CP Prologue

Previous
All Chapters
Next

Prologue
The Ice Princess

My name is Lucette Riella Britton, daughter of King Genaro Britton III.

I am the crown princess of the kingdom of Angielle.

At least, that was who I used to be.

But that was before yesterday, when I became a victim of the infamous Fairytale Curse.

Everyone has forgotten my birthright.

Now, I am nothing more than a lowly peasant.

I feel like I am stuck in a nightmare.

But no, this is my reality now.

I still have no idea what I must do to break the curse.

I close my eyes and remember that day...

It had started out like any other day...

Maid A: Have you heard? Another person was cursed!

Lucette: ...

I am on my way to the dining hall for breakfast when I stop and listen to the sound of hushed voices.

There are two maids standing next to each other with brooms in hand.

Lucette: *These two are slacking off again.*

Maid B: That's terrible! What Fairytale Curse was it?

Maid A: They say it was Pinocchio.

Maid B: Pinocchio? The Fairytale with the lying boy whose nose grows longer? That’s awful!

Maid A: You know, more and more people have been getting cursed lately.

Maid A: You think those wicked witches are up to something again?

Maid B: I thought the Fairytale Curses would stop after you-know-who was defeated?

Lucette: You two were hired to work, not talk.

Maid B: !!!

Maid A: W-We're sorry, your highness!

Lucette: As can only be expected from the likes of them.

Lucette: ...

Lucette: *Another Fairytale Curse...*

The Fairytale Curse started spreading even before the Great War began.

I do not have much interest in its effects, even now.

After all, most humans probably deserve to get cursed. The victims are weak.

Angielle would be better off without the dead weight.

Lucette: *If it were up to Mother, the cursed would have been banished from Angielle the instant they fell prey to it.*

Lucette: ...

Lucette: *But Mother is not here anymore.*

And she will not come back. Ever.

Maid: Princess? The king and queen are waiting in the dining hall.

Lucette: I am on my way.

The king, Ophelia and Rod are all present in the dining hall.

Someone is conspicuously missing, but I ignore their absence.

King Genaro: Good morning, Lucette.

Lucette: Good morning, Your Majesty.

Ophelia: Good morning, Lucette.

Lucette: ...

King Genaro: Lucette...

Lucette: Ophelia.

Ophelia: ...

Ophelia Widdensov.

Every day I wonder why my father, the king, married a lowly baker.

She could never be a true queen, for she pales in comparison to Mother.

I take my seat next to the king then look up at the person sitting opposite me.

Rod Benedikt Widdensov, my stepbrother, is bored and quiet as usual.

He is two years my junior and is the younger of Ophelia's children.

He is mute and uses a plush bunny to voice his thoughts.

It was apparently given to him by a fairy.

Rod: ...

He minds his own business and is easy to deal with.

But his older sister...

My eyes go to the empty seat beside him.

Lucette: *She is probably the most infuriating person I have ever had the displeasure of knowing.*

Emelaigne: I'm so sorry I'm late! I was reading and forgot the time.

Lucette: *And here she is.*

Emelaigne: Good morning dear father, mother.

Emelaigne: Good morning, Rod!

Emelaigne: And good morning to you too, Lucette!

Emelaigne: It's a beautiful morning, isn't it?

Lucette: ...

Emelaigne Widdensov, Rod's elder sister and my stepsister.

She acts as if we are blood, as if she too were born a princess.

As if she could be crown princess. Perhaps steal my place.

I will never let that happen.

King Genaro: Now that everyone is here, let us begin.

Butlers glide inside with silver trays to carefully serve us breakfast.

Ophelia: So Emelaigne, you were reading the Fairytale books that the king brought you?

Emelaigne: Oh, yes! There are so many and they are all so wonderful.

Emelaigne: Thank you so much, father!

King Genaro: I am happy that you like them.

Emelaigne: I love them!

Emelaigne: It's so strange that the library didn't have any of them to begin with.

Lucette: That is because Mother hated them. She had all the books burned.

Emelaigne: !!!

Emelaigne: But why? They are such charming stories-

Lucette: Fairytales mislead humans into believing they can have things they do not deserve.

Lucette: Fame, riches, love. Happily ever afters...

King Genaro: ...

