Chapter Text
For a second, Henry doubted it. How could he choose Cinderella, a girl he knew existed just yesterday compared to a girl he knew longer than that?
But, that's it, isn't it? The difference was just how long he had known them. Henry a year ago wouldn't even hesitate to choose Drizella over and over again, convinced he knew her by heart.
Maybe he didn't.
Henry didn't know Drizella have had the audacity to insult his status as a disabled prince, but to shift the blame onto her step sister?
He had seen Drizella's writing. It's gorgeous, the way they linked together was beautiful yet messy makes it impossible to forge.
Yet she had sent a letter, drenched with disgust and hatred towards him, after he bared his feelings and vulnerability for her.
He refused to get hurt like that. Not again. And he would save Cinderella from her, too.
Did Drizella thought he would be so easy to manipulate? Sure, she could manipulate Cinderella into her whim, just because she's so naive and have no one else to turn to. Or is it not enough hurting, that Drizella actively trying to make her life harder, practically treating her like a slave?
Deep in his heart, where it hadn't be touched for so long, he knew Drizella wouldn't do that. He knew her, once.
But, people could change. The living proof was standing in front of him, eyes welling with tears and hands gripping her dress with shaky fingers.
What if the girl he had fell in love with, was long gone?
He refused to acknowledge the fact that if he were a normal villager instead, with no responsibilities, he would take Drizella away without any thought, and continue to love her with all his worth.
"Mind your tongue when you're speaking to the prince."
He regretted it the moment he uttered those words, seeing a heartbroken tear fell off Drizella's cheek, his chest painfully tugged. He adverts his gaze away, didn't — couldn't watch a girl he longing for so long shed a tear. Even if it was fake.
He left the massive mansion hand in hand with Cinderella. The blonde girl smiled at him with gratefulness, as pink decorating her cheeks.
Yet, again. He smiles the way a prince should smile towards his people. He couldn't muster a heartfelt smile like he had once offered to the snark and witty girl he left behind.
He forcefully shoved the thought into a locked box.
The marriage plan went successfully. The date was already chosen by his father, the king. All invitations spreads around the kingdom, inviting them to meet future Queen who will rule them beside him.
The important day was only two days away. But the spark wasn't there. He didn't feel the warmth that Drizella provides, even when she just sitting accompanying him surrounded by countless books. He shook his head, wanting those memories to disappear. He can't loving other women when he's going to be married to another.
Cinderella hurt enough, he couldn't hurt her more.
Miserable was understatement compared to what he's feeling, counting every seconds to his impending doom. He went into the woods, every then and there, wanting to submerge himself into his hobby. It reminded him of Drizella, huffing a entertained laugh while he strung upside down a tree.
One of the guards approached him cautiously. It was Alexander, his personal guard hired by the king since he was a youthful teenager. One of the most loyal guards he ever met.
Alexander was restless, fidgeting with his hands. Henry didn't rush him. Then, Alexander took a deep breath, steeling himself.
"Your Highness, I apologize if I came off as blunt but don't you think choosing Cinderella as your wife might be a wrong decision?"
"What, are you talking about, Alexander?" Sharp eyes pinned his guard's perfect posture. He restrained himself from gripping his heart, where it's throbbing painfully.
"I know you wanted to pick a reliable future Queen, and Cinderella would be a perfect pick. Her beauty is mesmerising, and it would bring any enemy down, and possible to grow this kingdom even more with her charms. But, you are not happy with her, are you?"
"Alexander.."
Henry couldn't breathe. He couldn't even deny, because it's a fact. And if there is any other person he wouldn't lie to, it's Alexander.
Alexander smiled at him sadly.
"Your Highness, you don't giggling to yourself after seeing her. You don't even talk to me about her, when that is all you did back then with Drizella. Perhaps you have misunderstood something?"
Henry didn't have it in him to reply anything against his personal guard. The one he constantly chatting his ears off when Drizella made another creative insults, or when she tried a new silk dresses that left her looked like forbidden fruit. So tempting, but completely untouched from his grasp.
