4 Princes

XIII

"Once upon a time there was a widow who had two daughters; one of them was beautiful and industrious, the other ugly and lazy. The mother, however, loved the ugly and lazy one best, because she was her own daughter, and so the other, who was only her stepdaughter, was made to do all the work of the house, and was quite the Cinderella of the family."
(Brothers Grimm: Mother Holle)

ELAINA
"YOU'RE NOT GOING," MY stepmother yelled in my face. "Unless you pick out the lentils fast enough this time," she chided.

We were standing in the living room of my home. The old brown couch was still pushed against her wall, a hallway on either side of it. One led to my stepmother's bedroom and a bathroom. The other hallway led to my sisters' room and a bathroom. A fireplace was in front of the couch, maybe ten feet away. A short walkway was on the left of the fireplace, and it led to my bedroom. I had my own simply so I had a place to go where I wouldn't bother anyone else.

I sucked in a deep breath. From my spot in the living room, I could see into the bedroom. I could see the card Rook had handed me last night. I wouldn't let myself accept his help. "Fine, then I'll stay here." I crossed my arms over my chest.

I hated it that Rook even knew any of my personal problems. He didn't know the extent, but he knew that not everything was as it seemed in my household. He was an excellent people reader. It was like my soul was a book, and he could analyze every line whenever he wanted.

Anastasia came into the living room and looked at me sadly. I wished she would say something, do something. I knew a part of her was strong enough to know that this was wrong. Apparently the weakness in her was stronger though.

"I'm glad you know your place, bitch." Drizella smirked at me, her eyes watching me like a cat watched a mouse. Her hair was done up disgustingly. She looked more like a lion than a lady.

I sneered at her but didn't retaliate. I had dealt with two parents' death. I could bare storms far worse than her bratty self.

My stepmom put a hand under my chin, her fingers gripping my skin. "Oh Aschenputtel, you really are an ugly, daft, thing aren't you?"

Compared to your daughters, I'm an Angel.

I knew my place, however, and it was right at home.

For now.

Elaina Ilene Lily Woods was not going to the ball tonight. However, the mystery royal was.

And like a switch, suddenly I was her again. I was her, in Rook's arms. It was me who he asked to marry. It was me.

Me. But not me.

No. Not me at all.

He asked the mystery lady. And then he dropped me, on my head, before I could even give a straight answer.

What would I have said?

I wished I had more time at the balls. But by the time I went through the lentils with the doves, got my dress, ran to the ball, and then actually started dancing— it felt like I only had an hour with Rook.

And an hour was very short when you danced most of it away.

If I did say yes, how would I even explain anything? He would hate me once he realized who I was. Rook had a love for materialistic things. He wanted perfection because he was perfection.

Should I even go tonight?

What would I say if he asked again? Would he ask again? He did tell me the mystery lady was one of his marriage options.