Once upon a time, many years ago, there was a steadfast knight. The knight served a handsome and loving prince who seemed to be perfect in every sense of the word. The knight decided that the perfect prince needed the perfect guardian to protect him.
However, whenever the knight caught sight of himself in a looking glass, all he could see made him feel things he despised: Sorrow, loneliness, and bitter disappointment…
"Let's see, it's gotta be here somewhere…" Duck whispered, scanning the page with her finger. She stopped abruptly at seeing the sentence she was looking for. "Oh! Here it is!"
She got a loud shushing from someone trying to read and immediately covered her mouth. "Sorry…"
She then went back to reading. The prince was left completely emotionless after the Raven's failed attempt to snatch his heart, which ended up shattering it instead. It was then that a beautiful ballerina, Princess Tutu, appeared and brought back all the shards of his missing heart. After doing so, she confessed her love for the kind prince before turning into a speck of light… and vanishing…
"…" Duck placed a hand to her own heart, feeling it had sped up at the idea, tears coming to her eyes. What a terrible way to go… I can't even imagine how scary and sad it must be for Tutu…
"I'm surprised to see you here, Duck."
"Ah! Hello! Hi, Mytho!" She immediately tried to cover the book with her hands. "I'm just studying!"
"Studying?" Mytho raised a brow in disbelief. "That doesn't sound like you."
He noticed the familiar writing style as he got closer, making him grimace. "The Prince and The Raven… You like reading how Fakir used to be, hm? When he was a knight who had a heart?"
"I mean, usually yes but this time I was reading about…!" She covered her mouth at once to stop herself. I'm so stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid!
"Princess Tutu..." Mytho whispered, brushing her hands aside. He gave a sharp look toward the girl. "Why?"
"I just thought it might give me a clue who could be restoring Fakir's heart…"
"Don't play dumb with me." The boy whispered intensely, slamming the book shut.
Duck backed away as he walked closer, not used to seeing this side of him. "Mytho… What would you do if Princess Tutu really existed? Normally you're so gentle and kind-"
"Not when it comes to someone who puts Fakir in danger." He reminded her. "Someone like Princess Tutu… and you lately... Stay away from my knight…"
Duck was left trembling.
"Sorry I'm late!"
Rue couldn't help but roll her eyes as Duck joined her on the barre. "What was it this time? Did you oversleep again?"
"No, actually." Duck laughed nervously, beginning to stretch. "I was in the library and ran into Mytho there…"
Mytho? Is he trying to intimidate Duck now? The girl turned to her at once. "That pompous brat, is he trying to keep you and Fakir apart again?"
"Yeah, but he's always doing that these days." She smiled brightly. "There's no need to worry, Fakir and I will still meet up tonight anyway!"
"You have a date?" Rue assumed.
Duck nodded eagerly. "It's more than a date, it's the Crown Karneval!"
"Crown Karneval?"
Her friend stared at her in disbelief. "You don't know what the Crown Karneval is? Even I know about it!"
Well that's probably because you've lived here forever and I've lived out in the forest most of my life… as a bird. Rue thought to herself, crossing her arms. "Can't you just tell me about it already?"
"Sure! The Crown Karneval's been going on for years now here in Pyrite Crown. It's a celebration of the season's end! There's all kinds of yummy food and fun games, I even heard there's a house of mirrors this year! But the very best part is the masquerade! Everyone wears pretty costumes and masks while they dance together!"
Rue smiled faintly at seeing how excited Duck was until she noticed Mr. Cat coming their way. "Duck…"
"Fakir and I are going tonight as the knight who pulls the sword from the stone and the lady of the lake, isn't that cool? Though I'm way too clumsy to be a lady, the role of the handsome knight fits Fakir perfectly! They hand out this golden apple to the couple who dances the best at the event and whichever gets it is supposed to be bound together forever!"
"Duck, shh!"
"You should come too, Rue-"
"Miss Duck!"