Lucette: And when their wishes do not come to fruition exactly as they they want them to, the humans blame the witches for granting them in the first place.

King Genaro: What are you implying about the witches, Lucette?

The atmosphere shifts, the air in the room growing heavy.

I continue to eat.

Lucette: Perhaps witches are not responsible for the evil in this world.

Lucette: Perhaps humans are the cause of their own downfall.

King Genaro: Have you any idea what you are talking about, child?

King Genaro: Witches have caused nothing but pain and suffering to this kingdom.

King Genaro: Even now they still spread the Fairytale Curse to our innocent subjects.

The truth is, I know very little about the time the witches had free reign over Angielle.

I was very young then, and Mother forbade me to leave the palace, sometimes even my room.

I know nothing of the people's supposed pain and suffering.

Lucette: *Mother kept me away from everyone...*

And so, I cannot bring myself to care.

Lucette: How do you know the cursed are innocent?

King Genaro: Our people have been toiling day and night to rebuild Angielle after the Great War.

King Genaro: Our people are the kingdom’s foundation, and I am endlessly grateful for their determination and resolve.

King Genaro: Every day I wonder what your mother taught you about-

Lucette: Leave Mother out of this.

King Genaro: ...

Ophelia: Dear, please.

King Genaro: ...

Ophelia: Lucette, darling, your father didn't mean to-

Lucette: I am not one of your children, Ophelia. I do not need your sympathy.

Ophelia: !!!

Ophelia: I...

King Genaro: Lucette, you will show your mother respect.

Lucette: She is not my mother.

I set down my fork and knife and stand up.

Lucette: I am done. Excuse me.

My father and I have never got on, but our relationship has significantly worsened since he married the baker.

Lucette: *My father... the king... It has been seventeen years and I have never felt any love from him.*

Lucette: *He treats Emelaigne and Rod, who only entered our life one year ago, like his own children.*

Lucette: *Better than he has ever treated me.*

This has been my life ever since Mother passed away four years ago.

Lucette: *Mother was the only one that was there for me when no one else was.*

If it wasn’t for the accident during the Great War she would still be here...

Man: Why the sour face so early in the morning, princess?

Man: Let me guess. It’s the king, the queen, or Princess Emelaigne.

Man: Or is it all of them?

I ignore his question.

Lucette: Fritz, what are you doing here so early?

Fritz: I'm running some errands for my father.

Fritzgerald Aiden Leverton, son of the highest knight of the Order of Caldira.

His father, Sir Alcaster, has served the royal family for many years.

Sir Alcaster is one of the king’s most trusted advisors.

Three years ago Fritz was assigned the honor of becoming my personal knight.

His presence is the only company I can tolerate nowadays.

Lucette: You should wait in the throne room, then.

Fritz: Thank you.

Fritz: ...

Fritz: Princess?

Lucette: Yes?

Fritz: You know, I haven't seen you smile once since I met you.

Lucette: Why is that of any importance?

Fritz: ...

Fritz: Still, I do hope to see you smile one day, princess.

Lucette: ...

Fritz: Well I won't take up more of your time. I'll see you at ten.

Lucette: Ten?

Fritz: Don't tell me you've forgotten.

Lucette: Forgotten what?

Fritz: You're going to town today, remember?

I deflate as the realization dawns upon me.

It has been two days since the king issued the order...

Flashblack

King Genaro: Lucette, I would like you to accompany Emelaigne on one of her town outings.

Lucette: ...

Lucette: Surely you could send maids with her instead.

King Genaro: I would not have requested you to accompany her if I was going to send her with her maids.

Lucette: ...

King Genaro: I want you to make an effort to get along with your sister.

Lucette: Step-sister.

King Genaro: She is your sister, and you will treat her and Rod as if they were of your blood.

Lucette: ...

King Genaro: Two days from now, you are going to accompany Emelaigne outside.

Lucette: !!!

King Genaro: It has been four years since you last left the palace.

King Genaro: Ever since then, you have locked yourself away. You barely leave your room.

King Genaro: Angielle was in the grip of war back then. But now the kingdom is safe and back to its former glory.

King Genaro: I want you to see how beautiful Angielle really is.

King Genaro: Lucette, a princess must know her kingdom.

