A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
I entered a magical Ficathon with the ACA. Well, I started a story for it, didn't like it, scrapped it, and went off to college. It's been a wonderful year, and I've learned so much about writing! Then I got a really good idea that was even better than my original idea, so I started writing it. Here's the first chapter of it. So Ellsbeta, I'm sorry it's so late. If I remember correctly, the prompt was, "Anything where the hero gets to angst over the damsel in distress." And so without further ado, I present The Cinderella Con.
~Iliana11
Claire gasped for breath as Jessamine pulled the corset even tighter. "How am I supposed to breathe?" If her stomach was squeezed much more, she was afraid its contents might come spilling out.
Jessamine pushed her foot against the wall and continued to pull the corset strings. "You'll steal the prince's breath away. And his money, for that matter. A few hours of discomfort, Claire, and we'll never want for anything else. Now hold still! You're worse than Alexander when it comes to being put in a corset."
"I'm sorry that I can't breathe. I feel like I'm going to vomit." Claire placed her hand on her stomach.
"Then I'm doing my job right."
Claire rolled her eyes. "Alex is a boy, I don't see why you have to put a corset on him. I mean, sure, it comes in handy to have a boy on the team, but putting a corset on him is a bit much this time around, even if he is supposed to play my ugly stepsister. Anyway, are you sure it's a smart idea to con Prince Nathaniel? He's the ultimate heartbreaker, the biggest flirt. Do you know how many ladies and princesses sob at the mere mention of his name?"
"I do, Claire, and that's what makes him the perfect candidate. You know he's not going to stay with you forever. You'll steal his heart, but at the end of the night, he'll tell you that he's not looking for a wife. You tell him your sob story, and ask for monetary compensation to escape your stepmother and stepsisters. You'll be so charming that he has no choice but to give it to you. Once he gives it to you, run."
"I know the plan, Jess. I have it memorized down to the minute. I just don't understand why I have to be the damsel in distress this time," pouted Claire.
"I'm too old to play the fair maiden anymore, and you're too old to be the poor little girl dying on the side of the road. You're the damsel, now. Besides, you're just curvy enough to attract the right attention at this ball. I'm not quite as blessed as you." Jessamine tied up the corset laces. "All done. That's not so bad, now, is it?"
Claire sat down on the couch and stared out the window. "You disgust me."
Jessamine grinned. "Well, I'm doing my job right."
Claire ignored the statement and played with a strand of her hair. She twirled it around her finger, thinking. "What if I don't want to do this job anymore?"
Jessamine threw her head back and laughed. "Ha! Sweetheart, we're at the top of our game! Our business has never been so successful. You want to do your job."
Claire sighed. It was no use trying to convince Jessamine. Jessamine didn't have a heart. Claire thought she didn't have one either until her last job as a damsel. She didn't want to think about that, though. Not tonight. She had a job to do. Maybe after the ball she could convince Jessamine to let her go her own way.
"Stop staring off into space, Claire. I have a tincture to make you blonde for tonight. It looks like it'll only last until midnight, though."
Sighing, Claire stood and let Jessamine change her mousy brown hair to a deep golden color. With her fancy blue dress and blonde hair, Claire looked nothing like herself.
It was perfect.
~oOo~
Prince Nathaniel threw himself onto the sofa, a pile of pillows swallowing his face. "I hate these events."
"Nathaniel!" His mother threw her hands into the air. "What am I going to do with you? You do understand why you have to attend, don't you?"
Nathaniel pulled his face out of the pillows. "To be a royal jerk?"
The Queen rubbed her temples. "Nathaniel, do not play this game with me. You know your task, and you will do it!"
"Yes mother, I will find the girl who comes late, surely the most beautiful, dance with her the whole night through and sweep her off her feet, as she has surely swept me away, and then at the end of the night, grant her what she wishes, but refuse to marry her. Remind me why I break their hearts instead of marrying them?"
"Because you are too good to marry just any woman. Besides, most of them don't even have money. You free them from trouble, and you do it without the expectation of marriage. It makes you seem more noble and desirable. You don't seek them for their romantic prospects. You'll thank me for this idea later."
"You do know that I only break hearts, right?"
The Queen ignored her son, but instead swatted at him. "Up, up! You have to go prepare for tonight, as do I. I'm wearing my new dress imported from Vitri Isles tonight!"
Nathaniel dragged himself off the couch and rolled his eyes. His mother scurried off, muttering all the while about dresses and politics.
As soon as she had left, Nathaniel fell onto the couch again. He closed his eyes and pretended to ignore Sir William's approach.
William threw a pillow at Nathaniel's head. "Come on, it can't be that bad. You know if your mother catches you dithering about, it'll only get worse."
Nathaniel reluctantly stood up and faced his friend. "You haven't seen dozens of girls cry over you. It always happens. It'll happen tonight. Some girl will end up in tears over me. Do you know how weird it is to see girls crying over you?"
William sat down next to him. "You know, many men would envy you. I don't, of course. But then again, I hold my own well enough not to be jealous." William looked at himself in the mirror and straightened his collar.
"Fortunately, mother and father promised me that this would be the last one. Hopefully I can settle down soon and make my own decision about which damsel I'd rather marry," said Nathaniel.
"Well, Nathaniel, if you want to end up with the fairest lady, you'd better go get dressed for the ball. You don't want to make mummy dearest upset," teased William.
"Oh shut up." Nathaniel stood. He glanced down at the pillow and grinned slyly. He grabbed it and whacked William in the face.
"Very mature, Nathaniel. Now come on, I'll help you get ready. I'm the only person in this castle that can actually handle your whining."
Nearly an hour later, the ball had just begun. The ladies twirled in shades of red, violet, blue, and green. The candlelight gave the ballroom a warm yellow glow. The musicians played, plucking perfectly at the instrument's strings. The stage was set. Prince Nathaniel was at his place, dancing with a lady dressed in pink.
"One last ball, one last damsel," he whispered to himself. "I can do this."
Jessamine and Alexander were at their posts, creating the illusion that would surely guarantee Claire success. Right outside the ballroom door, Claire was about to make her grand entrance. She breathed deeply, her stomach tying in knots.
"One last ball, one last con," she whispered. "I can do this." With that, Claire shoved the doors open, placing a smile on her lips. Every eye turned to her, as was planned. Prince Nathaniel looked at her and grinned. Their eyes met, and they each knew their target for the night.
The game had begun.
5/20 edit: Typo fixed. Thanks Byrd!
