Cendrillon: England x Reader ~Part 1~

The carriage bumped along the beaten road to the castle, not that you noticed past your trembling. You were clad in a frilly, almost feather-light dress than came down to your ankles in transparent layers. A large ribbon circled your waist, tired in the back with a large bow and long trailing ribbons. What seemed almost like swan feather framed the collar around your neck. You had let down your (hair color) hair and it now gently framed your face and (eye color) eyes. Gloves, and a ribbon around your throat with a red rose finished off the ensemble.

You glanced out the window of the carriage as you passed the castle walls. The castle was lit with hundreds of bright lights, and you almost hear the laughter and music which floated from inside.

Another set of shivers crawled up your spine as you reminded yourself what you had come here for. You had been sent to kill a person with the dagger that now rested safely in your dress pocket. If you didn't kill that man by midnight, you yourself would die. Simple. Just get it over with and then get out as fast as possible. Right? Right.

You gently stepped out of the carriage, careful not to step on your dress. Music and laughter floated from the doorway. You took a deep breath and gently walked inside, careful not to break the glass shoes you had been provided with.

The warmth of the castle was startling compared to the chilly night air outside. You squinted at the sudden brightness of the ballroom, but when your eyes adjusted what you saw stole your breath away.

Lights hung from the ceiling around an extensive ballroom, far larger than any room you had ever seen. Light, almost see-through tapestries hung from the ceiling, casting patterned light around the room. Couples clad in all shades and colors of dress twirled and danced around the room, laughing and talking merrily. You stood atop a huge staircase, the dancing floor all the way at the very bottom.

A smile made its way onto your lips, as you were breath taken by the wonderful essence of it all. What seemed like a calculated fear now turned to a petty worry as you let the happiness and glee of the ball surround you.

And yet...it seemed so familiar...

Your eyes were drawn to the bottom of the stairs, where, surprisingly, you found another pair of eyes staring back at you. You blinked in surprise, and had the urge to rub your eyes and make sure the figure was real.

It was a man who seemed to be about your age. He was tall and had the most stunning green eyes you had ever seen, tucked under thick eyebrows and a mess of golden blonde hair. He was dressed like the rest of the nobles here, in a starched white uniform with a red ribbon crossing his body, and gold fringes adorning his shoulders.

You couldn't help but stare with wonder, and him the same towards you. At last, he held out a hand towards you, a coy smile forming on his lips.

You returned the smile and without any concern for etiquette, hiked up your skirts and leapt down the stairs, almost 3 at a time.

The man seemed surprised, and almost half-way delighted in your enthusiasm. "Careful" he warned as you stumbled on the last step, catching your hand in his.

You slowly lifted your eyes from the floor, coming face to face with him. After a a moment, your eyes widened in shocking realization. "You..." a whisper escaped your lips.

He blinked his startling green eyes at you. "Me...?" he echoed curiously.

You stared, mouth slightly agape before straightening, remembering your manners. "I'm terribly sorry, Sir...?"

"Kirkland." the man smiled. "Arthur, if you could."

You smiled back. "Sir Arthur" you repeated, testing the name on your tongue. 

"And you would be...?"

You blushed and curtsied to the best of your ability. "_______, your lordship. _________, ________."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "No 'Lady'?"

"Oh...uh...well...you see-"

A crescendo of violins interrupted you. You looked over to the orchestra, and sure enough, a waltz was beginning. You swallowed in anxiety, for you did not posses the ability to dance.

You turned back to Arthur, who had held out a hand to you. "Would you do me the pleasure of having your first dance, my Lady?"

A blush tinted your cheeks, but you delicately placed your hand in Arthur's as he led you onto the ballroom floor. Around you, couples were also gathering, bowing and curtsy-ing to each other. You looked at Arthur, to find him already mid-bow. You bobbed a quick cursty before the first verse began. Arthur placed a hand on your waist, and held your hand with the other. You carefully placed a hand on his shoulder as you began. You tried to remember what little you knew about dancing. It usually went one two three, right? Or was it two three four? Oh goodness.

Arthur must have sensed your anxiety, because he smiled down at you. "Don't worry." he whispered. "Follow my lead."

You sighed and nodded nervously.

A lone flute player joined the chorus of violins, giving the waltz an almost haunting feeling. You held onto Arthur's hand and kept you eyes on your feet, trying not to step on Arthur.

He noticed however. "_______." he whispered. "Please look up so I can see your face."

You looked up obediently, gazing at him before looking off with a blush. A side glance told you his cheeks were the same color as yours.

Soon you felt yourself relax, and the dance become easier. You followed his steps perfectly. Soon you both were twirling beautifully around the dance floor with ease. You smiled at the feeling of freedom, of happiness that swelled up in your chest. Arthur smiled as well, leading you in a small circle, then spinning you outwards, then inwards. You gasped at the sudden movement, but enjoyed it nonetheless. 

The music reached a crescendo, signaling its end soon. You didn't want it to end, you wanted to enjoy this moment as long as possible. yet, as the music lowered and came to a close with a final crescendo of violins, you let go of Arthur's hand and curtsied to him again. 

"Thank you, Arthur."

Arthur kept his grip on you hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing your gloved fingertips. "The pleasure was mine, _______."

You blushed deeply. "I ah, oh- excuse me please!" you darted away into the crowd, leaving Arthur alone on the dance floor.

As you pushed past the lords and ladies, you couldn't help but feel tears prick your eyes. You didn't really belong here. The knife in your pocket was a reminder of that. This was only a fake dress, a disguise so that you could accomplish what you came here for.

"svegili" A voice whispered from behind you. You froze.

"You..." you whispered, and looked around desperately. Everyone was too preoccupied to concern themselves with you and your predicament. 

The masked man behind you chuckled, subtly gripping your wrist in his hand. "Yes, me. I said I would be here, did I not?"

You didn't respond, focusing on staring ahead and away from him.

The man rested his chin in the crook of your neck. "I can't have you running away from our agreement, yes?"

"I wasn't running away" You muttered.

"Oh? You do remember the man I described to you, correct?"

You frowned. "Of course."

"Do you want me to tell you his name?" He cooed in your ear.

You didn't reply.

"His name, my dear, is Prince Arthur."

Your eyes went wide at this, and you couldn't help but flinch a bit at his words. "Arthur..." You echoed.

"Evet. And if I am not correct, you still have 2 hours until the clock chimes. You should go dancing." he chuckled. All at once, the grip on your hand was released, and the breath on your skin vanished.

"Two hours my dear. I will be watching."