(1. This is the smut free version. For the Explicit rated version, check my author page.
(2. World where m/m & f/f relationships are commonplace and m-preg is normal.
(3. First chapter written in narrative form, later chapters written from Asher (Cinderella) POV.
Long ago, in a country across the sea, lived a baby called Asher. His family lived on a villa, not really impressive by most people's standards, but it was a handsome building that had stood tall for over one hundred years. The villa was nestled between the mountains and the Great Forest, the valley that surrounded the house was known to be magical, which is why Asher's ancestors had made their home in that place. In ancient times, it was said that a Great Fairy lived in the valley, keeping watch over the mountains and forest. None of Asher's people had ever seen the Great Fairy, but her image was in all the woodwork and stone carving around the house, his forebears fancied that she was watching over them, keeping the property safe.
Asher's birth had been a true blessing to his parents, who were both convinced that they would never have a child. However, Asher's mother was not destined to live long enough to see her son smile. She passed away in childbirth, taking half of her husband's soul with her. The two had been very much in love and while they longed for a child, neither would want a child at the cost of their love. Asher's father did his best to live for their child, but he lost all the color from his hair and his smile was always thin.
Asher was a sweet baby, with a sunny disposition. His hair was straight and very fine, the color of caramel. His round face was often in a smile. His eyes were the bright color of amber, changing in the light.
Father and son were very happy in the valley, fishing in the morning and playing in the afternoon. Every day Asher felt the love of his parent and it made him a strong boy. He made friends with the servant's children and all the animals of the valley. The house had many such friends for Asher, two dogs, a family of cats, a few horses and a pony. Asher found a way to talk to the animals and understand what they had to say in return. Asher's father once remarked to his son that Asher's gift for communicating with animals must be the work of the Great Fairy.
When Asher turned five, he began attending school in the town. It was a hard separation for the boy, to be away from home and family for the entire day. However, he enjoyed school and made friends with the other children easily. At home, his father lavished attention and gifts on the child, to make up for the long week apart from each other.
The summer that Asher was eleven however, things changed for the two men. Asher was enjoying his summer holiday as he always had, running wild and free without any cares. His father was called away on business and gone from home. He felt guilty for leaving the boy alone but it couldn't be helped.
It was a great shock to Asher when his father arrived back home with a wife and two children. The woman, his father explained, was a distant cousin of his that had fallen on hard times after the death of her husband. Being the only family left, he had married her to take care of her. The two children were close in age to Asher, Anna, a year older than Asher, and Driscoll, who was a year younger than Asher was.
The adjustment of three new people in the house was very difficult for all parties. The two children didn't care much for other people, preferring to speak only to each other. They did torture the housecat and chased the dogs around pulling their tails. Asher did his best to help protect the animals, he would have spoken to his father about it but it was clear he had issues that are more important. Stepmother looked in distain at the house, not pleased at all to find it such an old-fashioned building. She hated the images of the Great Fairy around the home, and ordered paintings to be hung over them whenever she could. This was a heavy expense for his father who worked extra hard to make up the funds his new wife frittered away on 'renovations'.
To Asher's great relief his summer break was over and he could go back to school. At school, he rarely saw his new siblings and he could almost pretend that they did not exist. Weekends became a dreadful chore, the whole family gathered together when all they wanted was to be apart from one another. Asher rarely spoke to his stepmother, she didn't interact with her own children either, instead she lived happily in her own head and ignored everyone else.
Thus, they lived for one year together and had fallen into a steady rhythm of life. However, one day, during the week, Asher and his siblings were gathered together and lumped in the coach to hurry home. Father had become ill very suddenly, by the time the children arrived, the poor man was drawing his last breaths.
Gathered around the bed, they listened to the last rattling breaths of the man. They said their goodbyes, but there was no sign that he understood. Finally, he died, his spirit rushing off to join his wife in the great beyond, satisfied that Asher was taken care of by his stepmother at least.
