Bonus Chp 2- Etiquette

2.7K 95 15
                                        

I was slurred from Sting's comforting arms the second moment that I arrived here at the Palace.

Empty air replaced his presence, and my eyes sadden in disappointment. Can't I have some time with him and not be interrupted for once?

At the quick pace that Meredy pulled me in, it was impossible to trip over my brown, flat knee-length skirt, but at the same time, I was missing the beautiful scenery of the castle.

They led me up golden marbled stairs, blue curtains made out of delicate fabric were scrunched up on the windows, pillars and archways line the hall, and intricate designs were carved into the pale gold metal covering the walls.

As we descended another pair of stairs instead of ascending, I traced my hands over the wide railing. Not a speck of dirt, I mused.

"Your Highness, please," Ultear stopped right in front of me, and I jumped slightly in surprise.

Exactly across from the stairs, was a single, wide door- which Meredy opened, and curtsied. her gloved hand asking me to go in.

The first thing I did was gasp.

The room was impeccable old-fashioned, in a good way, of course, with a high canopy bed with pink silk hanging from the rails, the bed frame a soft silver, curved into intimate patterns.

There was a side table as well, with a long mirror with engraved glittery edges, chic candle holders attached to the wall. But the one thing I liked the most- the simple, white vases filled with overflowing flowers.

Will... will this... is this my room? "Are these the..." I started, trailing off as I inspected the ceiling.

"Royal chambers? No," Ultear answered curtly. "This was the guest room for our previous suitors that were interested in Prince Sting."

An unsettling feeling comes upon me, and the room suddenly seems darker and less desirable.

"Now, before we start the lessons, a princess can hardly walk around in those rags."

I look down.

I could hardly consider these clothes rags, not counting the stains. Except that, it was in perfect condition.

"I really would feel more comfortable in these clothes," I say, smiling with both my eyes and mouth at the two maids. "I think I'd do a better job with them on."

"Nonsense!" Meredy cries, before flinging a large pink wardrobe open.

And as Meredy throws materials over the bedframe, Ultear rumbles, "Let the fitting begin."

*

My ribs hurt. They were being squeezed together at the end, in a sort of cone shape. Not to mention my waist was tightly being pressed together, skin overlapping as I gulped difficultly. How do people eat and breath in this?

"Done," Ultear states, as if she's done it a hundred times before. Unlike me when I was putting on a corset for Sherry, the two maids weren't panting and out of breath at all- instead they were relaxed, already inspecting the dress to wear over it.

I shimmied myself into the crinoline, it clinging on to my waist. The hoop skirt was large and bulky, and I could see the two girls wearing shorter ones under their maid outfit as well.

"Pink or violet?" Ultear asked.

"Sky blue."

"Blue isn't her color..."

"What about more of a scarlet?"

"That shade doesn't go well with her skin tone..."

"Oh, for god's sake Ultear, then why don't we go with black?"

"Black is for funerals..."

And on that went, colors are thrown into a blur of paused and empty conversation.

I look down at my plain, white corset- breathing immensely shallowly. I doubt I can speak a full sentence without a pause.

"Okay, let's settle with this one, it's classic."

Before I could react to their decision, Meredy was already pulling a soft, cotton fabric over my head and down my shoulders.

My reflection stared in the mirror in front of me.

I was wearing a soft, rose pink dress with seafoam ruffles as trimmings. The sleeves came down to my elbows, those ruffles accompanied there as well, matched with silver gems.

It wasn't what I'd usually wear, especially the heels they pushed under my feet. They were a darker pink, with a heel of about three inches.

Even on these, I wobbled uncoordinated.

"Oh, princess, you look wonderful," Meredy cooed happily, the blackette nodding in agreement.

I thanked them, however doubting their words. Beautiful to them, not beautiful to me.

My lips were painted red, silvery shadow applied to my eyes, darkened my eyelashes, and put my (h/c) hair up in curls all beforehand.

"Now, first up, etiquette!"

I left the room first out of courtesy, staggering in my new updo.

"Why won't I be sleeping in that room?" I asked once I caught up, breathing heavily after my sentence.

"The Princess always sleeps with the Prince," Meredy informed, a hint of a smile on her pink lips.

I blushed scarlet, looking down embarrassingly. "Do I have to?"

Ultear frowned at me. "But of course your highness, you are engaged now- he is your fiancee."

Fiancee.

I hadn't thought about it that way.

I looked down at my bare, empty hands. No ring like my childish dreams, but I wasn't worried about that.

All I cared about was Sting.

"Sit, your highness," Ultear commanded, and I seated myself on the long table. It was covered in soft, golden cloth with candles at each end.

"We shall start with table manners," Meredy clapped excitedly, giving me a closed-eyed smile.

I smile back, not exactly reassured with Ultear breathing down my neck. Then again, they are maids of the place I will live in for the rest of my life- better make a good impression, right?

"First of all, you always seat yourself after the King and Queen have done as well. I suppose you know basic etiquette, like how to properly use the assortment of knives and forks, right?" Ultear asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

I nodded.

"That makes everything easier. Now, what you must remember- always lightly bow or curtsy when someone of a higher status enters the room, wherever you are."

"And it's proper to stop eating when the Royalty does as well!" Meredy chirped in.

"And start with the outside of the cutlery and work yourself in."

"Never mash or mix your food, nor blow on the meal for that matter!"


im literally done with this cinderella bullshit like, im ready to just write a story about a savage princess like merida who completely destroys her suitors

ooooooh is this another option for the poll???

OOOOOOHH THAT WOULD BE SO AWESOME LIKE THE MALE DRAGONSLAYERS ARE HER SUITORS FROM FAR AND WIDE AND (Y/N) REJECTS THEM ALL AT THE END

STOP IT BRAIN

IM SO SORRY THAT THIS CHAPTER IS LATE SCHOOL STARTED AND IM BURIED UNDER HOMEWORK

cinderella | sting x  readerWhere stories live. Discover now