BitterMint
Chapter 2
Author Notes: Wow it's been awhile. Well I've been wanting to do this series for ages, but busy bee be busy lol. But it's fine, it's easter and I'm so tired and drained from the long hours at work that now is the perfect excuse to go and get this chapter uploaded.
Is it necessarily easter themed? No. Do I care? Absolutely not. Why? Because I love this game and it's got a rabbit in it, sue me. So let's get this going. I do not own Cinderella Phenomenon.
3rd P.O.V
'Come Lucette. The war is over. Let us properly greet the people.'
Why...are they looking at her like that?
Why do they look so mad at her?
No.
Don't come closer!
Please. Stop looking like that!
Golden irises flashed open in a panic. Harsh breaths escape her as she rises from bed. Princess Lucette Riella Britton was awake, once more experiencing another nightmare. "Pepper? Are you there?"
Morning was quickly rising in the sky, the sun creeping its way through the window. But even without the lights rays, the Princess of Angielle had no intentions of trying back to fall back asleep. If anything it was normal for her to be up long before the sun.
It should've been expected...there was barely anything for her to have happy dreams about. Still, despite her overworking imagination there was always something to ground her to reality. Something to look forward to even after such a horrible night's sleep.
A small rabbit, with black and white markings all over her body hopped over. Nuzzling into the princess's outstretched, trembling hand. The moment there was contact a voice entered the noble's mind, a soft, sad one. "Another one huh Are you ok?"
A sigh escapes the red head as kind, green eyes glance her way. "A bad dream, nothing more." The sentient ball of fur made no comment on the bags forming under her friend's eyes. Knowing Lucette would change the subject or ignore her question entirely.
"Let's play in the gardens tonight! It's a full moon~" So instead she would distract her from her nightmare entirely. A small smile forms on Lucette's face, already knowing what her rabbit companion had in mind. "Eager hmm?" Pepper simply continued to shower the princess with loving rubs.
Further calming her tense muscles. Relieved to see her happy...especially since she knew that today was not going to be a good one. "Of course. It's been an entire month since i've shifted!" It has been four years since Pepper found Lucette, and has done her utmost to be by her side.
The two as close as sisters could be-er well sisters that liked each other could be(if only Lucette could see that Emelaigne cared about her.) It probably helped that Pepper used her magic to communicate with the girl since first meeting her.
Only Lucette knew of her true form, of her curse...of the sins she still wears. "Anything in particular you wish to do?" In turn Pepper knew that the royal girl was lonely. Hid her weaknesses behind an icy mask.
The only time she had ever broken that façade was after her father took her to meet her people shortly after the war. Her mother had just died so there was no one for her to go to when the townsfolk started yelling at her.
Cursing her existence with hate-filled eyes. Genaro was foolish, assuming all would be well. So when Lucette fled in fear from the tense audience, Genaro had lost track of her. If he had found her himself he would've found a grieving, heart broken child.
Crying out her sorrows and wishing someone was there for her. But he didn't. Instead, the one to dry those tears, to shatter her wariness was Pepper...all in her teeny, furry glory. Vowing to make the little princess happy in whatever way she could until her dying breath.
"So long as you have fun I care not for the activity we partake in." Lucette could only huff, once more not surprised with the answer, but grateful all the same. "Maybe we could-" Those moments of content shattered when the two hear a couple knocks on the door.
Souring both of their moods. They were forced to strain their ears as a muffled voice calls out. "Princess, it is time for breakfast. Your family is expecting you." All too soon Pepper saw a frown form on her friend's face.
Well, it was nice while it lasted... "Remember to hide should the maids come in Pepper." The furry creature sighed but nodded all the same. Though she was sure the king wouldn't mind allowing Lucette to have a 'pet' Lucette didn't trust him-didn't trust any of them.
Her only true companions being her, Lucette's personal knight Fritz and the dolls she has received over the years from her mother. So for all these years Pepper's been kept her little secret from the world. It helped that Pepper wasn't exactly a rabbit otherwise it would be much harder.
Still, she could only watch on sadly as her little princess pulls the covers off her to get dressed. Now that there was no contact, Pepper couldn't say anything, let alone offer some sort of advice or some sort of pep talk.
So she could only watch on, tugging on one of her lowered ears nervously. Those next few moments are a tense silence as Lucette gets ready for the day. There was a sinking feeling in both of their hearts that today wouldn't be a good one.
Despite knowing what day it is today...Pepper tried to be optimistic. For both of their sakes. Plopping off the bed, she plants her paw on Lucette's leg. At least making sure to properly send her friend off. "I'll see you tonight Princess~ I hope you have a blessed day!"
Lucette gives her a grateful smile, gently going onto her knees to plant a kiss atop her head. "Love you Pepper. Stay safe." Taking a deep breath the young princess gets back to her feet, morphing her gentle expression into a typical scowl. Hardening her heart as she goes outside.
Leaving the magical rabbit alone to wait. A small sigh escapes her as she hops off the bed. "My poor princess..." It was painful to watch her go out the door each day. Though she is not there to bare witness to all the stresses placed on shoulders...she doesn't have to.