"Qua-!" The girl yelped, looking up at Mr. Cat. "Mr. Cat!"
"Not only were you exceedingly late but now you seem to find it proper to distract your classmate as well!" Mr. Cat hissed. "I understand your excitement as the Crown Karneval is a splendid time for all couples. My Juliet and I plan to dance for the golden apple ourselves, even though our true love is already unbreakable."
"Aww! That's so sweet, Mr. Cat! I'm happy for you!" Duck smiled, even Rue had to give a tiny grin.
"Your happiness can't stand to rivial my own when it comes to- Ah! Don't try to get out of your punishment with flattery!" The teacher cried, glaring down at her. "As punishment, you will clean the beginners' lesson room after class!"
"But I already told Fakir-!"
"No buts!"
Duck practically deflated. "What am I gonna do now? Fakir and I were going to practice for the Karneval after class but now I can't even tell him I won't be there!"
Rue nodded, only half paying attention since she was about to dance next.
"Ah, Rue!"
The girl nearly tripped over herself in suprise before glancing at her friend. She gave a sigh seeing Duck's pitiful face. "Yes, Duck, what is it?"
"Can you stay after class and just tell Fakir I won't be able to make it to practice? Pleaaasse?"
"Don't you think I have more important things to do than play your errand girl?" Rue asked with a slight smirk. She was getting used to Duck's energy at this point and couldn't resist the urge to tease her.
"Do you?!"
"No."
"Ah, Rue, you got me, hehe!"
"Fakir, I'm back!" Mytho called, entering their room.
As was becoming common, he was met with utter silence.
His smile faded as he glanced into the mirror. All he could see was the failure of a prince who couldn't even keep his sworn knight by his side.
"Where are you this time?"
I would love to go to the carnival tonight if only to dance for the golden apple… Rue thought to herself as she waited for Fakir after class. But I don't have a partner. The only one I've ever really wanted to dance with would be…
"Don't forget!" Drosselmeyer suddenly said, his voice seeming to echo around the room. "The princess who saves the knight is destined never to be with the one she so admires!"
The girl felt herself flush in anger as she glared up at the ceiling. "You don't have to remind me!"
She would've given him a piece of her mind if the door didn't open at that very moment.
He looks just like a knight… Is this the true you, Fakir?
Fakir wore a dark black tunic with silver chains sewn in at his shoulders, arms and waist, wearing a silver mask that glinted in the sunlight. He quickly frowned. "I thought Duck would be here…"
"Yes, um, she sent me to tell you she won't be able
"Did she get caught doing something silly and have to do chores as punishment?" Fakir sighed.
Rue couldn't help but smile seeing that Fakir actually seemed somewhat disappointed his girlfriend wasn't there. It was proof he cared about their practice and seeing her. "That's exactly right."
They stood in awkward silence for a moment before the girl gave a stiff curtsey, trying to make a quick exit as she often did as Tutu.
"Wait." He grabbed her arm, surprising her with how strong his hood was. "When I'm all alone… it feels so dark and cold…"
Rue could feel her cheeks heating up as he gazed into her eyes. She could see a hint of sorrow in them.
"I often don't know what to do with these feelings… But Duck likes to dance to get hers out so…"
He pulled her forward, supporting her as she instinctively stood on one foot. "Ah!"
Her cheeks turned rosy as he twirled her around.
Fakir… he's dancing out of his own free will. And now that he's getting his feelings back, his moves have passion! She smiled up at the man. If dancing this way gives him a sense of peace, that's all I could wish for…
Mytho looked around campus for Fakir only to see him and Rue dancing in the advanced classroom.
He felt his heart sped up at the sight, though he didn't know why. "Rue… Why is she getting so close to Fakir?"
Rue leaned against the closed door after saying goodbye, blushing. I danced with the knight, Fakir, just like I always wanted…!
