"Hey, there." A soft voice called for her.

Aurora smiled, knowing exactly who would greet her so warmly so early in the morning as she was taking her breakfast in the staff canteen. She didn't turn around and waited for her friend to sit in front of her.

"Hello Cinderella, how are you?" She asked sleepily.

Yes, not everyone is such a morning person.

"Fine. What about you?" The blonde answered with a warm smile. "I have the feeling someone didn't have enough sleep, am I wrong?"

"Well, they don't call me Sleeping Beauty for nothing, do they?" Aurora replied, sighing, stirring her spoon lazily in her coffee.

Cinderella looked at her blankly and eventually she laughed genuinely, soon followed by her friend. Aurora looked up at Cinderella. There was no trace of the fear and shame which distorted her graceful features as recently as yesterday night. The young woman seemed as joyful and good-looking as ever and it somehow eased Aurora's worry. Perhaps because it made her last encounter with Cinderella seem like nothing more than a nightmare or a very disturbing illusion, and it was better like that. Yet she knew she hadn't imagined the frightened glare in Cinderella's eyes, nor her shaking hands, nor her head put down in misery. And so, she reached a conclusion. She had to know what happened between Cinderella and Lady Tremaine.

"Cinderella..." She began hesitantly, refusing to meet the other girl's eyes as of yet.

"Yes?"

"I wanted to ask you. What happened yesterday, just before you left the bar? You seemed so—"

"Nothing," Cinderella cut her off dryly, turning her head away.

So I was right. There is indeed a thing going on between her and her so-called stepmother. But now the question is: what is it?

"Hey, don't be afraid," she reached out and lay a soothing hand on Cinderella's. "I am not going to judge you, nor make fun of you. To be honest, you scared me yesterday and I was about to go after you, but you just left with... her. I know we aren't so close, we've just only met, but you seem like a very sweet girl, and I can't help but worry about you. Please, tell me. What is wrong with Tremaine, Cinderella?"

Finally, Cinderella looked up with shining blue eyes, her lips trembling. A slight blush was suddenly covering her white cheeks, which looked rather out of place considering the nature of their conversation. She looked away quickly after.

"It's nothing, really. You don't have to worry yourself over it." She mumbled, playing with her spoon absently. "It's just that I—"

"Oh, Elsa! Look at that!" A high-pitched voice cried in Cinderella's back, causing the young woman to startle. Aurora surpressed a groan.

She was about to talk to me. You stupid!

"What?" Another voice, lower and calmer — to Aurora's greatest relief — replied, annoyance barely concealed in false neutrality.

"There's a new princess!" Another cry and that time, it was Aurora's turn to jerk. The Sleeping Beauty growled, moving her attention to the two girls chatting behind her friend.

"Oh. Is that so?" The platinium blonde all dressed in icy blue sighed, leading towards the canteen counter. She was stopped by a smaller ginger woman wearing a glimmering green dress.

"Yes!" The ginger yelled, grabbing the other woman's arm.

"Anna, you know the Disney company can hire and fire employees. It is no different from any other company. As such, this is absolutely normal to see some new faces every now and then, especially in those kind of large entreprises. Now if you please, let me have my morning iced tea..."

"Hey! I am not stupid!" The younger woman shot an outraged grin at her cold companion. "Oh, come on Elsa! You're not funny! I wanna meet that new girl!"

"Fine. Then leave my arm alone and go meet that woman. I'll see you after breakfast."

Anna seemed to think a little before she sticked out her tongue to her supposed sister.

"Nope! You're coming with me!" She pulled on Elsa's arm, causing the blonde to gasp in surprise as she was dragged towards the table of the new comer. "Hello there! I'm Anna!" Anna smiled at Aurora. "And this is Elsa," the ginger girl gestured towards the Snow Queen. "Yes, yes, I know she might look a little cold at first but I assure you, she can be nice too."

"Anna..." Elsa began in a low, threatening tone.

"It's nice to meet you both." The Sleeping Beauty chose that moment to acknowledge the Frozen girls, thus easing out the tension between the two with the force of her smile. "I am Aurora."

"Aww." Anna clasped her hands together. "You look exactly like her! I mean, I know you're her! But you're not the real her... but hey! I'm pretty sure the real Aurora would look exactly like you and she would even think you're the real one, even though she is! Wait... what am I saying?" Anna frowned at her own words, then she laughed awkwardly, the sound light and pleasant. "Well, anyway, this is amazing. Don't you think, Elsa?"

