So this is love?
𝑷𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝚃𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚡 𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚍!𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛
𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚: 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝙲𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚊 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝?
𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: 𝟸𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗, 𝙾𝙾𝙲, 𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚎! 𝙲𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚊, (𝚢𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎?)𝚌𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚊, 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎, 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖-𝚘𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚊.
𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒏𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒉: 𝙴𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚞𝚊𝚐𝚎
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦
dividers by @thecutestgrotto
Your friend Ell was a little obsessed with his dream of getting into the castle. On dark nights he would sing about his dream, telling incredible stories about how he would get into the castle and fall in love with the princess, and she, of course, would fall in love with him.
You felt sorry for this kid who was orphaned and was a servant in his own home. His stepfather and stepbrothers hated him and tried to make his life a living hell. But even so, the young man looked at the world with open eyes and was kind to everyone.
You and he were childhood friends, after his father died, you stayed at his side. And were there when his "new family" arrived.
After Ella's mother died, there were fewer servants in the house. They paid a pittance, but it was enough to buy bread and fresh milk. Of course, you left out the fact that the Tremaine family were just greedy people who hid gold in their coffers and took it out when they wanted to have fun: to buy new clothes or to pay for the most luxurious carriage to social events.
The estate looked clean only because of Ell, who loved his childhood home fervently. And he wanted it to look perfect. It never offended him that the house had changed a little, the carpets and curtains that made the manor gloomier. He enjoyed shaking the dust off the new oak chairs that towered over the table, which were hard to move. But Ell had grown to be a tall and strong man. You were in love with him, but he only dreamed of a beautiful princess, only the pillow knew how many tears you cried for that young man.
You hardly ever crossed paths with his half-brothers, you had your hands full. You only helped Ell when you heard his brothers shouting at the whole manor for him to bring tea or something.
You always thought they were nasty and ugly, until the day Ell came down with a fever and you had to work for him. The old housekeeper put you in charge of taking tea and desserts to the young gentlemen in the garden. So with a squeak of the heart, you put everything on a tray and hurried off to complete the task.
The garden was small but well-kept, with roses of various colours. A small arbour stood at the edge of the garden, covered by some bushes, from which the quiet voices of young people could be heard.
"Where is that rascal boy!!!," Anastasis was indignant when you came into his field of vision.
"I apologise young gentlemen, Ell has come down with a fever, let me take care of you for the duration of his absence," you kept your head down, carefully set the tray down and arranged the cups of tea and saucers of treats on the table.
"That, what's that mouse?" asked Drizel calmly, but a little sternly
"I haven't seen you, who are you?" asked Anastasis just as sternly.
"My name is Y/n, I will be serving you for a while," you meekly kept your head down.
You didn't really want to look at those freaks and spoil your mood. But when Anastasis lifted your head by the chin, you were pleasantly surprised to see the face of a handsome young man in front of you. His red hair was tucked back slightly, his greenish eyes staring into yours with a strange calmness. Inadvertently you averted your eyes and faced Drizel's gaze, he was sipping tea and his dark eyes were turned towards you, he was just as beautiful as Anastasis. His dark hair fell lightly over his face, preventing his eyes from getting a better look at you.
"What a lovely mouse working for us!" admired Anastasis, tugging your chin again to get your attention.
"I apologise, but I have to go," you pulled out of his arms and taking the tray ran back home, to the loud laughter of Anastasis.
A few days passed, and now you attracted the attention of two brothers who were watching you. They didn't talk, didn't try to pester you in any way, just watched. Though Drizel did touch your arm a few times, seemingly casually, as you served them breakfast and dinner.
But as luck would have it, Ell recovered quickly, and began to work with renewed vigour. So you began to avoid the young men again.
One day when you were hanging the laundry, and when the sun was shining brightly, and the wind had risen so strong yet warm, you met Drizel. He was leaning against the wooden pole of the dryer, and watched your actions intently. His black eyes penetrated deep into your body, stirring something inside, making your stomach twist. His eyes read interest and desire, something that was forbidden.
"Is there anything I can do for you, young master?" you looked fearfully into his eyes.
"Damn... "he cursed softly, grinned, and...walked away.
You continued to hang up the laundry, with a face of utter incomprehension.
Anastasis came into the kitchen late at night. You and Ell were putting away all the unnecessary items, and scrubbing the floors.
"Mousey, make me some tea and bring it to my room," his green eyes took in your figure, and at his words he wanted the tea right now.
"I can make it for you, brother," Ell grumbled and pulled a teapot from the cupboard.
