Disclaimer: I do not own the story of Cinderella or the characters of Hetalia in any way.

Enjoy!

Resting just outside the village was the most serene forest in all the land. The trees were tall and sturdy, the leaves were bright green, and the sun could be seen shining through the many branches swinging in the wind. What a wonderful, magnificent day..

Walking into the forest was a young man who was seen in cheap clothes that were usual for the villagers nearby. It wasn't anything special, but it fit him just perfectly. His feet padded against the dirt, echoes bouncing off the trunks of the trees, and finally he came into a clearing which was full of wild flowers just waiting to be picked. Leaning down, his hands brushed against the pedals, and he picked a few before moving on to the next bunch. Every one was delicate, and every one was perfect. Ah, how at ease he felt. How wonderful he felt. How he never wanted this peaceful moment to end. Unfortunately, just as he was about to sit on an old tree stump, the sound of approaching footsteps rang in his ears. His instant instinct was to run, and run he did.

His feet swiftly moved, and in a matter of seconds he was out of sight and back into his home village; not looking back.

"Sire!" A voice called from inside the forest, running after those footsteps who had interrupted the man's serenity, "Prince Alfred!"

A taller man who wore a brilliant cape and had a sword at his hip turned towards the voice, running a hand through his blonde hair. "What do you want Francis?"

"T-There you are! I was starting to worry!"

"I was only wandering through the forest. I do this all the time."

"Yes, well," Francis was catching his breath, shaking his head disapprovingly, "While you were busy 'wandering', you failed to realize you have work to do!"

"Work? What work?"

"Papers, Alfred. Papers that need approval by the King."

Alfred scoffed and crossed his arms, turning away from his mentor, "I'm not the King, Francis."

"Not yet you aren't. Anyway, come along. We have errands. Servants! Call the horse!"

Alfred rolled his eyes and watched as his subjects came in with his horse, "Come on, I don't even know if I'm fit to be king!"

"Not fit..?" Francis looked shocked by such a statement, "Your highness-"

"Don't call me that.."

"You're capable of anything! I mean you've killed dragons, which is no small feat!"

"That's basic stuff, man."

Rolling his eyes, Francis patted the back of his horse as an order for Alfred to get on and, reluctantly, he did. He patted the animal's head, and instantly they were headed into the village to see how things were going. The whole time Alfred was being told how 'wonderful' he was, but he couldn't help but disagree. In his mind, he was extremely ordinary; nothing special. He didn't even know if he wanted to be king!

He was soon snapped out of his thoughts as he came into the village plaza. People were racing around and talking to one another. The whole place was buzzing with life, despite the poverty in the area.

At the end of the village, the man who was walking in the forest lived in a small home with his stepfamily. His name was Arthur. He had a stepbrother and sister, and a stepmother who was notorious for her cruel attitude. He was currently washing his family's clothing outside in a bucket full of well water when the Prince came galloping into town. Everyone's head turned, including his own. Looking up, he saw how dazzling the prince truly was - he had never seen him in person, but had heard plenty of speculations.

The Prince's horse stopped near the well, and just as he was about to get out, his servant stopped him. "Sire, allow someone else to get you some water."

"But I-"

"You there!" The man with a heavy accent pointed towards Arthur, who sat there in a daze. "Fetch the royal highness some water."

He simply sat there, trying to process the words.

"Are you deaf man? Get him some water!"

"Y-Yes sir!" Arthur squeaked, jumping to his feet and running to the well. Alfred glared at Francis, "I could've just gotten it myself."

"Not necessary."

Arthur quickly gathered a jar of water and handed it to Alfred atop his horse who, with a brilliant smile, thanked him kindly. Arthur felt his cheeks go hot at the generosity he was receiving. He never was treated with respect, let alone by someone who was in much higher authority than himself.

"Thank you so much." Alfred said again, handing Arthur the jar once more. The blonde only nodded, bowed, and backed away. He didn't want to say or do something stupid.

"Onwards!" Francis yelled, and the Prince was soon out of sight, but not out of Arthur's mind. His gaze stayed in his direction for several minutes until the shout of his stepmother snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Arthur! Get back in here and clean up the parlor!"

"Y-Yes madam."

He murmured, stumbling over his own two feet in order to get into the small place he called his home.

Comments and criticism are greatly appreciated ^^

I hope you like it so far!

-Feli