Twisted Cinderella Story

Once Upon Cinderella's Sweet Nightmare

Alright, here's the deal. I went a little overboard with this chapter whilst writing because I was having so much fun and then I knew the event I was stopping at but needed so much stuff to be put into this chapter before I could actually end it. Alright, hopefully that made sense to you because I didn't realize how much I had written until now so I'm putting my author's note at the beginning in case some of you get bored with what I've written and don't make it to the end. It shouldn't be hard to read 13,000 words as I have written 13,000 words over two documents since my mobile ran out of space on the first part. I've been enjoying this story recently and because of that my other stories have been suffering in which I deeply apologize for but in my major writer's block for those stories I have gotten much done for this one. I think you'll enjoy it as much as I have.

I would've cut this chapter in half if I had had a place to splice it at but I couldn't so it's ultra long. It was very awkward to write and it may be very awkward to read because I don't know how anyone feels about crossdressing but the events that happen now will makes the events in the future very important. I really hope you like it because I've never gone past a 6,000 word chapter before. Many things will come to make sense in the near future.

Extra note: All of the random third person point of view pieces in here are either dreams or memories. But as I said you aren't meant to understand everything yet because I want you longing to know the truth about the past, present, and future. Secrets only I know and actually understand. The reasons this Cinderella Story is so twisted.

"Jack?" I reached over groggily and laid my hand flat on the warm spot where my royal used to be. "My Prince?"

I sat up and rubbed my eyes, the clouds in my eyes fading away. I sat up and rubbed my arms. Jack must've stayed like I asked him to, I was warm...

I pulled the duvet out of bed with me nearly tripping on it and knocking my head on the bed table. I wrapped it around myself tighter and went to the large Victorian windows and saw little tufts of spikey blonde hair sticking from the top of a recliner. I opened the doors and tiptoed over to him.

"Morning Yuusei," I bit my lip and tried to not burst out laughing.

"How did you know?"

"How could I not? Contrary to your popular belief, you aren't as quiet as you think."

Something ran through my mind then.

Two little boys were in a garden and one sat in the grass while the other hid behind a tree. The one behind the tree tiptoed to the other and just as he pounced the other moved and grinned at his younger friend. "Nice try."

"How did you know?" The younger friend pouted.

"How could I not? Contrary to your popular belief, you're not as quiet as you think."

"Hey, Yuu, you alright?" I focused my attention on Jack and frowned.

"I don't know, I just saw something really weird."

"Weird?" He looked around. "Weird like how?"

"There were two little boys playing in a place with many flowers and they said the same things we did...like deja vú. I was looking through the eyes of one of them. It felt so weird, I've never seen it before."

"Come, sit with me." He pulled me to the recliner, sitting down and pulling me to sit on top of him. He wrapped the duvet around the both of us, and sighed. "Were you cold?"

I nodded. "You kept me warm last night. I woke up cold and alone and I thought you had left."

He chuckled. "Now why would I leave my fiancé all alone and defenseless, especially since I sent your bodyguard away for the night. You slept like a baby."

I stared at him in awe, he was being serious about marrying me! "You actually want to marry me?"

"Of course. You didn't hear me declare it to the kingdom in the ballroom last night?"

"Well yes, but why would you want to marry me? Of all the people of your kingdom?"

"Because out of all the people in my kingdom, you are the only one that didn't scream and squeal at my name, or chase after me, or swoon, or do anything those idiots outside these walls do."

I raised an eyebrow in amusement. "That all?"

"And you are, out of everyone in my kingdom, the one with the most willpower to have been able to withstand all that you have gone through, and in addition to that you'll stand up for yourself and that is what makes you the most beautiful in my eyes and that's all that matters."

I snuggled deeper within the duvet and the warmth of his body. It was comfortable in silence and I didn't want this moment to end.

"Why do you love me Jack?" I asked watching the rising sun. "You've just met me. Three weeks isn't enough time to fall in love with someone."

"I told you why I love you, why I'll never let you go, and why I want you to consider actually marrying me."

I wanted to cry then, but I swallowed my tears and smiled at him. "Of course, I wanted to marry you last night, I want to marry you this morning, tomorrow, and the days after."

His face beamed with pride. "Oh this is wonderful! I'll go inform Father immediately!"

"Wait. I don't want you to go berserk about this, I want it nice and well planned, not rushed. I want it in the middle of December under a willow tree."

"You want it outside?"

"Of course, can we not have it outside?"

"We can have it outside if that's what you want, I just didn't want you to get sick in the cold December wind."

"I want it outside, and we'll have the reception inside of course. Invite all the guests you want to invite, I have no one to invite, other than Crow, but I don't even know whether that's an option."

"What do you mean? Why can't you invite Crow, he's your friend right?"

"But he's under lock of my stepmother. If I know that woman, she doesn't know where I am and since we're so close she's going to hurt him to get to me, and she knows I know that."

"Would you like to go and see him tomorrow? It would be nice to take a carriage ride along the trail. You have a busy day today."

"Really? And what do you mean a busy day?"

"Father thinks it would be a nice idea to debut you today. He has even come up with a nickname for you.

x-x

"You named me what now?"

"You heard me."

"But it's such a girly name."

"Not exactly. It could be a male's name too. And beside for it to be a girly name was the whole point."

"Would it be a good enough alias?"

"Of course, no one would suspect."

"Good, I would like to keep it that way. And it is pretty catchy."

The king chuckled and Jack nudged me playfully. "Well it is…I mean Princess Yuui, it seems kinda cute. I always did like wearing dresses when I lived at home, when I had to sew my sister's dresses I would have to put them on to fit me so it would make them look smaller and more 'curvy' I guess. I would play in my mother's dresses when I was little and do shows for my father like the ladies in the townshows my father would take me to."

"You mentioned that before but I didn't know you had to tailor them to fit you. You're smaller than your sisters? It didn't seem that way at the ball."

"Cause I tailored their ball gowns. I've got to be two times smaller than the both of them. My stepmother believes that girls with smaller waists will be the ones to get the most attention. Sheri hates it and always asks me to tailor her dresses to fit her."

"Is Sheri mean to you as well?"

"She doesn't really talk to me and when she does she isn't mean to me, she's nice, actually nice to me so I don't mind her. She's only mean when her sister is watching her. She gave me food during the day while I did my chores." And then I realized what I said.

"You didn't eat?" It was an unnecessary outburst and I sighed.

"The cook would bring me food at night while my stepmother and stepsisters were asleep. She would give me a huge plate of food that would have to last me all the next day."

"How could that woman be so cruel? You are just an innocent child, that is unfair that she could think to do that to you."

"It's okay Jack, it's over now. It's a happy day today. We're going to marry in three weeks and live our happy lives."

He kissed me and I pulled away, the embarrassment of his father watching flaring in my cheeks. "Your father is present, my prince, it's not proper."

The king bursted in laughter. "Even now, you're still so polite and formal."

"Of course, we're not married yet. It still is my job to be formal even after we marry."

