Once upon Cinderella's Destruction
I really hope you like this chapter for I had to rewrite 3 different parts multiple times due to lost documents XD my irresponsibility of not saving my things. But still I enjoyed writing this chapter hahaa and I'm excited for next chapter!
"Did my son tell you?" The King asked me toward the end of our normal afternoon meeting.
"About my 'suitors'? Yes, he did. He said I'm safe so long as I'm not alone."
"Good. I want you to be safe here. You're a special one, I've the deep feeling to keep you protected or something very bad will happen."
"Well that makes me feel slightly better."
"You'll be with an escort if you are not with Jack and your room will be guarded."
I sat forward in my seat. "Sir, why are you doing all of this for me? For a mere servant among your servants? I'm nothing at all special."
"My son says that your hard life needs to be made up for with the good things. I told him that you wouldn't appreciate all the attention but he insisted." He chuckled. "I can't refuse him anything. You would match him perfectly."
I stood and stretched. "Please don't say such foolish things sir. It's nearing three and I need to straighten up Prince Jack's quarters."
"You're so formal. You go on then. I'm sure Jack will inform you later."
"Inform me? What of?"
"Go on, I don't want to keep you from your work."
"Yes sir." I left his study and toward Prince Jack's chambers, another appointed servant trailing me. "Thank you."
I smiled at the servant as we arrived; he blushed and hurried away.
I knocked on the door and heard a faint 'come in' before opening the door. The prince was staring out of the window seemingly deep in thought. I shook my head and began picking up different things scattered across the floor and pulled the sheets from his bed.
"Are you thinking hard enough?" I asked placing his folded dirty sheets by the door for laundry.
"Not really. I'm thinking about something important."
"Oh? What could that possibly be?" I asked going into the bathroom for more sheets.
"It's nothing. Just ignore it."
"Ah, I see." It became quiet and I pondered on asking what the thing he needed to tell me was.
"Ah Yuusei," I looked at him whilst putting on his bed sheets.
"What is it?"
"My father is holding a ball tonight and I want you to come with me as my escort."
I dropped the duvet and stared. After a few seconds I cleared my throat and blinked. "Excuse me? You want me to do what now?"
"The entire kingdom will be in the ballroom, no one will judge you."
"You are the prince! Of course everyone will notice! You'll be the center of attention! Please, don't do this to me. If someone finds out who I am. . . if someone finds out who I am, I'll be sent back!"
"Yuusei, calm down. You won't leave from here. No one will know who's who. It's a masquerade."
I swallowed and my senses cleared. "Please don't make me go. I don't have anything to wear..." I gasped. "My stepmother, she'll kill me when she finds me! She'll be coming!" Jack was by my side suddenly and I had his arms around me tightly.
"If you would calm down for a moment and let me explain, you'll understand how I'm going to let you have fun tonight."
I stared at the beautifully tailored trousers and dress shirt laid out on my bed. He did say it was a masquerade but it didn't keep me from being nervous. I ignored the clothes for the time being and laid on my bed, wondering what I could've done to deserve this. I had been locked away for years, my stepmother having me beaten everyday, my evil stepsisters picking on me and calling me horrible names; but then there were the nicer ones that paid attention to me, like Crow and the gardener, and the guard that helped me escape. I smiled softly, I missed Crow, I wondered if he was okay. I curled up and I swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn't want to go back but I wanted to make sure my friends were okay. And Midnight, I missed her too. She probably hasn't been fed or watered and is neighing in pain! I stood up and paced, I didn't want to think about leaving and going back but I couldn't help but to worry about my friends. A knock startled me out of my trance and the sensual, deep voice filtered through the door. "Yuusei?"
I wiped my face and sniffed. When did I start crying? "Y-yes?"
It was silent for a moment behind the door. "Are you crying?" He asked softly.
I swallowed and laughed. "No of course not, where would you get such an idea?"
"Because I can see you." He opened the door and I couldn't look at him. I faced the opposite way and I felt his hand on my cheek. "Why are you crying?"
"I miss my house and I want to go back if my stepmother and step-sisters were not there. I miss the gardener and the cook and the guard that helped me escape and Crow and Midnight. Oh how I miss her."
"Midnight?"
"My steed, she was my father's before he died. I wonder if she's dead now cause no one fed her," I didn't feel like myself anymore, "I wonder if Crow is dead now too. I wonder if stepmother would kill me if she ever found me."
