apollo nodded to Queen Aphrodite, "She's near."