Freeing Cinderella

Ch.2 Everything Changes

A couple weeks had passed, none seeming to get much better as time went on, but like always, Yugi ignored all the pain and sorrow he felt, though he still seemed shaken up from when Mai had slapped him across the face and when Dartz had punished him for ripping her dress by accident. It seemed Dartz's punishment jade Yugi the most shaken up though, always shrinking in fear before his ruthless stepfather. However, while Yugi was scrubbing the tiled floor in the front room, the doorbell rang. Dartz was busy in his study while Mai and Téa were probably doing something in their rooms, or in the study, one or the other. Yugi set the wet cloth on the rim of the bucket filled with soapy water before wiping his wet hands on his white apron to dry them, making sure to move the bucket out of the way. When his hands were dry, Yugi got up from the floor and answered the door, a man in a black suit standing behind said door when he opened it.

"How may I help you?" Yugi asked politely.

The man handed Yugi a small package. "This is for Master Dartz, and this is an invitation for him as well." He set a sealed envelope on the package he already handed to Yugi before walking off.

Yugi closed the door with his back since his hands were full before heading up the stairs to Dartz's study, though he hated interrupting when he was busy. When the boy reached the study that was near the end of the hallway, Yugi shifted the package over to hold it with one hand, using the other to knock on the door loud enough for his stepfather to hear. "Come in." Was all that was heard moments later.

Grabbing the handle, Yugi turned it before pushing the door open to see Dartz at his desk doing some paperwork while Téa was seated on the couch, reading a book, and Mai was either looking or trying on various jewelry from a box she had. "What is it, Yugi, I'm very busy." Dartz glanced up to see the boy, who spoke in a semi-shy tone.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but a package came in for you and some kind of invitation."

Dartz froze for a moment before setting his pen down. "Bring it here."

Yugi obeyed and went over to the desk, handing said items to his stepfather. He set the items down in front of himself, grabbing the envelope first as he quickly cut it open and unfolded the paper inside, reading over it as it seemed to catch his attention. "Hmm?"

"Was is it, father?" Asked Mai, though she seemed like she could care less.

"It's an invitation to a ball held by the king; the prince is returning home today from his journey collecting rare Duel Monster cards, and every available man and maiden is to attend."

Suddenly, Mai tossed the jewelry in her hands aside while Téa closed her book and set it down, the girls running up to each other as they started jumping up and down, squealing like little girls. "A ball!" Téa cheered.

"And we're invited!" Mai added.

While the girls were having their squeal fest, jumping up and down excitedly, Dartz set the paper down and grabbed the package. He quickly sliced it open and peeked inside, seeing a piece of paper along with a huge stack of cash under said paper. Dartz grabbed the note and read through it rather quickly before a devious smirk appeared on his face, until the doorbell suddenly rang again, grabbing everyone's attention.

"I'll get--"

"Come with me, Yugi." Dartz said, not giving Yugi the chance to finish as he got up from his desk.

"Umm, alright..." He reluctantly agreed before following his stepfather out the room and downstairs to the front door.

Dartz opened the door, a man standing behind it as the girls peeked around the corner to see what was going on downstairs. "I have come to retrieve the boy you spoke of, Master Dartz."