I've changed the title to 'My Fairy Tale' because I figured out the perfect words to end the story, and they didn't go along with the title. Sorry for the delay! I know a lot of you have been waiting patiently. I didn't have much to incorporate into this chapter, so it's a little shorter than usual. Next chapter won't be, though, so I hope that will be enough of a compensation.

I tried something new to start off the chapter, so tell me if you like it. It's a departure from the regular, first-person narration from Sakura's point of view.

Thanks to:

Teruna Hime

LitaKino77

Lil Miss Delusional

Anita

gemgembo

Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own CCS or Ella Enchanted or any other real items mentioned in the story…blah blah blah. Like anyone cares.

Summary: Sakura Kinomoto is the daughter of a noble, friends with the dashing crown prince, and cursed with so many problems. Can she sort out her life? And find true love on the way? This is the fairy tale of Sakura's life. ...Loosely based on Ella Enchanted…

September 11

Dear Tomoyo,

My life is horrible. I wish I could die.

I suppose I should tell you why I am writing so soon after your departure. So much as happened since yesterday I can hardly believe it. I'll start from right from where you left.

After Syaoran whispered…well, you know what he said. Anyway, I felt odd when he did it. It made me want to avoid him for a bit. However, he ended up offering to escort me home. Do you remember Maiden's Hope Bridge? Well, it was quite funny when he toppled over the edge trying to keep an eye on me. And then he pulled me in with him! The nerve! I must admit, I had a very enjoyable time in his company. When we parted at the door, he kissed my hand and gave me a gorgeous rose. I felt that feeling again, but at the time I just brushed it off.

Today, Father came home for the first time in two years, almost. He did not care much for seeing me and immediately pointed out my recently-torn gown and messy hair. I was even angrier when he demanded that I leave for finishing school tomorrow! Try as I might, he would not be persuaded otherwise. So I ran into the gardens and cried. Out of nowhere, Syaoran came and he held me and told me that it was going to be okay. He also wondered why my father was sending me to finishing school if I was already perfect. He said it Tomoyo! He said I was perfect—twice! And, well, it was surprising and I guess I sort of, kind of…passed out.

I woke up a while after and Syaoran was sitting next to me and he was really worried. Imagine that, Tomoyo-chan! He spent the good part of the day next to me! He apologized profusely for making me faint, which was very nice. I invited him to dinner because it was so late anyway. There was a little scuffle near the beginning of the meal between Father and me when I chose to sit next to Syaoran rather than him, but it cleared out. However, during the meal, Father tactlessly brought up the subject of my 'flaws'. Syaoran held my hand under the table and tried to talk to Father, but it ended up in a heated argument. I ran out and cried in the gardens again, and Syaoran comforted me again. And there I made a teeny confession to myself, Tomoyo.

I have a crush on Prince Li.

In two days, he has me captured. I am confused right now. I hope, though, that I will not fall in love with him because Father has already decided to wed me off. Syaoran was especially enraged about this fact. I suppose he wants free rights for all his people. He doesn't want to interfere too much in family affairs, though, because he hasn't done anything beyond talking to Father and offering to take me somewhere better, like to his manor. I must turn down the offer.

After I calmed down, we talked about what I was going to do. I told him that I was going to finishing school for a month or two, just to show Father that I CAN be a lady. Then I'll escape and hopefully, you'll let me stay with you and Eriol for a bit while I sort things out.

Please could you consider that? I would not stand living with Father any longer, although I daresay he'll be off abroad again.

And speaking of Eriol, I know you will tell him everything that I said. That's okay, as long as he doesn't tell Syaoran about my crush. Please convince him not to tell. I will tell Syaoran myself when I'm ready.

I hope you are having fun on your honeymoon by the seaside. I'm so jealous; it's getting colder here. And just a question, my dear cousin. Can we expect any junior Hiiragizawas anytime soon? Ha ha!

Sending you both my love,

Sakura Kinomoto

September 11

To Hiiragizawa Eriol:

Having fun in your seaside villa? You and Tomoyo have not had any quarrels, I hope? That won't do. Although, knowing you, I know that you will have no problems. Your personalities are so very alike.

This is just a quick note to you about what's been happening. I know that Sakura will have written to Tomoyo already, so you will have heard about her plight. My heart cries out for her, for she does not deserve such a terrible father.

I also want to inform you that, in five weeks time, I will be leaving to handle skirmishes on the border with Athen. I would leave sooner, but the kingdom is in a state of disrupt, so it must be settled first. I will be passing by both cities of Maidstone and Stafford, so I will drop by your house in Maidstone on my way.

Again, hoping you are having a wonderful honeymoon,

Syaoran Li

"Are you sure you would not mind going to finishing school?" Syaoran leaned forward across the coffee table and held my hand. "I could take you somewhere else, anywhere."

I hesitated. His offer was so generous…so tempting. But no, I had to show Father what I was made of.

"Yes, of course. It shall only be five or six weeks. Then I'll escape. I know the way to Eriol's place."

Syaoran still looked troubled.