King Genaro: Go with Emelaigne, and she will show you the town that you only ever see through your windows.

Lucette: ...

Lucette: Is that an order?

King Genaro: If it needs to be.

Lucette: ...

King Genaro: Are we clear?

Lucette: ...

King Genaro: Lucette?

Lucette: Understood.

The last time I left the palace was four years ago, when the king took me with him to check on the people after the Great War had ended.

I shake my hand, removing myself from the memory.

Lucette: *I am safe here.*

Fritz: Princess? Are you alright?

Lucette: ...

Fritz: It won’t be that bad. The townsfolk are good people.

Lucette: How can you be so sure?

Fritz: ...

Fritz: Times have changed. People change.

Lucette: That is precisely the problem.

Lucette: *Mother never changed. Mother loved me until the end.*

Fritz: ...

Fritz: Sometimes change is for the better, princess. I think you’ll see that today.

Fritz: If you’ll excuse me. I shall see you later.

Lucette: Delora... Do you think witches are capable of bringing back the dead?

Delora: ...

Lucette: I wish you could talk to me. You and the others.

My dolls are my only friends. They are the only ones I can trust.

Unlike humans, they will never betray me.

They will never hurt me. They will always be there for me.

The moment I saw Delora, I knew she was special.

She was different, so elegant and realistic it was almost as if she was breathing.

She was a gift from the king on my seventeenth birthday.

I only started receiving dolls from him when Mother passed away.

Mother does not believe in birthday celebrations.

But every year, at midnight, a letter would appear under my door.

It would contain certain instructions leading me through the palace on an adventure to a room filled with gifts, cakes and sweets.

A child’s dream.

I’d been fascinated by the dolls, which had always held a little greeting card.

A card with the words “I love you” on it, signed by “M”.

The card would tell me to keep those celebrations a special secret, but I didn’t need to be told that.

Mother always found a way to show me she still cared.

In her own way.

The secret celebrations had stopped as soon as she had disappeared.

Lucette: Yes?

Maid: Excuse me, your highness. The king has requested your presence.

Lucette: *This better not be another lecture.*

Lucette: Tell him I am on my way.

Lucette: I will see you later, Delora.

Delora: ...

Man: Oh...

Man: Good morning, your highness.

Lucette: ...

Lucette: Sir Mythros.

Sir Mythros, the Royal Advisor.

Father trusts him a great deal, just like he does Sir Alcaster.

Mythros: Every day you look more and more like your mother.

Lucette: ...

I sometimes find Sir Mythros talking to Mother’s portrait when he thinks no one is looking.

He must have admired her a lot, but I cannot bring myself to think highly of him.

There is something about him that puts me on edge.

Mythros: Are you on your way to see the king? I shall not keep you then.

Mythros: Until our next meeting, dear princess.

Lucette: ...

Lucette: Your Majesty.

King Genaro: Lucette. Are you ready?

Lucette: ...

King Genaro: You will enjoy this, Lucette. I’ve heard the toy shop has lovely dolls.

Lucette: ...

King Genaro: This will be good for you.

King Genaro: You will get to know your sister better, and you will be able to interact with and learn about the people of Angielle. About our subjects.

Lucette: I will not learn anything I do not already know.

King Genaro: ...

King Genaro: Why do you always believe that the people around you are incapable of good?

Lucette: Because I have seen how quickly people will betray and manipulate each other to get what they want.

Lucette: Mother warned me about human nature.

King Genaro: You do not see clearly, Lucette.

King Genaro: If you would only open your eyes, you would be able to see how good people really are.

Lucette: I believe I am already quite capable of seeing the true nature of people.

Lucette: After all, I have seen that there is no good in you.

King Genaro: !!!

King Genaro: Lucette, I-

Lucette: Where were you when I needed you four years ago?

Lucette: Where have you been ever since?

Back then, I’d been overflowing with grief and pain.

I’d just lost Mother, my entire world.

I’d hoped that maybe then he would have shown me love and compassion.

Even just a hug to let me know someone was there.

King Genaro: ...

It has been a childish hope. I had been left alone.

I did not see him for months, had barely even heard his voice.