Jack had his arms around me in a flash and for a split second I felt like I was at the safest place in the entire world. "You're tired Yuusei, you're saying crazy things. We've got a little over 7 hours before the ball so you rest up and I'll wake you with enough time to get ready."
That was an hour ago and I couldn't sleep, this room was suffocating and I felt trapped in my own skin. I got up off my bed and went to the door. I know I wasn't allowed to leave without a guard but I peeked outside and there wasn't a guard standing at my door. I left the room and walked out of the corridor into the hallway without running into anyone. It was really bright outside and my guess was that everyone was in the dining room for lunch. I walked through the hall toward my unknown destination and turned into another corridor and nearly ran into a vase on a pedestal. I looked twice and this was the corridor where the king's study was located. Maybe I could talk to him about my insecurities, and about the sudden feelings I'm having. I walked on through the lit corridor toward the large oak doors. I raised my fist to knock when I reached my destination when I heard voices on the inside.
"...you know."
"What is it my son?" It was the king.
"I've actually come to talk about Yuusei."
My heart jumped when he said my name.
"What about the little doll? His daily conversations with me are going well."
"Does he speak with you about his home?" Prince Jack's voice sounded so sad and hollow.
"He avoids the subject most times and sometimes we even sit in silence, is something wrong Jack?"
"He's breaking down on the inside Father, his state of being is becoming unstable. That witch has struck fear and sadness into his heart and she has completely broken him. It kills me to see him like this, what can we do Father?"
"You have to stay with him Jack, you must repair his soul and win his affection. For if you do not..."
"I know!" His voice was angry and strained. "I don't want him to go through anymore pain, especially if I lose him that way. I won't let him go again, never again."
"You know he can't provide heirs for the throne though."
"I don't care father! He is my everything, I love him and I don't care if he cannot give me children, I won't give him up for anything."
I was feeling sick to my stomach, how could this be possible? This man claims he loves me and will love me even if I couldn't provide him with children? He doesn't know me! I heard enough. I turned on my heel and ran out into the hall. I didn't know why I felt so emotional at the moment but at the time I should feel happy, I felt almost sad and I didn't know why.
I didn't see anyone on my way back to my room but when I made it there the guard was back and he was panicking. When I came into his view he visibly calmed.
"Oh please don't scare me like that, you know that you aren't supposed to leave without an escort. Prince Jack would have my head set on a pike." He sighed in relief.
"I'm sorry, but whatever you do don't tell Prince Jack and neither of us will get into trouble." And with that I went back into my room.
I sat on my bed and sighed. I had a pounding headache coming on and all the thoughts running through my head weren't helping. What did he mean again? I've never met the Prince of Neo Domino in my life. I've been locked up for as long as I can remember until 3 weeks ago, and before then. . . well before then . . . I couldn't remember. I was shocked, I couldn't remember anything before my father's death. Maybe he was right? Maybe I have met him and couldn't remember? I grasped my throbbing head, why couldn't I remember?
I shook my head and stood up, I couldn't think about it now. Jack was coming for me soon and I didn't want to be a soppy mess and worry him more. He sounded so torn up as he spoke about me and I didn't want to burden my pain on him too. I ignored the clothes on the bed and went to the wardrobe. I opened the white wood doors and what surprised me was it was full of neatly pressed and organized colour coded dresses. I pulled out a blinding white satin ball gown and held it up to myself against the mirror.
"I have the shape for it. . . I suppose it wouldn't hurt. . ."
I took off my shirt and pants and put on the dress, the wavy bottom and loose bodice. It was obviously made for a female and hugged in all the right places but it seemed that the woman it was small set because it fit even though I had no chest. I twirled and it flared around my legs. I grinned and suddenly the door slammed open. My heart jumped out of my chest and the wide eyed face of my caretaker stared back at me.
He ran to me and hugged me. "The guard told me that you had disappeared, I thought something had happened to you."
My shock depleted and my heart wasn't pounding so rapidly anymore but I also knew that the trembling rocking my body wasn't coming from me but the warm body holding me tight. This feeling I felt was genuine proof that this man really didn't want anything to happen to me.
"I won't let him go again, never again."