"I thought Duck would be here…"
But it was in Duck's place… She remembered, bowing her head. He didn't feel anything dancing with me, not like he would with her…
Why does she look so unhappy? Wasn't she just dancing with Fakir? Mytho wondered as he slipped in, seeing the forlorn girl walking away. He narrowed his eyes. …I wish I didn't care. Fakir doesn't know how good he has it sometimes…
As Rue turned the corner, she heard the door to the advanced lesson room open once more, startling her. She peeked back to see Mytho enter. It's Mytho… What does he want with Fakir now?
She crept over to the door to listen.
Mytho couldn't help but laugh, making Fakir grimace in embarrassment, which was due to the feeling of disappointment returning to him that fueled others. "What are you wearing, Fakir? I'd never expect to catch you in this sort of getup!"
"Duck asked me to wear it."
"I should've known, only she would've chosen such a fitting costume…" Mytho whispered, mainly to himself. "I thought I told you to stay away from her."
"It's a bit hard, she always wants to see me." Fakir shrugged as to not mention there were now times he wanted to see her and wished she'd come find him.
"I saw you were dancing with Rue." The other boy mentioned softly, crossing his arms. "She may be a wonderful dancer and seem lonely without a partner… but that's no reason to dance with her!"
Rue frowned outside the door. Mytho thinks I'm a wonderful dancer…? And he noticed I never have a partner…? Maybe he… Oh, what am I thinking?! Don't be absurd! He's just been keeping an eye on me because I'm getting close to Fakir, that's all!
"Duck had to do chores for punishment and Rue stayed after class to tell me." Fakir muttered, not meeting his eyes. "I was feeling lonely so…"
"You invited her to dance." Mytho realized, eyes widening. He got closer to Fakir, whispering to him to the point Rue couldn't make out what he was saying. "You don't need anyone else, you just need me. The day our town was under attack, I had no family, no one but you. I realized I wasn't able to defend myself like I'd hoped and then begged you to help me, to be my knight. And you agreed. You saved me, you're my knight!"
Fakir didn't resist as Mytho caressed his cheek.
"You don't need a heart to be by my side."
"I understand, Mytho..." Fakir whispered. "But Duck asked me to dance with her at the carnival. And I… I think I should be there for her."
Mytho stared in disbelief at the boy who already had a strong will even without most of his heart. He knew there wasn't much else he could do to dissuade him. He thought for a moment before smiling. "If it's so important to you… I suppose you can go. Under one condition."
"What's that?"
"You stop talking about your feelings and wanting them back… I don't want to hear another word about them, nor to see you running off to find them, is that understood?"
How could he make him agree to that?! Rue wondered. Fakir, don't do it!
Fakir grimaced. "…"
"You want to dance with Duck tonight, don't you? All you have to do is say yes…"
"Alright. I will do as you wish, Mytho."
Mytho smiled triumphantly before releasing him.
Fakir glanced up at him questioningly. "Are you going to be there?"
"Of course. I have to keep an eye on you, after all. Come, help me pick out something to wear."
Rue heard their footsteps approaching and ran away just in time to watched them leave. I know Mytho's planning something, but what? … I guess I'll have to go to the carnival after all! But I should be stay on the look out for heart shards too, they could be anywhere, leaping out when I least-
"Rue!"
Rue covered her mouth before she could let out a bird-like screech, blushing in embarrassment for herself before spinning around to see Duck. "What's the matter with you? Don't you know it's rude to sneak up on someone like that?!"
"I'm sorry, it's just I got done as fast as I could and put on my costume and- What do you think, Rue?"
She twirled wildly, nearly tripping over herself as she did.
Rue could barely recognize the clumsy girl she called her friend. She looked like a beautiful spirit in the light blue gown that brought out her eyes perfectly, the dress' petticoats making it look like ripples on the surface of a lake. The mask and tiara looked like they were made of dew drops from an early spring morning, casting tiny rainbows across the room.
"… I knew it. A duck like me could never pull this look off…" Duck assumed in her stunned silence.
"No, no. You look lovely, Duck."
Duck's face turned red at the compliment. "Hehe, lovely? Me? Really?!"