"Obviously." Elsa agreed, more out of impatience than true conviction. "Hello Aurora, hello Cinderella," she smiled discretely at the two classic princesses.

"Hi Elsa." Cinderella greeted her back, though with much more warmth — which was not such an achievement, really.

"Now if you please, ladies, do excuse my... sister," the Snow Queen took Anna's arm firmly, smoothly luring her away, "but we have to go and have our breakfast. We'll see you later, I suppose."

"Yes, see you later." Cinderella waved her hand at them.

Aurora only laughed. "Oh God, that Anna is crazy!"

"Yes, I know. But she's really sweet and open-minded. Elsa, on the other hand, always seems to be quite distant and mean, but truth be told, she isn't. She's just playing her role perfectly... just like all of us, I guess." She managed to both wink at her and shrug her shoulders at the same time.

"Of course."

The two princesses ate their breakfast in silence and parted their way to go back to their room and prepare themselves for a new day of work.

After a long, busy day spent smiling, dancing, laughing with children, signing autographs, waving her hand at an excited, joyful crowd, and most of all, pretending she was glad to be at Phillip's side. Aurora was finally able to go back to her room and take a rest. She rushed into her shower, sighing with delight as the pouring water was slowly flowing down her body, allowing her to relish all the stress she had experienced. She dressed up and sat at her desk, lost in thought.

She was pushed out of her thoughts when a deafening ringtone made itself heard right next to her ears. She rolled her eyes, already knowing who would bother to call her that late. Nonetheless, she picked up the phone anyway.

"Hello?"

"Hello, darling! It's so nice to hear you! Tell me, how have you been?" The cheerful voice went straight to her tired ears.

"Hi, aunt Flora. I'm fine, thank you. How are you three?" She managed to keep the irritation from her tone. Of course, she should have guessed her aunts were going to call her at least five times a week...

"We're doing good, honey. I bet you're quite enjoying yourself there, aren't you? This must be quite a dream job, working with your sweet prince everyday, isn't it?" Flora giggled, still Aurora knew very well her aunt had intended to state the truth more than to ask a question.

"Uh, yes, I suppose it is," Aurora answered hesitantly.

She didn't want to upset her aunts who were firmly convinced she had found the most handsome and caring boyfriend on earth. Flora was even the one who introduced him to her, hoping they would get along and that they would finally got together. Because that would be convenient for everyone, wouldn't it? "It would be so nice for you to be together, you would be so cute!" Her aunt Fauna had told her one day, joining her hand in pure happiness. Fauna had always been the romantic one.

So that was how she had started dating Phillip, without really thinking about where it would lead them in the end. "Perhaps he will ask you to marry him!" Fauna had added, restraining tears of joy. "Oh, that would be just perfect! We would take care of all the preparations, since Phillip's dad had aged quite a lot lately." Merrywheater had laughed. And Aurora had stayed silent, for she didn't want to crush her aunts' dream of marriage and children, and everything linked to a lovely and tidy life. But the truth was, she wasn't ready for all of this.

I am only twenty, for God's sake! She had thought back then — and still thought nowadays, if she were being quite honest with herself.

"Darling?" A concerned voice called on the phone. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Yes, of course," Aurora urged herself to reply. "Look, I'm sorry auntie, but I really have to go. I'm awfully tired, actually..."

"Ah, I see! You want some free time with your boyfriend after a long day of work? Fine, I know you two must have a lot of things to do, uh?" Flora laughed, clearly amused with herself.

Without a second thought, Aurora hung up.

Fuck off, auntie! I don't want to do anything with him. Not anymore.

She sat back at her desk, resting her head in her hands, sighing. She hadn't seen Cinderella after they ate their breakfast together. It was like the blonde was avoiding her, which made Aurora even more curious and suspicious about what she was trying to hide from her.

I need to talk to her. I know something is wrong, I have to help her. Cinderella, what are you doing? Why wouldn't you tell me? Don't you—

She froze. A knock on the door. She turned her head slowly and looked over her shoulder at the closed flap of wood.

"What is it?" She asked cautiously.

It is nearly eleven. Now who could that be?

"Hey, love. It's Phillip, can I come in?"

