Hello my amazing readers! Here is the next installment of Cinderella! I really hope you enjoy it, let me know what you like, hate, or think about the story please! :)

Now, without further ado, thank you for honoring me by reading my story, and enjoy!

Nicolai and shopping did not mix, Toris decided. Nicolai possessed no clue to what the house actually needed, and he relentlessly focused on the strangest things.

"Dirty, come check this out!" he yelled to Toris, who was in the process of buying red wine from a adjacent stall. The woman raised an eyebrow. "Dirty," she mouthed, scanning Toris up and down. Finishing her critical assessment, her dainty nose instinctively scrunched up. Toris flushed scarlet, fumbled around trying to count out the correct change, and hurried to Nicolai's side. "W-what did, did, did, you f-find?"

"Roasted hedgehog. We need to eat this for supper."

"Uhm…that's not on the shopping list," Toris replied meekly.

"So, who cares? Put it on the list. I've always wanted to try it."
Toris never even heard of roasted hedgehog till that day, and he felt confident that Nicolai hadn't either."Y-your Father, he didn't give me enough money, I-I-I don't think he'd want me to b-buy it. I-I-I-I'm sorry Nicolai." Nicolai huffed and stormed away, stomping on Toris' bare foot. The boy stifled a gasp and hobbled after his young master. "M-maybe you c-could by it with the m-m-money Dimitry gave you?" Toris called out, but Nicolai simply ignored him.

Once Toris and Nicolai arrived at their carriage Toris nerves were frayed. Several incidents similiar to the roasted hedgehog occurred focing an on-edge Toris to decide whether he preferred to face Nicolai's irritation, or Ivan's wrath. He chose Nicolai's each time.
Dimitry was not at the carriage when they got there. "He must still be talking with your girlfriend," Nicolai gleefully told Toris. The ragged boy blushed furiously. "S-she's not my girlfriend."

"No, I imagine she's Dimitry's now."
Toris didn't reply and busied himself with loading the wine, beats, and other commodities into the carriage. When he finished putting the last of the heavy things in, Toris turned around and nearly bumped into Ivan.
"M-master!" The word came out as a terrified squeak, but the massive man looked past him. "Ah, Nicolai, I see you were productive in the market Nicolai." Ivan said, not barely glancing at Toris. The brunette bit at his bruised lip and huddled awkwardly near the carriage. I hate this game. I hate when he pretends I'm not even here. Why can't Master just acknowledge me? I just need him to order me what to do, where to be. He knows I'm not smart enough to know these things on my own. I need direction…please no torture, tell me what to do!... please.

Nicolai was instantly at his father's side. "Dimitry gave me money for sweets. I bought a pouch of caramel. Do you want one?" He held out the bag and stared up at his father, eyes sighing with sincere love and hero worship. Ivan eagerly snatched one and chewed it thoughtfully. "Speaking of your older brother, where is he?"
Toris' eyes widened. Slowly Nicolai gently turned his head to Toris, a malicious gleam in his eye. Should I tell him? He mouthed the words, his smile stretching from ear to ear.
Face gone pale, Toris shook his head. No, he begged silently. Please!

Lucky for Toris, Dimitry showed up at that moment. "Father, Kola! And Toris!" He said smiling happily, greeting his family with a kiss on the cheek, and a bop on the nose for Toris.

"What's wrong with you?" Nicolai asked fending off a hug from his older brother. "Did you taste Anya's homemade vodka again?" Dimitry rolled his eyes and playfully ruffled his younger brother's messy hair. "No, silly. I've only just encountered the most extraordinary woman," Dimitry sighed, looking positively moony. His family stared at him in shock.
"What? Why are you two looking at me like that?"

"Who is this girl you have met?" Ivan asked, head tilted in confusion. Dimitry giggled, actually giggled, and Nicolai's mouth dropped. "He's lost it," he whispered to his father. "I have not." Dimitry insisted. "I've just finally met the girl of my dreams."

"It's not Miss Anya?" Nicolai asked with such an air of such forced nonchalance, it was laughable.
"No," Dimitry confirmed, giddily he clapped his hands together, bouncing with excitement. "So, I was walking the streets when I see this girl, and wow, she is beautiful. She's got this beautiful, luscious hair that she wears around her shoulders, and her eyes are like brilliant diamonds. She's got this cute, adorable little button nose."

Ivan held up her hand. "Dimitry, I'm thrown. I thought you liked Miss Anya. You simply cannot change from girl to girl at whim. We have made a bargain with her family that you two will be married."

"I could marry her Father," Nicolai suggested openly. Ivan glared at his youngest son. "Not again Nicolai," he warned.

"But I love her," the boy pouted under his breath.

