The Wolf's Den

Path 1: Adrieve, Chapter 3: Part 3

        When the song ended, Mr. Wolfe stepped away from Adrieve and bowed respectfully, which in its own right was unusual for the dapper, yet uncivilized, host of their current surroundings. "Now then, go make the prince ask for the next dance, yes? He's been watching you like a hawk since you entered the gala."

        With a clumsy curtsy, Adrieve strode towards the prince, he immediately bowed, studying her face and finding no malice, something she managed to hide from him. After all, the prince, a boring brick of a man, was probably looking for an easy bride to marry, have children with, and be king with. She wouldn't be that woman, but she would ruin Cinderella's life. Both were too nice for each other, and nice never got her anywhere.

        "Would you like to have the next dance with me, madame?"

         "I don't often dance with strangers," Adrieve said, adding a curtsy. "You may need to convince me, your highness."

         Frazzled, the prince thought deeply on this before frowning slightly. "You... Do not wish to dance with me?"

         "Of course she doesn't," Mr. Wolfe hummed upon joining them. "She's promised the next dance with me, you see."

          "You have?"

          "I have, your highness, but perhaps I can save you the last dance? After all, the night is still young and there are many handsome men I can dance with," Adrieve said.

           "The last dance... Yes, that sounds fine. I will leave the last dance for you, Lady...?"

           "Adrieve, you may certainly call me Adrieve." With a wink, she took Mr. Wolfe's arm, following him to the area where other couples were preparing for the next dance.

            "You have done well in your endeavor, my dear," Mr. Wolfe said.

            "I would hope so, he was staring at you with envy over this dance. Shall we continue to do this to him, or do we leave under false pretenses? I should like to wear my normal clothing now... And perhaps another cloak that fits me this time."

             As the dance started, her partner led her in tune to the music, not minding Adrieve's clumsiness. "I have had our friend Cinderella make you a new one, my dear. It is ready when we leave. However, I suppose you should wait until the last dance, should you not? After all, you did promise."

            "I have better things to do, Mr. Wolfe, such as ruining other stories."

            "There are rules, you know, even for people like you."

            "Then you'd best tell me now, and we can dance the next dance if you so wish to explain it."

             "Then we shall. The first rule is not to ruin the balance I've created in this house of horrors."

             "And where's the fun in that?"

             "There is no fun," he scolded. "You keep my balance or I get rid of you by letting you join your companions."

              "What have you done with them, then?"

              When the song changed, they continued their dance. "That is for me to know and you to find out, now isn't it? We've stayed too long, come along now, it's time we leave once this song ends."

              Rushing Adrieve along and through the door once their third dance ended, he left her to change in the attic room from before, approaching her in the hallway and holding out a second flashlight; "Take this, you'll need it if you run into the seven shaking brothers or Red herself. Should you need me, I'll be just a whisper away." After a bow in respect, not mockingly as it was earlier, his flashlight turned off, and in that moment, Adrieve was once more alone in another changed hallway.