Zelink Short Stories

Cruel Intentions

I took inspiration from The Cruel Prince because I wasn't getting anywhere with my other ideas.

Warning: violence, sex, and swearing

Song Suggestions:

Feeling Good- Michael Buble
Sway- Michael Buble
Mount Everest- Labrinth
You Put A Spell On Me- Austin Giorgio
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The mission is easy enough: dress up as a sexy son of a bitch and collect information for my court. With the impending transition of the crown, the rumors have grown thick. The princess is unmarried and each court, seelie and unseelie, claim to have suitors earning her affection. Useful ties may be snipped depending on who she marries. I have to determine who the real suitors are by whatever means necessary. Unfortunately for them, I may have to pay them a visit following tonight.

The structured fabric around my torso tightens uncomfortably and I glare at Impa. "I'd like to breathe."

"Don't be dramatic." She tightens the laces again on the vest corset I was provided for the night. Our outfits had to be dramatic enough for the masquerade ball and it's safe to say I've never been so overly dressed before. My vest is black with gold accents and there's no jacket with it; only a black undershirt with a black tie. Impa is wearing a black and gold dress as well with a mermaid figure and long sleeves that hold up the plunging neckline. The only slight variation in color I get is a wolf mask with hints of red edging the gold and matte black. We'd stand out if we wore anything plainer.

"Says the woman without a corset." Why I was given one is a mystery. A good looking mystery but a mystery nonetheless.

"Can't scare the men with the possibility they won't get it off." She yanks one more time, squeezing my stomach more than I'd like before tying the end and hiding the strings. Her job is to find out if the king has been sneaking behind our backs and forming alliances with our enemies and his advisors is the quickest way to that precious information. Using people isn't a pretty business but nothing is fair and we live in an endless cycle of revenge and betrayal.

"It's easy if you just rip it," I say, attempting to take a deep breath under my constricting clothes. I'd hate to have to fight tonight in this.

"Not everyone is an animal like you."

"That's fair." I adjust my tie in the mirror and smooth out nonexistent wrinkles.

"Do us all a favor and don't tear off any corsets tonight."

"I can't make any promises."

"You were almost poisoned last time." I smirk at her attempt to fill me with common sense.

"I poison myself regularly; I would've been fine even if I was stupid enough to drink the wine she offered me." Mithridatism is a common practice among spies. It helps prevent any unfortunate deaths involving snippy targets in possession of poison.

"Sometimes I worry you are stupid enough."

"Ouch." Not that I can't see her point. I've had my moments.

I hide a couple knives in my clothes in the chance I'll need them. I tuck a handkerchief that was previously soaked in sleeping draught in my pocket. Usually I reserve it for kidnappings and silent murders but seeing as I'm not supposed to kill or kidnap anyone tonight, I'll use it if I get into a tight situation.

"Ready to go?" Impa says, holding out my wolf mask. She already has hers on, covering half her face in shiny gold to match her dress.

"Obviously darling." She flashes the dagger on her thigh. She hates my nicknames and doesn't appreciate the humor behind them. She's more a nightmare than a darling.