"Father," Dimitry insisted, "You know I have always appreciated Anya. But she is just not right for me. Besides, Nicolai likes her better,"

"I love her."

"And now that I've met Princess Felicja,"

Ivan interrupted the enamored young man with a wave of his hand. "Princess Felicja? As in, our princess?"

"Yes sir. I met her today and she is absolutely magnificent." Dimitry shifted his gaze to Toris, giving him a private wink. Toris' frown deepened.

"She has invited me up to the castle to play chess."

That's our game! Toris screamed silently, words trapped in his head.

"Father, I definitely think this is going to work out. In just a few months, I could be next in line for the throne, with a wonderful, smart, beautiful wife."

"If he becomes King, I'm leaving!" Nicolai shouted.

"Not if I forbade it!" Dimitry shot back, smile smugly.

"I don't have to listen to you."

"You will when I'm king."

"Boys!" Ivan roared, and Toris jumped, letting out a whimper. "This is not the place for such a delicate conversation. Dimitry, stop harassing Nicolai."

"Of course, Father," Dimitry replied respectfully, concealing a smirk.

"And Nicolai," Ivan said, "you don't have to take the bait every time it's offered."

Nicolai sulked.

Ivan massaged his temples. "Let's talk about this when we get home. It appears we have much to discuss.

XXX

"If you become King," Nicolai stated as soon as they were in the carriage and heading home, "I'm leading a rebellion."

Dimitry laughed. "Be serious Nicolai."

"I am!"

"But, if I'm King, I could make you…Duke or something. And, with me out of the way, you could marry Anya."

Nicolai digested this. "I suppose that would be okay," he agreed cautiously. "But no promises. You're unbelievably dictatorial, so Anya and I will probably need to over throw you. However, I'll refrain from execution because you are my older brother."

'Thanks," Dimitry laughed and popped a piece of caramel in his mouth. He leaned back in in his seat contentedly. "Life is wonderful," he sighed, "and this is all it's all because of you Toris!" he said, tugging on the boy's hair playfully. "I'm forever in your debt for introducing me to Felicja."

Toris didn't reply, instead he tucked his legs up against his chest, feeling miserable. Dimitry frowned.

"What's wrong Toris? I was going to give you a reward."

"He's in love with the princess," Nicolai eagerly supplied, ignoring Toris' wounded look.

Dimitry chuckled. "Oh my silly little servant. You've got imagination Toris, I'll give you that. But you and the Princess…best put those dreams aside, they never would have happened."

Toris buried his head in his arms visibly upset. "Ah, the woes of a broken heart," the two Braginskys smiled down at Toris. Neither took his distress seriously, due to his position in the house, both boys marginalized Toris feelings, finding his broken heart to be pathetically cute, like a puppy in a puddle.

"Cheer up Toris, I've got a little luxury for you." Dimitry waved a piece of caramel in front of Toris, smiling when the boy looked up. "Take it. It's your reward for introducing me." Cautiously, Toris reached out his hand, thin fingers plucking up the candy. Skeptically, he watched Dimitry, waiting for it to be snatched away, but the elder just motioned for him to eat it.

It tasted so good! The tiny candy rolled around smoothly in his mouth as Toris tested it with his tongue before bighting down. It was very sticky, gluing his teeth together, so he had to employ great force to chew. The other two occupants in the carriage burst out laughing at his exaggerated chewing. "Ah Dirty, that's why we keep you around, always good for a laugh." Toris' expression morphed from pleasure back into one of hurt. Seeing his face fall, Dimitry gave him another piece. "Ah, ah, ah. This is your reward, you must enjoy it."

Eagerly, Toris accepted his rare treat. At least some good comes of this. I can't remember the last time I had candy. Although…now they probably won't let me eat dinner. The thought made him sad, but only for a moment. The second piece of sugared joy already melted on his tongue, and it made him happier.

Throughout the ride, Nicolai and Dimitry chatted about the future, occasionally feeding Toris a piece of the caramel. By his fifth, the brunette felt ill. "Hey," Nicolai exclaimed, breaking the conversation, "Dirty looks like he's going to hurl!"

Dimitry regarded the servant with scientific interest. "Huh, your right. How many did we manage to give him this time…six, right?"

"No, it was five. Two less than last time." Nicolai glanced down at Toris, "Can't do seven anymore Dirty? You're getting worse."

Toris only moaned, arms wrapped tightly around his stomach. Dimitry used his foot to gently nudge Toris around until he was laying on the carriage floor. "That might help," he said soothingly. "Just lay down, close your eyes, and try not to think about food." The boy did as he was told, imprisoned between the back of the seat, and Dimitry's legs. It was bumpier than when he was sitting, but it did help to lay down.

For the rest of the ride, the two brothers gleefully planed out their dinner menu.