"Don't make me take it back, a lady doesn't turn red as a tomato every time someone compliments her." She teased. "I'm sure Fakir will like it just fine. He had something to do but he'll meet you later."
"Oh… Hey! You should come to the carnival too, Rue!" Her friend exclaimed excitedly. "I'd love to see you, you'd look like a beautiful princess and could dance with a handsome prince!"
"Princess? Please, you've been reading too many fairytales lately." Rue scoffed, trying not to give anything away. "But I am already going into town tonight so you don't need to worry."
"Oh, that's great! Fakir and I will see you there!"
"The costume department's very busy today." Mytho murmured to Fakir as they walked up.
Plenty of students were fighting over outfits they'd planned to borrow last minute before the carnival began, the place was practically overflowing.
"I know you don't like large crowds, you can just stay out here in the hall." Mytho suggested softly. "I'll only be a few minutes."
Fakir nodded in thanks before sitting down on the bench outside.
As he stared into space, the cacophony of voices seemed to drift further and further away until he was left in silence.
"Do you want to know who you are?"
His head slowly lifted at hearing the breezy voice enter the room.
"Well, do you? I know who you are… Don't you want to know as well~?"
Rue tried to keep her head down as she searched for a costume for the carnival. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. I don't think any costume could hide what an ugly creature I am… I'll still look creepy either way…
"Might I suggest this?"
She looked up, expecting to see one of the staff and instead meeting Mytho. She gritted her teeth in distrust. "You-!"
"I think it'd be perfect." Mytho smiled, holding up a fiery red gown set with golden beads. "After all, we'd match."
"Match? Why would that even matter?" Rue growled, not really listening to what he was saying, too focused on uncovering his secret agenda.
"Because I want you to be my date to the carnival, silly. So, will you?"
The room went quiet as Rue stared in utter shock at what he'd just said.
"Did you hear that? Senior Mytho just asked Rue to the carnival!"
"I wish that were me!"
"Rue doesn't even talk to anyone, why would he ask her?"
Rue couldn't hear the students whisperings, her own mind was racing. His date?! But why would a handsome- Not handsome! Why would Mytho ask me?! An ugly crow?!
Mytho's seemingly sweet smile morphed into a smirk the longer she looked at him offering his hand. She knew that was her imagination, he'd certainly be keeping up his gentle and sweet prince act when around all these people.
Rue glared down at him before yanking him up to his feet.
Mytho gave a genuinely startled gasp as she dragged him into the nearest empty changing area. He'd never had a girl hesitate to join him, regardless of if he wanted it or not.
"What are you up to?" Rue hissed, glaring at him.
The boy tilted his head like a confused puppy but she knew better. "Up to?"
"First you let Fakir go to the carnival and now you're asking me, of all people, to be your date?!" Her face was flushing from the numerous feelings digging at her heart. "You're planning something!"
"Maybe I am..." Mytho smirked, leaning closer. His eyes softened unexpectedly. "Or maybe I just find you to be a beautiful dancer and want to be your partner for one magical night…"
Is he really that good of a liar that even his eyes play along…? They look so soft and gentle and-!
"Don't forget, little crow, the knight is the one who you truly wish to dance for!" Drosselmeyer chuckled, reinforcing the idea.
Right, I haven't seen Fakir despite Mytho wanting to keep him close. There must be a reason he's not here! I need to find Fakir, I can't get distracted by this… this brat!
Rue shoved him away, racing out of the costume department and into the fresh air. She breathed heavily before letting out a long held caw.
The little bird flopped onto the ground, a blushing mess. Curse you, Mytho! I can't find Fakir if I'm this out of it! I'm sure that was your evil plan all along!
"Here you are-zura!"
Rue looked up pathetically to see Uzura smiling down at her. As if today couldn't get any worse! I do not need you following me around! I need to find Fakir!
The puppet ignored her squawks of protest, resting the little raven on her drum and tying her uniform around her neck. "Come on-zura! We're going on an adventure-zura!"
