A Heart of Gold A Heart of Stone (Complete)

Chapter Thirty-Four

           

Cinderella threw the old flowers from their room into the air when the wind swept them into the fountain's water sighing she looked at them as they floated on the surface. She was ashamed she hadn't listened to Ariel's concerns but she had bigger things to worry about so she closed her eyes and prayed silently, she was definitely not a fan of Coral but she had been hearing many students, good and bad hope that she wakes up. She felt the wind run through her dress and she pushed her hair behind her ear before turning around and heading towards the school. She stopped and frowned, Snow was walking towards her a blank expression on her face Cinderella bit her lip moving towards her friend.
"Snow are you okay?"
"Come with me." She said holding out her hand, Cinderella frowned.
"Snow?"
Snow smiled and turned around walking to the door.
"Please Cinders. It will mean a lot to me."
Cinderella nodded and followed her friend. They headed towards the grounds where Coral had been found, Cinderella glanced around and crossed her arms over her chest as Snow continued towards the gate.
"Snow White where are we going? I mean we're forbidden to go any further than this... Snow?" Snow fell to the floor and Cinderella ran forward, she pulled the unconscious girl onto her lap and shook her lightly. "Snow!"
A laugh came from behind the girls and Cinderella froze.
"It's your turn." Cinderella's jaw dropped and before she could scream the Snow in her hands faded away. Cinderella's eyes widened as she took in the forming shadow, Rothbart stood there smirking. Cinderella scrambled to her feet however Rothbart gripped her arm crying out she turned her head to face him.
"Please! Let me go!" She yelled, Rothbart stepped closer and Cinderella trembled trying to pull her arm away from him.
"No can do princess."
She stopped struggling as he pulled her against his chest before hitting her on the nape of her neck.

Adelaide was strolling back from meeting Proteus before he left for Syracuse, they had agreed they would write to each other often and she had decided she would go back to her room and write the first letter so it would arrive by the time Proteus returned home. The breeze was warm and sweet causing Adelaide to smile happily as she reached the fountain. She looked into the water and saw flowers floating on its surface. She looked around trying to find who had put them there when her eyes caught a blue ribbon on the floor.
"Cinderella?" Adelaide called out but since there was no response she tied it around her wrist to give back to the blonde later.
"Princess Adelaide."
She turned to face the voice and inwardly groaned.
"Yes Judge Frollo?" She asked sweetly trying to keep on his good side.
"The head teachers require your presence. You are to head straight there understood?" He explained, she nodded quickly and rushed past him. "Walk please Adelaide."
Slowing her pace until she was out of his sight and Adelaide disappeared into the castle.

A knock at the door startled the two mice from their paperwork.
"Come in." Minnie called out and Adelaide slipped in.
"Judge Frollo said you wanted to see me."
"Please sit Adelaide we have some questions to ask you." Mickey announced. Adelaide sat down in the armchair and waited for the onslaught. "Now Adelaide your father has contacted us and wishes to know the reason you did not accept the arranged marriage." He began, Adelaide's face dropped, it was embarrassing enough the entire school knew but now she had to explain her reasons it was even worse.
"Proteus loves someone else he said he did not wish for me to suffer a marriage with no love." She stated simply not wishing to go into details.
"I see." Minnie quickly scribbled some notes down Adelaide assumed so she could relay the information to her father.
"Now Adealide I have a serious question for you." Mickey intertwined his fingers resting his elbows on the desk. "When Coral was dying two days ago, you stormed out saying you could find someone who could help and came back in a different outfit. What happened that evening?" Mickey stared at her waiting for her response, twiddling her thumbs Adelaide looked at the floor.
"I went to find someone I could rely on and informed him of Coral's circumstances he agreed to rush to the medical ward to help and since it was raining, he sent me to change as he did not want me catching a cold." Mickey raised an eyebrow at her statement.
"And what of Jack Frost how does he seem to be faring during this time?"
"He seems fine to me... I mean he is there almost every day when possible."
Minnie hummed a response as she continued to take notes. 
"There is something I would like to talk to you about." Adealide shifted the subject off of her, Mickey inclined his head for her to continue. "One of my friends has told me that Snow White has been acting strangely and she felt like I should mention it to you the next time I saw you."
"Can you tell me which friend so we can talk to her properly?"
"I'm sorry I promised her I wouldn't." Adelaide apologised.  
"Ok thank you for telling us your concerns we shall look into it now, off you go." Mickey said, the princess nodded and moved for the door her hand resting on the door handle "Adelaide." Mickey's voice stopped her. "One last question, have you had any recent contact with the dark wizard Rothbart?"
"No." She answered quickly.
"Thank you Adelaide."
She nodded her head without looking back and left. Mickey looked over to his wife who gently placed her pencil back on the desk.
"She wasn't telling us everything was she?" The female mouse sighed bitterly.
"No she wasn't." Mickey leant back in his chair his head turned to look at the ceiling.