She growled, hiding her head in her arms once again.

Oh God, no! Please, if you can hear me, put a sleeping curse on me right now! I'm begging you...

"Aurora? Please open the door," Phillip insisted, his knocks growing louder.

Fine. He knows I'm in there, so he's not gonna leave me alone until I've let him in anyway.

Aurora stood up very slowly and walked towards the door, still deadly slow, as if her whole body and soul didn't want to open that door. She turned the key in the hole and opened the door slightly, just so her eyes could meet her boyfriend's.

"What do you want? I'm very tired, so if you could be quick—"

Before she even finished her sentence, Phillip pushed the door open.

"Ah, finally! I thought you were gonna let me rot outside!" He lay down on her bed, as if he were at home.

The young woman sat back at her desk, as if she had never been interrupted, determined not to go any closer to that foolish boy.

"What is it you came for, Phillip?" She hissed. "You know I am not one to go to bed late, so please stop wasting my time and tell me what you want already."

Phillip turned his head towards the very impatient princess. Suddenly, he got up and stepped towards her. Smirking, he placed an arm beneath her knees while the other cupped her waist and lifted her body in the air, transporting her towards the bed.

"Hey!" She cried out, grasping the young man's shirt. "What do you think you're doing?! Let me down immediately!" But Phillip wasn't willing to listen, and instead he put her down on the bed gently and got on top of her.

She groaned, suddenly too aware of what the damn prince was looking for.

"Phillip, what part of the word 'tired' you don't understand? I told you I want to sleep, so leave me alone!" She hit his chest with her fists as strongly as she could. It appeared it was not strong enough.

"You wanted me to be quick, that's exactly what I'm trying to be, love." Phillip simply said, stroking her cheek tenderly.

"Yes, well, I didn't mean that kind of quick!" Aurora snapped desperately as anger was gradually filling every cell of her brain, making her blood boil in her veins. "Listen, I'm really too tired tonight. It's really not worth it, trust me. It won't even be enjoyable for you, so please just come back tomorrow and—"

She was interrupted by warm lips pressed on her own. She let out a moan which was of course misinterpreted as a moan of pleasure by the young man who thought she was actually starting to give into that kiss. So when Phillip went down on her body, letting a trail of hot kisses and bites down her neck, she understood her fighting didn't make any sense.

She closed her eyes, sighing, and she let her soul escape from her body and fly away. Far, far away.

Maybe this is going to help me think straight... Maybe this is going to bring me back to reality. I know I loved that guy once, or at least I truly appreciated his company, but...

Oh! Why bother anyway? He is my boyfriend, and I'll probably spend my entire life with him, whether I like it or not. There is no point in fighting against that anymore. My aunts had already decided all for me.

I was meant to meet him, I was meant to love him... There is nothing left to say.

Though, I can't remember feeling any kind of attraction towards him. Strange... What if he weren't the one after all? Does that mean—

She opened her eyes just in time to see Phillip's slid open as well. A slight drop of sweat was running down his forehead. He looked back at her and smiled genuinely. He removed himself from her and got up from the tiny bed. His brown eyes still locking with her blue ones, he started putting his pants on. A light blush had invaded his cheeks as he looked down to fix his belt, as if in shyness.

Oh God. So he truly loves me, then. That's only making things even worse, isn't it?

Once he was fully dressed, without averting her gaze once, he leaned in and pressed his lips on Aurora's in a quick and gentle gesture.

"Goodnight, love. Hope I didn't tire you too much..." He bit his lips, looking down.

And now he's worrying about my health, how sweet.

He shot her a last glance and with a smile on his face, he exited the room silently.

Aurora hadn't perform the slightest gesture, not during the act, nor after while he was dressing himself. She lowered her nightgown on her body and sighed, maybe for the hundredth time.

At least, he didn't lie to me. He had indeed been very quick...

Aurora woke up with an heavy head and aching muscles. She took a fast shower and put her princess dress on, growling.

When she went out in the corridor, a low voice stopped her dead in her tracks.

"I hope you did have your fun yesterday," the voice said in a neutral but sombre tone.

Maleficent.

"I beg your pardon?" Aurora turned around, frowning at the owner of that well-known voice.

The tall woman walked closer to her.

"I believe I made myself clear when I said I would not tolerate anything that can disturb my slumber." Maleficent raised a menacing eyebrow.

