Twist of Fate

Short Story

"Mother, I have some news." Lady Tremain's eldest daughter, Drizella, said as she entered the room, with a cheerful smile. How odd, the mother thought to herself as she observed the smiling woman.

"What is it?" She asked Drizella, ushering her to sit. She does as she's told and sits down, legs crossed, hands in lap, Drizella never forgot it.

"Well, mother, I've been meaning to tell you, I met someone. His name is James, I've known him for a while now, and we're engaged." She says with the biggest smile.

Lady Tremaine sits there in awe. Drizella, she thought, found herself a husband? "That is excellent my dear, how rich is he?" Lady Tremaine asks her daughter, to which said daughter cowers away. "H-He's not rich mother, he's a painter."

"A painter?" Her mother spits out, disgust clear on her face. "You're marrying a painter?" Drizella only nods, knowing to stay quiet when her mother is highly upset. "You will do no such thing, Drizella-"

"But I love him mother!"

"There is no such thing as love! You only marry for money, how many times have I told you that?" The mother yells at the girl, as she stands up and begins to pace. "We'll have to find you a new husband, a Duke maybe? Yes, that will be perfect-"

"No! I will marry whoever I want. I love James. I won't marry, just for money." Drizella says defiantly. Lady Tremaine is shocked by this. She's never been this unruly and careless, that boy is no good for my daughter, she argued in her head.

"You're just as stupid as your sister." Drizella does not reply, only stands up and leaves, without a word said.

"Stupid, stupid girl. Can't she see I'm doing what's best for her? Maybe a walk will do me good?"

As Lady Tremaine walked down the stoned pathway, she couldn't help but feel lonely. With her two daughter's hating her, no husband in her life, and no friends, of course a person would be lonely.

"Watch out!" She hears too late and is shoved down to the ground. She lets out a soft curse and sits up, rubbing her head to stop the pain in her there. This idiot is going to pay, she seethed in her head, glaring down at the pathway.

"Milady, I apologize, I did not see where I was going. Please forgive me?" She hear's a mans voice say from in front of her. It takes her a few seconds to regain her sights and when she does, she see's the epitome of man.

He holds out his hand for her to take but she shoves it away, standing up by herself. She dusts herself off and notices a tear in her dress. She glares up at the man and freezes.

This man is flawless, she could only think to herself. With his pepper-salt hair, his chiseled features and strong body, she was amazed, that such a specimen roamed the kingdom.

"It's alright, I'm sure it was a mistake." She hears herself uttering to the handsome man. She stops and glares down at the ground in confusion. What am I saying, she queried. "Thank you. May I ask if I could join you on your walk?" He asks politely, smiling down at her.

"Don't you have other things to do, my good Sir?"

"They can wait, I'd much rather spend my time with such a beautiful woman." He holds out his hand for her to take. She accepts his offer and they begin to walk.

"So may I ask your name?" The stranger asks her, watching the beautiful woman in front of him. "Lady Tremaine. And who might you be Sir?" He smiles softly then faces forward, walking with his hands behind his back. "Sir Edmund."

"A handsome name for a handsome man." Lady Tremaine utters then blushes. The smile on Edmunds face tells her that she had said that out loud. "Thank you for the compliment Lady Tremaine. Since we are being honest, though not intentionally, I do find that you are very beautiful."