A knock resounded on the door, breaking our fun. "My king, there is someone here from the council here to speak with you."

"Alright children, you go on and have your fun. Jack, take Yuui to change and get ready for the event, it shouldn't take me long. I expect you to be ready by the time I am done."

"Of course father, come on Yuu, your maid Marika has offered to assist." Jack lifted me from his lap as he stood and pulled me toward the door.

I turned back and smiled. "Goodbye, my king."

Jack tickled my side and pulled me out of his father's study past a man in heavy robes. He gave me a scary look and I pressed closer to Jack in fear. The man walked into the king's study and I shivered.

"Are you cold?" He asked rubbing my arms.

"No, that man, he gave me a scary feeling. He looked at me like he wanted me dead."

"No one will touch you, not while there is still a breath in me."

That image of the little boys flashed behind my eyes, the rush of light making me dizzy. I tripped over my foot and toppled toward the floor, but Jack got a steady grip on me before I could fall.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly and I put a hand to my head.

"I saw that thing again, with the little boys," I blinked away my dizziness and smiled, "I'll be fine."

"Those images, you think they're memories?"

"I don't know, I only saw shadows of little boys. I don't know if I know who they are."

"We will talk to father and ask what he makes of it."

I nodded. "Alright, but he says we better be ready by the time he finishes. I'd hate to be at the end of his wrath, but then again I'll place all of the blame on you."

"You malicious vixen."

"Of course," I gave him a sly grin. "I did make myself this way."

He pulled me along the hallway and into the corridor that led to my room.

"Would you like to move into my master bedroom with me?"

"Really? But it would be improper..."

"Will you stop that? I don't care if it's improper. You are my fiance now and that will not change until we get married in which you will become my 'wife'. So don't refuse me anything please, because it's improper because in three weeks you will be 'princess' of Neo Domino and it won't matter then."

I stared at him with wide eyes and swallowed. "I'm sorry. It's just I've had every happy thing stripped from me brutally. I just didn't want to get too close, too comfortable in case you decided to make me leave. I couldn't bear to have something like that happen. I just, couldn't..." I sniffed and closed up. Is this what I've become? A sobbing mess of nothing in a dress? I couldn't believe myself.

"Yuusei..."

"Please don't, can we just go? I'm tired and I don't want to be at this event for anymore time than usual."

"Of course, I want you to be comfortable, and know that you'll never be alone again. I'd decided I would spend the rest of my life with you and I will never hold back on that."

I smiled, "are you reciting your vows to me?"

He grinned and kissed me softly. "I'm practicing because evertime I see you I get choked up. I don't want to embarrass myself at my own wedding."

I blushed and grabbed the skirt of the dress I wore. "I just hope I don't trip down the alter, I would be so excited I would trip over my feet."

He chuckled and we began walking down the hall toward my room.

"I thought your room was across from mine though."

"That's my guest room, just like your room is my guest room, the entire west wing of the castle belongs to me and soon to you as well."

"So your master bedroom is bigger than your guest room?"

"Of course, it's about the size of a normal villager's hut."

I sighed exasperatedly, "royals are crazy."

He poked my cheek and I smiled, "you make me really happy, you know that?"

"I'm glad, you make me the happiest I've ever been."

I looked at the platinum ring embedded with sapphires on my 4th finger. "Sometimes I can't believe I've been living in castle for the past three weeks and now it's even more unbelievable that this is happening to me."

"Yuusei, you-" Jack was cut off by quick but heavy footfall and a strong voice calling out to him.

"My prince! It's urgent, the king requests your presence! He says it's about the future princess!"

I looked at Jack in confusion when he tensed suddenly. "Is something wrong? What about me?"

"Nothing is wrong, I'm sure father wants my opinion about something. I won't take long. Trudge here will escort you to your room for me and Marika will be there to help you pick your dress for the event."

I wanted to argue but I would probably still lose and the consequences wouldn't be good either so I nodded and watched him walk away before this guard led me to my room.

I greeted Bruno and thanked Trudge before heading into my room where Marika waited.

"Hello Marika," I yawned, laying on the bed.

"Ah, Mistress, Prince Jack asked me to find your dress for the day. Would you please get up and choose your dress for the event?"

"Marika, just let me rest for a few minutes. I'm tired and I got up really early this morning. Give me a few minutes or I won't make it through this event."

"Prince Jack will be upset with you."

"He won't be," I replied tiredly. "He'll understand."

"Yuusei, I need you to stay hidden and whatever you see or hear, don't make a sound."

"Daddy, what's going on? Why are there people outside of the house? I'm scared. Our house is on fire!"

"You have to be strong Yuusei, because one day something good will happen to you." A huge bang hit the door. "Be strong Yuusei."

The door opened and Aki stepped in. "Fudo-san."

"Aki. I married you because I thought I could change the fate of our enmity, and you agreed to it."

"Feh. Your wife was a fool, just as my brother is a fool. I was banished from my family as a traitor and I made it worse by marrying you.

You took my kin over me and she bore you that filthy child and died a death she deserved. Then you turn around and marry me to keep the so-called peace between our families. I've been waiting for this moment since then. Where is he?"

"You will not have my son. I will never tell you."

"My men are scouring this house. They will find him and keep him until I get that person to deal with him."

"I will never let you have him. He's protected by my seal. If you kill me, you can find him."

"I can arrange that."

Fudo stood with open arms as Aki struck him through with his own sword. "I never loved you Fudo-san. I've been waiting for this moment, to see you bleeding out at my feet."

"There is a - catch Aki." Fudo coughed out blood. "When I die, Yuusei will be eternally protected by my seal. You nor that person will be able to touch him. He will be erased of this horrible life and he will live on."

"You bastard, you wanted me to kill you."

Fudo smirked and coughed out more blood. "Of course."

Aki glared with hate. "I'll fufill your wish Fudo, and break his soul for having the most stubborn father. Enjoy burning in hell." She severed his head and mutilated his body, throwing his blood and flesh around the room. A sadistic and grin of glee plastered on her face.

I screamed, every logical thing flying out of my head. I looked around the room wildly, my heart pounding painfully in my chest. I was alone in the room and that scared me even more. I jumped out of the bed and threw my door open running down the corridor. I didn't care that I had tear streaks down my face, I needed help. I felt like I was going to be sick. The sun was setting behind the horizon as what I saw through my blurry vision. Everytime I blinked I saw the blood, the splattering, the room; I felt terror to the core and I didn't know where I was running to. I heaved at every step soon enough until I knocked into something hard and heavy. I thought I had run into a wall once I hit the ground and then I registered the grunt. I stood and bowed apologizing.

"Watch where you're going, petty slave." A stinging sensation fell across my cheek and I was choked quiet.

"Hey, isn't that Lady Yuui?" I looked up at the two men and they gasped. "You just slapped Lady Yuui."

I stared at their faces because I knew that I would have a heavy mark across my cheek and maybe a few scratches from the rings on the man's fingers. Jack would execute them on the spot. I would have to tell him who and defend them as an accident.