I lifted my arms and circled his broad shoulders. "Nothing's going to happen to me. So don't worry, I'll be fine." Although the thought scared me, feeling love for once wasn't a bad feeling at all.
"I can't believe it actually fits you." Once Jack had gotten over his panic attack, he did a double take with me in the dress. His father was here analyzing as well, probing and smirking knowingly.
"What's so funny my king? You've been smiling since you got here." I asked. "Prince Jack, I need to get ready, the ball is in four hours and I haven't eaten yet. I still need to bathe and put on what you gave me."
"What if you wore that to the ball? No one would be able to tell if it were you especially not with the mask on."
I shook my head vehemently. "Absolutely not, it-it could work. . ." The scenario played over in my head, and I did like the dress. . .
"Wait. . ." Jack reached over and grabbed the white mask from the bed. He put it on and fastened the clasp.
"Perfect." He whispered.
"Yuusei, it's nearly time to go, are you almost ready?" I sighed, he'd been knocking at my door for the last 3 and a half minutes.
"Prince Jack, there's no need in you being late to your own celebration. I'm nearly done but I won't be in time for the opening ceremony. You go and I'll take a guard to escort me to the ballroom."
It was quiet and I knew he was pondering the idea. "Alright, if you're sure but don't leave without a guard. You're at your most vulnerable now and there are many unknown people."
I smiled, his worry for me was suffocating. "I promise you, I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Alright."
His heavy footfall faded and I sighed. "Bruno, are you there?"
"I have my orders," he called, "I'll make sure you get there safe and sound."
I smiled. "Thank you."
I put on the mask and grabbed a pure white fan I found in the wardrobe and opened the door.
"Are you-" he turned to look at me and he paused. "Wow. You look great."
I grinned. "Thanks. I think I've kept Prince Jack waiting long enough. From this point on to the end of the night, I'm not who you think I am."
"Of course, milady." He held out his arm and I had to refrain from bursting out laughing. As weird as it sounded, I felt like the king's words of me looking like a girl were true.
I took his arm and he led me through the dim candlelight corridor toward the softly orchestrated ballroom. My heart began pounding as we walked through the halls and the dimmed lighting that radiated the hall from the bright chandelier. As we arrived, my heart began pounding and the two buff men guarding the doors didn't help.
"Your invitation?"
Bruno stepped in front of me and pulled out something from his pocket. "The king himself gave this to me personally. 'Our special guest is to be let in and the guards at the door are to let every servant and handiman in the ballroom know that whatever our special guest wants, our special guest will get.'"
I smirked behind my fan. It seems the king was polite to me even on parchment. The guard took the piece of paper and read it over himself and even I knew no one could imitate the king's fine script. And as I predicted the guard handed the parchment back to Bruno and bowed. "Of course milady, please enter and enjoy your time."
Bruno kissed my hand and stated he had to return and he would come back to escort me back to my room. I nodded and smiled and turned back to the doors.
"Are you ready to enter?" The left guard asked.
I nodded and he and the right guard pushed the already ajar doors wide open, the light blinding me for a moment.
I blinked away the black dots dancing in my vision only to see the entire masked population of the ballroom staring in my general direction, I refrained from looking around because I knew for sure there was no one behind me.
I descended the staircase and everyone moved apart and all the couples on the dance floor stopped to stare, even the music had quieted. But although I saw all these things, I turned a blind eye to it because the only thing I was focused on was the soft tufts of blonde hair poking through the tops of a black mask, an exact copy of mine; his eyes also focused on me and only me. He wore a sleek, crisp pressed tailcoat and a white dress shirt with a bright blood red rose secured to his coat pocket. I felt everyone's eyes on me and I had to keep myself from running to Jack or out of the ballroom.
I was saved though as the king clapped his hands loudly.
"Guests, I do hope you are enjoying your time, please continue to mingle and the opening ceremony will begin momentarily."
I had taken this moment to retreat to the bottom of the stairs and toward one of the large stained windows trying to stay out of sight but a bright white dress made that impossible. Many men turned in my direction and even a few women and I couldn't help but to feel pressurized and scared. As if my thoughts were read, a warm body materialized beside me and hooked a sly arm around my waist. I looked up at the masked face of my savior and hid my smile behind the fan.
"Come now mistress," his voice wavered slightly but only enough for me to notice; a well rehearsed line, "the king is desperate to meet you."
