Minewt One-shots

So This is Love: part 2 (AU)

For the month after I came home, things have been going well. They still ask for a lot of things to be done, but since that day I've not been making as many mistakes. Not that I don't I just try hard not to do it in front of them. Ben and Robert are teasing more than usual but at this point I've stopped paying attention to them. The prince's ball is supposed to be this weekend and I'm working up the courage to ask Lord Janson if I could go.

The boy that I met in the woods has come to check up on me a few times since that day. He told me his name was Min but I don't think he was telling the truth; I go along with it though. And Alby is still on my back about going to the ball. Luckily I've been working on an outfit that should be done soon.

Robert calls me to his room. I walk in and he shove a basket in my hand then pushes me back out the door. I sigh. So now I have to do extra laundry this week; that's my least favorite thing to do. I still get working on it because if I have any chance of going to the ball, it'll be by getting their good graces.

This whole day has just been the twins having me do little chores that they could definitely do by themselves. I don't usually get annoyed by them but, man,  they are like flys.

Time skip to the day before the ball

This is the day. I have to ask Lord Janson before tomorrow. There's absolutely no way I can't go, I have two people counting on me being there. I kind of wish I didn't promise them anything because this is scary. I don't know how it's going to be, I never really see people. What if I make a huge fool of myself? The Tremaines would never let me go out with them ever again. I'll be stuck in here for the rest of my life— no, if that happens I'll-I'll run away from them. I can't stay here for the rest of my life. Ben calls, I want to scream, or do something other than obey, but I go and do what he asks.

I walk down to Lord Janson's study. He's usually in here at this time and I think I'm ready to ask him. I stand outside the door and have a mental battle with myself. I keep taking deep breaths as if that'll ever calm me enough to ask this question. My weight shifts back and forth as I increasingly get nervous.

"Are you going to come in?" A gruff voice says through the door, in a way that can only be described as a verbal eye roll.

I take in one more deep breath of  life before I reach for the doorknob. The drum of my heart pounds in my ears and the little bugs of nervousness make my whole body crawl. But I turn the knob and push in. My breathing picks back up again in seconds. This is it, I'm sure, that this'll be the last day I breathe in the glorious air.

Lord Janson looks over his reading glasses, still holding a book he was reading. His whole face screaming that he's unamused by me interrupting him. I take a few hesitant steps forward. The older man sets down his book.

quietly I say, "Um, sir, I was hoping to ask you a question."

"Ask, child," the reply comes impatiently.

"I was wondering if, maybe, you'd let me go to the ball."

The older man's face goes blank. I can't figure out what he's thinking, only that it can't possibly be good. Lord Janson's face finally settles into a smile that could be described as inviting to an outsider. But I know better than that, there's no way that the answer will be a good one. I wait for the first blow of a fist but nothing comes.

"You can go," My expression lifts, "if you get all your work done tomorrow."

My face doesn't fall, I'm sure he can get all of my work done before the ball starts; I might even be able to get the finishing touches on the suit done.

"Thank you, sir. I'll get all of it done," I say cheerily.

I race back up the stairs to work on his suit for a bit longer and, accidentally, daydream. I think about how tomorrow night will go. I'm  not that set on winning the prince over, but I  think about Min. I can't wait to see Min (and Alby) for longer than I have before. I finish up a few things tonight and head to bed. My dreams full of hope and light.