Lucette: *You cannot rely on anyone but yourself. You cannot trust anyone but yourself.*

Lucette: *This is what you have taught me... Your Majesty.*

King Genaro: ... I know that I’ve hurt you. I know that there is nothing I can do to atone for what I did.

King Genaro: But please... Ophelia and her children are not a part of that. They do not deserve to be hated.

Lucette: ...

Lucette: *In the end, they still matter more to him than I ever did.*

King Genaro: Lucette-

Lucette: Enough. I have already said I will go.

King Genaro: ...

King Genaro: Everyone is waiting outside.

I shudder at the thought of leaving the palace after so many years.

King Genaro: Lucette... It will be okay.

Lucette: How can you be so sure?

King Genaro: ...

King Genaro: Thank you... for agreeing to accompany Emelaigne.

Lucette: I would not disobey an order from the king.

King Genaro: ...

Lucette: Excuse me.

Girl: Hello, how can I help-

Emelaigne: Viorica!

Viorica: Emelaigne! I mean, Princess Emelaigne! How good to see you!

I trail Emelaigne, ignoring her as she embraces her friend.

I glance around the small shop.

The dolls displayed are nowhere near the quality of the ones in my room.

Lucette: *I cannot understand why Emelaigne insisted she buy gifts for friends here.*

Lucette: ...

Lucette: *I cannot believe I am outside the palace.*

Fritz: There’s no need to be so tense, princess.

Fritz: I would never let anything happen to you.

Fritz: Your only job is to relax and enjoy yourself.

Lucette: You ask the impossible of me

Fritz: ...

Emelaigne: There is no need to be formal, Viorica. I’m still the same as I was.

Emelaigne: Oh, yes! Rod’s come along as well.

Rod: It’s been a while, Viorica.

Viorica: It’s good to see you again too, Rod.

Emelaigne: And I must introduce you to her highness, the Crown Princess Lucette.

Viorica: !!!

The look on Viorica’s face as she takes a step back from me is all too familiar.

Fear.

Viorica: My apologies for being rude, Your Highness. Good morning.

Lucette: ...

Viorica: Um...

Emelaigne: A-ah! And this is Sir Fritzgerald, Sir Alcaster’s son.

Fritz: It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady.

Viorica: Oh! You’re Sir Fritzgerald?

Viorica: You really are as handsome as Emelaigne described in her letters!

Fritz: I’m sorry?

Emelaigne: !!!

Emelaigne: P-Please don’t mind her, Sir Fritzgerald!

Lucette: ...

Viorica: I’m sorry, Emelaigne!

Fritz: ...Right.

Emelaigne: Aha...ha...

Viorica: So, um, what brings you all the way here?

Emelaigne: Oh! I’m here to get some toys. Gifts for some new friends.

Viorica: Toys from... here? Are you sure?

Emelaigne: Of course I am!

I cross my arms.

Lucette: I would prefer we finish this errand as quickly as possible.

Viorica: !!!

Viorica: Y-yes! Of course! I’m sorry, Your Highness.

Rod: ...

Fritz: Princess...

Lucette: *I can barely breathe in here.*

Lucette: *I just want to go back to the palace.*

1/2

Beautiful Lady: Good morning.

Lucette: !!!

Fritz: !!!

Rod: ...

Up until this point I had always considered Mother to be the fairest beauty in the land.

The lady that walks in proves me wrong.

Her beauty is mesmerizing and clearly without peer.

Everyone in the shop is openly staring.

Viorica: Oh! You’re early today, ma’am.

Beautiful Lady: I have some important errands to run later today. Are the items ready now?

Viorica: Oh, of course! Let me go and fetch them for you.

Viorica: I’ll just be one moment, Emelaigne.

Beautiful Lady: ...

Lucette: Why... is she smiling at me?

Viorica: Here you are, ma’am.

Beautiful Lady: Thank you.

Emelaigne: Ah, that lady was beautiful.

Viorica: Right? Any girl standing next to her becomes hopelessly ugly by comparison.

Emelaigne: Who is she?

Viorica: She’s new around town. Some say that she’s a fairy.

Lucette: A fairy?

Fairies had saved Angielle from the witches four years ago.

Everyone considered them our saviors.

Lucette: And yet the fairies are still unable to stop the Fairytale Curse from spreading.

Viorica: Here you go!