My hand was grabbed as I turned to leave and I stopped but did not look back. "Please forgive me, Lady Yuui. I did not know it was you."

"You are not to hit a female, servant or not." I wrenched my hand free and began walking again. "Whatever punishment Prince Jack gives you for touching me is none of my business nor will I argue with him. I believe it was an accident so I will make sure you keep your lives."

"Thank you. Thank you so much Lady Yuui."

I felt I did something nice and my heart wasn't beating so fast anymore. The distraction took my mind off of things but now there was nothing to distract me anymore. And I couldn't stop seeing it. Was that a horrible dream or a painful truth. I couldn't tell.

I walked into another empty corridor and leaned against the wall. I had to pick the dark corridor without any windows. I slid down the wall and pulled my knees to my chest and buried my face in my arms.

My dad died protecting me. He died protecting me. It's my fault. If I hadn't been so clumsy. If I were never born. My dad would be alive and well. He would be with my mother, they wouldn't be dead and I would be here in a different life. If I hadn't killed my mother, she would be living with my dad, we would be living together, and my dad wouldn't've been killed by that witch.

I choked on a sob, is everything that ever happened my fault? I saw the splatters on blood on the walls, on the floor, on me. This nightmare won't end. I swallowed and I cried because there was no one to help me.

"Well what do we have here? A stray kitten?" I didn't look up but I knew someone was going to touch me.

"I would appreciate it if you didn't touch me." I said trying to keep my voice straight.

The faint heat disappeared and I proceeded to get my fearful trembling to stop.

"Oh little kitten, you're shaking like a leaf. Are you hurt? Do you need help?"

"Leave me alone. I am fine."

I stood quickly and began walking away. "I said I was fine."

"Oh, Lady Yuui. My apologies."

"No, I'm overreacting. I just want to be alone."

"Has someone hit you?" He reached for me and I flinched. "Has the prince hit you? Is that why you haven't run to him?"

"No! He would never!"

He reached for me again and rubbed my cheek and pulled away blood. I put my hand to my cheek and felt it running down a few scratches. My heart pounded and it was all over me again.

"It ran all the way down to your pretty dress. And you didn't notice?"

I swallowed and turn the opposite way. "Please. I will find Prince Jack on my own. Leave me alone."

"Oh but milady, that would be highly rude of me." He advanced on me and backed me to the wall. "Especially to give up an opputunity like this. You look like you're afraid of something, I'll help you get your mind off of it. The prince has good taste. He could've done better.." I pushed away from him and tried to run but he caught my leg and tripped me sending me crashing to the ground. I scrambled to get up but he pinned me.

"Ah ah, we don't need stray kittens going stray again, much less to scurry and rat out huh?"

"HELP ME!" I screamed out, and the man laughed out loud.

"No one will come and save you. You wandered yourself into an abandoned part of the castle, little kitten."

I freed my leg and kicked the guy in the face and quickly got up after I heard the satisfying crunch. I ran out of the dark corridor and straight into another wall. I backed up and turned to run the other way when a familiar voice called for me. I was caught by the arm and I knew I was safe.

"Bruno." I breathed out.

"What happened to you? You're bleeding!" He touched my cheek. "Who hit you?"

"He's after me," I whispered.

"Who?" He turned around and called out. "I found Lady Yuui!"

About seven men came from around the corner and surrounded us.

"Is she alright?"

"Why is she bleeding?"

"What happened?"

"Little kitten! I'll get you for that!"

I pressed further into Bruno and he passed me to another guard.

"The prince is highly upset you left your room. He sent us looking for you two hours ago." The guard whispered to me. "When Bruno is ready we'll escort you back."

"Someone come and take him. I'll take Lady Yuui."

"Yes sir!"

Bruno came and picked me up and carried me, most likely back to my room.

"So tell me what happened."

"I had gotten scared and ran from my room."

"Well I know that. I chased after you for awhile before I lost you and went to inform Prince Jack."

"I ran and I had no idea where I were going and then I ran into someone. He slapped me but it was my fault so I don't want anything too too bad to happen to him and then I was sitting alone in a corridor when this man attacked me." I ushered to the man the guards were dragging along.

"The man that hit you, do you what he looked like?"

"I do. He didn't know it was me. He thought I was a slave and I told him that he shouldn't hit a female, slave or not. I told him that I would make sure kept his life."

"When Prince Jack sees the state you're in, he won't think the same."

"I'll blame it on this man. And I'll banish the other man myself."

"You're a sly one."

"And when he unleashes his wrath on this man that said pointed out I wasn't good enough for him then I'll tell him the truth and ask to punish him myself."

"Why were you running anyway?"

"I had a horrible dream and must've been sleepwalking." I lied smoothly. He reminded me but I tried not to think about what I saw. The evil look on her face, my father's severed head facing toward me with that haunting look, a sorrowful smile on his face that said he was sorry, his blood splattering on my face as she sliced his body unrecognizable.

I cried and Bruno whispered to me. "I'm sorry! Please don't cry. We're almost to your room."

I looked on ahead and I saw the ever familiar white cape. I didn't have enough strength to jump from Bruno's arms and Jack had come to me anyway.

Bruno gave me to Jack like a porcelain ragdoll. And Jack nearly crushed me. "My prince, I can't breathe."

"You scared me to death." He whispered.

I smiled and put my free arm around his neck. "You're still alive aren't you? I didn't mean it."

"Bruno."

"Ah, yes sir?" His voice shook and I knew Jack was going to reprimand him for losing me.

"Inform my father that we will have to postpone our event for the day and do it tomorrow. I'll speak with you later."

"Yes sir." Bruno bowed. "But what do you want us to do this person? I found him assualting Lady Yuui in the abandoned part of the north quarters."

Jack gave the man a glare full of hate and seething and it reminded me of the look that my stepmother gave my father before she killed him. I looked at the man before looking away. "I want his head on a pike by tomorrow morning." They began taking him away and then Jack stopped them.

"Wait. Maybe he can receive salvation from his victim. What should I do with him, Yuui? You should have a say in this." Jack asked me suddenly and I nuzzled his cheek.

"Why are you asking me? I might do something really mean, I hate being mean but he did hit me. He made me bleed." It wasn't a complete lie.

"Oh? Doesn't that give more reason?"

I felt him shaking in rage so I decided to ease his anger. "Do what you want."

"Send him through the chamber, but keep him alive. I want to see his head put on a pike tomorrow."

They began pulling him away again and he began calling out stupid thing. It put him in deeper trouble. "It was an enjoyable time while it lasted Yuui! It's disappointing I couldn't finish what I started! You would've been great I'm sure. And for I to be your first as I'm sure the prince hasn't taken you yet!"

Jack squeezed me and I rubbed his arm. "Turn around Jack."