"I don't need you, I need her! Mousey, I'm waiting, hurry up," commanded the young man and left.
"What was that?" asked Ell incredulously.
"I don't know..." you went about making tea, Ell didn't say anything else.
A few minutes later, you went up to Anastasis' room, knocked and entered when you heard: "Come in."
"Too long," the man said resentfully, taking a seat at a small table by the window.
"I apologise, young master. I made the tea not quite strong enough for you to sleep," you set the tray on the table, unloading it.
"Mmmm, thoughtful," he smirked cheekily, the man grabbing your arm when he saw you were about to leave. "Where are you going?"
"My work day is over, so I'd like to retire to my room," you said uncertainly.
"Ah, how boring!" he tugged on your arm, pulling you closer.
"What are you doing?" you shrieked, trying to push him away from you.
But the man's grip was firm, he didn't even get up from his chair to stop, he only pulled you closer again and jabbed at your stomach. You froze, wondering at his gesture.
"Insomnia has attacked me... "he whispered quietly, but you heard perfectly.
"Is something bothering you?" you asked awkwardly, trying to breathe less frequently.
"Maybe...." The man looked down at you, resting his chin on your stomach.
"Should we call a doctor in the morning?"
"He won't help!" Anastasis hid his face again, sighing heavily.
He seemed so weak and helpless that inadvertently you reached down and lightly stroked his red hair. If Anastasis had been a cat, he would have purred, you're sure.
"It feels good..." the man said affectionately, and pulled you closer.
You went back to your room too late and something unimaginable was going on in your mind. The young men's interest in you was unexpected, what did they want from you? Just amusement? Or a genuine interest? Though Mr Tremaine was probably already looking for wives for his sons. Or rather, he wanted them to marry Princess Henrietta, or rather one of them, and he was hoping for his eldest son, Drizel. And Anastasis was the backup.
But what can you give them? Even if there are some feelings, and they are sincere in them, but if Count Tremaine finds out, you will be grateful to be alive after such a thing.
But abruptly you pulled yourself back. What feelings? What are you talking about? That's bullshit, they're just messing with you!
You sighed heavily, unbuttoned your work dress. Tomorrow is your day off, and you and Ell have decided to go out and walk around town. Since the Tremaine family will be leaving for a tea party with the honourable people. You glanced back to look at tomorrow's dress, it was cream coloured, it was the one you had wanted to get married in once, it was the only expensive one in your entire wardrobe. You sighed heavily again, put on your nightie and went to bed.
As soon as the Tremaine family was over the threshold of the house and their new carriage disappeared from sight, you and Ell rushed to your rooms to change.
You stayed late to do your hair and apply light make-up, and rub scented oils on your neck.
When you came out Ell was already standing at the main door, and even twitched his leg somehow nervously and looked at the clock in the corridor. But then he spotted you coming down the stairs slowly, expecting a compliment, but got one:
"You're so long! I thought you fell asleep in there!" he irritably took your hand and dragged you towards the exit.
His behaviour was a bit scary lately, he became nervous, irritated and could even shout at someone, but not at his "family".
You walked to different places, you tried your best to hold back tears and resentment, which Ell didn't seem to notice. You went to the stalls, just looking, because you had no money. You took part in some entertainment programme they had decided to put on in the square. You even won a few coins.
And tired you decided to buy some small sandwiches for a snack and sit near the fountain. The sun was getting close to hiding behind the horizon and the sky was lightly coloured orange. Ell ate in silence, and looked at the people passing by, just like you. But because you didn't talk much, you decided to ask the odd question:
"Ell, why are you so anxious to get to the castle?" you shifted your gaze to the man.
He flinched, and slowly turned towards you, his crazed look made you flinch, it startled you.
"What kind of stupid question is that, my fool?" he smiled just as strained, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
You returned home in silence, trying to get home before the Tremayne family arrived, and you did. Ell, the first thing he did was hide in his room in the attic.
The sun was long gone, and candles were burning in the house.
"Cinderella!" the nasty voice of Mr Tremaine echoed through the house.
You were in the kitchen and decided to wait until the owners had gone to their rooms. If they saw you like this, they might suspect something. You fixed your hair and the dress that exposed your breasts so seductively, you had to pin it up to make your breasts look favourable, but it was for nothing.
Ell went down to his family and helped them undress, you heard them hurry upstairs to the lively conversations. You exhaled, and opened the kitchen door, hoping to slip upstairs to your room. But you hit someone's chest painfully, the slight smell of cologne wafting through the air, and a green waistcoat came into view. You already guessed who was in front of you, and in confirmation, you lifted your head up and your eyes collided with Drizel's. He held you gently with one hand, cradling you against his youthful, but so firm, chest.
