Legends & Fairytales (COMPLETED)

Concealed by Ashes

Zachary & Avery

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She was lady turned slave

He was a prince who had to be brave

No family to adore

She didn’t know what was in store

A ball will reveal all

To stop all wrong

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Zachary watched the ballroom buzz with excitement, everyone dressed in an array of colours with adorning masks covering their faces. He watched men and women dancing in the middle of the large room while a few couples lingered here and there at the sides of the ballroom. He was standing at the top of the stairs, hesitating to join the festivities. This whole party was held in honour of his birthday and he felt grateful for it. He looked at his parents, Finn and Eleanor, who was also dancing amongst the throng of people. He took a deep breath before he went down to join the ball. He talked here and there with a few people and danced with a few maidens here and there.

After dancing a few rounds he slipped out to get a fresh breath of air. He went to the back garden where there was a beautiful water display. He was taken by surprise when he saw a girl standing by the water display watching the stars above.

“Beautiful night,” he said as he cleared his throat.

“It is,” the lady croaked out and the prince was caught by surprise when he saw the girl’s puffy eyes; a clear indication that the girl was indeed crying.

“Are you alright, malady?” The young girl, named Avery, was caught by surprise by the stranger’s question, she thought he would leave her alone once he noticed her state, but to her utter surprise he didn’t.

“I will be,” she whispered so softly, she was afraid he couldn’t hear it, but Zachary did. Something told him there was way more to the story, but being the man that he was, he knew better than to meddle in other’s affairs.

“How are you enjoying the ball so far?” He asked.

“It’s splendid for my first ball,” She said.

“Your first ball? Well then, why don’t you allow me a dance?” he asked as he gave a deep bow.

“I would love to,” she said and they started to dance to the music of the night. As they danced they started to talk. He enjoyed her company a lot and for the first time in his life he wished the night would never end but of course it had to.

They were sharing stories and laughing when the midnight bell rang and the girl suddenly jumped in freight.

“Are you alright?” Zachary asked, concern seeping into every word.

“Yes…I…thank you for the dance, but I have to go,” She said as she turned to leave, before she stopped in her tracks and took off her necklace.

“Something for you to remember me by,” she said as she placed the necklace in his hands before dashing off.

Zachary stood there stock still trying to process what happened. He looked at the necklace, which had a beautiful butterfly charm dangling from it. He vowed to himself that he would find the girl. If only she took of her mask, but he had a feeling that the necklace would help him in his search.

When he returned to the ball he found the his parents waiting for him and he told them what had happened. And so the order was sent out that the prince was to visit every household with a daughter of the right age until he found the girl he danced with the night.

Zachary went from house to house and everytime he showed the necklace to the girls would tell them that they were so grateful he found it, with that he knew they weren’t the right ones, because the right girl would know that he didn’t find the necklace, but that she gave it to him. He spent the whole day looking for the right girl, but alas she was nowhere to be found. The days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into a month and there was still no sign of the girl. Zachary was about to give up, but they still had one nobles house to visit. The lady of the house had two daughters and Zachary hoped beyond measure that one of those daughters would be the one he was looking for.

On his arrival the lady of the house invited him in and called her daughters. They both curtsied before taking a seat across from him. He watched them carefully. He didn’t recognise any of their features from behind a mask. The mother rang a bell and a young girl walked into the room with tea in hand. He head was cast down, but Zachary could see her immense beauty, even with her face casted downward.

She poured the tea before she stood at the back of the room, her face still down.

Zachary took a sip of his tea, before he took the necklace out of his pocket. When he heard a small gasp he looked up and his eyes connected with the servant girl’s eyes. Her eyes was something he would never forget and he knew he found her.

“It’s you!” He exclaimed delighted as he rushed towards her.

“You found me,” the girl said as she couldn’t believe that the man she danced with at the ball was none other than the prince.

“But she’s a mere servant,” the lady of the house exclaimed with disgust.

“No she is not!” All heads snapped to the new voice in the room. The voice belonged to the old cook of the house.

“This is hers! Her father left her everything and you stole it from her!” The cook said.

“Is this true?!” The prince asked with anger.

By the look on the lady’s face he knew it to be true. The prince was filled with disgust, this poor girl was treated as a slave in her own home.

“From this day forward, you are no longer welcome in this house, pack you bag and leave,” the prince said and his guards escorted they ladies to their rooms to pack their bags.

“Thank you,” he heard her sweet voice from next to him and he couldn’t help the smile that adorned his features, even though she was covered with ashes she was still beautiful.

“I believe this belongs to you,” he said as he tied the necklace around her neck.

“I’m Zachary,” He said with a bow.

“I’m Avery,” She said with a curtsied.

And from that day, Zachary and Avery lived happily ever after.

Hey guys

So this is the second short story, I hope you enjoyed and please tell me what you think I would love to hear your thoughts on these stories!

Happy reading

Amorie