He turned me toward the man's direction and I asked the guards to stop. "I let Jack choose what to do with you because I didn't want to do anything mean to you but you have tested my patience. Beheading is too nice for someone like you. Your blatent disrespect is irritating and you need more punishment." I smiled at one of the guards. "I want him in sections. I want his arms and legs in sections, I want him castrated and if he loses too much blood and is on the brink of death then I give you permission to wake us so Jack may see his head piked tonight. And when everything is done, feed his bones and flesh to the bears and wolves in the forest. Understand?"

"Yes milady."

"Jack."

"Hmm?" He was watching me in amazement.

"I'm tired."

"We have to get you cleaned up first. Marika is upset with you."

I laughed. "I know, I was tired though."

"I didn't think my sweet little angel could be so brutal."

I shrugged, "the wild animals are hungry too, I don't want them to die."

"You seem to be out of it. Are you alright?"

"No." I shook my head. "No, I had a nightmare and I was terrified. I don't know what I was running from but I kept running. I hope Bruno isn't in too much trouble."

"He isn't in trouble. I'm just going to have a little chat with him." He opened the door to my room and laid me on my bed. "How you got so beat up, I'll have to inform that man's family of his crime and death."

"I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" He called from the bathroom.

"I've caused so much trouble today. A man is going to be killed because I couldn't stay in my room. Oh what have I done?"

"Yuusei...you haven't done anything wrong. I sentenced that man to death as it is against the law of my father and his forefathers to hit any heir or heiress of the throne or his or her intended. It is, as you saw, punishable by death." He explained coming from the bathroom with a basin filled with water. He set the basin on the bedside table and rung out the cloth. I sat up and he began rubbing at my bloodstained face gently. "I want to get you cleaned up before you take a bath."

I nodded and looked at the floor.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"I had a dream about my father."

His hand paused for a moment before he continued. "Was it a good dream?"

"No."

"Was that your nightmare?"

"I suppose I had forgotten the most important parts of my life because the last memory I have is of my father's death. I never knew the graphics but I saw them. In my dream, oh there was so much blood, it was on the walls, on the floor, on me. My stepmother, she killed him. She severed his head and threw his blood and flesh around the room. I remember, I watched it happen." I saw the blood behind my eyes again and I shook in fear.

"Calm down, Yuusei." He embraced me and my heart slowed.

"But then, when you're here I don't see it anymore, I can't see the blood anymore and the nightmare ends."

"Yuusei."

"Please don't leave me. I don't want to have anymore nightmares."

"I won't leave you, ever again."

Reality came back to me slowly and quietly like a butterfly landing on a flower. I turned over in my pillowed warmth and sighed.

"Are you awake?"

I smiled and nodded. "Mm-hmm. Warm."

He chuckled. "Did you sleep well? No nightmares?"

"Nope. I dreamt about midnight."

"Your horse?"

"No, like a midnight sky with a whole lot of stars. Although I want to see her."

"I told you I would take you to see Crow today. Do you still want to go?"

"Oh do I! It's been three weeks."

"I want to speak with father today, about your dreams, and about seeing if you're okay to leave."

"Alright. But I don't want to get up yet. I'm really warm."

"You fell asleep while I cleaned you up last night. I had Marika help me bathe you and dress you. You have tiny scratches but nothing that will leave a scar."

I looked at him and sighed. "About that, the man you had executed yesterday wasn't the one who hit me. It was someone else."

"What?"

"I'm sorry but that man did hit me at one point it was just that someone else hit me before him."

"Why didn't you say so?"

"Because I didn't want you to overreact like you're doing now. You were stressed and angry yesterday and I didn't want you to go on a rampage. It was a silly accident and I had previously given the man a thorough reprimand and told him I would make sure he kept his life. So would you let me decide his punishment?"

"You're too kind." He sighed and kissed my hair. "Alright, you can handle it. If it isn't something harsh enough then I will override your sentence."

"Thank you." I grinned and jumped out of bed.

"Ready to start your day?"

"I want to get breakfast over with so I can see my friends."

"Alright. I observed the man's death this morning so I laid out your dress when I came back. It's laying across the board so it won't get wrinkled."

"Thank you!" I called scampering into the bathroom. The dress was a light blue and purple pattern with yellow designs here and there and it seemed to fit. There was a blue hair band and blue flat shoes to match under the board.

"Ne, Jack should I put my hair up or leave it down?" I asked, stripping my pants and shirt. And then I realized what I said and smacked myself. What am I saying? Now I really sounded like a girl.

"Leave it down. Wet it a little and put in the stuff on the sink. That should keep it laying down so it won't spike up again. We don't need them recognizing you, the results may be catastrophic. I heard from one of my guards that your stepmother is planning something horrible when she finds you."

I shivered and grabbed the jar of light green gooey stuff that looked like someone had vomited in a glass. I gagged and opened the top and sniffed it. I nearly threw it across the bathroom but decided against it. "Are you sure this stuff is safe? It looks and smells vile."

"Yes, I am sure it is safe. I wouldn't give you anything potentially harmful to you."

"If you say so..." I took a basin and stood in the tub and dumped water over my head. I scooped a generous amount of the jelly and rubbed my hands together to get it smooth and spread it across my hair. It was immensely cold against my scalp but I rinsed my hands and looked in the mirror; it had made my hair shiny and wavy instead of wispy and spikey.

I dried off and dried my hair and it kept shape. I slipped on the dress and and shoes and secured the hair band and checked myself over in the mirror. I passed myelf as acceptable and exited the bathroom.

Marika had come in and made the bed and I smiled. "Thank you Marika."

She gave me a curious look and smiled and nodded before finishing up and leaving. I peaked my head out of the door and Bruno stood outside, a stoic look on his face. "You alright Bruno?"

He gave me a smile and I grinned. "Yeah, I'm fine. You little elf."

"Elf?" I smirked. "I'm not an elf. Elves only exist in my nursery rhymes and storybooks."

"You're hilarious Yuu," he jerked his head toward the light at the end of the hallway. "Prince Jack said he had to retrieve something and he would be back."

"I see."

"Hey, it's alright I know you're hungry, and don't want to go alone but I'm not allowed to leave my post which means you aren't allowed to leave either and that means we're stuck here together."

I laughed and grinned as I saw Jack coming down the corridor. "I just couldn't keep her contained." He said as someone was behind Jack. "She says, "Where is my dearest prince, he's keeping me here with this boring old man and I'm hungry!" is what she said."

"If I offended you by calling you old at all then I'm sorry. Jack is going to be twenty soon which means he's getting really old too."

Jack gave me a look and I hid behind Bruno laughing.

"Isn't she cute." The man that was following Jack chuckled.

I stopped laughing and really hid behind Bruno. I got a bad feeling about this man.

"Oh dear, my prince, it seems your little angel is afraid of me."

"Yuu, this is Sir Harold, he will be taking care of the fabric and tailoring of your dress. And he will help plan parts of the wedding."

I peeked at the man again and gulped. I went back into my room and shut the door. I pressed my ear to the wood and heard them talking. "She'll get used to you. She's just being shy."

