Cinderella
By: schu-chan
*thoughts*
//flashback//

The use of 'Bard' instead of 'Brad': it's because i decided that it would be Schuldich's nickname for Brad... coz Brad, Bard... itz close and Crawford is NOTHING like a wandering storyteller... eheheh. later, you'll see that i'll use it when i want Schuldich to annoy Crawford. ^^

Ken gave Schuldich a smile as he dried a plate. "What is it, Schu?"

Schuldich glared at him. "I can't believe you're going along with it! Working in your own place! That's... that's just SAD! I'm going to make sure your father finds out about this as soon as possible!"

Ken suddenly put down the plate and stared down at the counter. "Schu... don't bother 'Tou-san over something like this..."

"What're you talking about?! You're everything to him - he'd be pissed if he didn't know!"

Ken sighed. "Look, Schu... You don't know... He's been courting Schoen-san for a while now... And as more and more time passed, he... he started to be... I dunno... kinda disinterested in me."

Schuldich stared at Ken for a couple of seconds before laughing. "Your dad? Disinterested in you? You have got to be kidding!"

Ken sighed. "I'll see you later, Schu. I'm busy."

"Ken! I'm writing to your dad."

Ken muttered, "He'll ignore it."

Schuldich glared at him. "What's with that lack of trust in your dad all of a sudden, Ken?!"

Ken gave him a tired smile. "Never mind, Schu. I'll see you later."

Schuldich left the kitchen, glaring at everyone that got in his way. Crawford walked past him and entered the kitchen. Ken just glanced up at him and continued to dry the plates.

"Why don't you just tell her you won't associate with commoners anymore?"

"Because I can't live like that, Crawford-san... I grew up with them. It's like... Well, have you ever had a dog? As a pet?"

Crawford nodded. "You really really liked it, right? You spent a lot of time with it... and it was there for you when you needed someone."

Crawford nodded again. "If someone told you to give it up, would you give up or fight anyone trying to separate you?"

"The latter."

"Precisely. Except... these people are more than just a pet dog. They're a part of me. I can't just let go of them."

Crawford shrugged. "Oh, I'm done. Do you need anything, Crawford-san?"

Crawford shook his head. "I think I'll follow you around for today... As future king, I need to know things. Might as well get to know my people better."

Ken gave him a warm smile. "And maybe you'll see why I feel the way that I do about them."

Crawford followed, frowning. *Why'd my heart act so weird when he smiled like that...?*

~*~*~*~*~*

"Ken-sama, could you take this to Tae-san for me, please? And she'll give you a basket full of noodles."

Ken grinned. "Hey, it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to call me just 'Ken' or 'Ken-kun' and you're going to give that up? And I'll need a note."

The cook grinned. "Okay, then, Ken. That new mistress of ours... I will not be able to understand her. Here you go."

Ken accepted the note and gave the cook a slight bow before walking out. He patted his horse as the groom took it away. He turned to Crawford.

"Do you mind walking? I can't ride a horse for a month now, so..."

Crawford nodded. "I used to take hikes with my father and mother."

Ken turned away with a sad smile on his face. He said softly, "His father and mother..."

More loudly, he said, "Your father and mother? As in the king and queen? I wouldn't think that they'd go hiking!"

Crawford walked a little faster to catch up with Ken. They were walking side by side now. "My parents are pretty normal. They like doing normal things when being rulers becomes stressful."

Ken nodded. "That's nice... but you said 'used to.' Do you not do it anymore?"

"I travel now, and before, I was busy with studies."

Ken nodded. They walked in comfortable silence until they reached the town.

~*~*~*~*~*

Schuldich sat in the library, fuming silently. He glared at the figure that entered the library. Yohji stared at Schuldich before his eyes narrowed.

"You don't have to glare at me like that."

Schuldich's expression softened and he gave Yohji a smile. "Sorry, I was just a little mad about something. Why're you here?"

"'Nii-san wants a book and he asked me to choose one for him... he's with 'Kaa-san right now."

Schuldich nodded. "You two seem totally different."

Yohji turned around in surprise. "Eh?"

"You and your brother. He's so frigid, and cold... you're... warmer."

Yohji shrugged. Schuldich said softly, "Do... you want to go for a walk in the garden? I know a couple places that you probably don't know about."

Yohji gave him a smile and nodded. "Right after I drop this off to my 'Nii-san."

~*~*~*~*~*

Ken gave Tae-san a grin before heading off back home. Crawford walked next to him. The sun was about to set. "Mou... we set out pretty late, didn't we? It'll be dark by the time we get halfway there!"

Crawford nodded. "But it should be okay. Come on, let's go."

Ken nodded. "Crawford-san?"

"Hm?"

"Do you want to know how I got to know the townspeople? My father is open-minded... but not open-minded enough to let a child run around with the townspeople."

Crawford nodded. "I was wondering about that a little."

"My... my mother loved townspeople... she was from a small estate; although her father had status and power, he insisted that they live in a small place, so her father let her be with the servants and the village people... she would take me out to the town at least once a week... I... my mother... I see my mother in them... the pure, clean innocence and happiness with just whatever they have..."

*It seems that you're like that too, Ken...* Crawford suddenly stopped and grabbed Ken by the arm. Ken looked up in surprise.

"Crawford-san?"

Crawford stared into those dark, brown eyes. He whispered softly, "Beautiful..." before he leaned down and captured Ken's lips.

*?!*

TBC...

bwahahahah! Brad takes action! Ken's reaction? Yohji and Schuldich are in the garden - alone. What will happen between them? And what are Schoen and Ran plotting in Schoen's room?

REVIEW, ONEGAI!