Every day for the last four years Pepper has watched her grow. Coming back late into the day if not by nightfall, listening intently to the woes and heartfelt confessions of vulnerability. And even if Lucette didn't confess her troubles to her, Pepper knows more than enough from her sharp sense of hearing.
Whether from the maids that come into Lucette's room or those walking past the door...she picks up quite a bit. Knowing very well how her favorite royal is treated by those both within and outside the palace.
People, due to her heritage and upbringing are weary of her, the king is distant, and though Ophelia and her daughter care for Lucette...she feels replaced, unwanted. And it angers her. It hurts her, bringing forth jealousy and paranoia.
"And today she'll be sent into town...I can only pray that things go well." Humming in thought she plops on the soft plushy carpeting. If only she could do more. Being cursed she could only change on a full moon, her magic stunted to tiny spells that an infant could do.
But what did she expect? She was this way because of her naivety, because she was incapable of protecting those dear to her. If only her mother had actually taken the time to actually talk to her. Or maybe if she spoke up more...maybe things wouldn't have happened the way it did.
However there was no changing what has happened. That was in the past. She refused a repeat ending full of tragedy. Regardless of all that stood in her way she would protect Lucette. She would do all she could to take whatever burdens on her fragile shoulders away.
"Again?" Her stomach coiled painfully as she glances around, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. There it was again. A sinking feeling that someone was here, watching her. She's been feeling it the last year or so and she didn't like it one bit.
This room was Lucette's safety net, her comfort when things are too much. By no means should anyone be messing with it. Yet no matter how hard Pepper has searched she could not determine anything amiss.
All of her dolls were in place, and though she hides every time a maid enters, none of them do anything other than clean. No one else enters. So why are her hairs standing on end? Her instincts have never steered her wrong, so for the millionth time since she's stayed at the palace she hops around.
Searching for something-anything that seems off. However like every other time, nothing. All of the bedding was fine. The princess's belongings in their proper place, including the little box with wings alongside it's key.
"I really need to remind Lucette about this thing, that little chips' been there forever." Dolls were all accounted for...wait. Narrowing her unholy green eyes, Pepper jumps up on the desk. Standing on her hind legs she peers up. Staring at Lucette's favorite of the bunch.
Delora. She was a pretty doll, no surprise considering the princess's tastes. She was a gift from the king himself, one of the only gestures that showed he cared of her. Yet since she came into her possession a year ago that sensation of being watched lingered.
Lucette has told her time and time again that there was something special about Delora though she could never explain why. Now that she was paying closer enough attention there was something familiar about it. The name itself had a bitter familiarity that shot forth frustration in her tiny form.
"Could it be?" She was far too high for Pepper to hop up and reach. But maybe she could-Her eyes widened as she heard the twist of the doorknob. "Damn!" With a small gasp, Pepper flew off the desk, landing gracefully on the ground before making a beeline for the bed.
Within a matter of seconds she keeps herself still, hiding underneath the wooden frame. "Good she's gone." Irritation flicks through Pepper as the maid that enters sighs in relief. "Rude wench." It was a good thing that Pepper long casted a silence spell on herself, lest the maid hears her snuffles of displeasure.
Making it all the more important she doesn't draw attention to herself. Though the temptation to break her spell so she could hiss was strong, maybe add a nip or two because this woman did not give a damn for Lucette's privacy.
She at least did her job, but that didn't stop the woman from being a curious snoop. Looking along her bookshelves, going through her drawers...this ones getting fired if Pepper has anything to say on the subject.
Sadly she still had many hours to go before that could happen. So laying comfortably underneath the bed, Pepper closes her eyes. When she next opens them, Lucette will come in, whispering her name when the doors are secured.
Then they will sneak out into the gardens and play. Perhaps Lucette will teach her another dance? Or maybe Pepper will try her hand with the flute again and play an uplifting tune? There's also chess, sewing...there was endless possibilities of things for them to do.
Whatever it is however won't matter to her...it never did. So long as Pepper got to see her friend's smile she was content. She just had to wait a bit longer. Though...suffice to say, Lucette wasn't the only one that struggled with obtaining peaceful dreams.
?: Peppermint! You made it. I was getting worried...where's your mother?
Peppermint: We can't rely on her Cocua. And the witch hunting parties are getting more hostile in their search. It's too dangerous for you to stay here.
Cocua: But where could I go? My mother and father are dead. My brother executed just the other night. There is no one for me to turn to. Nowhere I could stay.
Peppermint: Brugantia. That kingdom is neutral to the war and won't turn away sanctuary to one in need. You will be safe.
Cocua: But what about you? If you get caught...
Peppermint: You let me worry about the humans. Right now, your priority is to pack your things. We're getting you out of this hell hole.
to be continued
Author Notes: well wasn't that fun? We got my character as a bunny and Lucette seen as more than just the Ice Princess. Now we all know what happens at this point in the game, this is literally right before the intro. So a time skip is most certainly in order.
But that is for next time ladies and gents. We'll see how that full moon situation goes. Everyone thank you so much for reading this story. Please feel free to fav/follow/review as it means so much to me. Tchao for now!