He burned a hole in you again, noticing your frilly dress.
"Young master, can I help you with something?" your gaze was hard, clearly not ready for jokes or conversation.
He grinned and shook his head, after a few seconds the young man decided to let you go. But threw you a glare:
"You look ravishing today, my lady."
You hurried into the room to hide the blush coming to your cheeks. Fool! It means nothing to him! Stop dwelling on the clouds.
A few days later, a letter arrived at the manor saying there was a ball at the royal castle. Princess Henrietta needed a husband. And Ell was not silent for a moment, for that letter had his name on it too. He thought about clothes, and was sure he would wear that pink suit of his deceased father's. The young man was describing how he would meet the princess and what they would talk about. You felt uneasy and a kind of fear because his speeches could be compared to those of a madman! And with each new fantasy of his, you felt a mental heaviness and disgust.
For the next day, you avoided your friend, keeping yourself busy with various things. You only sometimes noticed him in the corridor, standing dreamily or walking from one room to another.
Surprisingly the rooms were quiet, the brothers gathered with disgruntled faces, only the boys' father was laughing and cheering. He was telling the plan to Drizel, you heard him as you passed the room. The door was ajar, and you could see the dark-haired man irritably adjusting his cufflinks, and sighing heavily when his father pulled him back to make sure Drizel was listening. Anastasis sat on the couch and rolled his eyes the same way when his father threw him phrases along the lines of, "If anything, you'll pick it up!". Mr Tremaine kept strutting around, just as obsessively recounting his fantasies as Ell had been doing since morning. It was getting embarrassing to be eavesdropping, but you wondered about brothers' reaction. And it was satisfactory for you, you blushed as your gazes with Drizel crossed, you shifted your gaze to Anastasis who was already looking at you and smirking slyly. You recoiled from the door and ran to your room, your job was done today.
Towards evening you came out of your room when you heard shouting and swearing downstairs. You froze in horror when you saw Drizel and Anastasis tearing at Ella's clothes, he pushed them away, but like kites they clung to the pink fabric with renewed vigour and pulled. Anastasis laughed madly as Drizel walked round and only smiled cheekily. When Ell did break free from their grasp, he looked at everyone madly, and ran off. Mr Tremaine, who had been standing off to the side, finally exhaled contentedly and walked out the door while the brothers adjusted their outfits and put on their outerwear. You quickly made your way downstairs.
"Why are you doing this to him?" you could read the horror in your eyes.
"He talked too much, we didn't like it," Anastasis sniggered.
"For such a good evening, he ruined our mood," Drizel shook the invisible dust off the sleeves of his jacket and looked at you.
"What on earth did he say that you did such a cruel thing to him?" you shifted your gaze to Anastasis.
"About you," the redhead said already more calmly, and hurried out the door.
"Y/n, he's not who he claims to be, haven't you noticed?" said Drizel a little cooingly.
Of course you noticed, your mate had changed a lot, and you didn't know the reason or when it all started. Drizel smiled tiredly, but leaned over and whispered in your ear:
"We don't like it when someone we care about is humiliated,"
He straightened up and walked out the door, leaving you blushing. As the family carriage disappeared from sight. You remembered about Ell. Did he humiliate you? What the hell did he say about you? You decided to deal with him, you decided to put things right, and in the event, shut his mouth, he started to get on your nerves. You ran all over the estate to find the young man, but he was gone. The old keywoman only shrugged her shoulders, and the other two maids didn't know of his whereabouts either. You went down to the great hall, trying to get your thoughts in order and think again.
At some point you heard horses neighing, and some rummaging in the garden. You hurried out. And witnessed a real miracle, next to Ell stood a plump man dressed in shiny intricate clothes, he had a magic wand in his hands, he waved it and magic dust flew towards the young man, enveloping him. His pink costume began to change, the fabric dyed a silvery blue colour. It was so fast that you could only blink before Ell was standing there in an expensive and beautiful outfit.
"Ell?" unable to contain yourself, you raised your voice, your mate smiled radiantly at you.
"Y/n! I'm going to the ball! Can you imagine!!!?...Oh it's my godfather! He's a wizard! Can you imagine!?" the young man was so excited that he had already stopped watching his words.
"It's marvellous!" you uttered mesmerised.
"Thank you," the old man's gentle voice sounded quiet.