He led me away from the menacing group, while holding me close despite my constant hisses of suffocation and discomfort.
"How are you doing tonight?" The king asked as we arrived at his throne.
"I'd be doing better if your son wasn't digging his fingers in my side." I replied, discreetly elbowing Jack.
The king looked around and I knew people were watching. "Jack, if you didn't want her to come tonight you should've let Bruno keep her in her room." He covered his mouth then, "forgive me Yuusei, many people here can read lips so if you don't mind, I will be referring you as she today."
I nodded, "of course my king, although why was I necessary here tonight?"
"I am under strict orders to find a suitable match for my son under a power higher than I and I do not believe he is should be forced to marry someone he does not know or love."
"I love him and I won't give him up for anything!"
I knew that and I still couldn't fathom it. "So you want me to stay by his side so that no one gets any ideas?"
"Exactly, but I need you to stay here for the opening ceremony is about to start."
I nodded and realized Jack hadn't said a word through this whole this but he did loosen his grip around my waist. The king clapped his hands once more and the ceremony filled with dancing and music began.
"My prince!" I sighed. This was the fifth time we had been stopped by an impending 'fan', as I had so kindly dubbed it to Jack. After the ceremony of Jack's coming to age, many people had been trying to get him to consider their daughters but I seemed to be a threat as when he rejected them, they always sent a glare my way.
He turned around and me along with him, and my heart skipped a beat. My stepmother and both stepsisters caught up to us in a haste. I shifted closer to Jack and tried my best not to quake in fear but I couldn't stop trembling. He rubbed my side and when he spoke I could hear the forced smile in his voice.
"Lady Aki is it? I have heard many things about you."
"Good things I hope. It would be a shame if my name had been slandered by anyone." She shot a quick cold glare at me.
"Lady Aki, I would appreciate if you didn't give dirty looks to my companion, it's very unbecoming."
I suppressed a smile, he was trying too hard to be polite for my sake.
"Dirty looks? Oh no, I was merely admiring her beauty."
I rolled my eyes glad she couldn't see; she was a very horrible liar.
She tried holding out the conversation for as long as she possibly could, asking unnecessary questions, her smile widening every time I shifted on my feet. She wanted me to leave his side, even if it were to step a foot away.
"My prince," I said quietly just so she couldn't possibly recognise my voice, "your father gave you a time, the moon is almost high in the sky, we must be going."
"Ah yes, thank you for reminding me darling." I smiled at him and he gave my stepmother a warm smile. "I enjoyed the chat, Lady Aki, but we must be going now."
"Wait, my prince." Jack stopped mid-turn and waited to hear her out.
"My daughter Carly," I knew where this was going. Carly had always bragged about how she would be the one to meet and marry the prince first and become the princess of Neo Domino and make everyone bow at her feet. "Has been dying to meet you for a very long time, introduce yourself Carly."
The she-devil's spawn stepped from behind her mother and toward Jack and for a second, if I didn't know her true self, I would think she were an innocent, lovestruck girl. But I knew her.
"Good evening, my prince. My name is Carly and it's pleasant to meet you."
Jack dug his fingers in my side again and I swallowed. Is this my punishment for living with these annoying people?
"It's very nice to meet you, Carly." He kissed her gloved hand quickly and held me closer. "It's very nice to meet you too. . ."
My quieter stepsister, Sheri, looked up and gave a quick smile. "My name is Sheri and it's nice to meet you."
"It was very nice to meet you all, but maybe we shall meet again." He turned once more and pulled me away with him until my stepmother tried one last ditch attempt. "My prince, please consider my dearest Carly as your only option. Any other would be a waste for you compared to my daughter."
Wrong thing to say.
"Why Lady Aki, what a selfish thing to say to me." His voice was deep and dark. "Who are you to tell me what I should and should not do? There are many people here more than worthy of me and I will not tolerate disrespect, especially not from you, you fil-" he would blow our cover if he continued. I did something I would probably come to regret for the rest of my life.
I removed his mask and kissed him gently, his rant ending at that. The entire room became silent, even the music had stopped and although I couldn't see my stepmother, I knew she had to be gaping like a fish. It was graceful and I felt like I could do anything but the feeling had to end at some point. I released him and he seemed stunned to the point of paralysis. I put his mask back on and grabbed his hand. "My prince, your father will punish you for being late, please come now. No foul words should come from you to any respectable lady."