"You don't know her, Henry. You would think the same as other people. You would even say she's an angel and I'm a witch trying to curse her whole existence."
An echo of Drizella's soft voice rang in his ear. His breath hitched. Oh, god. He did it, didn't he?
"When i looked at her, she glows like an angel!"
He can imagine it vividly, the painful gasp that Drizella choked over as her tears streamed steadily. He looked at Alexander pleadingly. He needed to see Drizella. Alexander seemed to understand as he nodded encouragingly.
"Go, Your Highness. I'll wait for you here."
And Henry ran.
He ran nonstop. Footsteps thumped on the pavement, he hardly noticed any branches that swiped across his face.
He ran.
And ran.
And ran.
Then, he stopped, eyes widen. Heart beating faster, as if forcing him to go through any obstacles in front of him as long as he could get to Drizella. He's not the one to pray, but at the very moment, he called to every deity that exist, "Please, let her be safe."
The whole building was a mess. Hot, angry red and orange blinded him. He couldn't get close. It's too hot.
He squinted his eyes, swept around the front area where maids and servants were huddling together. Blearily, he realized, Drizella wasn't there.
No.
It has been a year since he saw Drizella. Or her family if it's matter. Henry remembered stumbling into Alexander firm hands when he went into full sobbing, rambling about how he's too late and he couldn't find her.
Alexander supported him through his breakdown, and the marriage like a loyal man he is. Unlike Henry.
Sometimes, if things were not as busy, he would go into the forest and talked with him about Drizella. Well, he talked and Alexander listened.
About how she would handle their kingdom's financial management efficiently, the way she would insult him and playfully smacks him around, or how she would shy away from him with flushed cheeks when he tease her relentlessly.
Alexander took it with a stride. Not judging him for talking about Drizella even when he's married to Cinderella.
Until one fateful day, when both of them leisurely went through a fresh market five towns over. Alexander dragged him there after expressing his worry about his working habits and his declining health. Henry and Alexander were wearing normal clothes, the one that made them blended in completely.
Someone stumbled into them, a full basket of oranges fly in the air before its thumped on the ground.
A girl, long hair styled in curled pigtails crouched low, picking up her fruits that scattered to the ground when she slammed into Alexander from behind.
"Ouch! Oh my god, I am so sorry for my clumsiness, gentlemen."
Henry sucked in a deep breath when he recognized her. Drizella always rant to him about her clumsy yet adorable little sister with fondness.
Drizella's sister.
"Anastasia," he breathed.
Anastasia paused then she sharply looked at him. She stood straight, basket clenched tightly. Eyes glaring into him.
"Oh, it's you," she said flatly before she bows, "I apologize. I'm already late to bring these goods to my mother. Hopefully, we would never see each other again."
She turned to leave. Henry, out of desperation, clutched her forearm.
"Wait!"
Anastasia snapped her neck to look at him with unconcealed fury.
"If you mind, let go of my hand, right now," she growled lowly. Henry didn't remember her being this hostile before, even when she tried holding him back from leaving with Cinderella a year ago. Back then, she looked desperate with a hint of naivety that he didn't notice before, now she looked like she would definitely rip his head and chew it off if they weren't as much in public.
Henry swallowed his sand paper saliva. He couldn't blame her. He released her arm.
"Can we talk?" He asked. Anastasia said nothing, looking at him with unreadable gaze, unwilling to crack. "It's fine if you don't want to talk, just.. hear me out. Please?"
Henry would kneel on the ground if she asked him to. Anastasia's eyes narrowed, after a moment she deflated.
"Fine. Follow me."
Two men followed her without hassle, and said nothing as she led them into unfamiliar forest. It was until they stopped at a large clearing with a set of bench, she stopped.
She sat, nodded to the empty seats. They sat. Henry not sure how to start this, it was nerve wrecking.
"Well, speak then."
Henry cleared his throat. "First of all, I would like to apologize. I knew my actions when we last met was.. cowardly, and it was such a foul play when I could talk to her nicely. I met your sister when we were teenagers. We keep meeting each other, even when we didn't know our names, or where we're from."
