Here is my first attempt at a Princess Tutu fanfic. I had this idea a year back actually, maybe two. AU and I hope I haven't lost Ahiru's clumsy nature. Please, enjoy! And review if you want to. I don't mind if you don't..
A Cinderella Story
Chapter 1
It was a nice dream, of being surrounded by birds by a lake that was so large it never seemed to end. If only she could stay in the dream forever. The birds chirping happily, water lapping softly, leaves rustling in the wind…
"Ahiru!!!"
Rea's clear voice cut through the morning air and Ahiru woke up with a shock. She rolled over where the bed was not. Her elbow broke her fall.
"My dress!! My dress!!" Rea squeaked. Her voice was shrill. Rea was a menacing girl. Menacing with a cold and dark demeanour. Something seemed to be wrong on her perfect image. A flaw. It was a red tomato stain on the girl's yellow dress. "Clean it."
"That Rea. She is so rude. Why can't she ever say please?" Ahiru muttered while carrying a pail of water from the fountain. It was heavy so the girl wobbled as she walked. "W- Quack!" she cried as she fell. From behind, she heard muffled laughter. "Edel-san, I am not in a good mood today."
"Ahiru-chan, you are very amusing," Edel smiled as she patted the girl's head.
Ahiru and Edel were maids at Caerlyn Castle. It was a huge, amazingly beautiful castle. Lady Llewyn and her two daughters, Rea and Posy, lived there in luxury and wealth acquired from the late Sir Llewyn. Despite all that, they only hired two maids, Edel and Ahiru. It was unusual for a noble of the Great Golden Kingdom to harbour only two maids. Ahiru had questioned Edel about this many times before, but was too scared to question Lady Llewyn herself.
Lady Llewyn was a mystery. Even her first name was a mystery. After her husband's death, she became the head of the Llewyn household. She was a charming lady, when she wanted to be. She was intelligent, persuasive, and in Ahiru's opinion, utterly hateful. Her locks were so blonde they were almost white. Her eyes were the coldest shade of grey, while her skin, so pale, smooth and cold. Too perfect. Everything about her was too perfect that it scared Ahiru.
"Ahiru, I think Rea's dress is clean enough. I am going to town now. Come with me," Posy demanded.
Dazed, Ahiru laid out Rea's dress to dry in the sun and went to see Edel. Of course, she needed Edel's permission to go anywhere. Edel was like a mother, since she never got to know her own. For as long as she could remember, Edel had been there by her side. Always.
"Edel-san, I need to go with Posy to town. She wants to buy rose seeds for her windowsill," Ahiru explained.
"Well then, buy these, we were running out of eggs anyway," Edel handed the girl a grocery list.
Caerlyn Castle was far on the outskirt of Crown, a town in the Great Golden Kingdom. The Great Golden Kingdom was all that the name suggested. It was by far the most powerful kingdom of all. It was also the wealthiest and most peaceful after Garlenia, with a very great King ruling over. Crown was a town very close to the Great Golden Palace. Caerlyn Castle is where the Duke of Crown lived. But since Sir Llewyn passed away, the status was reduced from Duke to common noblemen. At least Lady Llewyn got to keep her title. Since the castle was quite isolated from everything else, it took a 10 minute walk to get to the centre of town, where the market was. Grocery was usually delivered each week but that week the delivery boy was sick in bed with the flu. And Posy, out of her love of growing flowers decided to plant roses by her window. The girl had always loved flowers. When with flowers, Posy was gentle and kind, but when with Ahiru she was rude and snobby.
"Miss Posy, your friends are over there. So can I go now?" Ahiru asked, pointing to two girls under parasols.
Posy coughed and glared at Ahiru.
"Erm.. I mean.. May I be excused, Miss Posy?" she tried again.
Posy held her nose up in the air and glided over to her friends, ignoring Ahiru. "I guess that's a yes…"
She's so stuck-up and snobby, thinking she has it all with her looks. Well, she is very pretty… Ahiru shook her head so vigorously her neck hurt. Argh! Pretty or not, on the inside she's just a mean person! Quivering with new found determination, Ahiru stepped into the greengrocer's only to trip up on a cabbage.
"Quack!! What is that cabbage doing there?" The peach-haired girl fell face-first beside a box of cabbages.
"I'm so sorry Ahiru, it must have fallen from the box. Are you alright?" Garnet, the shopkeeper held out a hand which Ahiru took gratefully.
"More or less. For this, you owe me 5 tomatoes, cucumber, aubergine, potatoes and carrots!" Ahiru smiled as she read the list. "How are you doing, Miss Garnet?"
The woman chuckled. "I'm fine. You seem to be as cheerful as usual."
"Of course I am! I will never be put down by those of higher status than me!"
"Yes, that's the spirit," an old man laughed behind his long silver moustache.
"Old man Bill! Long time no see!" Ahiru cried and stumbled on her way towards the man.
"You are still so clumsy, Ahiru."