He tightened his grip and turned into a gentlemen again. He removed his hand from my grip and put it back around my waist. "Yes, you're right, we should go."
He sounded like he had sobered up from being intoxicated for a long time. He pulled me away once more, this time without interruption.
When we reached the altar, the king gave me a surprised look. "Well that was an interesting output. You had some of the guests leaving in outrage."
"That just proves their shallowness." Jack sneered, it was funny and I laughed.
"And you," I stopped laughing and gave him bright smile, "that was a risky thing you did there."
"Well if I hadn't, you would've done something highly regrettable."
"Well children, I suppose that what's done is done; Jack would you like me to announce...?"
"Wait father," he faced me, "Yuusei, it's your choice whether or not you want to deal with the backlash of this decision, if you want to live with me, and if you'll accept my proposal to become the next 'princess' of Neo Domino."
I raised an eyebrow, "do I get to keep the dress?"
The king laughed, "it was my wife's engagement dress as well."
Jack smiled as well, "it's his way of saying you can keep it."
I smiled and hugged Jack, this night seemed so familiar, like I had seen this before.
The king clapped his hands and called out happily, "my son has chosen his future bride."
An elegant throne had been set up beforehand for the one Jack would have chosen for his next 'bride' and that's where I had been sitting for the last forty five minutes whilst many people came to me and Jack and gave us their best wishes. Some people came and shunned Jack and dared to try and lay a hand on me for being the wench that seduced Jack. They had been taken forcibly to the door and never allowed to come back to the castle. I sighed softly as another person kissed my hand.
"Are you alright?" Jack asked touching my cheek.
"I'm tired, it's got to be past midnight."
"It is, but father wants us to accept congratulations so we have to wait a little longer."
"Alright," I yawned, covering it up the fan.
I was on surface of oblivion when I heard a distinctive voice. "Congratulations, my prince, on finding your bride."
"Ah, thank you, Lady Aki. I hope you enjoyed your time."
"I did thank you," I was more alert at this time and she didn't acknowledge me. She turned to leave but the king stopped her.
"Ah, Lady Aki, I have a question."
"What is it, my king?"
I looked around the ballroom; most people had gone which meant we could go soon.
"Don't you have a son?" He asked seriously.
"My stepson? Oh well he was dying to come but he came down with something so he had to stay home tonight."
"Ah I see."
"Well, my king, my daughters are tired so I must be going now."
"Yes yes, it was nice seeing you again. Come again."
She left and my tenseness seemed to release after that and my drowsiness came back full force.
When I woke again, I was delusional but I could still make out a few voices.
"...They'll catch wind of it soon."
"Yes, I know, but I'll keep him protected, I can't lose him again."
"You know they'll come for him sooner or later. His memories will be forcibly returned by them, and he'll be destroyed."
"I won't. He'll stay by my side. If he does ever truly agree to marry me, we'll have to go from there."
"You'll have to be careful from now on, Jack."
"Yes I know. It's been torture being away from him for so long and now that he's back in my arms I-"
I couldn't stay awake anymore and slipped under the surface again.
When I woke again, there was a warm hand stroking my hair.
I covered that hand with my own and smiled.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you?"
I shook my head. It became silent once more and he stroked my hair again.
"Ne, Jack."
"Hmm?"
"Why do you love me. . .?" He chuckled and I frowned. "I heard you, earlier, why?"
"Eavesdropping doesn't help you at all, but if you really want to know," he kissed my cheek, "I'll tell you tomorrow."
"No fair," I whined and turned over, "stay with me."
He chuckled, "alright."
"I was being ridiculous earlier, I know."
"You were having a nervous breakdown because of your stepmother, don't worry about it. Father will be talking with you about your thoughts tomorrow. And how you feel about tonight."
"Okay. You really want to marry me?"
I wasn't sure if I heard him right but I thought he said yes.
Hahaha guys I promised I would update today so I did on the 10th, but at the same time, with so many things going on I could only update this one. I'm nearly finished with Lips of an Angel so I'll be updating that tomorrow and I won't be updating Enslaved until sometime next week due to unfortunate circumstances. If this was confusing to you, good, cause it was meant to be. Everything is going to get worse and many things will be revealed. Next time.