Uzura, put me down this instant! Rue crowed, flapping furiously up at the little girl.
They arrived at the Crown Karneval which was already incredibly lively despite the festivities not starting til that night.
The carnival? What are we doing here…?
Uzura placed Rue on the ground before waddling off somewhere.
You're being incredibly rude, young lady! Rue scolded, glaring after her. You can't just leave me in the middle of no-
Her pendant suddenly began to shine, interrupting her frantic cries. Hm? A heart shard's around here? Knowing Fakir, he was probably drawn to it…
She looked up to see Uzura hadn't put her down in the middle of nowhere, she'd put her down in front of the carnival's house of mirrors.
The dark tent towered over her, the mirrors on the outside reflecting back her surprise. She thought she heard someone giggling.
"Here comes water-zura!"
Hm? Wait, not here in the open! The crow dove into the tent before Uzura could dump a cup of water on her.
"Ooh, wait up-zura!"
"Thank you for helping me find this place, Uzura." Rue mumbled, dusting off her skirt.
"No problem-zura!" The puppet gave a thumbs up. "Rue-zura is Duck-zura's friend! That makes her Uzura's friend too!"
Rue didn't catch her last sentence as a haunting laugh filled the tent, startling her slightly.
"Ooh, Uzura can't go any further-zura. Uzura's only supposed to guide-zura!"
"What do you…?" Rue turned to see the girl had seemingly vanished, though she thought she heard the ticking of a clock a second before. "Uzura? … Here one minute, gone the next… Honestly, what's with that girl?"
"Do you want to know who she truly is? No, no! The more interesting question is who are you?"
She narrowed her eyes, walking deeper into the complete darkness and towards the disembodied voice. "I could ask you the same thing..."
"I don't matter, not at all! Don't you want to learn more about who you truly are? What you truly are?"
The girl bumped into something cold and hard and found herself staring at her own reflection. The mirror was the only lit thing she'd found so far.
She quickly averted her eyes after glaring at herself. "That isn't important…"
"Oh, but it is. There must be some reason you don't like looking at yourself, even though I love seeing you…" The voice called after her.
"Oh please, you'd know I'm nothing to look at if you were paying attention. I'm just an ugly crow in a human's body." Rue growled into the air as she kept marching forward. "Stop trying to flatter me, that isn't going to keep you and Fakir hidden!"
"You think you know who you are, but it's not true, you're just stumbling around in the darkness…"
Realizing she was getting nowhere, she turned around only to see another mirror. But instead of her current self, she had to glance down to see her bird form staring up at her.
She glared down at the harsh scarlet eyes that seemed to bore into her soul. "Stop playing with me!"
"You don't like this version of yourself either?"
"No, it's pathetic and ugly and it's the only thing in my way to being a normal girl. I hate it." She huffed.
"I see…" The voice murmured sadly. "… I'm starting to think it doesn't matter what I show you, you sound like you hate every version of yourself…"
Her eyes widened in surprise. She wasn't paying much attention and so bumped into yet another mirror.
The woman she saw smirking sent her stumbling back in fear, clutching her chest.
But it was. At least, it certainly looked like her albeit much more confident. She stood tall in a revealing dress of black, her long hair swept up into the shape of a crow's feather. Sharp makeup accentuated her eyes and lips.
"T-That's not me…" She insisted, her head burning as visions of herself as this monster of a person filled it. This feeling inside her heart was more than hatred, it was pure revulsion. The very sight made her entire body seize. "That's not me!"
"Not you." The voice agreed. "But it is another version of you. There are countless versions of you just waiting to be created... But don't worry, I'll accept every one."
"The knight's heart is more loving than someone as broken as you could ever understand, little princess." Drosselmeyer exclaimed but she couldn't hear him over her own mind. "One like it once accepted every side of his prince and his beloved Duck. But he could never accept the woman you see before you… Will things go differently this time, Princess Tutu?"
