Italy X Reader, Cinderella

Part Two: The Value of a Friend

Life there was made bearable when Ruby hired other servants to stay with you in the basement. Francis was the first she hired, and he became your best friend. The two of you did all of your chores together, and you looked out for each other.

''Don't you worry, ma belle. Someone will rescue you from here.'' Francis whispered, his french heritage so blatantly obvious.

''I doubt that very much. The way Ruby keeps us trapped here, the only person that will save me...is me. But, I'm not even sure how to do that myself.'' You sighed frustratedly.

''Mademoiselle, I hear her calling you.'' Francis groaned.

''Wonderful. I'll see you later.'' You waved before adjusting your dirty old dress and hurrying up the stairs.

''Yes, ma'am?'' You asked Ruby. She shook her blonde hair casually.

''I need you to braid my hair. I have a party to go to tonight, and no, you're not invited.'' She snapped in an annoying tone of voice.

''Alright.'' You nodded, taking the brush from her hands and gently brushing the knots out of he long hair.

''I have found a new nickname for you. Cinderella. You know, since you sleep downstairs by the ash pots. Remember that one morning you knocked them over and you smelled like cinders for a week? It took forever to get those ashes off your face.'' She giggled. You might have actually smiled at the memory if she hadn't sounded so offensive. That, and you wouldn't have smelled like cinders very long if she had let you bathe.

''My name is Cindy. Don't call me that.'' You whispered.

''I'll call you whatever I want, Cinderella.''

When you had finished braiding, you were told to mop the floors and scrub them with the toothbrush as well as you could. The instant you finished that, Delilah wanted you to clean her room and then she told you to dirty Anna's.

''No. I am not getting in the way of you two.''

''Oh just stop being a chicken and do it.'' Delilah ordered.

''If I'm such a chicken, then why don't you do it?''

''Ugh. Mom will so hear about this.''

''Whatever helps you sleep at night.'' You retaliated as politely as possible before leaving to do dishes.

By the time you got done with dishes and laundry, it was time for you to draw Ruby a bath.

''You should remind me one of these days to let you take a bath. All that dirt on your face must be a real turn off for Francis.'' Ruby laughed cruelly.

''At least I have a friend, you bitter old mole.'' You glared.

''What did you just say?'' She scowled at you.

''Nothing.'' You gritted your teeth and clenched your fists.

''Good. Get used to saying nothing, because if you say a word around me for the next week, you and Francis won't be eating anything. Oh, and a few more servants are moving in here from the Vargas mansion. They always have too many servants and are looking for places for them to go. I pulled some strings.'' You nodded and left her side. You practically stormed down the basement stairs. You were sixteen years old... and you were still being used as a servant. How much longer could this go on? Maybe your dream would never come true.

''Are you alright, ma cherie?'' Francis asked kindly.

''I'm not allowed to speak around her for another week.''

''Cindy, what on earth did you say this time?'' He chided you.

''Don't give me your speech on holding my tongue in her presence. Have you heard that bimbo speak? It's hard not to say something offensive. First, she made fun of me this morning because of a few weeks ago when those cinders were knocked over. She wants to call me Cinderella from now on. Ugh, can you believe her?''

''The name is pretty, though. It has a ring to it.'' Francis pointed out.

''You're just as bad as she is!'' You growled.

''Sorry, I couldn't help myself.'' He smirked.

''Anyway, and then she chose to make fun of you and I again. So, I told her at least I have a friend. Then, I called her a bitter old mole.'' Francis lost it at this part. He laughed so hard, clutching his stomach.

''Ma petite fleur, you are too funny.'' Francis gasped out when he managed to get ahold of himself.

''It was worth the week of no speaking. I'll just have to remind myself.''

''I'll remind you. For having the courage to say that to her, it is the least I can do.'' The frenchman laughed again. You smiled at your best friend before realizing how sleepy you were.

''Tomorrow is my day to do house chores... and you'll have to work outside. You need all the sleep you can get.'' Francis sighed.

''I agree. Goodnight.'' You nodded, pulling up the blankets that lay spread on the floor and curling up in them, trying desperately to keep warm.

''Goodnight, cherie.'' You heard him say before you fell deep into another dream about the little boy and the fountain.

'In dreams, you will lose your heartaches

Whatever you wish for, you keep'

While you were peacefully sleeping the night away, Feliciano Vargas was arguing with his parents...again.

''Mom, I've already found her. It's just been a long time. I'll know her when I see her.'' Feliciano explained.

''You say that so often that I'm starting to doubt she exists.'' His mother sighed.

''Just pick any girl! There are plenty of beautiful, smart, rich young women for you to marry! We are already being hounded by that snotty Ruby Hudson! We had to sell some servants to keep from going under! Why this girl?''

''Because I want to marry for love. I don't want to marry some rich girl.'' Feli had already decided when he was young that he would marry the girl who helped him climb out of the fountain. He would recognize you by your (E/C) eyes. He was wondering why he hadn't found you yet, after all the parties and balls they hosted. He figured your dad wouldn't have changed, even after getting married. He would probably still be penny-pinching and trying to hob nob with the rich folks. So, why did he never see him?

Feliciano's family wanted to give up. Their oldest son moved away when he turned seventeen, and they had no contact with him. All of their hopes rest on Feli, and they didn't want him to go astray.

''I promise, mom. I will find her.''

''Go to bed, son. We'll talk about this later.'' His mother sighed, putting her head in her hands. Feliciano nodded before leaving the room. He slumped against the door, tears streaming down his cheeks. Would he ever be good enough for them? His heart ached to meet just one person that understood him.