A/N: Hello readers! Welcome! Before you get started, please let me say a few words.
This is a Cinderella AU fanfiction. I know that a lot of people dislike fairy tales (Damsels in distress? Ugh. Don't even get me started on Sleeping Beauty.) so I will try to make this as realistic as possible. Personally, while I don't like the idea of marrying to escape a life of servitude, the story is romantic and really… *sighs dreamily* Anyways, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or Cinderella.
"LEVY!" Angel yelled. "Get down here and make breakfast! I don't keep you here to sleep in all day!"
Levy rolled her eyes and flopped out of bed. "Yes, Stepmother."
The girl shimmied into a too-small dress and slipped on a headband to tame her blue locks. Satisfied with her appearance, she headed down the steep staircase that connected her room to the main house.
Levy grabbed an apron as she walked into the kitchen and immediately began cooking. After whipping up huge portions of eggs and toasted bread (Minerva, Flare and Angel ate enough to feed six men) and setting a small amount aside for her breakfast, she set the table and poured the tea/coffee/iced orange juice.
This was the life she had been living for the past five years. It's not exactly glamorous, but not horrible, either. Angel was a menacing mistress, but her last husband (Levy's father) died of disease and she truly loved him. She turned bitter, and treated Levy like a servant. Angel decided to take over her deceased husband's manor, and she had two other daughters: Minerva and Flare. They were both from different marriages. It was quite the scandal.
The smell of food attracted Angel and her daughters to the dining room, so Levy slipped away to break her fast in the kitchen.
After breakfast, Levy grabbed the dishes and washed up, realizing that they were out of eggs, milk and, oddly, paprika. She grabbed a basket, headed out, "I'M GOING OUT, DON'T LOOK FOR ME!", and started the short walk towards town.
The large village of Freesia could barely be called a town. It was a bustling community with sturdy brick houses and a huge marketplace. In said marketplace, you could find anything, from beautiful silks and shiny trinkets to crystal goblets and food fit for a king (or two). There were plenty of things to catch a girl's eye, but Levy kept her eyes open for a produce stands. After wandering into the agriculture section of the market, she found a suitable stall.
"Ah! Miss Milliana!" Levy called out to the young woman bartering for a felt cat. "I came to buy your eggs!"
"Nya! Lev-chan!" Milliana snatched the cat out of the seller's hands, replacing the toy for a few large eggs. "You came to buy? How many cartons? Two, twenty?" She waggled her eyebrows, encouraging her to buy the fresh eggs.
"No, I think two cartons will suffice." Levy grinned, and held out a shiny silver coin.
"Alright, you have a deal!" Milliana shook Levy's hand and smiled. "What else do you need? That's an awfully large basket for a couple of eggs." She said as she handed over small, wooden cartons of eggs nestled in straw. "Do you have to buy gowns for your stepsisters? Ah… that's awful, just awful."
"What? Why would I have to buy gowns?" Levy asked, confused.
"Why, for the balls, silly! Er-chan said there might be a few balls in… about a week's time. She's part of His Majesty's Royal Guard, you know!" Milliana said with a wink.
"But Angel is just a lady. Wouldn't balls like that be royalty-only?" Levy inquired.
"Well, it's not Angel that is invited, Minerva and Flare are. Unless they're married." Milliana mused.
"Huh?"
"These balls are for all eligible young ladies. To win over Prince Gajeel's heart. To gain his hand in marriage."
-o-o-o-
"His Majesty, your father, would like to see you. Gajeel." A tall, dark-skinned man stood in the doorway.
"Lily." Gajeel grunted his greeting. Currently, Prince Gajeel Redfox of the Iron Lands was sitting for a portrait. He stood.
'Lily' winked, the fat, crescent-moon scar crinkling with the action. "Let's go."
Lily closed the door and Gajeel sighed with relief. "Augh, that was exhausting."
"Hmm?" Lily asked amusedly.
"He kept asking me to pose like a peacock and adjust my sleeves and sit up straight and ugh ugh ugh. He was even worse than your and Pops' lectures put together." Gajeel scowled and combed a hand through his thick hair.
"Well, I'm going to have to ask you to stand up straight now." Lily gestured to the door. "Make yourself presentable…"
Gajeel quickly smoothed down his hair and straightened his silk tie.
"Your Majesty, Prince Gajeel." Pantherlily ushered Gajeel into the large study and exited, shutting the door behind him.
"Pops." Gajeel greeted his father.
"Son." King Metallicana was a handsome and wise ruler. While he wore silken robes and a heavy crown, the King of the Iron Lands was very laid back, with a casual aura. However, today he looked awkward, almost… pained.
"Gajeel. Son." Metallicana led Gajeel to a plush seat in front of a desk. He lowered himself into his own chair, and looked at his son. "We need to talk."
Gajeel stiffened.
"This may be awkward, but we definitely need to speak about this. My father talked about this with me. You aren't the first one."
"Wha- whoa! Stop stop stop. Lily and I already had this conversation." Gajeel blushed, squirming in his seat.
"You did?"
"Yeah, so back off!" Gajeel looked away, ears blazing.
"So, who did you decide on?" Metallicana asked, curious.
"Huh?"
"For your future wife?"
"What?!" Gajeel stood, shaking his head viciously. "I thought you meant the other talk. We- I- marriage- future-neh?"
Metallicana sighed. "Let's get started."
Hello! Thank you for reading. *bows*
This is my first AU/Multi-chap-fic so please bear with me. I will try to have updates every week-ish.
Like? Dislike? Have a comment? Drop a review! Feedback is always liked, and constructive criticism is more than welcome.
Signing off,
Miss Quiet Writer