Cinderelo {A Queer Cinderella Retelling)

Chapter 6

"I heard the gardeners speaking amongst themselves recently, Elo."

"Oh...? Did you, Lins?" His confused expression had the older woman even more giggly as she poked him quite suddenly in the side.

"About you and Charles... You spent some time with him in the garden, did you? According to their recounts, you two seemed quite close and-"

"Miss, please, could we speak of anything else?" He felt uncomfortable at her prodding, surprised anyone had seen them. How embarrassing... Hopefully, she wouldn't do as his aunt had and use it as an excuse to ruin him.

"Did you finally kiss? More? Oh, the scandal!" Elo gaped at the excitement in her tone, further shocked when she began to shift about joyfully. Eventually, he just sighed at her sparkling eyes, a fond smile slipping onto his lips despite all else. The women he'd met here had their strange traits but he couldn't help liking both.

"I know not what you're alluding to. W-we did nothing of the sort! Why would we ever?! Rumours are always a bit overdone, you know this... The Prince simply wished to show me the garden because I showed interest."

"Ooh~"

"He was being kind, Lins. Chai!"

"Tea...?"

"Oh. No. Sorry. It is an expression from my homeland. Anyway, are the Prince and Princess alright today, ma?"

"They are indeed. Gwendolyn had me call on you. And she's in quite the hurry, it seems she's desperate to find a fitting dress for the event and desires your company." Elo couldn't hide his smile fast enough, quick to bow his head in shame when the woman softly smiled back.

"I am sorry. I do not like dresses or anything, of course, I just used to work in a seamstress shop at some point. This is why I seem happy. It brings... Memories." Mostly unpleasant ones. But he let himself drift to Polly, Krish and Art instead and warmth filled his eyes. Lins watched him a moment, her voice softer as she took a small step close to him.

"I thought the rumour was that you stole from a wealthy seamstress. Isn't that why you're a servant here, now?"

"Err... I..."

"You can confide in me. I know you aren't who the palace gossip says you are. Even if you were, I wouldn't judge it but you have much too gentle a soul to be a rogue so who then is Elo, really?"

He smiled helplessly, not knowing what the answer to that question was either. Perhaps some day  it would all become clear to him. It would all make sense. What a fantasy that would be.

After a long, chaotic trip to town, Elo came back with half his mind on fashion and the other on flowers. He had never seen such a gorgeous selection of clothing in his entire life. So many textures, such rich, colourful fabric. He was baffled by the sizes of it all and desperately wanted to try on a large number of them. He knew that was strange but his thoughts were between him and himself so perhaps it didn't matter, then. Humming quietly, he imagined himself in a gorgeous ball gown, running up the palace steps and into the castle, into Charles' arms...

It would never be reality but it was certainly lovely to daydream of.

Elo slipped into the castle's library and stood in awe. They seemed so tall they reached the ceilings with ladders strategically placed about the room for reaching higher shelves. He couldn't imagine how the royals could possibly need so many books. How was he ever supposed to find one about African flowers? There was no one to guide him, either. This place looked like it had been abandoned for years. The gorgeous array was on display, untouched and unloved. He felt guilt in his chest, knowing he had been raised by the greatest storyteller to ever exist. How could they so easily abandon art?