"I was a bit of spoiled prince, but then she literally smacked into me that I have my responsibilities as a prince, and she with her own responsibilities. So, I went abroad, fulfilling what's required from me. Then I fell ill after inhaling some poisonous flower from a gardener."
Anastasia held her hand up, effectively shut his mouth. "A gardener? Is he a bit lanky looking guy, around late thirty's, dull blue eyes, and shoulder length hair?"
"Uh, yes."
Anastasia gasped, something akin of horror crept up her face.
"What is it?" he asked. Anastasia shook her head. "No, no. I'll tell you later. Continue with your story."
Henry nodded, decided to ask again later. "We've been sending each other letters. Frequently too. But then, my eyesight gotten worse. They tried finding every doctor to help, but the answer are all same. I couldn't restore my eyesight, the poison is highly effective and illegal. I sent her a letter, told her about my illness and confess my feelings towards her. Then-"
"You confessed?!" Anastasia gaped, eyes trained onto him unblinking.
"Yes." Seeing her waiting for him to continue, "But then, her letter came. She rejected me, said it's useless to marry a liability. That I'm not worthy to be married to her, and I'm not a useful prince if simple illness would take me down. I was heartbroken, and confused. I stopped sending the letters. When I got back, the king told me the ball will be held that night. I couldn't go to where we usually met to confront her directly."
The memories of him snapped at his father spawned in his head. He was so angry that evening, he planned to meet Drizella to ask her about the letter but then this huge ball being held to celebrate him, he couldn't just not showing up.
"Cinderella showed up at the ball. I didn't know it was her at first. The ball started, and I need to dance with someone. I picked her, we danced and chatted. Then, she told me about her cruel step sisters. I was horrified when she rattled both your names. Drizella told me countless times about her evil plans, but she didn't look like one. She looked like a poor girl with tragic life. It was foolish, but at the moment I felt like she could understand the hurts that's gnawing on my chest since we both got hurt by the same person. The ball ended, and the king demanded me to choose future Queen. He was enchanted with her, spewing nonsense about the chemistry between us when we danced. I obeyed. And again, I chose her. It was a mistake. I ran to your residence as quickly as I can, but it was too late. There was fire everywhere, and I couldn't find her. Or you or your mother. The three of you disappeared without anyone knew your whereabouts."
Anastasia stared at him blank faced. "You chose her," she stated. Henry nodded grimly. "Yes, it's fully my fault to bear."
"Is it because of her beauty?"
"No!" He blurted quickly. "I mean, perhaps she's cute. But she's not Drizella. I don't pay much attention to her, and my eyesight become really bad, so I don't strain myself just to see her. I could definitely see the appeal through her shiny hair, though."
"So, you don't choose her because of her looks. But you left my sister. Is it because she's what, ugly?"
Henry shook his head. "No, I don't. Drizella is the prettiest girl I have ever seen. Even when last I've seen her clearly was ages ago."
Anastasia let him nervously sitting under her scrutinized glare before she sighed.
"You hurt her. You broke her heart, Prince."
Betrayed by the one you love hurts. Henry felt that first hand.
Henry gulped. "I know. And I am so sorry. If I could, I want to amend my faults. I know if there is anyone who knew her whereabouts, it would be you. May I see her, please?"
She paused, mulling over the question, then she reluctantly nodded.
"I'll try asking her first. If she's agree to meet you, I'll gladly lead you to her. If not, don't bother us anymore," she warned. It was fine, more than fine actually. Henry nodded, he definitely didn't deserve this chance to make things right.
Anastasia stood and brushed her perfectly lined dress, "Come here again next two weeks. I'll give you the answer then. See you next time, Your Highness."
Just as she's about to leave, something crossed his mind. "Anastasia," he called. She paused on her walk, making no move to turn to him.
"About the gardener?"
Anastasia gave him a glance through her shoulder, "It's Cinderella's father. He went off with all mother's jewelry and left her with us."
Henry let her go and gone to the distance.