"I'll be okay. I promise."

He slowly eased back into his upholstered chair. "I myself will be passing by your school in Stafford. I wonder if they'll let me visit." His eyes twinkled laughingly.

I smiled back, and then furrowed my eyebrows as his words sank in. "Why would you be passing Stafford? It's quite a ways from here."

A grim look passed his face. "There have been little battles up north of Stafford, against Athen's forces. I'll be going up in five weeks to see what I can do. There's some unfinished work here in the castle that I must do first, however."

It was my turn to be worried. "No! It's too dangerous to go. What if-"

He cut me off gently. Echoing my earlier words, he said, "I'll be okay."

I bit my lip. "I don't want anything to happen. I've already lost Mother. I don't want anything like that to happen again."

He shook his head. "Nothing will happen. Don't you trust me?"

I looked into his intense amber eyes. They were glazed over with a strong emotion I couldn't I identify.

"With my life," I murmured softly. I watched his shining eyes for a while. He looked back into mine, and for a one whole minute, I felt pure, unadulterated happiness.

Then Syaoran broke it by getting up and heading to the door.

"Pleasure to be here, Sakura. Good luck at finishing school." He made a face, and I giggled. "I hope to see you again soon. If I make it past the next two months."

His hand reached for the door handle, and I froze. This is not real. Finally realizing that it wasn't a joke, I snapped.

"Oh, Syaoran!" I ran to him and threw myself into his arms, suddenly sobbing. "Don't go! If I didn't see you again, I would be so desolate! I've just become friends with you, but you're already leaving!" I lifted my head slowly to meet his heavy gaze. "I know you have to go, but, just once, can't you stay here? And wait for me?"

Syaoran shook his head no and winced as more tears passed down my cheeks. "Sakura," he began softly. "We both have things we need to do. And I give you my word that I'll be back before you even miss me."

I nodded shakily and stepped back, untying my silver necklace at the same time. I let it dangle from my fingers and watched the pink sapphire cherry blossom pendant swing rhythmically, before reaching up on my tiptoes to tie around Syaoran's neck.

"Hmm? What's this?"

I shyly studied my tiny kid slippers. "That's my good luck charm. Whenever I've worn it, nothing has harmed me. I hope the same will hold true for you."

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Syaoran fingering it delicately. "I'm sure it will. Thank you Sakura." He said warmly.

I smiled tremblingly and hugged him again, catching his strong scent of oak. "I will pray every night after your departure for your safety."

He nodded again and waited for me to break away before kissing my hand and stepping outside.

Out of the window, I watched his white stallion hurry away gallantly down the path.

Oh Syaoran. Why did you have to go?

I pushed back sniffles and headed out the back door to the waiting carriage, ready to take me to Stafford and finishing school.

My future waited ahead, laid clear on a single path.

I push away the plate of bouillabaisse. I've eaten too much again. Who can argue, though? I've been riding in a bumpy carriage all day.

As soon as Syaoran left, I prepared for my departure also. Maddie, my governess, had packed four full trunks of clothing and shoes for me to take to finishing school. All four were packed on top of the carriage, looking out of place with the sleek white carriage cover. Only Maddie was there to see me off. She told me that Father had left in the middle of the night, saying something about searching the kingdom for suitable suitors.

It didn't matter, really. I bid goodbye to Maddie, who had been reappointed to some other wealthy child. She didn't look at all sad to say goodbye, and neither was I. She was always so bossy. Anyway, that's off the point. After I left, I had ridden in the carriage all day. The weather was crisp and cool, a great blessing. It would have been a nightmare to ride in hot weather.

In the evening, the driver pulled into a local inn. It looked very cozy and welcoming from the outside, and I was relieved to say that it is the same inside. The owners are very nice, and they say they are from some distant country across the sea. France or something. Anyway, they fed me very generously, which is the most important part. Bread and jam and roast hart and bouillabaisse (some sort of shellfish stew). And still an entire chocolate cake to eat!

I must enjoy this good food while I can. I suppose at finishing school, they must half-starve the girls so they have 'proper, lady-sized stomachs'. What a pain that must be. I finish off two slices of cake before thanking the owners and saying good-night. The driver of the carriage says we will leave a bit after breakfast tomorrow morning, for it is a three-quarters day ride to Stafford.

I drag my feet up the stairs and collapse onto the satin-covered bed. The sheets are so soft…

I'm dozing when suddenly there is a knock on the door, and a maid comes in with a cup of raspberry leaf tea. Ah yes. I told them to bring that up before bed when we checked in. I sip the steaming liquid and watch the dark meadows from my window. What is Syaoran doing right now? Is he pining over me too?

Of course not, you dolt. He thinks of you as your friend, and nothing more. Quickly, I change my train of thought to Tomoyo. She's probably sleeping now, listening to the sea beat against the rocks outside her villa. I sigh and swish the last dregs of now-cold tea around the bottom of the teacup before gulping them down. I place the cup on the bedside table and just think.

