A/N: This story is written for InChrist-Billios, whose prompt for me was, "Tell a classic fairy tale, using most of the main plot points of the original tale, but include a body swap in some fashion." Here it is! As a side note, this story is largely in need of a beta reader, or someone to help badger me into writing more. Unless, of course, I have incredible reviewers...
Review away! Reviews will be rewarded with cookies.
Everything was downright shocking. I had woken up the morning after the ball to find that my younger stepsister, Cordelia, had somehow managed to switch places with me. As in, I was in her body, she was in mine.
As if that wasn't enough of a shock to wake up in someone else's body, I soon discovered the reason why Cordelia had done so: the Prince was in love with me.
We gathered around in the sitting room, stepmother on one side of the plush red chair, Cordelia and I standing on the other. Prince Jonathan in all his excitement couldn't stop grinning. He rubbed his hands together impatiently.
It was my turn first. I knew the shoe belonged to me. I had worn it last night when things seemed so…hopeful. But I knew the shoe wouldn't fit, since I was in Cordelia's body. Her feet were much smaller than mine, and there was no way I could fake having the same size feet.
Cordelia (in my body, remember) sat down in the chair. The shoe fit. Of course it did.
"You have the wrong girl!" I wanted to yell. But I didn't. No one would believe me. I was in the body of the stepsister, the obviously jealous one, the bully, the lesser of the two.
Prince Jonathan took Cordelia's hand. "My dear lady, it would honor me greatly if you would allow me to court you."
I sighed in relief, half expecting him to have proposed to her right away. Courtship would have to suffice for now.
Cordelia giggled in delight, a childish grin on her face. "My dear Prince, it would be my honor." She shot me a quick look of victory.
I had so many emotions burning in me all at once, I may have missed a piece of conversation. I was feeling angry, despaired, and rejected all at once.
"Wait!" I heard the word come out of my mouth before I had even known that I had interrupted the prince from taking Cordelia with him to the castle.
"Yes, m'lady?" asked the Prince.
I stood there, mouth agape. "I mean, you're taking my dear stepsister away from us to an unfamiliar place to be courted by a Prince," I began.
The Prince stared at me for a second, unsure if he should be offended by this statement. "Go on."
"I mean no offence at this, of course, but I'm only wondering if she should have a chaperone. That is, I would like to chaperone her, assist her in all that she does in the palace during her courtship." Everyone in the room stared at me. Cordelia, with vengeance in her eyes, my stepmother with pride, and the Prince and his servant with confusion. "I do not mean to intrude, but I do long to support my sister. Do I have your permission, Your Highness?" I curtsied before him.
The Prince thought for a moment. The room was as silent as a snowy winter day, muffled from all other thoughts and sounds. My heart seemed to suspend itself from beating.
"You have my permission. With this, I will leave you ladies to prepare yourselves. A carriage will arrive for you at five this evening. Good day, and thank you," he said with a short bow.
My stepmother pulled me aside, smiling. "That was a bold move there, Cordelia. I'm proud of you. There may be hope for you yet. Bring me home a prince!" With that, she left, glaring at Cordelia.
Cordelia stood away from me, not speaking.
"Cordelia…"
"Why did you have to mess everything up by saying that?" She turned her head toward me but still refused to look me in the eye.
"Cordelia, he was here for me, not you. I don't know why we've switched places, but let's make the best of it while it lasts." I put my hand on her shoulder.
Cordelia shrugged it off to face me. "Don't you get it? I did this. I cast the spell to switch us. I want to get out of this house just as much as you do! You think the Prince fell in love with you for your personality? Your wit? Your tragic life? You poor little damsel. I almost feel sorry for you."
"Look, Cordelia, it may not exactly be wise to keep this going. This spell can't last forever."
"I'll make it last."
With that, Cordelia left. She had to pack, of course. Then again, she was packing as me, and I only had a few old dresses and a pair of shoes to call my own. It wouldn't take her long to prepare to leave. I, on the other hand, had much work to do, now that all of Cordelia's belongings were technically my own.