Ell hugged you and hurried down the path to the garden exit. You looked back at the wizard, and he only gave you a hand, which you took. He led you to the exit so you could watch Ell quickly climb into a golden carriage pulled by white horses. You forgot all your anger at the man, seeing his bright smile.
"Remember, at exactly 12 o'clock, all the magic will dissipate, you have to be back in time," the older man muttered.
"Yes, I remember, touch it already!" muttered Ell irritably, and the carriage moved off.
"What on earth is going on with him?" said the wizard unhappily.
"Have you noticed it too?" you shifted your attention to him.
"I'm afraid human factors are to blame here," the old man said thoughtfully.
"Factors?"
"Yes, he wants to get out of poverty and humiliation, the only way..."
"Marry a princess," you continued quietly.
"My dear, I can't help you in any way, but I can tell you that your happy ending is near," the man muttered.
You turned round to ask a question, but the wizard was gone. A happy ending? What does that mean?
You wanted to wait for Ell to hear his story. But the labour wore you down, and you fell asleep on your bed in your work clothes, still dreaming of the castle and the beautiful balls.
Ell woke you up early in the morning, he didn't care about your desire to sleep or your tiredness. The young man only gibbered and told you how he met the princess. How he was able to bewitch her thanks to his robes, and how they danced all night discussing everything in the world.
"Only it's strange that the brothers didn't even try to please the princess. It seems to me that they avoided meeting her unnecessarily, and their father was always looking for them," the young man said thoughtfully, taking off part of his torn suit.
His phrase made you smile contentedly.
"I'm happy for you, Ell!"
You said the phrase so sincerely that the blond man even stopped rambling for a moment, and was slightly mesmerised by your gentle and tired smile, the sunshine that came through the window and fell on your face making you look magical. Ell shook his head, trying to push the strange thoughts away.
A day later, Princess Charming announced a search for her future husband. For the mysterious stranger with whom the girl had danced had escaped! But left his shoe on the castle stairs. The news went round the kingdom and you grimaced in disgust and looked at Ella, who only laughed embarrassedly.
"We didn't dance with anyone at the ball, not even the princess" Anastasis caught you at work as you hung the laundry.
"Why do I need this information?" you said uncertainly.
"Shouldn't we be rewarded for it?" Drizel appeared from the other side, and you felt yourself stiffen.
"What reward?" you turned to the dark-eyed man.
"Let's think about it...it's boring...it's about nothing too...hmmmmm....o! Kiss us!" exclaimed the red-haired young man, leaning in slightly.
"You must be confused about something...You're not sick, young gentlemen?" you looked round fearfully, but you were hidden behind huge sheets and no one could see you.
"Maybe we are sick, that's why we're waiting for you to act," Drizel exhaled heavily.
"Young gentlemen, I don't like to be joked about. Especially not a funny joke!"
"A joke!?" Anastasis looked at you in surprise.
"Of course; did you think I wouldn't understand at once? What could rich men find in an ordinary maid? Don't make me laugh!" you turned to the ropes to correct the cloth behind you, although it was perfectly hung, but you wanted to avoid an unnecessary outburst of emotion.
Anastasis, who had a fiery temper and high impatience, turned you round to look into your eyes. Without thinking long, he dug his lips into yours, gently and gently crushing them, he was assertive and quick, and then he pulled away. You didn't have time to recover when you were turned the other way. Drizzel's lips came to yours in the same way, but it was a light touch of lips, so gentle, you thought it was the way kisses were given to very young people who were just learning the delights of love. He pulled away from you, trying to hide his embarrassment behind a cough.
"How weak... "said Anastasis mockingly.
"Shut up," said Drizel firmly and sternly.
"we're not playing around! We really like you, and we're interested in you. At first it was just normal curiosity," the redhead decided to explain himself.
"But then the feelings got stronger. You're different, different from all the people we've met. You're alive, not formulaic. You're not a written character in some story that's already been decided for!" continued Drizel.
"Think about our words," Anastasis pleaded.
"I will think about it, but you forgot one thing..."
"What?"
"Your father..." you heard the young boys growl disgruntledly.
"We'll think of something...just think about how you feel..." finished Drizel, gently running his hand over your cheek.
That was the end of your conversation, leaving you confused and inspired. You already knew what kind of answer you could give them.
The next morning, a high ranking duke arrived at the manor with a magic shoe. It could be seen that it was made of quality leather that was covered with sequins and patterns, no cobbler could make such exquisite shoes. At this moment, you were downstairs preparing everything for breakfast. But you hadn't seen Ell for a long time; you thought he was the first to come in to measure your own shoes, but he seemed to have disappeared.
