After Ever After (Slow Updates)

Cinderella pt. 1

•Prince Charming•

"And that's why I had to leave at midnight." she said with a wicked grin lacing her face. I looked over at her in complete worry and fear. Surely she couldn't possibly believe any of those things could have actually happened, that any of it could possibly be true, no one could. I studied her features carefully, and what I saw was positively horrifying. She hadn't a single give away that she was lieing, she didn't look away or look guilty. She spoke about what she believed was the full and honest truth. She looked into my eyes, as I did hers, and I knew she could see my fear. I cursed at myself silently for showing my doubt. "Oh Charming, I knew you wouldn't believe me." she cried as she ran off. I knew I couldn't let her go off by herself, who knew what she would do. I followed her, more out of curiosity then anything. It was almost like some crazy attraction at an amusement park. I cursed at myself again for even thinking of my sweet Cinderella in that way.

"N-no Cinderella. I really do believe you." I say nervously. Her face brightens, her perfect smile showing once again. She walks towards me, eyes sweeping over every piece of me. I let out a nervous smile and she quickly accepts it and hugs me and I jump, not expecting the sudden contact. I reluctantly ease into it for her sake.

"I love you Charming." she says resting her head lightly on my shoulder. I nod slowly, my heart racing a thousand beats per minute. I then realize she can't see the nod but I don't bother to say anything, sadly afraid of my own bride. "I'm going to go get freshened up for supper." she smiles, quickly leaving the foyer with excitement. I stand in place until I can hear the bedroom door close from upstairs. I take one final second of silence, soaking all of this in, wondering what I can do. I quickly turn on my heels once I get an idea and head towards the study. Once I step inside I walk over to my clutter-filled oak desk and pull out my book of numbers from the top drawer. I don't bother to shut the study door, thinking it would look too suspicious and hoping it would take her a few minutes to get ready. I quickly flip through the worn pages and sigh in relief when I find the right number. A few rings go through and I finally hear the phone being picked up on the other side. I sigh once again in relief.

"Hello?" a gruff voice mutters from the other side. I quickly look around the room before saying anything, doing one final sweep and then sitting. I swallow and sigh as I start to calm a bit, even though a million things are running through my mind.

"Hi. Doc?" I question, making sure I had the right number and person before even thinking of giving any information, not that I even really knew what was going on. How could she be fine one minute and completely lucid the next?

"Charming? What's wrong you sound panicked?" He asks worriedly. 'At least he knows what he's doing' I remind myself. I sigh again, knowing what I'll be doing to my beloved. I could never have imagined it would've come to this.

"Can you just come to the castle?" I say hastily, not wanting to say to much over the phone, you never know who could be listening. He mumbles something incoherently and then hangs up. I place down my phone and sit with my head on the desk. There is a faint knock on the open door of the study and then James walks in. James was my very loyal butler, his family worked in this castle for generations.

"Supper is ready sir." he says in his very stuck up manner. I nod, smiling politely.

"Thank you James. I'll be in shortly." I say as I put away my book gently. He leaves and I put on my best fake smile before walking out into the dining hall.

•Cinderella•

"Oh hello Charming." I say quickly as I see him enter the dining hall. He nods and smiles, but not in his usual way. I give him a questioning glance and he just ignores it an sits down. Something seems wrong. "Doesn't supper look amazing dear?" I ask, trying to desperately start a conversation.