If Asher thought that his Father's death was the worst of his troubles he was soon put to right. The will reading stated that the entire house and fortune was to be held for Asher as soon as he reached the age of eighteen. However, his stepmother found a clever lawyer who was able to transfer the bulk of Asher's inheritance to herself immediately, she claimed it was so she could look after the money but that was a lie. The money that his family had built up for years dwindled away almost overnight. Parts of the house were torn down and completely remodeled until the old building no longer recognized itself.
It wasn't long before Asher was pulled out of school, his stepmother claimed it was so he could help look after the house. However, she had hired a man to oversee the estate. His name was Mr. Hower and he spent most of his time drinking and gambling instead of working. However, stepmother was happy to not be bothered with the details and let Mr. Hower have free reign over everything. Asher was sorry to leave school but he did enjoy helping on the estate. His help generally meant tending to the gardens or helping in the orchard. However, the more time went by the more and more he had to help. Mr. Hower dismissed servants without any clear reason, and the positions never filled again, creating more work for Asher.
His stepmother would leave often on trips; these were the best times for Asher. He had complete free reign and lived as he had before. That was as long as he stayed out of Mr. Hower's way. Whenever the drunk saw Asher, he would give him a long list of chores.
His siblings stayed in school, they came home on the weekends but now instead of tormenting the animals, they made Asher their victim. Once they locked him in the coal shed for a whole day and night before a servant found him. His stepmother refused to hear of any quarrels between the children, insisting that children would be children. Therefore, Asher was left to defend himself as best as he could. He avoided them for the most part, finding out of the way places to hide with his animal friends.
More and more Asher was busy with work, learning to cook and clean for the first time in his life. It was challenging but he still had his friends among the servants and was able to bear it all with a smile. However, the number of friends dwindled, until Asher was all alone in the house, no servant employed full time on the estate anymore. The orchard went to waste, the gardens were greatly reduced, and the new parts of the house were the first to fall into disrepair. It was painful for Asher to watch his beloved home fall under such hard times, but there was nothing to be done. About this time, his siblings began calling him Ash or Ashes, as he was often covered in ash from the coal fires. It didn't bother him much, their taunting was easy enough to ignore for a time.
Driscoll took up the profession of a writer. He wrote Gothic romance stories that even he had to admit were drivel. However, they seemed to sell well enough to keep Driscoll dressed in fine clothes while the house around him crumbled. He chose to live at home, reducing his expenses. From time to time, he would travel however, giving speeches and public readings of his works.
Anna became a singer; she had a beautiful voice and was asked to sing in a national company. When not preforming, she also preferred to live at home, singing was not a very lucrative occupation. Nevertheless, she spent most of her free time visiting the homes of rich folk, her fine voice opened many doors for her.
When he turned eighteen Asher learned that there was no money left. If he wanted funds, he would have to sell the house and land. He thought about it, but seeing someone else own the house might break his heart. Asher wondered if he should run away, but he was an adult now and knew better than to really try. Without money where would he go? He had no education, having been taken out of school at age 14 there was no profession he could take on. The only thing he knew how to do was be a servant it seemed. If it was his role to be a servant then why go elsewhere? At least if he stayed here with his stepfamily he could continue to dream of the way life used to be.
So Asher took up his stepmother's habit of living inside his head. In his mind he could have all the funds in the world, go on grand adventures, fall in love, all the good things in the world could be his. His fingers ached and his body was tired, but he learned how to keep his spirit alive in his imagination.
He took on the name Ash, on the outside. Ash could be a servant and toil away for nothing. However, inside he kept alive the memory of Asher. However, the more time that passed the more Asher disappeared and he truly turned into Ash. He forgot how to speak to others, stand up for himself and even feel the full range of emotion. The person that was simply Ash didn't have trouble seeing the house in disrepair or the teasing of his siblings. Even though he felt sorry to lose himself, he did nothing to stop the slide into the safe world of Ash.
Thus passed the first twenty years of Asher's life.