Ni No Kuni One-shots

Rags and Riches (Part 2)

A Cinderella AU where Evermore exists before Evan's birth. Violet is a Servant; Evan is Crown Prince of Evermore.

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Violet and Garroth watched from the steps as the carriage rattled away down the gravel track. As the lights began to disappear into the trees, Violet fled out the door and toward the pond.

Garroth glanced down at his feet as Jubjub, Mome, and Tumtum chased after her. Vorpal looked ready to burn something.

"What do we do now?" Hibber-Gibber asked.

"We do all we can to comfort her," Garroth replied, following the trio of Higgledies out into the garden. He chased them toward the willow tree planted near the lily pond, where Violet spent many a happy day playing as a young child under Snowdrop's watchful eye. Garroth himself remembered spending many carefree days playing with his twin brother and baby sister among the rose-beds and fountains of the Regencia Estate gardens.

He brushed aside the long branches of the old willow tree as he stepped under its canopy. The glow from Mome's antlers illuminated the scene before him. Violet sat with her head laid on the stone bench where their mother would tell stories to them, weeping like the willow around her, while the Higgledies circled her waist and hugged her.

Violet's shoulders quaked as she sniffled. "I'm sorry, Momma..." she whispered, breath heaving as sobs tried to wrench their way out. "I'm sorry... I promised I would have courage... but... I don't... I can't... not anymore..."

Garroth frowned, straightening his distressed tunic and softly walking over to his sister. "Vee... I know it will do nothing to help but... I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't stop them. Perhaps that's why Zane seeks to become a Knight of Evermore; he wishes to seek justice for the mistreated."

Violet turned her glassy-eyed gaze to her brother. She took the handkerchief he offered her, using it to dry some of her tears.

"There may be another opportunity. After all, how can the court expect every maiden to show up on such short notice?" he asked as he pulled her up onto the stone bench. "And I have my doubts that the Prince will choose a bride right away. Perhaps another ball will be ordered and you will have another chance."

"But what if he does?" Violet whimpered. "His Highness may not be so inclined but peer pressure is a powerful thing. He may not have the leniency to choose at his own pace; with King Leonhard ill... I worry..."

She swiped at the tears balancing on her lower lashes, resting her fingers on the silver and emerald beads of the necklace.

"At least none of Mother's jewels were damaged... I hope?" Violet remarked, attempting to lighten the mood.

Runcible clambered up onto Garroth's shoulder, the rough fabric of his neckerchief catching on the rougher fabric of Garroth's tunic as he climbed. "I don't think any of the jewels were cracked or broken, Vee-Vee."

"These were Mother's?" murmured Garroth as he examined the headband, earrings, and necklace. "I don't remember these in her collection..."

"Father said she never had the chance to wear them before she passed... I felt that... by wearing them with the gown she imagined it would be like taking her with me."

Garroth smiled slightly at the sentiment. "She would have loved to join you, Little Witch..." he murmured, hugging her against his chest. He gazed out over the pond, where wildlife were gathering and visiting the garden. A thought occurred to him. "Violet, I understand that you hoped for a few hours to enjoy yourself, but is that all you hoped for in this event?"