"Oh yes, I hope she'll trust me enough to let me measure and tailor. It's a shame."

"I'll talk to her, I'm sure it's just nerves. She had a terrible encounter yesterday."

"Yes I heard about the man's death. It was a dishonor to try and defile a future princess in such a vile way."

"You may head down to breakfast I'll be there soon."

I backed away from the door and faced the opposite wall. "Were you listening?"

"Of course, I always listen. I want to know what people think of me."

"It's alright. He's not dangerous and he won't hurt you."

"I'm hungry Jack." I said bluntly.

He sighed and embraced me, his breath blowing my hair in my face.

"I'll try." I said softly and he squeezed me.

"Come let's go to breakfast, you must be hungry."

I smiled and grabbed his hand pulling him out of my room and through the hall.

"I feel like I haven't eaten in days!" I laughed as we walked through the castle toward the dining hall.

"Are you excited to go see your friends?" Jack asked.

"Yeah!" I pulled him faster. "Come on! Quickly! Quickly! We'll miss breakfast! Will we go out for the event today?"

"Yeah. We can do it on our way to see Crow."

"So what do I have to do?"

"Just smile and wave."

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"And then I get to see Crow?"

"Yes."

I smiled and reached to kiss him. He smiled against my lips. "Thank you Jack, so much."

"You're welcome love. I just want you to be happy."

I pulled him along again and around the corner to the dining hall.

"You know that many people that live in castle will come to you as sympathy. Your scratches still show so you will have pity."

"I understand, although it is not needed."

"Yes, of course, but many people won't think that way."

I nodded to the guards standing at the door and they opened the doors to the hall.

Jack put his arm around my waist and led me past the long table where all the nobles sat to the table where he and his father sat. An extra chair had been placed for me and I smiled. We had passed the noble that hit me and he gave me a fearful look and I smiled quickly at him. Whispers had erupted as we walked by and I heard Jack mutter something about 'low-life gossipers'.

The king had greeted us excitedly and I sat down in beside Jack as our breakfast was served.

I hadn't eaten much because since before yesterday I had been a servant at the castle and no one watched me eat but now that I was to be future 'princess', everyone watched what I ate and how much I ate and when I had only eaten a quarter of my plate of breakfast I was questioned, immensely.

"Did you not like the food Yuui?" The king asked seriously.

"Yes! It was delicious! It's just nerves, I'm excited to go into town today." Truth was I felt very sick, just that little bit of food had me nauseous. I hated to lie to them when I said the cook would bring me food every night but I had to feed them something. I was lucky if she brought me one huge plate of food a week. My stepmother would give me leftover lettuce pieces every other day and then call me selfish because I wanted food from her but couldn't do my chores right.

A servant came and took my plate and I sat quietly while everyone finished eating. I squeezed the hem of my dress and swallowed. I was nervous. What if something went wrong and we were found out? Oh what if I gave myself away? I wondered if Jack would let me tell Crow. If he could come back to the castle with us and have a fate like me and find a nice noble that wants him too. I fidgeted in my seat and bit my lip. My heart began pounding again, and I took in a few deep breaths, my racing blood rushing to my head and making me dizzy. I closed my eyes and tried to will my anxiety away. I'm glad it was happening now instead of at night. I refrained from tapping my foot and I held my breath. I stared ahead at my empty juice glass and concentrated on it and it only it. Everything faded away except the glass and I began breathing again. My heart started slowing down and the anxiousness I felt slowly disappated. I closed my eyes and suddenly a hand was on my arm. I gasped and jumped nearly three feet out of my skin.

"Yes?" I focused on Jack's face before things in my mind started moving again. "Yes?"

"Are you alright? You seemed a bit out of it. You were wavering."

"I'm sorry." I smiled. "I'm fine, I had been thinking really hard."

"I don't think it's just that, maybe you should eat a little more Yuui, you didn't eat anywhere near enough." The king said.

I shook my head. "It's fine. I'll eat more when we come back if I'm hungry."

People began coming up to the table and sending apologies and sympathies to me, and all I could do was smile and thank everyone. And finally last, the man who had slapped me with his rings had come up with his head bowed, his friend standing behind him avoiding eye contact with me.

"I apologize for all and any action I have had in harming you in anyway and I am willing for any punishment you befall upon me." He recited carefully.

I stood and looked upon his pitiful figure. "Do you know the penalty for laying a finger on a princess or future princess?"

"Yes, milady. It is death." He replied.

"I have made a promise to you and I will not break my promise. I have spoken with my Prince Jack and he has agreed to allowed me to bestow your punishment. I will have mercy."

His body physically relaxed. "Oh thank you milady!"

I sighed and sniffed sadly. "As punishment for your crimes, you are hereby exiled from the Kingdom of Neo Domino. Please retrieve your belongings and leave the kingdom immediately. I will have someone patrol and if you are still in the borders of the kingdom within the hour I will have you brought before me and executed. Do you understand?"

"I understand milady. Thank you kindly for your kindness and mercy. Please excuse me."

He hurried from the dining hall and I turned and sat, my dress reflecting in the tears in my eyes.

"Was that hard for you Yuui?"

"I'm ready to go now. Can I ride Raven into town? Maybe she'll get along with Midnight too."

"Of course. Will you want someone to bring a carriage for later?" Jack asked and he knew my habit. If I didn't want to answer something I would change the subject. At that moment I was thankful for that.

"No, it's fine. I'll ride her to and from."

"Alright. Goodbye father." Jack nodded before standing and pulling out my chair so I could stand.

I bowed my head. "Goodbye, my king."

"You two be safe. That woman is dangerous. Jack, if my daughter comes back with any bruises, cuts or scrapes, you will be punished accordingly."

It felt weird that everyone referred to me as female. I knew I was male and a few select others knew but all the people that didn't and believed me to be female had no idea we played them for their ignorance in our little game. No, I played them. Everyone are my pawns and I am the queen. I will protect my king and my fools and knights will protect me. I had the master plan and now that I had the power and insentive I could do so.

Jack mounted me on Raven to where my feet were on one side so my dress wouldn't be open for the world to see my underwear. He mounted on his pure white stallion, Steel, and tapped Raven so she would begin a slow trot to the town. He had a few guards trailing us on foot and two on horseback. The houses and shops came into view and I smiled. There were little children cheering and screaming at the entrance. We entered the borders of the town and I ushered to Jack to help me down. He hopped off Steel and helped me off of Raven. All the little children huddled around my legs and began yelling and laughing.

"Hello, little children! Have you all been good today?"

"YES!" They screamed simultaneously.

A little girl pulled on my dress, a cute teddy bear in her hands. I picked her up as she rubbed her eyes. "Awe you a pwincess?" She yawned.

"Not yet. Maybe you can be a princess one day and find someone who loves you like I did." I gave a look to an amused Prince and I handed the little girl off to her mother who shushed her and went to put her down for a nap.

