Rags and Riches (Part 6)

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A Cinderella AU where Evermore exists before Evan's birth. Violet is a Servant; Evan is Crown Prince of Evermore. This is the final part of the story. Enjoy the "Epilogue"!

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Over the following year, Violet was properly educated by members of Evermore's council and tutors picked for her by the King. She learned the waltzes, history, foreign policy, diplomacy, and furthered her skills in magic. She formed friendships with the Princesses of Ding Dong Dell, Goldpaw, Hydropolis, and Allegoria, as well as many of the noble daughters surrounding her.

She was bestowed the honor of knighting her older brother just after he turned twenty-one. Along with his title, Zane was given his own manor near his twin brother where he could raise a family. Violet served as a maiden of honor for both of her brothers, standing in for their parents at their weddings. Garroth married his childhood crush and coworker Kiki, while Zane married one of his training partners, Isabella. Garroth became a highly acclaimed botanist and worked for the Evermorian Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Annabelle remained by her side throughout her training. The pair rekindled their friendship and sisterhood in between Violet's lessons and dates with Evan. Annabelle learned she enjoyed painting and would sit in the gardens with her fellow ladies-in-waiting while Violet was in her lessons, painting the many flowers Violet and Evan tended together.

Evan himself was kept busy with his own studies. He spent most of his day holed up in his study with his tutors and a myriad of books and documents. But he still found time for his beloved. He would arrange to spend lunch with her or indulge in her passion for baking by her side. She brought a welcome break in his studies when she would invite him for tea in the gardens. She always came when he felt like he was going to snap from the pressure, always to his delight and praise.

Halfway through her year-long studies, he officially asked her to marry him with a ring he secretly designed himself. The ring depicted two entwined dragons, evidently representing Evermore's guardian spirit Lofty and the dragon seen in Violet's family coat of arms. One was depicted in gold with eyes made of tiny emeralds, the other was depicted in silver and had eyes of tiny blue aquamarines.

Three quarters of the way through the year, a breakthrough was made about King Leonhard's illness. Though it was more than likely incurable and left him bedridden, eating the crystalized sap from the soreaway plant was discovered to have a neutralizing effect on pathogens. Though only for a few days at best, the sweet syrupy candies made from the sap didn't just heal injuries.

It was Violet herself who discovered it by accident. She contracted a minor infection one week and knew from prior experience that the syrupy sweets would soothe a sore throat. She didn't know that the candies were having an effect on the pathogen until doctors made the connection. With luck, the doctors, Evan, and Violet hoped the king would live long enough to see his son get married. And thanks to his stubborn resilience and diligence, he did.

On this bright and sunny summer Saturday, after one year of preparations and diligent studies, Evan and Violet were set to be married. Flowers had been picked and arranged, officiants and roles selected, and invitations sent. The banquet was cooked and ready to be served as soon as the ceremony was over. All that was left was the ceremony itself.

Violet stood in front of the full length mirror admiring the work of Evermore's talented seamstresses. Their diverse backgrounds merged together to create something truly Evermorian. Her gown was a shimmery ivory with silver beading and applique all across the bodice and long sleeves. The sleeves fell off her shoulders into a wide shoulderless neckline that showed off her decolletage and her mother's jewelry. The skirt was made of celestial silk and sheer ivory seraphic silk that swirled around her ankles and flowed into a train behind her. The hem of the skirt and train were dotted in silk flowers. Her veil was more sheer silk that pinned into her tight hair bun and flowed on the slightest breeze. The bouquet was arranged from diamond hueblooms, white roses, moonrise lilies, and lilies of the valley. She borrowed some of the Evermore crown jewels: a silver tiara with emerald leaves and diamond orange blossoms.

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