Where's My Happy Ending? ((butterfly0408/Kolath))

[butterfly0408]

"Crista!! CRISTA!!!"

It was the same wake up call she heard every morning. Still sore from the night before, Crista groaned as she rolled over on her makeshift bed of straw and an old sheet on the stone floor of the kitchen storage room. She knew she had to rise before they called again or she'd suffer dearly for it later. And so with a sigh, she sat herself up, pausing a moment, before wobbling her way to her feet. She could not recall when she had crawled her way to her bed last night, but looking down at least she did it with her clothing still on.

No time to dilly dally any longer as she quickly climbed the few steps into the kitchen. Cook was so kind to already have the breakfast trays ready for her. Everyone within the house knew how she suffered and tried their best to make her life as easy as they could, when they could. "Thank you Rebecca," the fair, dark haired beauty smiled pleasantly to the plump cook as she went to pick up the trays... all four of them. She had become very good at balancing things in the last three years since her father passed away. That was when she went from being a lady of the house to a servant of the house. Among other things.

She quickly took the trays towards the stairs. The first stop was her first stepsister's room, Susanna. She demanded a new night cap from the markets today. Something pink and frilly. Her pale purple one did not please her anymore. "Yes stepsister."

The second stop was across the hall to her other stepsister's room, Danella. As Crista laid her tray down, Danella demanded a new hairbrush from the market... her's had hair in it. Heaven forbid, thought Crista once her back was turned to leave and she was able to roll her eyes.

The last stop was in the master bedroom, where her stepmother and her... she didn't quite know what to call him. Stepfather she supposed. Murder would be fit better in the long run. He was the one that took her father from her after all. Everyone with a brain in their head knew it, yet no one dare to or even just say anything about it. Not even she. Especially she.

Her sweet father had married Juliet, her stepmother, after a long hard period of mourning when her real mother passed away. It was a long time ago, but she could still recall that her mother was sweet and fair. When her father died, Juliet had her lover in her bed withing the week afterward. No time of moaning, no dressing in black. They married with a month. It was not long after their wedding that Crista realized just how much her life had changed.

She pushed open the door and greeted them bow with a curtsy and bow of her head, "Good morning... mistress. Good morning master."

 

[Kolath]

Dilian Culwich leaned up from where he had been laying next to his mistress. At least those that knew him the best knew that to be his true name, few of those living knew his name. He and his mistress had planned this con perfectly allowing her to gain access to the family and gain the favor of the Baron. It was not long after they were married before Dilian put a knife into the Baronâ??s back as he was out in the field, which Dilian still couldnâ??t understand why he had been there. The two cons had not waited to marry and put Dilian as the Baron taking the manor the land and the money for themselves.

He looked over at the girl that was the only thorn in their side if anyone ever found out just a little of their plot she would get everything. Fortunately the only one that could tell anyone about what happened was her and that is why they took special steps to be sure that she never felt free to talk to anyone. He leered at her his nostrils flaring in arousal if only his mistress would let him she would be totally broken in moments, ever since he moved in with them Crista had been subjected to the worst sexual tortureâ?¦except one thing. No matter what his mistress would not let him fuck her. growling softly he smirked, â??Itâ??s â??bout time you lazy slut.â? First thing in the morning and last thing at night it was almost a rule that they verbally degrade her just to keep her down.

 

[butterfly0408]

"Forgive me, master," she said as she lowered her eyes even more, "I would have been here sooner but-"

Before she could explain that she had been tending first two the other ladies of the house, her stepmother cut in. She spoke in a calm, yet malicious tone. Almost sweet really to someone that heard it for the first time, but to Crista, it was a terrible tone that made chills run down her spine. "What have I told you about that word, Crista?" Juliet said as she two sat up next to her partner in the bed, shooting the poor girl a sly smirk of a smile.

Crista swallowed a little and held her breath, "I never have a reason to use the word. There are no excuses for a lowly slave such as I."

"That's right. You exist only to benefit those above you. And being tardy with our breakfast certainly does not benefit us... now does it?"

"No mistress. It does not. Forgive me," Crista only hoped she was for the time being. She hated to start her day off with a punishment.

For a tense moment, it seemed Juliet was throwing the idea around in her head before she finally gave a dismissive wave of her hand, "For now, you are. Now, don't just stand that like the lazy slut you are, bring us our trays!"

"Yes mistress," Crista quickly moved across the room to lay a tray in each of their laps while she went about the rest of her daily morning routine, "Is there anything I can fetch for you at the market this morning mistress... master?"