We stayed in the village for nearly an hour talking with all of the people and I spent most of that playing with the kids. It was the one them that really caught my eye. He was a sweet little boy with dirt smudges all over his face, his clothes were ripped and a tiny missing tooth. He reminded me of myself when I found myself in the village a few weeks ago. I found him in a dirt hole near the edge of the forest when I went to retrieve a flower.

"This is my play spot!" He had smiled and I knew he was lying.

"Where is your mum and dad?"

"They've gone away. They'll be back soon."

"You look lonely, come play with me." I smiled.

"Aren't you the princess?" He stood up and his long bright red hair in dirty matted tangles. He couldn't have been older than six or seven.

"Almost, but I need another person to play my game."

He grinned, his bright white teeth bringing out the gap. "Okay!"

I felt so bad for leaving the children because half of them began crying but when I said that I had to leave. The little boy, Rally he said his name was, just disappeared and I couldn't find him again. I looked back toward the disappearing town and smiled sadly.

"What's the matter love?"

I looked at my prince and sighed. "I wonder if that boy is okay. He seemed so sad and no one paid him any attention. He seemed like he had the most fun he'd ever had when he played my game."

"The little redhead boy you found? Yuu, you can't have that kind of feeling for the village people. You'll become too attached."

"So am I a different case then? Because you felt the same way for me when you found me beat up and alone."

"That's different Yuu."

"How is it different? You went against your father's wishes and wandered out into the village and brought me back to the castle. You became attached and look where we are now."

"You make it sound like a bad thing."

"I would never consider being engaged to you a bad thing." I stared at him, hurt that he would think that. I grabbed Raven's reigns and had her go at a fast and steady gallop, leaving Jack and the guards in the kicked up dust.

I arrived at my former house too soon and I dismounted from Raven and pet her. "There there Raven, you can meet Midnight soon. You two should get along quite well."

I pulled her along the rest of the dirt path, glad because she wouldn't hurt from any cobblestone. I was going to move further when a large brown steed stopped in my way.

"You're trespassing. Leave."

"I'm visiting as a guest. Stand down."

"The lady is not expecting any visitors. Leave the premises."

"Let me through, my fiance and I have business here. He will be unhappy with you."

He grabbed the collar of my dress and lifted me from the ground. I struggled as his knuckles pressed hard against my neck reducing my air supply. "You do not tell me what to do, you little—"

"Guard!" The guard looked up and visibly paled. "Release her. Now."

The guard let me go quickly and I fell to the ground, my breath coming back quickly.

The were hands on me as the on-foot guards helped me stand. I was lifted and placed on the saddle with Jack.

"M-my Prince! She was trespassing."

"She wasn't. As my fianceé, she has the right to go anywhere in the kingdom she wants, and that includes private grounds."

"Fiance, ah. Uh, follow me please. I shall inform the mistress of your arrival." Jack ushered Steel to move and another guard handled Raven.

"Please be careful. If there is any scratch on my horse I will blame you."

"Yes milady."

Jack rubbed my bare leg and I leaned up against him. "You ran."

"You made me angry."

"I'm sorry."

"I don't want to get attached because he said that his parents are gone and will be coming back."

"He was lying to you."

"What?"

"No mother nor father would leave their child in this land alone for any reason, never. They would've brought him with them. His parents are probably dead."

"But he said—"

"He didn't want you to worry about him. A few town ladies that saw him playing began shaking their heads and saying things like 'poor child' and 'what a shame'." He shook his head. "They probably don't pay him any mind because they can't afford to take him in."

I looked at the ground again and Jack stroked my hair. "I may be wrong though love. He should be fine. Look."

I looked up at the large manor and I realized how long it's been since I've been out. I've never seen the house up close and outside in a long time.

"Come with me please. A servant will escort you to the drawing room and I will inform the mistress of your presence."

Jack jumped from Steel and helped me down and led me inside with an arm around my waist. The guard whispered to someone and when I saw the bright orange hair, I had to refrain from calling out.

Crow stepped to us and bowed. "Welcome, my prince, milady. If you would please follow me." He stood and turned and his face low and weary, deep, dark shadows underneath his eyes and I had to wonder; just what has my stepmother done to him? He took us through a path I knew all too well as my stepmother always had guests over.

He opened the large oak doors and led myself and Jack through. We sat on the plush sofa and Crow bowed again. "Please excuse me. I will return with tea. The mistress will be here soon."

He left and shut the door. "Was that Crow?"

"He's looks so torn up. Have I caused this?"

"When Lady Aki comes, you can leave and explore the grounds with him. Make sure you swear him to secrecy."

"Of course."

We sat in silence for a little bit before my stepmother entered the room cheerfully.

"Ah, my prince! It's so nice of you to visit!" She gave me a quick look. "Milady."

I nodded and smiled. "It's very nice to meet you again, Lady Aki."

"So what brings you here this morning? I wish you would have sent a letter to let me know."

"I have come on the behalf of my father to speak with you about a few things. My little angel had a visit with the townspeople this morning as well so she tagged along and wanted to explore the grounds."

"May I? Lady Aki?" I asked.

"Go on ahead. Crow!" The door opened slowly and Crow came into the room with plates and teacups on a tray. He set the tray down and began setting up the teacups and I tapped his shoulder in a familiar pattern he knew all too well. "You don't need to make me one. I would like you to escort me around the grounds if you don't mind." He looked at me in shock for a moment before bowing his head.

"Of course, milady."

He poured tea for Jack and my stepmother and Jack gave me a quick peck to the cheek. "Have fun." It was his way of saying 'be careful'.

I smiled and tapped his nose before standing and leaving the room with Crow.

"I want to go to the stables Crow. I want to show you my horse!" I grabbed his hands and pulled him toward the back of the house and outside. I opened the doors to the stables where my guards were standing in front of Raven.

"You are dismissed. Stay in front of the door until I leave please."

"Yes milady."

They walked past and I went straight to Midnight. She reared back from me and I advanced slowly and began humming her lullaby. I heard Crow gasp behind me but I didn't stop. Midnight relaxed a little and I smiled. "It's alright girl, I'm here."

She came closer and I hugged her. "Oh how I've missed you."

She neighed happily and I knew she recognized me.

"How did you—?" I looked back at Crow and grinned.

"How did I what?" I asked innocently.

"Only my best friend knows that tune."

"Yuusei?"

"Are you—?"

"I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to be mad at me..."

He tackled me and I fell to the ground. "I thought you were dead! You disappeared a month ago!"

"I was found and ended up in this position."

"The prince found you and took you back to the castle with him and then he made you his...wife?" He pulled on my dress. "What made you become female?"

"You should've seen Carly at the ball. Stepmother was close to getting a tongue lashing from Jack for saying any other would be a waste for him. It was hilarious. I had to kiss him to shut him up. I think Carly was torn up inside and Sheri didn't care."

"You kissed him out of bethrothal? Out of marriage?"

"Yes. But he didn't seem to care. I didn't want him saying anything inappropriate to her that would blow our cover."

