To clear it up, yes, technically this IS a sequel to Blue Cendrillion, but it is nowhere along the story line! Yes, stories can be that way. For example, 'Those you cannot see' has a sequel that has almost NOTHING to do with the first one! Okay, it's been cleared...now READ!!

Worthless Riches

The streets of London were littered with crime and thievery. It wasn't safe to go out at night, it wasn't safe to go out at anytime actually, but people refused to stay indoors when they had work and parties to attend. Blossom opened the curtains of her windows and peered down at the streets to see her father ride off in his carriage with her mother. A meer fifteen, she was in the very midst of her learning to become a lady like her father wanted, for she was due to marry her most hated soon. His name was Dexter and he was handsome, he was polite...but when they were alone, he was selfish and viewed women to be weaker and less intellectual then men, especially him. Oh, Dexter loved her all right. He loved her like he loved a glass china doll with fragile, beautiful features, but no brain in that pretty head of red flowing hair. She despised him, she wanted to stomp him into the ground each time she saw him, she wanted to pour her scolding hot tea on that high and mighty crown of his and teach him that she was not to be looked down upon.

But that would bring a great deal of dishonor to her parents. She would never be married off. She'd be labeled cursed like the thieves and gang members that walk these dark streets. And tonight, Dexter would stay with her, so she could see how it feels to be alone with him for a full night without any respectable adults in the other room. "I don't want to marry him, Maya, why do I have to?" Maya was her maid, a servent bought from a poor farmer who could no longer care for his only child. Blossom liked Maya. She didn't mind spending her entire life with Maya. She and Maya had been together since they were children.

"So that your father may get some of Dexter's inheritence. Forgive me for saying this, but it really must be dreadful being rich." Blossom laughed. Unlike other servants who say that they would do anything to have the life she had, Maya looked at it from her point of view since she had known her for that long and thought that she was better off poor because Blossom's wealth kept her down like chains while Maya's poverty left her as free as a bird.

"I'm not an item to be sold, I've told him that...I would rather marry you tomorrow than marry Dexter in a few years." Now Maya laughed, rolling on the floor. A carriage pulled up next to the gate and Blossom sighed, knowing it was time for Dexter to come in. "Lovely, time for another lecture on quantum theromes and how women these days are more insolent and useless then how they used to be."

"Do you think he'll add in how he hopes you will not follow their lead and became a good servant with the title of 'wife'?"

"If I cross my fingers."

"Which book shall you be taking?" That was something Blossom loved. Her emense library. It was filled with books of every sort, with every type of subject. Blossom liked the romantic dramas like The Princess Bride or Romeo and Juliet.

"I think...I'll take...that one!" She chose a book with a blue cover and a dragon embroidered in copper thread on it. "Here I go." She went downstairs to the empty dining hall. Servants were bowing respectfully as she sat and waited for her beau to come in. She had gotten to the fifth chapter when he finally came in, walking like a prince. "Good evening, Dexter."

"Blossom, your tone suggests that you are not happy with seeing me." She rolled her eyes. "Are you not, I thought you would be excited about tonight. That's what your father said in his letter."

"Father often exaggerates his meaning. He meant that I would welcome you into my home with honor for my family." Blossom said, clapping her hands. The cook and maids brought out a big dinner of fowl, soup, wine, and much more. They lighted candles and put them in the middle of the table. Blossom groaned inwardly, of course her parents would try to make it romantic in hopes that she would confuse lust with love. While she ate, Dexter spoke on and on about the new science project he had decided to take up. A project that had to do with the molecular system of a some plant that she found no interest in. She held her book under the table and continued to read. She didn't notice Dexter come up behind her and look over her shoulder.

"What are you reading?" He was a little peterved that she was reading instead of listening to him. He took the book out of her hands and read it a bit before scoffing. "A romance novel, Blossom, these are nothing but flights of fancy and idiocy." He threw the book over his shoulder like it was nothing. Blossom was beyond angry. How dare he just take the book from her like a parent or master? She decided not to take it. Once he sat down, she got up and went towards the door. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to bed, you may finish your dinner by yourself!"

""Blossom, it is just not done for a lady to-"

"I don't care." She left angrily.

"And then he had the nerve to just come up and take my book away! How rude can you possibly be? It's my home, I make the rules when my parents are gone, he should respect me and try his best not to be rude, but no! He thinks he can do whatever he likes, whenever he wants, just because his family is richer? Ha!" Blossom complained, obviously livid. She sat down on her bed in a huff and her pink eyes gleamed angrily. How could her parents do this to her? They must have been able to see that she and Dexter were just not compatable. Her family had always been known to marry for money, but somewhere along the lines, they would fall in love. Blossom could tell that wouldn't be the case with her. "I could do as they did in the Princess Bride. I'll run away before my wedding day and then marry whomever I want!" Maya gave her a look. "Why am I being punished?"

"Being wealthy is a punishment in itself."

Good start, not a Dexter hater, just don't find it that good a pairing. I like how Maya came out.