Star Ocean Fairytale Series:

Fairytale 1, Cinderella

By

killerfever

The Diplo was a large ship and honestly, Cliff couldn't stand it. He hated being the son of King Fayt and Queen Maria. It was terrible. There were a lot of assassination attempts as well. Not good for a growing boy...or a full grown man.

"Seriously? Another ball?" Cliff asked.

"Yes. The king and the queen would both like it if you found a bride so they don't have to worry about you ruling the skies alone," Roger replied as he told the driver where to take them.

"But, this is the sixth one this month," Cliff complained.

Roger looked up at him, craning his neck.

"They're really trying to get you to find someone. Preferably, Mirage,"he said.

"But, I don't like Mirage!" Cliff exclaimed.

"Yes, but, she is the most suitable of the girls that will be there. I think your parents will be very happy if you choose her," Roger said.

Cliff sighed and sat in a nearby chair, running his fingers through his hair.

"But, I only like her as a friend. There's no way that we could be..."Cliff trailed off, unable to even utter the word.

"Marriage?" Roger asked.

"Yeah, that," Cliff replied, throwing up a hand in emphasis.

Roger sighed and climbed into a seat as well. He stared out the window, watching the stars go by. For some reason he couldn't help but think of the servant girl he bumped into in the hallway. Peppita. What was so interesting about her that left Roger almost breathless? Roger shook his head. He couldn't be thinking about something like this at the moment. He needed to fulfill his duty and teach the prince his place. And it certainly wasn't in the planets that the man escaped to in his spare time.

"Cliff, you should change. We'll be getting to Klaus III soon. You don't want your parents to find out that you've been traveling to other planets again. They might ground you," Roger said nodding to one of the Diplo crew members who quickly went off to get the prince a change of clothes.

Cliff sighed. He liked to dress differently than he usually did. Being on other planets allowed him to be free of his title. On other planets, no one knew him. No one cared that they were in his presence. And, certainly, no one wanted to marry him for his money. There was that man as well. That beautiful man that he locked gazes with. That man was beautiful. Cliff really wished he was able to get his name before Roger came. He slipped out of his clothes and was quick to put on his regular ones. Roger led him outside and into the castle courtyard where the ship had landed. The gravity hit Cliff immediately and he almost stumbled. Almost.

"See, being on other planets is messing with your balance," Roger said.

"Is not," Cliff argued.

They didn't say anything else and walked on. The palace was large. About sixteen times larger than the Diplo. It was mostly blue because that was King Fayt and Queen Maria's favorite color. Some parts were red because that was Cliff's favorite color. It took a total of thirty minutes to reach the large double doors leading into the throne room where Fayt and Maria were most definitely waiting. Cliff sighed.

"Can I turn and run now?" He asked, not looking down.

"If you do, I'll have all the guards shoot your legs until you can't use them again," Roger replied, not looking up.

Cliff sighed again before grasping the door knobs and swinging the doors open. Light immediately shined into Cliff's eyes. He had to squint and walked into the room. The light softened and Cliff could stop squinting. He looked to the end of the large room and saw the two chairs that were inhabited by his mother and his father. They were both dressed very well and seemed as casual as possible while wearing satin and silk. Cliff walked he fifty feet that was necessary to get to his parents. They looked to him as he approached. Fayt smiled and waved while Maria's lips were set in a firm frown. A look that certainly did not suit her. Cliff scratched his head.

"Greetings, mother. Father," he said.

"Good morning, Cliff. How wa-" Fayt was cut off.

"Where have you been?" Maria interrupted.

Cliff visibly flinched.

"I was just-"

"Fooling around on other planets where you don't belong?" Maria's voice cut in.

Cliff flinched again. He loved his mother. He really did, but it was at times like this that she really got nasty. He hated this side. Apparently from the way Fayt was leaning away from her, he didn't either. Cliff couldn't lie, so, before he could utter a word in defense the truth slipped.

"I went to another planet. But, I-" Cut.

"How many times have we told you not to?" Maria shouted, raising from her seat.

Cliff said nothing. It was better to keep quiet in situations like this. His mother ranted and raved about how he was going to pay for disobeying her again. Cliff tried hard to listen but frankly, his mother was boring when she yelled. Fayt sighed and sank into his chair, rubbing his temples gingerly. Finally after a good fifteen minutes, he stood and took Maria by the shoulders.

"Maria. I think we should lay off a little on how strict we're being," Fayt said.

Maria looked at him, death in her eyes and fire in her breath.

"Too strict?!" She shouted.

Fayt immediately let go and backed up a step.

"I think we're not being strict enough!" Maria exclaimed.

Fayt stayed silent. She turned to Cliff, expecting him to say something. He didn't. So, she continued.

