Regal Academy: The Evil Rose *EDITED*

Shadows of the Past

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 60 Years Ago - Scene: Royal Ballroom *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The grand ballroom shimmered with candlelight, the air thick with the scent of roses and fresh pastries. Laughter and music intertwined as nobles waltzed across the polished marble floor.

It was the second night of the ball, and Cinderella was living a fairy tale—dancing with the prince I had fallen hopelessly in love with.

But fairy tales, I would learn, are often built on shadows.

Cinderella's POV

The moment felt like a dream. The prince's hand in mine, the warmth of his gaze—it was as if the world had faded away, leaving only us.

But all too soon, duty called. His father beckoned him from across the room, and he gave me an apologetic smile before slipping away.

I barely had a chance to process his absence before I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"May I have this dance?"

I turned and met the piercing gaze of another prince—his hair slightly longer, his features sharper, his presence commanding in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.

I hesitated. Something about him unsettled me. But refusing a prince outright would be impolite. So I forced a smile and placed my hand in his.

"Of course."

As we moved together across the ballroom, I couldn't shake the strange feeling creeping up my spine. His grip was firm—almost possessive. His eyes lingered too long.

"So," he mused, his voice smooth but unreadable, "you're quite close with my dear brother."

I blinked. "Brother?"

He smirked. "Ah... so he hasn't told you. Prince Henry—your charming dance partner—is my younger brother."

I swallowed hard. "I... I didn't know."

"Of course you didn't," he said. "After all, why would Henry ever mention me?" His voice dripped with something bitter—resentment, anger, something darker.

When the music ended, I instinctively tried to pull away, but he didn't let go.

"Come," he said, motioning toward the balcony. "Let's talk."

Every instinct in me screamed to decline. But politeness, hesitation, curiosity—it all warred within me. Against my better judgment, I followed.

The night air was crisp, a welcome contrast to the stifling heat of the ballroom. But the moment we were alone, he stepped closer.

"I never introduced myself," he murmured. "I am Prince Leth."

My pulse quickened.

"And you are?" he asked, voice lower now, more insistent.

I took a step back. "That's something I can't tell you."

His smirk deepened. "Come now, princess, no need to be shy." His fingers brushed my shoulder, lingering.

A shiver of unease ran through me. "Stay away from me."

But he didn't listen. His hand shot out, grasping my wrist.

"LEAVE HER ALONE!"

The voice cut through the night like a blade.

We both turned to see Henry standing in the doorway, eyes blazing. Behind him, a line of guards advanced.

"Take him away," Henry ordered.

The guards seized Leth, who barely struggled. Instead, he let out a soft, dark laugh.

"You always did like to steal things from me, little brother," he mused. "First my crown. Now my fun."

Henry's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

As the guards dragged Leth away, he threw one last look over his shoulder.

"This isn't over, Henry. One day, I'll take back what's mine. And I'll make sure you lose everything you love."

Henry exhaled sharply before turning to me. "Are you alright?"

"I—"

BONG!

The first bell struck midnight.

My heart lurched. "I'm sorry, I have to go!"

BONG!

I turned and ran, my slippers clicking against the marble as the second chime echoed through the palace.

"Wait! At least tell me your name this time!"

But I couldn't.

BONG!

The third chime rang, and before I reached the gates, my gown shimmered, fading back into rags. My glass slippers vanished, leaving only my old, worn shoes.

The magic was gone.

"Guess I'm walking home tonight..."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Present Time - Scene: Cinderella's Bedroom *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

I sat at my vanity, staring at my reflection. Sixty years had passed, yet that night still haunted me.

What if Henry hadn't arrived in time? What if Leth had succeeded in whatever twisted plan he had?

I had tried to forget. I tried to move on. Henry told me Leth had been stripped of his title, and banished from fairy tale land.

But I never asked where he went.

I was just glad he was far, far away.

After the third ball, Henry found me again, thanks to my glass slipper. We married, built Regal Academy along with my friends Snow White, Beast, Rapunzel, and LeFrog, and raised our daughter, Clara—though fate was unkind, and she was banished to Earth at seventeen for losing one of our family's glass slipper.

Years later, my granddaughter, Rose was born and at thirteen she found her way back to me. She was everything I had hoped for—kind, brave, stronger than she knew. She even reclaimed the missing glass slipper, securing her place in this world.

Everything was perfect.

Or so I thought.

Because soon, the past I had long buried was about to return.

And this time, I feared I wouldn't be able to stop it.