Cinderella Story [Wriothesley x Reader]

Page 1 - II

Dinner was awkward for you, as usual since Hematitia and her three children had moved into your house. You were used to it. Still, you missed the fun evenings where it was just you and your dad, talking and having fun. Now, you didn't speak. Only listened to your stepmother's and sisters' shrieking and your father's and his friend's deep laughs.

At the head of the table there sat, of course, your father. Alan Rainsworth, successful businessman and loving father (though towards you that had changed a bit since your sisters lies hat gotten to him) and proud owner of Rainsworth COM, a company trading with goods as well as information. He was balding, due to all the stress he was constantly under, but still looked like a respectable gentleman in his black suit.

To his right, there was his wife, your stepmother Hematitia. He loved her dearly, as much as she loved money. Of course she was always dressed in the most luxurious dresses, mostly red ones. Next to her sat her two daughters, Rosalith and Pearl. They followed their mother's taste, wearing only brand clothing. Their favorites were two pink and purple Lashé brand dresses that were more lingerie than actual clothes but cost a fortune. Ironically, you had a third one of those, but never wore it.

Opposite Hematitia was your father's best friend George, who once was almost like a second father, but now rarely spoke to you. He was a very handsome older man, with a full head of brown locks and friendly green eyes. Between him and you was Jonas, your stepbrother. With his ginger hair he almost didn't look like he was part of the family, but you were thankful that he was, since he was the kindest to you of the three children - as in: he ignored you. What he did share, however, was their love for fancy clothing, as he was wearing an elaborate green suit.

This was your family, one that you didn't feel like you belonged to anymore.

After dinner was eaten, you all stayed seated, as was expected of you, and anything relevant was to be discussed. You usually didn't speak during these times, but today your heart was hammering in your chest because you knew that this time you had to.

The discussion started out as usual, with some business related topics that didn't interest you much. While usually you didn't listen because you didn't care, this time you were unable to focus at all. You decided to wait until the end to speak up.

As it turned out, you didn't even have to. It was Hematitia who started the conversation. "And then there is the topic of the connection to Meropide. My daughters have informed me that there is some change in plans, apparently?" And then she looked at you, expectantly. With a small smirk on her deep red lips she stared and you stared back for just a moment, into her face with too much make up and strands of her purple hair that had fallen from the elegant bun. Your gaze burned.

"Ah, yes." You then turned to your father. There was no going back now. "Father, I have talked to my sisters about your and mother's plans for the marriage to the warden."

"He is not just a warden, he is the administrator," He interrupted you, almost with disdain that you were not aware of such basic information. "Wriothesley, the Duke of the Fortress of Meropide. I'm sure you've heard of him."

You hadn't.

"Yes, of course," you lied to him. Then you took one last deep breath. "We thought about it and came to the conclusion that it might be a better idea for me to marry him instead of Rosalith."

What followed was a short silence.

"Hmmm," he said, deep in thought and possibly taken by surprise.

Hematitia was quick to come to your aid, though. "Dear, think about it," she said to him, her hand on his shoulder, slowly massaging. "My daughters are still too young to be married off yet. But her? She'd need it." She sent you a glare bursting with hatred, and you sent an equal one back. "Just think about all that she's done in the last months. Being in such close proximity to the prison might actually do her character a lot of good as well!"