Princess Tutu's appearance calmed Rue's heart, reminding her there was one side of her she liked. With a spin, the ballerina shattered the mirrors and caused numerous spotlights to appear.
The final one landed on Fakir who sat staring deeply into a hand mirror that's twisted frame was made of dark ebony. His eyes were clouded over, caught in a trance.
"Fakir…" Tutu smiled in relief before walking towards him.
"I won't let you wake him." The familiar voice said, its gentleness had melted away. A man dressed in black vines with skin of shattered glass appeared before her, Fakir's heart shard wrapped around him. "I will not show affection to anyone who wishes to take him away!"
She did her usual mime. "Please-"
He twirled before transforming into Princess Tutu herself. The reflection smirked before copying her signature move. "Won't you dance with me, Princess Tutu?"
Duck was waiting patiently for Fakir to arrive. She'd already had plenty of fun playing carnival games, and eating food with Pique and Lillie but was eager to start dancing the moment they'd announced the competition for the golden apple began. It would be going for an hour, she just hoped Fakir would arrive on time.
"Miss Duck, it is a pleasure to see you here."
"Fak- Oh, it's you, Mr. Cat!" Duck smiled, trying to hide her disappointment.
On Mr. Cat's arm was a beautiful white feline dressed in pink.
"Oh, you must be Ms. Cat!" The girl grinned. "I've heard a lot about you!"
The cat curtsied gracefully, Duck could already tell she was a dancer too. "It's a pleasure, Duck. My tomcat has told me a lot about you as well."
"Only good things, I hope!"
The couple exchanged a glance before both laughing.
"I've told her you're an excellent dancer… when you focus." Mr. Cat said mirthfully. "Well, we'd better go off to compete, will we see you there?"
"Of course! Have fun!"
After they left, the girl deflated. "Oh, Fakir, where are you…?"
"So you don't know where he is either?"
"Mytho!" Duck gasped.
He wore a black suit with golden trim, the only thing missing was the crown it had come with.
"Oh, Mytho, you look like a prince!"
"… Is that a compliment?" He whispered, tilting his head.
She realized her mistake and bowed her head. "Sorry, I forgot you don't like to be called that…"
"It's alright, I know you didn't mean any harm." Mytho sighed, leaning on the wall next to her. "So, where is Fakir? You're not hiding him, are you?"
"You mean he's not with you?" Duck asked in surprise.
"I've been looking for him ever since I picked up my costume…" The boy sighed in worry, twirling the rose in his hand.
"Hm, what's that?"
He quickly hid it behind his back, blushing. "It's nothing."
Duck gasped, her eyes shining. "You have a date! Oh, that's wonderful!"
"You've got the wrong idea." Mytho blushed harder, gently shoving her away before she could embrace him. "I only asked her because she's been hanging around Fakir a lot recently…"
"Fakir?" Duck asked in curiosity. She remembered how many girls often vyed for her knight's attention and couldn't help but pout at the thought they were bothering him. "Like as a friend, right?"
"I'm not sure." Mytho narrowed his eyes as they began their search together. "I don't even think she knows herself."
"Ooh, are you jealous because she likes Fakir?"
"Not any more than you're jealous Fakir might like her."
Duck stuck out her tongue playfully.
Mytho did it back.
"Why are you doing this?" Tutu asked, dancing with the reflection.
The other Tutu smiled coldly. "I just wanted to see if you liked this form more than the others, you seem more confident as her."
"As Tutu?" Rue whispered in surprise, Tutu's perfect form faltering.
"She's just another act, isn't she?" The reflection asked.
An act? … I suppose she is. Rue thought to herself. She's so graceful and beautiful, and she knows exactly what to say and how to express herself in the best light… She narrowed her eyes. "So what if she is?"
"She's not your true self." The mirror insisted. "I like your true self, why can't you?"
"I… I just can't."
"My owner was like that too…"
The mirror's memories began to flood into Rue's mind.