Oh.
Maybe he was that gullible and stupid.
It's been three days since he saw Anastasia. And he couldn't wait until he could meet his beloved once again. If she wanted to see him, that is.
Restless, he sneaked out the palace through the bushes behind the kitchen area wearing a simple cloak to hide his extravagant wearing. This time, he strolled along the village with nowhere precise in mind. Completely letting his feet took him wherever it deemed him to see.
He paused when he reached a small trail of river. Curious, he followed along the river with low hum, imagining any possible scenario when he meet her next two weeks.
If Drizella did want to see him, surely he would be greeted with a slap to his face before he could utter a word. Henry chuckled.
Frail old lady struggled with heavy load on her managed to stop him on his tracks. He approached kindly.
"Good afternoon, madam. These are quite a load, do you mind me helping you?"
"Oh, thank you, young man," she smiled, relieved when her burden lessened. "My house is just at the corner."
"Oh, for sure, madam," Henry stretched a comforting smile on his face. He didn't acknowledge his rapidly drained energy for every steps he left behind.
They walked in comfortable silence. Sometimes, the old lady would point out rare plants along the way and chattered to her likings. Henry listened quietly, chiming in occasionally.
Then, "What would you do if you're offered a second chance? Hypothetically."
Henry hummed, "I would not commit the same foolish mistake of abandoning my only love. Why are you asking?"
The old lady laughed heartily. She shook her head, "Nothing at all! I was just wondering, you looked troubled, my dear."
Henry nodded and said nothing. Old people are weird.
"Oh, here we are! Thank you again for your help," she said as soon as they stopped at an old wooden house. It definitely had seen better days, yet it was clean unlike other old abandoned ratty house.
Henry put her things down. "No worries, madam. I'll be on my way then."
Just about he turned to leave, she called, "One more thing, dear." Perplexed, Henry squinted to look at her smiling in amusement.
"Don't do the same mistake you regretted if you're presented with a chance to redeem yourself."
Henry smiled and nodded at the advice. It's out of the blue, but then again, old people seems to like giving random advice to the youngsters. It's weird, but Henry appreciated it all the same.
"Of course, I don't plan on it. Thanks for the advice, madam."
Henry went back to the palace. He's worn out all of his excess energy. These days, he overall health seemed to be declining faster than usual. He should appoint another meet up with his official healer.
Henry couldn't meet Anastasia.
A week after he last snuck out the palace, he had collapsed in his study chamber. A young servant found him unconscious, limp on his desk.
Cinderella had said they sent a letter for his healer, which is on another country in matter of emergency, demanding his presence. He couldn't even get out of bed, or the energy to speak. He's stuck on his shared bed with Cinderella, and she's the only one he'd seen since. Not even Alexander, or his usual set of servants.
"You don't seem to have many hours left, husband," she commented, as she stirring the blank porridge by his bed side. Henry spared her a glance.
His sight had also rapidly worsen. All he could see of Cinderella was a blob of yellow, indicating by her blonde locks and her sweetly dragged voice.
"Well, I'm feeling generous today, and I think you deserve to know this, considering you will.. expire, if I dare say, a few days later," she fed him another spoonfuls of porridge, and massaged his throat carefully, ensuring him swallowed the food.
Cinderella went on with full storytime about how she and her father managed to lure Drizella into hiring his father as gardener, her became honorary Tremaine's youngest daughter, her helping her father ran with the jewelry and golds.
Cinderella sighed, full of satisfied smile in her tone, "It was so hard to lie to my dearest oldest sister. She saw me right through my obedient charade! Unfortunate for her, mother, Anastasia, and all the maids, thought I was a good little daughter who can do no fault."
She fed him again. "One day, she went into the woods. I was happy because she's not in the house for once. The trips become frequently for months, and then she stopped going. I was confused, until a mailman send a letter, it was addressed to her. I went into my room, and imagine how I feel when I read the utmost romantic and heartfelt confession. And it's from the crown prince!"
Henry felt his heart drop to his stomach. Cinderella laughed gleefully when she saw his dread expression.