"Why do you all laugh at me? I-I think I have improved a bit…"
After completing the list, Ahiru was back at the town square with a basket full of new grocery. She made herself comfortable on the well where she had a good view of the clock that loomed over the town square. A loud voice surprised her and she nearly fell into the well.
"Q-Quack!" she cried.
A little boy looked up at her, eyes brimming with laughter. "You are so funny! You sounded just like a duck!"
Ahiru, who had been reminded countless of times in her life of her resemblance to the feathered creature, pouted and scowled. "I can't help it if I sound like a duck. What do you want anyway?"
"What does everyone do at a wishing well? Wish, of course!" the boy answered brightly.
"Oh, right. Go ahead, then," urged Ahiru.
The boy clasped his hands and closed his eyes. "I wish my sister will find her true love at the Princes' Ball so that me and Mother can finally be rid of her." He tossed a shiny coin into the well and Ahiru watched as the calm water broke out with its force.
Before the boy left, she cried out a question that had been nagging her since the moment she had heard it from him. "Why would you want to be rid of your sister?"
The boy grinned. "You don't know what my sister is like. She drives us crazy with her love stories everyday. I just hope she finds her love soon. Then she will leave us to live with him."
"I see. Good day, little boy," she smiled as she waved him off.
As she watched the kid disappear into the crowd, another noise nearly surprised her down the well. A large crowd of squealing girls were trailing a beautiful white carriage. The wheels and windows were rimmed with gold. Even the harness that kept the horses in place were gold. Ahiru was sure, the carriage could only hold royalty inside.
A white head smiled and waved out of the window. His eyes were a warm gold.
"Prince Mytho," Ahiru whispered softly.
Across the seat from the prince inside the carriage was another prince. His dark hair covered his emerald orbs as he seemed to be engrossed with his book. Ahiru quietly decided that her favourite prince was Prince Mytho because Prince Fakir appeared to be unsociable. He looked up from his book and Ahiru's heart skipped a beat in fear. He glared coldly before continuing to read.
"Prince Mytho is definitely better," Ahiru said as she patted her chest.
Just as she had calmed down, Posy appeared and threw a bag of seeds along with a ceramic pot into Ahiru's hands. Being surprised for the third time that day, the girl managed to stop herself from falling down the well.
""W- Quack! Miss Posy, you surprised me," Ahiru said while patting her shocked heart.
"It was your fault for daydreaming," Posy retorted.
The walk back was relatively quiet on Ahiru's side. Posy talked enough for the two of them as usual. She gushed excitedly about the Princes' Ball. Posy was in love with Prince Mytho while Rea preferred Prince Fakir.
"Prince Mytho is so handsome. I hear he nearly fell out a window while saving a bird. How heroic.." Posy's eyes sparkled.
Ahiru nodded. "I like Prince Mytho too. His eyes are beautiful."
Posy nodded vigorously in agreement. "That's right. That's right. Prince Mytho is wonderful, perfect in every way."
Ahiru smiled. Times like this made her feel as if Posy was her friend. But they never last long.
"You're just a maid," Posy scowled, "The Princes will never look twice at you. I, on the other hand, am of noble blood."
Ahiru looked down at her feet. Posy ignored her silence.
"Of course, I am invited to the ball. Mother and Rea too. I expect Mother will tell you that once we get back. There will be a lot of preparation to do. Don't slack," Posy warned.
"Of course not," said Ahiru.
When they arrived at the castle, a drizzle had started. Ahiru quickly removed Rea's dress from the line and brought it inside. She was helping Edel prepare supper when the bell rang. Lady Llewyn was calling for her. Ahiru smoothed her apron and made her way up the staircase, tripping twice on the newly polished marble. She tightened her apron and brushed her messy fringe into place. Then she knocked on the great wooden door. Twice. Before letting herself in.
"You called for me, my lady," she said nervously. Even after many years working under Lady Llewyn, Ahiru admitted, she still felt fear in her presence.
Lady Llewyn held out a hand, perfectly manicured with nails at least 3-inches long. In it was a white envelope with a golden seal. "This is an invitation to the ball," the woman spoke coldly.
Ahiru stared. She did not understand why the lady had called for her.
"Might I question, what is your relationship to the Queen such that she would invite you to the ball?" Her voice was icy and Ahiru felt icicles stabbing her body.
"I have never spoken with the Queen before," Ahiru lied. She had, one autumn some years ago, found herself in Her Majesty's presence by mistake. She was following the birds when she came upon the royal carriage which had stopped abruptly. The horse was very stubborn and would not listen to the coachman. But she figured the lady did not need to know such trivial matters. Besides, all she had done was greeted the Queen politely before disappearing into the bushes to search for the birds. "Maybe it was a mistake. Can I see it?"
Lady Llewyn glowered. She tossed the invitation into the fireplace with a flick of her wrist. Ahiru gasped as it was consumed by fire. "You are not allowed to go to the ball. Dismissed."
Ahiru bowed down and left the room quietly. She was just a maid after all. Besides, she did not even want to go the ball. Lie, she sighed. Of course, any girl would want to go. But she reminded herself, as she clumsily cut the vegetables into strange shapes, she was just a maid.