"And then you agreed to marry him?"

"I love him, I do. At first I thought he was a stuck up prince but then my thoughts changed the longer I stayed and then when he asked me to marry him I couldn't refuse. I'm not marrying because of the wealth or the fame but because he truly makes me happy, I believe he can make me happy. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my escape but if I had I was sacred something would go wrong. I wanted to tell only the people that would help me escape."

"Why did you come here though? I thought you said that if you ever got out of this hellhole you would never come back."

"I came for you. I figured that stepmother would hurt you to find out where I was which is also why I didn't tell you because I knew what she is like."

"You were right. You saved me from another night of torture. She didn't get that I had no idea where you were and wouldn't stop."

"Jack said that I could take you and Midnight home today. He says that his influence on stepmother would help."

"Really?" I nodded and went to Raven.

"You alright girl? I want you to meet Crow." I waved Crow over and she tried to bite him. "No no, Crow is my friend. He won't hurt you." I grabbed his hand and held her and she let him pet her. "See? Crow won't hurt you. He's nice like Midnight."

"So Prince Jack gave you your own horse?"

"Yeah. I had begun as a servant there and bred the horses and she had taken a liking to me so he let me keep her as my own. This bad boy here—" I went over to Steel who stood two feet taller than me, "is Steel, Jack's stallion. He was tough on me at first and then I guess Raven had yelled at him in whatever horse language they speak and he's been tame for me since. He loves me now. He loves to play with me and would drop water buckets on me when I would be feeding them. Jack would catch me yelling at his horse some days and would only shake his head."

"You're the same as always."

"Of course, if I weren't how else would I get through like I have to always be me just under another identity." He grinned at me and I smiled. "Well off of this subject, there are rooms in the house I haven't seen so show them to me!"

"Of course, milady." I watched him try so hard not to burst out laughing. We walked out of the stables and I sent the guards back to their posts.

"You have a lot of power, they listened to you like that." He snapped his fingers as we got back into the house.

"Of course, I'm the future 'princess' of Neo Domino and I have just as much authority as Jack, even though I'm not even princess yet. I'll have so much more power then."

"You lucky duck."

"Crow!" I looked toward the door and both of my stepsisters stood arms crossed. Carly stepped forward. "How dare you speak to the future princess that way? She isn't your friend and it is highly disrespectful!"

"She asked me a question, young mistress. It would've been disrespectful if I hadn't answered. You have disrespected milady by disrupting her."

"You insolent little brat!" She stepped forward hand raised to slap Crow but I stood in her way.

"I would appreciate it if you didn't use unnecessary force."

"But milady, he—"

"He did as I asked him." I replied, cutting her off. "Crow is supposed to be showing me this wonderful house now and I want to be done before Prince Jack is through with his meeting."

"Of course but how about you let myself and my sister show you around?"

"Prince Jack appointed this young boy here to escort me around the grounds and if he is not with me then he and I will be punished."

"Yes milady." Carly and Sheri stepped out of my way and Crow led me through.

We had gotten through about half the house in thirty minutes since I had seen most of it before but there were rooms I hadn't seen before and went we were about to start on the east wing, I had been called for lunch.

I sat beside Jack and sipped at my cup of tea. It wasn't appealing to my stomach and everyone had looked at me funny when I had eaten very little. "Did you like it, milady?" Stepmother asked politely.

"Yes! It was very delicious, I just had a big breakfast this morning so I still had energy to burn from that. I loved it."

She nodded and Jack nudged me. He was curious as to why I lied and I knew that but I stayed silent. Just as I had during breakfast.

"Lady Aki." I said suddenly and she looked at me surprised.

"Yes? What is it?"

"There is a servant here that I want."

"You want one of my servants?" She paused. "Of course, you can have whichever you want."

"I want him!" I pointed to Crow who stood in the corner of the room. He looked surprised and it was very well rehearsed.

"You want Crow? But he doesn't do his jobs right. He couldn't serve you well."

"I don't care. I could hang him on my wall or something, he's cute enough to be wall art." She looked at me softly, obviously intrigued at my morbid way of thinking.

"Well in that case. Of course, you may have him. He'll pack up his few things now. Are you done with your tour?"

"Not yet. I want to finish it before I take him."

"Well off you go, Prince Jack and I are also almost finished here."

"Oh thank you!" I stood and Crow led me back to the east wing.

"Cute enough to be wall art? Do you really think that?"

"Wall art, that would make you ugly huh?"

"Milady is a weird one." He showed me another room and I yawned.

"I wonder how much longer we have to stay here. I'm getting tired and the sun is beginning to set. I swear we came here this morning."

"No, you came here at three this afternoon. It's nearly five."

That meant we stayed in the village for more than an hour.

"Well that's all the rooms in the manor." Crow turned back and big oak door caught my eye.

"Ne, what's in here?" I grabbed the big gold knob and this felt so familiar.

"No! Don't go in there!"

I pushed the door open and the disgusting scent of blood and rotting flittered into my brain. This was the room. The room from my dream. I fell over and the images floated back into my brain. The blood and the flesh and the death and I screamed. I felt the pain all over again. I saw the soft, bleeding head of my father looking back at me and I felt like I was being suffocated. I screamed and choked and I couldn't think straight. There were hands on me and I kicked and screamed and then it all stopped. Time stopped, my heart stopped, my brain stopped, the screaming stopped, and I could breathe again. I took a deep, gasping breath and opened my eyes.

"Is she waking up?"

"She's waking up!"

"Move back and give her some air!"

"Don't lose her again! Wake her up!"

I blinked a few times and the light came back to me slowly.

"Yuu? Are you awake? Are you alright?"

"There's too much light." I moaned softly. "It's giving me a headache."

"She's okay." There were sighs in, I suppose relief.

I sat up and I realized there was a bed under me. "What happened?"

"We lost you for a second. I was so scared."

"Lost me? What are you talking about I'm right here!"

"Lady Yuui, what all do you remember?"

I sent a look to Trudge and blinked. "I was at Lady Aki's and Jack sent Crow to give me a tour of the house. How did you lose me?"

"Was there any specific place you went?"

"No! We went through the east wing and left. What's going on Jack?"

I gave a look to my fiance and he scratched the back of his head, his red eyes and puffy red face not suiting him. "What happened?"

"She doesn't remember my prince."

"What is it?"

"Yuu, you went into a room and had some kind of reaction to it and lost consciousness. Your heart stopped."

My heart really did skip a beat at that. "We couldn't get you to start breathing again and I was too panicked to do anything productive and it was as we moved your body that you started breathing and your heart started beating again. I couldn't believe the miracle but you are alive now. We left quickly and brought you back here so a doctor could check you over."

He hugged me tightly. "You scared me senseless. I thought I lost you. I heard your screams across the house and I came running and you had just stopped when I came. And then you weren't breathing."

"There was blood and death in that room. I don't know what happened."

"There was nothing in the room Yuu, it was just a desk and a bookshelf."

