The CinderWHAT!

CHAPTER ONE: A Rewritten Intro (take two)

Disclaimer: Names, characters and the general mumbo jumbo is registered under Tomoko Hayakawa or the mangaka of Yamato Nadeshiko Shici Henge. They do not, under any circumstances, belong to me.

Story: A parody of Cinderella with a certain twist as you will see below. Note that the prince might be played by a certain girl.

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ONCE upon a time, in a land where fairies, talking mirrors and loves at first sight freely roamed the realm, stood a magical kingdom called Wallflower. Ruled under the handsome King Takenaga and sweet Queen Naie, they govern the land side-by-side fairly and just. All of their people's needs were taken care of, their complaints or suggestions noted and thoroughly considered. They were loved dearly even by the citizens and monarchs from neighbouring kingdoms.

It is therefore sufficient to say that they lived in a perfect world full of perfect people living perfect lives

Alas, the King and Queen encountered one minuscule problem; a slight glitch unfortunate enough to potentially distort the kingdom's shinning prospects. It was their beloved daughter, Princess Nakahara Sunako. As the sole heir to the throne, Sunako has never once dressed up in anything but black robes and hood, preferring to hide in dark corners away from civilisation. The only companions she keep came from Josephine the skeleton and two anatomical figures named Hiroshi-kun and Akira-kun, whom she dressed lavishly with silk and velvet. Her odd, incurable allergy to beautiful "radiant beings" only separated her further from her doting parents, and it was not long before her chamber servants and few ladies-in-waiting mock-christened her as "the Horror Girl".

King Takenaga and Queen Naie were extremely worried about their daughter's behaviour, for who in their right mind would marry such a person? They often pondered on the possibility of finding a suitor for Sunako, as they watch their only child run amok the castle grounds stabbing cockroaches, or celebrating an early Halloween party with her so-called "friends". They could only passively observe and sigh, hoping fervently that someday their daughter will cast away all this nonsense and emerge as the perfect princess desired by everyone.

Having had enough, the Queen decided to end the sixteen years of passive resistance and ensnare Sunako once and for all. As much as she loved her daughter, Naie believed it is time for the girl to settle down in a marriage. A surprise ball would be set up on her birthday, and every single eligible man in the kingdom would be invited. The reward won't be petty: whoever won Sunako's heart would be gifted with an enormous dowry and be invited to live in the palace. Naie paused as she considered her new mission.

No man could ever refuse such an offer; my daughter would at last find herself a spouse worthy to be called the future king of Wallflower. And a good one I hope, for I never wish for her to be unhappy.

Chuckling quietly to herself she set out arranging the party, meanwhile hiding it stealthily from her dark daughter. The preparation went on for 4 months and 18 days: 60 specialty chefs were employed, 600 flower bouquets ordered; the Royal Orchestra armed with the latest dance pieces. It was going to be a magnificent ball, and everything has managed to escape Sunako's attention until the week prior to the event. No one was sure as to how the Princess knew after so many months of being hidden in the dark, but nothing can prepare them of Sunako's anger as they watch the princess march to meet her mother, a growing tangible darkness cold enough to still the bravest man's heart.

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Naie has been expecting her when she stormed into the queen's suite, her raging face pale against the golden ambiance surrounding the room. Still keeping her composure the Queen sat perfectly still, clutching the gold and maroon scarf knitting she made as an early birthday present for her husband. With precise movements she placed it down on the ancient mahogany table, a dowry from her late father, and faced her daughter.

"My dear, you have to understand," said Queen Naie calmly, ignoring the burning glare as Sunako's fury bore into her. "Your father and I only wanted the best for you. Need I remind you that you will soon be seventeen, my love, a year older than when I married your father? The whole kingdom expects you to have married and produce the next heir by now! It is your place, your duty as the Crown Princess of Wallflower! You are born for this very reason: to rule alongside your husband as future monarch and mother of a nation. Resistance is futile; and no, hiding in that secret place of yours muttering 'wakarimasen' won't change anything. My daughter, You. Will. Go. To. The. Ball, whether it is to your liking or not. Or else…….." The Queen's eyes narrowed suspiciously, causing Sunako's cold heart to flutter uncomfortably though she tried not to show it.

Anything that shows weakness will surely be taken as a sign of triumph. I'll show her that I shall not be bossed and ordered around like a mere servant.

Trying to shadow her feelings from her mother, Sunako retorted as foully as possible, clearly showing contempt to her opposition.

"Or else what, mother? Do finish your sentence I am dying to hear what further pain you can inflict upon me" Sunako spat. Good, a little this and a little that will show that woman that I am not afraid of her worthless challenges. "You'll ground me for the rest of my life? Be my guest. You'll take away all my maids? Good riddance! I'll be so happy that I'll make a private room for just me and my 'real family'. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING will make me go to that cursed ball of yours, MOTHER."

Naie fliched as she heard Sunako spoke the word 'mother' in pure venom, which she quickly masked by smilling. It was a cheerless smile, one showing years of endurance and internal struggle between trying to save her precious daughter and blaming herself for being such a horrible mother. Sunako shivered; every single one of her instincts was yelling at her to run, to go back to her sanctuary where she will be protected from the guilt of hurting her family. I hate that smile, Sunako thought. That smile can drive you to madness; or send criminals grovelling on the floor, begging for mercy. A smile especially reserved for failures like me. She held her breath in apprehension as the Queen spoke once more.

"I shall gladly finish, dear one. I ask you one more time: are you going to comply with me, or will you force me to burn Josephine and Akira-kun on the stake on the night of the ball?" Two men in black tuxes appeared at the snap of her fingers, holding two figures that seemed to frighteningly resemble……….

"Josephine! Akira-kun!" Sunako once again screamed, only now in utter despair. I knew it. I knew she would do absolutely anything to bend me to her will. The men disappeared as she helplessly tried to reach for her beloved dolls. Sunako sank to the ground, sobbing and begging her mother to let them go.

"They know nothing, mother," she pleaded. "Take me. Take me instead so I don't have to see them suffer."

With no effort given to hide her victory, Queen Naie triumphantly said, "So does this mean that you'll go to the ball?" Do I have any choice? Sunako thought, you know I'll say yes regardless of how I really felt. Oh, how could you mother? How could you? Sunako sadly nodded, her hair plastered to her face from the amount of tears shed from the ordeal. Saddened by her daughter's despair, Queen Naie kissed her on the forehead and stroke the remnants of tears off her cheeks.

"Please do not be sad, Sunako-chan. You will meet someone whom you cannot live without at the ball, I'm sure of it." Knowing that it is pointless to wait for a reply the Queen stood up once more, her royal cloak draped over her lean body, shielding her from the slight breeze that entered the room.

She would not let me get away with this.

Regaining her usual brightness, Naie left the room to inform Takenaga of her success. Sunako sprawled on the floor, her eyes red and sore. Her expression is that of such loathing and hatred, her knuckles were white from the strain of her clenched hand.

"Just you wait, mother." She said in a hoarse voice. "Just you wait."

Not bothering to wipe the tears off her face she stomped off the room, her anger blazing brightly in her heart and eyes, burning what's left of her human feelings. The thing, stored deep inside her chest, was watching all that had happened, waiting quietly to be released. Soon, my dear, soon and you will all be free. And we shall finally live happily ever after.