The Princess and The Pauper (Lunar Chronicles Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

It was really a busy day in the market, Winter peeked outside her cart as soon as the smell of fresh blueberry muffins entered her nose.

Jacin stopped the cart and got down, Winter followed him, "I'll go and get your favourite muffins, you wait here till I come."

With that he walked off to the store, Winter decided to not listen to him and take a stroll along the streets.

There was a particular family that got her attention, they were closing their store and walking away with luggage.

She went to a nearby person watching them, "Sir what happened to this family?"

The person replied, "They are not able to get enough money in luna so they are moving to earth"

Winter frowned, whatever Levana told was true, Luna is going down into poverty and she has to marry the King to put an end to this atleast a little bit.

Suddenly she heard a melodious voice, she walked towards that place and saw a girl singing. People were dropping coins in her hat.

"Sweet Crescent Moon, up in the sky,

Won't you sing your song to Earth as she passes by?

Your sweetest silver melody, a rhythm and a rhyme,

A lullaby of pleasant dreams as you make your climb.

Send the forests off to bed, the mountains tuck in tight,

Rock the ocean gently, and the deserts kiss good night.

Sweet Crescent Moon, up in the sky,

You sing your song so sweetly after sunshine pas-"

A lady came and snatched the hat from her hands, "Thought of making a living by yourself? You still owe me. Now stop wasting your time and come to work. Quick."

With that, she walked away and the people who crowded around her returned to their jobs.

The girl started to walk away but Winter caught up to her, "Hey your song was nice, here" she handed her a coin.

Cinder looked at her and smiled, "Thanks.", and extended her hand, "My name is Cinder."

Winter shook her hand, "Pleasure meeting you Cinder, I am Winter."

Cinders eyes narrowed in suspicion, "Winter? like the Princess?"

Winter didn't know what to say so she just gave her a smile. The realisation hit Cinder and she bowed, "Your majesty." Winter pulled her up, "There is no need for that, I am trying to be like a chameleon here."

"Shouldn't you be in the palace, you know planning your wedding or something?"

Winter sighed at the mention of marriage, "You know, I am savouring my first and last taste of freedom before marrying a total stranger."

"Oh, but you could just say no to this marriage."

Winter shook her head, "No, I can't, Luna is going down beyond the poverty line and marrying the King is the only way to save us and it's my duty."

Winter continued, "Well if I had an option I would marry someone else." a blonde, tall man came to her mind.

Cinder nodded, "We all need to do sacrifices at some point." Winter smiled, Cinder smiled back, suddenly Winter felt that she had seen Cinder somewhere, "Have I seen you somewhere before?"

Cinder scrunched her eyebrows, "No, I don't think so, I have never come to the palace before"

But still, I Winter felt that she had seen her somewhere before, "Where do you work Cinder?"