"It was all over the walls! There was blood splattered on the walls! I saw it, and smelled it and it was absolutely horrible!"

"There was nothing on the walls." He said calmly. "There was nothing."

I stared at him. Why didn't he believe me? I knew what I saw. I got out of the bed and walked out of the room. I had been in a room I'd never been in before and walked out into the hallway. I saw the garden from the stained glass window which meant that if I followed this hall, I could get to the main foyer from the staircase. I walked to the end of the hall and turned in the direction of the staircase. I walked down it and made my way toward the back of the castle. I opened the back entrance and headed toward the stables. I peeked inside and Crow was there, tending to Midnight and Raven who must've become fast friends. Steel looked bored and the other steeds did their own thing in the cool autumn air. I opened the door and Crow looked up from his project. I grinned and he refrained from tackling me.

"I thought you were dead!"

"Yeah. I'm haunting the world with my living presence."

"Prince Jack had carried you out and said you were gone and then you started breathing again. I had never seen a royal cry in my life."

"Can't say that anymore." I smiled and he grinned.

"True."

I laughed and turned. "It's great to have you back Crow."

"Yuu, you have no idea how great it is to be back."

I was reprimanded immensely by Jack and the king for leaving the castle without supervision. Crow was reprimanded for keeping me out in the late evening wind with the risk of sickness then giving a promotion to Head Servant for keeping me safe from predators. I patted him on the back then was immediately taken away for TLC, as Jack had so kindly put it. He had also taken the liberty of moving all of my things from his guest room to his insanely, and I emphasize insanely, huge master bedroom. He wasn't lying when he said it was the size of a normal villager's hut. I laid pillowed on his overly king sized bed, a book laying under me. I turned the page and sighed. This was boring. Jack had gone to a council meeting with his father and I had to stay and rest so I decided to read on of the large books on his bookshelf. I needed to get tailored for my dress tomorrow since we only had two weeks and three days until the scheduled date for the wedding. Then the day after we would have someone come and get quantity numbers for roses for the reception and ceremony. We would have someone bring the willow a few days before the wedding, the cook and his fifty assistants would have the food made the day and night before the wedding and have candles and oil lantern heating overnight, I wouldn't be staying with Jack that night as tradition and the king said that my something blue would be my bright blue eyes. I smiled and turned the page again. After about twenty more pages I got bored again. I hadn't expected the meeting to last this long so I closed the book and got out of bed. I went into the bathroom and began running bath water.

I got out the winter dress Jack had gotten for me and went out on the balcony waiting.

I didn't know how to take all of it in. The sudden change from sudden house slave to next princess. It was all too much. I laughed and laughed and then I screamed into my pillow and laughed some more. Bruno came into the room and I had started laughing so hard I started crying. I had been at it for a good five minutes before Jack came in and asked, "was one of your jokes actually funny Bruno?"

That got me. I just laughed in pure humor at that and I couldn't stop even with the painful cramping in my stomach. I calmed down enough for my worried fiance to question me. And I couldn't even stay stable long enough for that and I had bursted out in tears. I sighed and choked. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I go from laughing to screaming to laughing to crying all in under ten minutes. I left Jack in the bedroom while I went to go take bath alone.

I leaned back and sighed. There was something wrong with this picture anyway. I wasn't being told something and many people knew why. Jack, the king, definitely my stepmother, that council man, and whatever else was outside the borders of this kingdom. The reasons I wasn't granted permission to leave the kingdom, the care and love from Jack, the marriage, the dreams and the memories, the secrets; it was all too much and it all seemed to be centered around me. Why was I so important to everyone?

I decided then, I would find out what was going on whether I had help or not.

x-x

"Please!"

"No."

"Please Jack!"

"No."

"Please! I'm here begging!"

"Why, I don't know because I've already said no."

"Please..." I had to pulled out the big guns because Jack would give me wanted unless he thought it was unsafe or blandly stupid. He figured it was unsafe in this situation.

"I can't let you go in your current state, I don't know what could happen."

"You can come with me!"

"You know I can't. I have important business today."

"I'll take Bruno with me. I'll even ride Steel! I just need to make sure, so please."

"Do you want to go that bad? Someone will recognize you."

"I will wear trousers and a shirt, no one will know. I know you want me safe but I need to know."

He sat down and I sat on him and laid my head on his shoulder. "So please."

"I don't want anything to happen." He looked at me and I looked back at him and I knew I had him caught in my web. "I'll be careful, I promise. But I just need to know."

"And when you find out?"

"I want to keep him. He gives me this feeling and I can't resist it."

"You must keep someone with you at all times. I'm going to send five guards with you."

"No! If you do that, then I'll really be recognized. I'll take Bruno and if I can't find him, I'll come back."

He sighed and I kissed him under her jaw. "Thank you."

"You're welcome love." He kissed me softly, twice and again and said, "don't forget we have the meeting with the florist about roses today."

"I know, I won't be out too long." I got up and ran into the bathroom to get changed. I put on the shirt and trousers I came to the castle in and left out of the bathroom. I kissed Jack goodbye and dragged Bruno along with me to the stables. I mounted Midnight and Bruno gave me a strange look. "Didn't you tell Prince Jack you would be taking Steel?"

"Yes but many people know what Steel looks like so I cannot. I'll be fine so long as you're with me." I smiled and gave Midnight a tap. She began a slow walk so Bruno could keep up.

"Even in trousers and a shirt, you look like a female."

I laughed, "I don't know if I should be worried about that."

"Don't worry, I'll keep you from wandering eyes."

"Bruno, that's like telling the sun not to shine. If Jack killed everyone that looked at me there would be no one left in the world."

The trip to the village seemed to be extra short and we arrived in no time. I hopped off of Midnight and gave her reigns to Bruno. "I'll be fine on my own."

"In your dreams small one, I'll follow you. Find what you're looking for and if you can't we're going back."

"Alright." I began walking and looking around. Where was he? I peeked behind houses, I went to his 'play spot' and he wasn't there and suddenly from the corner of my eye, a flash of bright red disappeared behind a house. I ran despite Bruno's call for me and I went behind the house. And there was nothing there.

"Gotcha, little one." There were arms around me, a cloth placed over my nose and mouth and then I couldn't see anymore.

Whoot! If you actually made it to the end of the chapter then you get a preview of the next chappie!

Preview:

I blinked away the cloudiness behind my eyes and shook away the dizziness that threatened to make me vomit. My stomach churned and my body felt heavy. Did they drug me? I looked around the room but I couldn't tell left from right and it made me even more dizzy. I pulled at my hands but they were bound above my head by chains and cuffs.

"Oh? It seems like our little one has awoken." I tried to focus on the shadowed figure that approached me but I only saw double. My face was grabbed harshly and I cried out. "Yes, cry and scream but there is no one coming to save you. Your escape was by pure chance little Yuusei but you will make up for your missing month."

"Where am I?"

"You're home and you will never leave again."

Next chapter: Once Upon Cinderella's Lost Hope