A Study On Destiny

37: Arrival For Christmas Break

It was around mid afternoon on the second day when Ana's carriage pulled up outside the castle. She admired her beautiful home and somehow it made her seem sad. It was just as beautiful as she remembered. She wished she could just stay here, she didn't want to go home. The white marble shone in the afternoon sun. The gold glimmered as Ana admired it, waiting for the footman to open the door.

When he did he said in an ever so stiff voice "you have arrived m'lady and his and her majesty are awaiting you in the dining hall,"

"Thank you," Ana said still adjusting to being called m'lady. Yet she exited the carriage with her now completed homework. Ana stumbled out of the carriage trying not to caught any more pain to her body. None of the footman had questions her state and she was definite they wouldn't. No one here seemed to even look her in the eye anymore. She hadn't changed that much, right?

She hobbled into the castle, trying not to put pressure on her left leg. She walked through the corridors that were lit with the sunlight. It poured into the rooms lighting the girls way. She finally reached the hall door and she could already feel the cold aura coming from inside. She was ready for what was to happen when they saw her for the first time since the beginning of term. She tried to open the heavy door but failed. Trying to push it but her bruised body wouldn't let her open it.

"May I assist you, m'lady?" A guard asked beside her.

"No thank you I've got it," Ana said flicking her hand and her magic opening the door for her. She smiled at the guard as she headed inside. It was like the sun was starved from this room. It was dark, grey almost. You could see her parents at the top of the table. Father sat in the chair and mother stood at his shoulder. Both in black attire. Mother wore a black ballgown, no sparkles, lace or any form of design. Just black. Father did the same. He had no medals displayed, no golden shoulder pads. Just black. They looked like they had been crying. Father's face went solid, which is an odd thing to describe. He frozen. Not in fear, it looked more like anger. It looked rehearsed.

"Welcome home dear," Cinderella greeted softly but not moving from the Kings side. "It's good to see you home,"

"Is it?" The King said "The school for Evil... how did you end up there?" He said it in such a demeaning tone that there was no way the bird could've dropped me there. It was my fault.

"That bird that snatched us dropped me at the school and-"

"It couldn't have done that," He corrected putting his finger forward for me to be quiet. "The Stymph is never wrong,"

"So I've been told," Ana said as she had heard it millions of times at the start of the year.

"So how did you end up there?" He repeated

"What? You just think I got up and walked over to the other side?" Ana asked him like he was an idiot. Which he was but besides the point.

"I bloody well hope not," The king told her "I can't believe my children are such failures. Your mother and I made a name for our families,"

"Honey-" Cindy started but got cut off

"Now what have you made of the Charming name? A disgrace," He spat in disgust. At this point he finally looked her in the eye. The silence stung the air and made it heavy. Ana had to swallow the pit in her throat. "Even Gregor was a disgrace. He couldn't even ride a horse corre-,"

"Do not use his name like that," Cinderella cried as tears fell. "Let his name rest,"

"What do you mean mother?" Ana asked

"Sweetie you're going to want to sit down for this," Her mother told her and not before long Ana pulled out a chair to sit on. Once seated Cinderella took a breath before speaking "Gregor is dead,"

"What do you mean?" Ana sort of laughed nervously "they said he got in the carriage,"

"We lied to you so you wouldn't worry," Cinderella said regretting her decision.

"Who was it?" Ana asked feeling the same rageful feeling in her stomach.

"Not who what. It was a troll," Cinderella said calming and Prince Charming sat beside her still wondering where he went wrong for his children to turn out like this. No ounce of sympathy ran through him just the feeling of being utterly repulsed.

"Are you sure? Tedros was ready to kill him in the trials. Also another word for Tedros is a Troll," Ana said "He is a favourite so of course they would try and cover it up,"

"No!" The king slammed his fists on the table as he yelled "He got murdered by a Troll. He didn't defend himself and he got himself killed,"

"How dare you?" Ana yelled "have you ever come face to face with a troll?"

"That has nothing to do with this-"

"Yeh yeh whatever you say," Ana rolled her eyes and before she knew it her dad had left the table in a strop.

"Ignore your father," Cinderella said wiping a tear away from her face. She smiled at her and got up from her chair "come give your mother a hug,"

They embraced eachother and breathed a breath of fresh air. It wasn't long before Cinderella said "what have you done with you hair?"

"I'm not really sure," Ana laughed "I think it's to do with my powers,"

"How has it been?" Her mother asked now sitting them both down at the table. "Truthfully,"

"It's been harsh. It's a school for villains so it's something," Ana said "ill tell you more with dinner,"

"I mean I can tell it's harsh look at you," Cinderella said with a worry in her voice.

"Sorry your majesty to interrupt but there is a situation outside," A guard said coming in to deliver a message.

"Ok let me just finish here. Well I can talk to you later darling," Cinderella said as she got up "I will see you later," as she said that she left with the guard leaving Ana in the room alone.

The thoughts started circling her mind. There is no way a troll got in that castle. It had to be Tedros or one of those stupid boys that follow him around. They beat him to death. Ana could see it now. It was his fault surely.