How sad my life is. I've got no lover, no proper family, and no aim in life. I'm no one special or beautiful or smart. Just Kinomoto Sakura. I can feel a tear slide down my face, and I angrily wipe it away. Why am I crying so much lately? I've weakened. I'm letting my emotions get to me.

Almost viciously, I slip off my gown and change into the spare nightdress from my carpetbag. I put out the lantern and tuck myself under the blankets. I've always had to fend for myself, and I'm not going to change now. My eyes close, and I fall into a dreamless sleep.

I wake up the next morning feeling much better. I put on my third-best pink chiffon gown and tie my hair up into a sleek bun. It's always best to make good first impressions. Who knows what type of teacher the finishing school mistress will be?

I walk downstairs slowly, careful not to muss my dress. The kind owners (I still don't know their names) have set out breakfast for me and another guest, an odd hunchback man. Trying my best to ignore him, I sit down across the table from my driver.

"How are you, little lady?" He says politely, setting down his coffee.

"Fine, thank you." I start eating the plate of porridge in front of me, making sure to add lots of treacle first. The bowl took a long time to finish, and when I was done, I was already stuffed. On second thought, maybe just some coffee.

"Best be going now," the driver says, getting up as I put down my cup. "Before the sun is up too high."

"Of course," I stand, and slip a cinnamon bun into my inner pocket. No use in wasting food.

The driver fetches my luggage as I thank the inns-people for their hospitality. I bid them good-day and soon we are back on the road, just hours away from finishing school. Oh goody. I can hardly wait.

'The Stafford Preparatory School for Young Ladies', boasts the wooden signpost by the doors. The driver drops off all of my trunks by the front door. I feel very out of place in the posh carpeted hall, but I pluck up the courage to knock on the door of the headmistress.

No sooner than I do that, a beautiful woman comes sweeping out. She's dressed in floaty pale blue silk, and her shiny blonde hair is done up in a careful chignon. She curtseys to me and starts talking in a mesmerizing, thickly accented voice.

"Ah! We have ze new student here! Yes, I have received a letter about you from your governess!" She gives me a heavy glare with her piercing eyes before continuing. "Yes, your name ees Miss Sakura, am I correct? Well, we have your room set up already. Your father ees a very rich and imposing man. Only ze best for his little darling, no?" The woman claps her hands twice, and another woman loads my trunks onto a wheeled trolley and walks ahead to my room. I feel a hot flush climbing up my neck as I notice that Maddie over packed.

The woman talks some more as we walk through long, windy passages. "Welcome to Stafford Preparatory. I am Madame Genevieve. Although I can see you are better zan some other girls we get, you have a long way to go before you are a proper lady, ready to enter a civilized home as ze wife. Here at Stafford, you will learn absolutely everything zat is necessary for a woman to know. Dancing, singing, manners, stitchery. No cooking or cleaning for young ladies, however. Zat is for ze servants to do, so zere is no need for you to learn zat."

Madame Genevieve stopped in front of a pale pink door and gestured for me to go inside. "Zere will be bells to announce every meal and every class, so you should just follow ze queue to wherever you are going. I shall inform all your mistresses of the new addition to our school, so zat should work out nicely. I hope you have a fine time here at Stafford." Genevieve closed the door behind her, leaving a faint smell of expensive perfume behind her.

I look around the room. My trunks are piled up in front of a cherry wood dresser and wardrobe. A matching bed made up with pastel pink and white sheets sits next to a window looking out onto the gardens in front of the school. A chamber pot and washstand is in another corner, and a desk and chair propped against the far wall. I look up at the wall clock and notice that it's still another hour till supper, although I'm starving.

I bring out the sticky cinnamon bun and chew thoughtfully. This place is nice enough, but it is still a curse. I will have to be proper all the time, and when I go back home, I will be forced into wedlock. I push those nasty thoughts out of my mind and start organizing everything into the wardrobe. When the bell for supper finally rings, I get up from the bed and peek outside. All the doors in the hall are open, and crowds of girls are hurrying down the stairs, chattering excitedly. I slip into the rush and walk after them to the main floor, where there is a long table of food set out. The girls pick up what they want to eat, and sit down at the tables for two spread throughout the dining hall. I balance a huge dish of carrot soup to table tucked away in the far corner and eat alone. No one wants to talk to me, but I can feel eyes on me from all around.

This is why I don't make too many friends. They're all fake posers, ready to pretend friendship if it means that you'll give them lots of money.

I finish the last bit of soup and deposit the dish by the entrance to the kitchen, picking up a couple of lacy butter cookies on the way. I follow the plush carpet all the way to my room and shut it firmly behind me before changing into one of the petite nightdresses Maddie packed. The room is chilly, so I bundle up under the covers and listen to the rustling sounds of the night outside my window.

Finally. Peace and quiet.

Liked it? Loved it? Drop me a review and tell me! Oh, and if some of you didn't catch on, Madame Genevieve is French, like the owners of the inn. I just received a letter from my pen pal from France before writing, so it showed up during the chapter.

Don't forget to review!

Next installment: Escape!

Love ya,

Audrey