Viorica: Thank you so much!

Emelaigne: No, thank you, Viorica. I hope to drop by again soon!

Viorica: Good, I’ll look forward to seeing you again!

Viorica: I hope to see you again soon as well, Rod.

Rod: Likewise.

Lucette: *Leaving the palace was a bad idea.*

While I am out, I am the center of attention.

Some townsfolk point and stare at me. Most horever, make a point of avoiding me. Like I am the plague.

There are some spiteful stares, but thankfully, none are nearly as intense as they were four years ago.

Lucette: ...

Emelaigne: I’m sure the townsfolk are only surprised to see you again after so many years.

Lucette: ... Right.

Fritz and Rod lag behind us, which leaves only Emelaigne walking beside me.

Lucette: *I cannot decide which is worse- the staring, or her company.*

Emelaigne: Oh Lucette, look! A street performance!

Emelaigne: It’s been so long since I last watched one.

Lucette: Street performance?

1/2

Boy: Good day, everyone!

Boy: My name is Waltz and I’m here to spread some happiness and magic!

The boy named Waltz snaps his fingers and colorful flower petals start to rain down from the sky.

Emelaigne: Isn’t that pretty, Lucette?

Lucette: ...

Waltz: And are those the princesses over there? It is an honor to have you in attendance!

Waltz: Please accept this humble gift.

He snaps his fingers and white lillies appear in his hand.

Emelaigne: Oh, thank you!

Lucette: ...

Waltz: ...

The boy looks at me, as if expecting some kind of reaction.

When he gets nothing from me, he sighs and gives a wry smile.

Waltz: I hope to see you again during my next show.

Emelaigne: We’ll definitely try!

He gracefully bows, before moving back into his area to perform more magic tricks for a gathering crowd.

Emelaigne: There are performers like this all around Angielle. I love them!

Emelaigne: Maybe someday we’ll get to see some musicians too. Those are my favorite.

Lucette: I do not intend to leave the palace again.

Emelaigne: !!!

Emelaigne: But...

Emelaigne: You don’t like it out here?

Emelaigne: Rod and I grew up here.

Emelaigne: I love Angielle, and this is my favorite part of the kingdom.

Lucette: ...

Emelaigne: I wanted to share this with you, Lucette.

Emelaigne: I know you didn’t really want to come, but you still tagged along.

Emelaigne: That means a lot to me, so thank you.

Lucette: I did not do this for you.

Lucette: I am only here because the king ordered me to go with you.

Emelaigne: ...

Emelaigne: I just want us to be closer, Lucette. I would like to try and be your friend.

Lucette: I do not want or need your friendship.

Emelaigne: !!!

Lucette: No matter how you act around me we are not, and will never be, sisters.

Lucette: I’d take care to remember that if I were you.

Emelaigne: But I...

Rod suddenly grabs my hand, pulling me away from Emelaigne.

Rod: Stop.

He is staring daggers at me.

I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen him angry.

Emelaigne: Rod, don’t-

Lucette: Let me go.

Rod: ...

Lucette: Both of you ought to stay away from me.

I feel the heavy atmosphere as I turn to look at the people staring at us.

Their expressions mirror the looks of disdain I saw years ago.

Anger. Disgust. Hatred.

I begin to walk away.

Fritz: Princess! Wait-

Lucette: Don’t follow me.

Fritz: Princess!

I adjust my cloak, making sure my face is hidden from view.

Lucette: *I never should have left the palace.*

As I walk around, I watch the people bumbling down the streets.

Lucette: *So carefree.*

Lucette: *They work so hard for so little reward.*

Lucette: *They could work their entire lives and never have a fraction of what I have.*

Lucette: *And yet...*

Lucette: *They are happy.*

Lucette: *And I...*

Lucette: ...

Woman A: I heard Annice lost her job at the palace.

Woman B: It’s true. Crown Princess Lucette made sure the poor girl was fired.

I stop in my tracks at the mention of the name.

Woman A: Not again.

Lucette: *Annice? Was that the name of that one maid that tore Delora’s dress?*

If so, my decision to fire her was justified.

A palace maid cannot be clumsy. Why should I tolerate poor performance?