"Uh, yes..." The young woman averted her gaze as she finally understood what the older woman was implying. "Well, in fact I didn't want this to happen in the first place, so..." She cleared her throat, daring a quick peak at the wicked fairy.

Maleficent knocked the ground with her staff in a regal move, waiting for the princess to finally express her thoughts.

"Anyway, I'm sorry if we... I mean, if I... prevented you from sleeping," Aurora clasped her hands together behind her back, feeling slightly uncomfortable. "I promise it won't happen again."

The dark woman chuckled darkly, that deep and mesmerizing sound causing the younger woman to shiver. It was deliciously disconcerting.

"It better not," she stated eventually, a cold smile tugging at her red lips.

Maleficent started to walk, leading towards the staircase. She stopped as she came to Aurora's level, her dark eyes peering right into the princess'.

"Oh. By the way, the next time you give into something of the sort, I'll ask you to be a little bit more..." She interrupted herself, as if pondering the good word to use, "...convincing."

Aurora widened her eyes, utterly dumbfounded.

"W-What?"

The older woman smiled mirthlessly, definitely proud of the effect she was producing on the poor girl.

"Your boyfriend must be quite naive or rather totally stupid to believe in your actual pleasure. Even a deaf could have figured you were simulating."

As if possible, Aurora's eyes widened even more, as if ready to pop out of her head at any moment.

"S-Simulating? Y-You— What are you talking about?" She sputtered, disbelief preventing her from completing one single sentence.

Maleficent put her head backwards as she laughed out loud. Aurora wondered how that woman managed to make a laugh sound so terrifying, and yet so... sensual.

"Oh, come now, princess! You can fool your friends, you can fool your boyfriend, but you certainly can't fool me." Her dark orbs were still locked with Aurora's as if trying to read through her soul, making even more difficult for her to think of something eligible enough, comprehensible enough, to answer that destabilizing assault.

"Uh, well, I... I promise it won't happen again," Aurora said miserably, unable to find any more suitable reply.

Unexpectedly, Maleficent leant in closer and cupped the young woman's chin into her hands, her black eyes still twinkling eerily, in a burst of both defiance and delight.

"Are you promising me you shall not let anyone else take you right next to my ear... or that you shall not be simulating your pleasure anymore?" She asked, her voice deadly quiet and calm.

"I... I promise I won't let anyone else in my room at night.'

A maniac smile raised on Maleficent's lips as her gaze fell down on Aurora's lips. After what seemed like an eternity during which the young woman was unable to catch her breath, the fairy finally let go of her chin and straightened back.

"Very well," she said almost cheerfully.

Aurora looked down, breathing heavily, trying to clear up her thoughts.

Why did she make me promise this? Why did she ask if I will be simulating the next time? Does she mean that... I will actually have some pleasure? But—

No, this is not possible.

She shook her head, trying to get rid of that sudden heat which was slowly reaching her cheeks.

'So, are you planning on looking at this wretched floor the whole day or are you going to come and have breakfast with me?" Maleficent's emotionless voice called for her.

Aurora looked up and nodded, following the older woman into the stairs.

"Yes, I'm coming."

When she heard a light chuckle — more like a provoking chuckle actually — coming from the black silhouette before her, her blood turned to ice in her veins.

What the—

"Of course you are."

Aurora almost stumbled on the steps as she finally understood what just crossed Maleficent's twisted mind.

"I'm coming." Oh no. She wanted me to say just that. She wanted to make me say that just to make me feel even more uncomfortable. As if it were only possible. She did it on purpose! She—

"Princess Aurora?" Maleficent turned around, arching a quizzical eyebrow as she didn't hear Aurora's steps. A smirk distorted her red lips as she continued, "Are you coming with me?"

Aurora looked up at her, struggling to swallow. She held back a groan and nodded in silence, resuming the descent towards the Castle's hall. She could hear Maleficent's smile in her velvet voice, she could feel her intense satisfaction in each of her moves. It was intoxicating.

She clenched her fists as she realized she had been trapped by that evil woman.

Damn, that Maleficent is the worst creature I have ever seen.

The most pervert being on the face of earth, for sure! And probably...

The most attractive woman I have ever met.

Wait. What was that?

God damn it. If only there were a spinning wheel at the end of this staircase... I would gladly prick my finger on its spindle.

But then, who would wake me up?