A young woman stared at herself in the mirror, frowning deeply.
"Every day she'd look in me before she went to school and every day, I'd reflect back her true self. But she'd always find something wrong with it. She got sadder and sadder every time she looked at me… I just wanted to show her how beautiful she was, inside and out. I wanted to see herself the way I did but she never wanted to, and one day…"
The woman shattered the mirror on the edge of a table before tossing it out.
"She didn't like me... I don't think she ever did."
Rue opened her eyes to see the mirror back in its spirit form. She embraced it gently. "I'm sorry she couldn't understand what you were trying to show her, and I'm sorry I can't either, not now…"
"He understands." The spirit whispered, gesturing to Fakir who still sat gazing at the mirror. "He is looking at his true self, and can never look away."
"So you're forcing him to stare…" Tutu murrmered, gazing at the knight. "Reflecting on ourselves is very hard to do. Once we start, it can seem impossible to stop. I understand that as much as anyone. Perhaps if we do it every once in a while, little by little we will understand what you want us to see... But it must be done in our own time."
The spirit slowly nodded. "I think I'm starting to understand… This boy, he can only find his true self on his own?"
"Mm." Tutu nodded. "To do so, he needs his heart, and you hold one of its shards. Can I please return it to him?"
"I guess so. But under one condition: you must continue to reflect and find your true self one day. Whether you accept it or not is ultimately up to you. Until then, please take me with you so I can show you how beautiful you are, even if you don't like to look."
Rue nodded in agreement. I know the day will never come, no matter how often I reflect. But I suppose I'll try sometimes, for this spirit's sake…
The spirit faded, leaving Fakir's heart shard behind.
He knelt to her. "I am the feeling of affection, shattered and thrown away…"
"Affection…" Tutu smiled as the shard appeared in her hand. I can finally return a positive emotion to Fakir's heart.
"Tutu, wait."
She glanced up to see Fakir.
"I'm not sure if you should return any more of my heart. I promised Mytho I'd stop trying to get it back so I could see Duck tonight."
Tutu's smile wilted as she knelt down beside him. "I understand you are very loyal to Mytho, Fakir, but you must understand it is your choice whether or not you get your heart back. Without it, Mytho, Duck, and I will never get to meet your true self. And neither will you."
Fakir hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "I do want to know who I am. I just hope Mytho will be able to forgive me."
His heart shard returned to him before Tutu helped him to his feet. "Come, Duck is waiting for you…"
"He didn't show…" Duck sighed sadly, watching the people pack up the carnival. "I didn't even want that dumb apple I just wanted to dance with-"
She bumped into someone and she looked up to see Fakir dressed in his knightly attire.
"Fakir!"
"Sorry I kept you waiting." He said softly before taking her in his arms.
Duck looked up at him in wonder as he twirled her around. He'd never danced with her out of his own will. She couldn't help but smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Fakir…"
They each did a quick solo before joining again, their shoes tapping against the cobblestones as they did.
Listening to Duck's giggling, Rue smiled weakly as she hugged the mirror to her chest, not wanting to see her pitiful expression. This is how it should be…
Duck blushed as she looked up to meet Fakir's eyes only to see a smile on his lips. Her eyes widened in shock as she backed away. He's smiling at me but all I can think about is that he's getting closer and closer to regaining his heart… Once he does, will he still like me, even if I'm my true self?
Fakir looked slightly concerned, reaching out for her. "What's wrong, Duck?"
"I-I'm sorry!" Duck burst out before running away, panting.
Mytho watched her go, crushing the rose in his hand. I thought I'd be able to talk to Rue about what she knew and once she was cleared of suspicion maybe we could talk and dance together… But I let her distract me from what's really important. I can't keep letting my heart get in the way!
As Duck ran past her, Rue looked after her in worry. "Oh, Duck…!"
"The knight has regained the feeling of happiness but for the prince and the two princesses, one can only find sorrow! Hehehe!" Drosselmeyer laughed wildly.