While Anastasis and Drizel were grudgingly measuring shoes, a few at a time, to the shouts of their father, you brushed past them, and ran up the stairs towards your friend's room, when you pulled the handle you realised it was closed.
"Ell, are you in there?" you asked quietly.
"Y/n, yes, I'm here, release me, hurry up, my father locked me in, I have to go downstairs!" the man muttered hysterically.
"alright, wait!"
You knew the key to the lock was in the keywoman's possession, and Mr Tremaine most likely took it from her. And most likely he had that key. You thought for a few seconds and took a hairpin out of your hair, bent it out and put it through the keyhole. It took a lot of work, but the door yielded to these manipulations, and Ell opened the door with a jerk, running past you. You exhaled heavily, and stood up, it was time to see what would happen next, after all this story had to end somehow.
When you came downstairs you saw Ell's beautiful shoe being placed on his foot, and a little later he pulled out the exact same one. Mr Tremaine squealed, freaked out, and went off somewhere in the hall.
The Count, who was putting a boot on Ella, took him under his arm:
"Have you any things you wish to take away?" asked the dark-haired Count.
"No sir, I have nothing here," replied Ell modestly.
They walked out the door and you quickly made your way downstairs, running past your brothers, who stood boredly off to the side, waiting for it all to be over.
"Ell!" you shouted after your friend.
The men turned around and the earl nodded to your friend, leaving you alone.
"My Y/N, can you believe I'm about to be a prince!" said Ell happily.
"Ah...don't you want to take me with you?" you asked a risqué question, already knowing the answer. Ell was a little taken aback.
"Why?"
"You could make me a servant at the castle, I'd earn more so I could provide for my family. You know I'm good at my job," you rambled, Ell exhaled heavily and grabbed your shoulders, squeezing them unpleasantly.
"My sweet fool, you have to stay here and take care of my house. What if something happens to it?" Ot smiled grimly as he did so, his mood changing again.
Drizel, who came out of the house immediately rushed towards you and pulled Ell's hand away, clutching it tightly. In fact, the blond-haired young man is much weaker than Drizel, so Ell backed off.
"Are you ordering me to stay here even if the estate is empty?" you asked angrily and Ell pulled away slightly, rubbing his wrist.
"why not?"
"You're a piece of shit Ell, I wish I'd noticed it sooner...I clung to our friendship so much I ignored all the signs. You're no different to any man, just as greedy and vile!" there were no tears, no, you didn't want to cry in front of your ex mate.
"The past should stay in the past, my dear friend," Ell was just as angry that you stopped acting the way he was comfortable with.
"Do you even hear yourself, you little bug!?" Anastasis appeared out of the blue.
"Brothers, you're so nice to protect my Y/N, now I can go to my castle in peace and not worry about anything happening to her," Ell smiled slyly.
"You... "The red-haired youth wanted to punch Ell, but Drizel stood in front of him, holding him up.
"Come to your senses, he's provoking on purpose, if you keep this up you'll end up in jail,"
"Well, I take it we've sorted everything out. I wish you the best of luck. Y/n take care of my estate," Ell quickly turned around and hurried to the carriage, after a couple of minutes, it touched off and Ell waved happily.
You and the brothers stood and watched this without hiding their disgust. Drizel gently put his arm around your shoulders and led you into the manor.
"Don't worry Y/n, we'll figure something out, WE'll be fine too," Anastasis added, snuggling up to your side.
Ell was appointed prince, he had a happy wedding. Now he was the one being served, not him. He walked proudly through the corridors of the castle, looking around. He sent several letters to his estate, but received no reply.
So three years passed, and the answer finally came. But not from his 'dear friend', but from the keywoman who occasionally stopped by the house to check on his condition:
"Dear Prince Ell,
This is your old keywoman Isolde writing to you. You sent a bunch of letters, I read them, pardon my impertinence. They were dedicated to Y/n, but she has been gone from this house for a long time. After your wedding, Y/n and the young lords fled the kingdom and went on a long journey. Lord Tremaine languished, and died a year after your coronation. Please, our sweet prince, don't write here, you won't get a reply. Now you live happily and richly, as does our dear Y/N. They say she married one of the brothers, that's why they all ran away. I wish you happiness!
Your Isolde."
Ell stopped writing, he was filled with anger and resentment. How dare you disobey him!? Married!? Ran away!?
Ell didn't write again, but the desire to find you was too strong. He himself was frightened by this desire that came from nowhere. But he would do anything to find you and bring you back.