Lucette: *What did I do that was so wrong?*

Woman B: I know that Annice. Hardworking and big-hearted. Very good with medicine.

Woman B: Shame she lost her job so quickly.

Woman A: You know how hard the crown princess is to please.

Woman A: My friend at the palace says she doesn’t even smile; only goes around with that cold look on her face.

Woman A: That’s probably why they call her the ‘Ice Princess’.

Lucette: !!!

Lucette: *Ice Princess...? So all those times I heard the servants saying that...*

Lucette: *...I’d always suspected they were talking about me.*

Woman A: She’s the complete opposite of our Princess Emelaigne.

Woman A: That child’s an angel. We all know she should be crown princess.

Annoyance begins to simmer inside me.

I cannot stand hearing any more, so I walk away.

Ever since Emelaigne entered my life I am always being compared to her.

And now I have become second best.

Lucette: *I am Lucette Riella Britton, daughter of King Genaro Britton III, and the crown princess of the kingdom of Angielle.*

Lucette: *I am of royal blood.*

Lucette: *She is... she is nothing.*

Fritz: There you are!

Lucette: ...

Fritz: Princess, you must come back with me. It is getting too late for you to remain outside.

Lucette: ...

Fritz: Princess?

Fritz: Are you all right? Are you hurt?

I brush him off, and turn away.

Lucette: No need to fuss. Let us return to the palace.

Fritz: ...

Leaving the palace was physically and mentally draining.

My bed is welcoming to my unusually heavy body.

I turn my head and meet Delora’s glassy gaze from where she sits on my shelf.

Lucette: I left the palace today, Delora.

Lucette: It was the same as all those years ago. Everyone looked at me like I was...

Lucette: ...

Lucette: What have I ever done to deserve those looks?

Lucette: How can I be so hated?

*Ice Princess.*

Lucette: ...
*Lucette: I wish Mother was here.*

I look at the smiling faces of my dolls.

Lucette: At least I still have all of you.

I yawn and stretch my arms.

Lucette: Good night, Delora.

Voice: Twinkle twinkle little star...

Voice: How I wonder what you are...

Lucette: *...Singing? But who...?*

Voice: Up above the world so high...

Voice: Like a diamond in the sky...

Lucette: ...

Voice: Twinkle twinkle little star...

I blink my eyes open, only to see Delora sitting right in front of me on my bed.

Moonlight spills across her delicate features.

Delora: How I wonder what you are.

Wasn’t she on the shelf with all of the other dolls when I went to bed?

Lucette: De...lora?

Delora: It’s almost time.

Lucette: !!!

I pinch my cheeks to make sure I am not dreaming.

It hurts.

Delora: Only ten minutes before the clock strikes twelve.

[Delora becomes full sized]

Delora: I hope you’re ready, princess.

Lucette: What?

My doll just turned into a human! How?

Lucette: Who are you?

Delora: You know who I am.

Delora: I’ve been watching you since the day your father gave me to you.

Lucette: What is happening?

I don’t think I have ever been so confused in my life.

Delora: All the answers will come with time. But right now I am here to give you something, princess.

Lucette: Is this…?

Delora: Cinderella’s very own glass slipper.

It is beautiful. Too beautiful. Then a realization begins to dawn upon me.

Lucette: You’re a witch!

Delora: Smart girl. I knew you’d figure that out eventually.

Delora: Now it’s time to say goodbye to your precious crown.

Lucette: What?

Delora: Sweet dreams...

Delora: ...Cinderella.

Woman: Hey!

Woman: Wake up, girl!

Lucette: Huh?

Lucette: W-Where am...

Lucette: Ow, my head!

Woman: You have some nerve sleeping in front of my shop! Leave before a customer sees you!

Lucette: !!!

Lucette: I was in my room. How am I... here?

Woman: Did you not hear what I said, you filthy child?

Lucette: Filthy?

Lucette: You would speak to your crown princess in such a manner?

Woman: If you’re the crown princess, then I’m the queen.

Woman: You must have been knocked on the head quite hard to have such grand delusions.

Lucette: I am not delusional.

Lucette: I am Lucette Riella Britton, blood daughter of King Genaro Britton III, and the crown princess of Angielle.

Woman: Right. The king never had a daughter with that witch.

Lucette: *Is she referring to Mother?*

Lucette: Witch?