"Cliff, you are grounded from using any ships to go anywhere! You will stay in your roomuntil the ball in three days. It will give you time to stop being picky and choose someone," Maris stated.

"Actually, mother. I was woder-"

"No. You do not wonder, you obey. Go to your room," Maria said, voice firm.

Cliff sighed and was about to speak up again when he saw the guards out of his peripheral vision. The guards grabbed his arms and led him all the way to the east wing and, not so gently I may add, threw him in his room. The door locked a second after it was slammed. Cliff sighed and made his way over to the window. Looking out he saw the garden. The sweet smell of the flowers wafted into his nose. Another sigh. He knew the next three days were going to be Hell.

*

After leaving the room, Albel made his way to the chair in the kitchen. He sat there for what seemed like forever. After a time though, he was able to compose himself and walk around. He decided that the damage to his eye needed better care. He went to the large bathroom that his sisters used and looked at himself in the mirror. He honestly, looked like a mess. His hair was matted and dried blood was getting caked to his neck. He quickly worked to clean the blood. After that task had been complete, he slowly removed the cloth on his eye. It was soaked in blood. Albel gingerly dabbed at it to remove the excess blood. That was done for a full five minutes. Albel tried to open that eye but found he couldn't. He assumed he was blind in that eye now. Looking around he found another dirty rag he could use. He wouldn't dare use one of his stepsisters' old cloths. He fastened the cloth to his eye with the same string he used before but tighter so there was no risk of it falling off. He decided as well he needed to change.

Albel traveled to the basement. The wooden steps creaked as he stepped on them. He wouldn't be surprised at all if one of the steps broke under his feet. He stepped onto the stone floor and walked over to a rotting wooden door that led to his room. Upon opening the door, the hinges broke and it fell. Albel sighed and decided he would pick it up later. He walked over to his bed, which in reality was just a pile of rotting hay. Next to his bed was a small pile of clothes. It was cold so Albel changed quickly. Now, he was dressed in his most common outfit. A purple skirt and cut off shirt. A 'gift' from his stepsisters. It was really just a tool of humiliation when they traveled in public. It was a great dishonor for a man like Albel to dress as a woman so he got a lot of teasing when taken out.

He fixed the skirt just a little so it showed off less leg. He heard the door to the basement open.

"Useless! Get your shoes, we're going out!" He heard Ameena shout.

"I'll be there!" Albel shouted back.

He looked around and found his boots. Thigh-highs. Another 'gift'. He pulled them on and went upstairs where the other three were waiting. He assumed that Adray was gone. Vox didn't look happy. Neither did Ameena and Sophia. Albel didn't care.

"We're going to be heading into town. Be presentable. Remember, don't speak," Vox said.

Albel just nodded. He followed behind, keeping his head down. They reached town in less than ten minutes. Ameena and Sophia complained the whole times about needing to walk so much. Vox said nothing. Albel wasn't allowed to complain even if he wanted too. Town was busy. People were all over, looking at shops, trying to get to destinations, pushing, shoving. Albel hated being around so many people. Before he knew it, a rock was thrown at his head. Direct contact. He hissed in pain and saw that it was a group of three boys.

"Men shouldn't wear woman's clothes!" One boy shouted.

Another rock made contact to his forehead. Vox, Ameena, and Sophia pretended not to notice. Albel glared, said nothing, and kept walked, rocks hitting his back, making sure there would be bruises later. Vox stopped at one store. Ameena and Sophia immediately ran to find something. Vox looked at Albel and when he was satisfied that he wouldn't leave, he began to look at the selection as well. Albel sighed and looked at an object. It was a small wooden figurine of a dancing woman. Her skirt flowed, he arms raised above her head, eyes closed, a smile forever carved onto her face. Albel looked away and stared at the dirt on the ground.

A strange sensation took over him. It was weird. He felt warmth spreading all along his back. He knew the feeling. He was being watched. He turned and saw who it was that was watching him. A man. Blond hair and blue eyes. He was dressed like any other peasant but...

There was something about that man that wasn't normal. There was a certain air to him that said nothing of peasant. He must be a lord or soemthing like that. Then, their eyes locked. Albel's mouth fell open a little. He never felt anything like this before. His knees were weak. He had a hard time breathing and he felt warmth spread to his cheeks. This man. Who was he?

"Albel!" Vox shouted.

Albel turned his attention to him. They were leaving. Albel followed after and couldn't help but glance back, staaring at the man until his view was cut off. He turned back to the ground and shook his head, trying to calm his racing heart. What was wrong with him? All that man had done was look at him and he was reduced to this. How did that happen? All kinds of questions raced through Albel's mind. When he got home he made dinner and went to his room. He let out his hair and slipped off his boots. As he layed dow, only one thought crossed him mind.

What was his name?