"Whatever you're thinking right now, it's true. It was me who sent you the last letter. I lived with them for so long, I could easily forge their writing. It took me a week to craft the perfect letter with similar writing. Oh, it's so magnifying to see her moping around the house, stress eating the dessert, shutting Anastasia— the only one who trusted her, out," she sighed dreamily as she placed the bowl on the side table.
"The invitation to the ball came in, and I saw her threw it into the trash. Well, I couldn't just pass an opportunity to not go to the palace, and meet the royal family myself. My father had done his job expertly, you don't seem to recognize anyone without selling yourself out. I've never underestimate my beauty and image, it's so easy to dance with you. A few twisted story and sobs and sniffles, you fell for me," she lets out an evil laugh. "I mean, who wouldn't? A beautiful doll-like lady, sweet with her words, fragile, have a tragic background. Anyone would fell. It's unfortunate for you, you are the main male character. It would be a perfect ending for me! Live in a palace, rule a kingdom, and wealth that I have always dreamed of."
She stood from her seat, brushing off imaginary dust— not that Henry can see.
"I suppose I'll tell you farewell, the poison I sneak into your food seems to be working too good. Your personal healer would take at least a week before he could help you. By the time he got here, you would be buried already," she strolled to the massive door, hand rested on the knob. She gave him a look.
"Goodbye, husband."
That, was the last time Henry have seen her. From then, his usual servants took care of him.
Henry spent his days with regret. Sure, he regretted his actions when he left Drizella for Cinderella back then, but this time it felt like a reality slap to his face.
He couldn't get up. He couldn't meet Anastasia. And, he couldn't meet Drizella.
All hopes he have had withered away, like wilted flower.
Sometimes, when he's feeling nostalgic, his mind replayed all his treasured memories of his love. Her dark, healthy, and slightly curly locks. Her sharp eyes that he'd gladly drown in it. Her sinister smile that she displayed everytime she thinks he's acting stupid. Her rosy cheeks when she flustered after he teased and praised her for anything she did. Her soft yet firm voice, the one where she had insulted him with cheeky smile. And her lips.
Henry imagined their first kiss vividly. He remembered the way they held hand. The way soft lips pressed against him and how he felt as if he's flying on the air with countless rose petals. He remembered his hand caressed her soft pink cheek, both of them laughed breathlessly.
It was perfect.
Henry wished, if they were in another life, he never do the same thing as he did in this one. He swore, he'd protect her with everything he had and loved her unconditionally and ensure she'd known it.
Henry slept comfortably that night, accompanied by his memories.
Henry woke up when his back felt like it had snapped in two. He groggily opened his eyes, and groaned as he sprawled on the fluffy mattress.
His back hurts.
He sat as he rubbed his spine unconsciously, before his mind finally done rebooting itself. His eyes widen as he clumsily stood on his feet.
What on earth..?
He stumbled on his way to the bathroom. Energy he had long been depraved of thrumming under his skin. A gasp escaped his lungs when he saw his reflection on the full body mirror.
His proportion body seemed smaller than before. Baby fat clung to his cheeks, making them looked a bit rounder than his sharp features before he fell into bed rest.
And his eyes. He could see through them clearly. Even his strand of hair that stuck onto his forehead. He's not blind anymore!
Oh, goodness.
What happened? Is this his mind projecting onto him?
There was no way he'd suddenly become a teenager again.
He gulped, nervous as he steeled himself. He brought his hand up to his cheek, and pinched it hard.
He let go with a pained gasp. His cheek turned into bright red as he held his hand there, as if it would melt if he let it go.
Okay, it was real. He's a teenager again.
"Don't do the same mistake you regretted if you're presented with a chance to redeem yourself."
Henry froze. Did the old lady did something? Did she.. sent him into the past?
Fresh wave of determination ran it course through him. He wasn't going to waste this rare opportunity. And well, he had promised her he didn't plan on making the same mistake. And he had sworn to himself he'd give Drizella the love that she deserved.
And this time, he will make things right.