Woman: Don’t pretend to be stupid, girl.

I can only stare at her, puzzled.

Woman: Our good king only has stepchildren. Princess Emelaigne and Prince Rod.

Woman: And you are most definitely neither of them.

Lucette: What...?

Woman: Now get gone before you go spouting your crazy gibberish at my customers and scare them away.

With a huff, she leaves me to my own rapidly turning thoughts.

I quickly realize that I am wearing tattered clothes, and that I do not even have shoes on.

Lucette: !!!

Lucette: No. No, no... this cannot be happening!

Something shines against my chest and I reach up to grab it.

This is...

It all floods back.

Delora being a witch... Cinderella’s glass slipper... This is not a dream...

Lucette: Delora gave me the Fairytale Curse!

My hands begin to tremble.

Lucette: I must return to the palace to speak with the king.

Lucette: Let me in!

Knight A: Sorry girl, but this place is off-limits to uninvited guests.

Lucette: You do not understand! I am Crown Princess Lucette Riella Britton!

Lucette: I must speak with my father!

As loathe as I am to call him that, I have to.

No one will believe me if I am addressing him by title.

Knight B: You best leave now, nice and quiet. Before we have to force you.

Lucette: If you would only-

Knight C: Make way for the king!

The gates swing open and three horses trot out.

Soldiers ride two of the horses while the last horse has a different, familiar rider.

Lucette: Father!

I immediately moved to block the path of his horse.

The soldiers move to hold me back

Knight B: Your Majesty!

King Genaro: What is this?

Knight A: Your Majesty, this girl is claiming to be your daughter.

King Genaro: Daughter?

King Genaro: Both of my stepchildren are in the palace right now.

Lucette: *What, even father is a part of this?*

Lucette: Father, you must help me.

King Genaro: ...

Lucette: A witch has cursed me!

Lucette: *For once in your life, just once. Help me.*

Lucette: You must believe me!

King Genaro: ...

King Genaro: Tell me, where is your family, child? Why are you alone?

He looks at me with pity in his eyes.

He is looking at me more kindly as a peasant than he ever did when I was the crown princess… and his daughter.

I recoil.

King Genaro: ...

King Genaro: You must be hungry. Take this.

King Genaro: This should feed you and your family for a day or two.

King Genaro: The kingdom offers work opportunities to those who need them. Please let your parents know.

Lucette: I do not want your pity. Father-

King Genaro: Please escort this girl back to her home. Make sure she gets there safely.

Knights: At once, Your Majesty.

I watch my father and his two guards ride away on their horses, leaving me to stand in their dust.

Lucette: *He left me alone. Again.*

Kinght A: Where is your home, girl?

Lucette: *There is nowhere left for me to go.*

Lucette: *Father has... forgotten me.*

Lucette: Leave me.

Knight B: Now look here, our orders were to-

Lucette: Leave. Me. Alone.

Knight A: ...

Knight A: Suit yourself. Can’t say we didn’t try.

Knight B: Don’t cause any more scenes, little girl.

I watch, with bleary eyes, as the soldiers return to the palace.

Lucette: How can this be happening?

I stare at the small pouch in my hands.

Lucette: ...

I do not know what hurts more.

The fact that I have just been unceremoniously paraded away from my home like I am nothing more than a piece of garbage, or the fact that my own father does not recognize me.

Noblewoman A: Oh, look at that girl’s hideous dress!

Noblewoman B: How difficult it is to be poor.

I clutch the pouch closer to my chest as I run to an empty alley. I huddle in a corner, trying to become as small as possible.

I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping that when I next open them everything will be back to normal.

Lucette: ...A dream?

Dream Sequence

Mother: No matter what happens, you must not leave the palace.

Young Lucette: Why?

Mother: The world is cruel. People will only ever hurt you.

Young Lucette: But they are always so nice to me...

Mother: That is only because you are the crown princess.

Mother: They will only ever think of what they can take from you.

Young Lucette: ...

Mother: I am trying to protect you, my love. That is why you must never leave the palace.

Mother: Never leave Mother.

Mother: I am the only one who will ever love you so much.

Mother: Do you understand?

Young Lucette: I... understand.

Previous
All Chapters
Next