 

[Kolath]

Waiting for the tray he quickly started to eat taking a moment to look up at her as she asked if they needed anything from the market. Taking a moment to look at his partner and now wife he drank from the cup that was given to him. â??Yes something more decent then this piss you call wine.â? He threw the cup at her missing totally hitting the wall beside her instead the remains of the liquid splashing everywhere. Dilian was a heavy drinker when he felt like it and normally spent a large amount of the day at least partially drunk if not passed out because of having too much. he turned his attention back to the food as though she was not worth anymore of his time.

--------

Prince Aiden slipped slowly along the wall of the hallway. He knew that his personal guard was going to be around here somewhere, he just had to find awayâ?¦

â??And just what is your majesty doing!â?

The voice frozen Aiden in the spot, he knew that he had been caught and that there was nothing for it now. â??Thomas I need to get out of here!â? he turned to look at the guard that was just a few years older than himself. â??You know what itâ??s like in here you just have to let me have one day of good clean air.â?

Thomas raised an eyebrow at the prince that he had just caught trying to sneak out of the palace grounds. â??No prince Aiden I do not have to on this your fatherâ??s orders overrule your own.â? He placed a hand on the princeâ??s shoulder smirking slightly. â??But those orders assume that I saw you.â?

Aiden smirked also clapping his dear friend on the shoulder before turning and running out the postern gate quickly heading into the village while the sun still rose slowly waking those that needed to hurry to their days work.

 

[butterfly0408]

Crista hardly even flinched with him throwing the wine. Once upon a time, it did, but by now she was use to it. Like second nature really for things to be happening around her like this. "Of course master. And for you mistress?" So far, her list was not a horrible one. At least they were not asking for items she knew would later come back to haunt her.

But then Juliet spoke... "Pick up rope Crista. Strong rope. And a new riding crop. You recall that I broke the last one." She smirked the whole while she spoke, casually cutting up her food and eating like a proper lady. Even through she was a proper bitch. "No, get going. You will be back by lunch or suffer for it. Away!" Juliet gave her a dismissive gesture of her hand.

Crista grew a little pale and nodded her head into a bow, "As you wish mistress." She was quick to depart. It was not like she had much time. It was 8:15 now, she had to be back and ready to serve the house hold lunch in the dining room by noon. Lord help her if she wasn't. She didn't make it once and never wanted to experience that kind of punishment again. Took her 30 minutes to walk to town and another 30 back, so... if she departed now, she could at least take some time to walk about. Could not buy anything. Looking had to be enough for her. She could not afford anything, and even if she could, bringing it into the house would be a mistake. If anyone found it... punishment once again!

Going down to the kitchen, she took her cloak off the hook by the door and was away down the road. Occasional, a passing traveler or neighbor would wave and she would smile and save back. No one knew her hidden pain inside since this whole thing happened. A few even offered her a ride into town. She could only smile and decline, letting them go along there way and continue walking while they rode off. Anything that made things easier for her was off limits. She sighed and half hour later, finally arrived, feet tired already, but she had a list.

Starting with her stepsisters items, they were simple finds. The wine would be next, and the rope and whip last. She dreaded having to buy the whip and rope, so saved it for last. In fact she had quickly picked up the wine as well, placing it in her market basket and had some time to kill just looking about. The only time she really had to herself. Walking past a stand, some simply beautiful fabrics caught her eye. How nice it would be to have a fine summer dress made of the pretty lavender pattern... she sighed once again.

 

[Kolath]

Aiden stretched sighing in content after the invigorating walk from the palace. â??Mmmm such a beautiful day.â? He walked through the town heading for the market quickly smiling and flirting just a little with a few of the girls. It was nothing much merely smiles and maybe a soft kiss of their hand making them blush and hurry away. There was something about that simple ability of treating a woman like a lady that made both their days and his. He was not even paying attention to what he was doing, who he met, or where he was going.

Besides pumping into a few people and animals nothing really ever came of his almost air-headedness. As long as the cobble stones were undamaged and others were watching where they were going nothing to horrible happened. Needless to say his foot suddenly caught on a stone that stuck out just enough farther than the others and he went sprawling backwards. His arms flailed out to stop his fall grabbing on to some poor innocent passing girl pulling her down with him. they ended up in a tangled mess on the ground with people around them laughing at the sight. â??I am so sorry miss I did not mean to grab you like that.â? He said as they were still trying to right themselves.

 

[butterfly0408]

It all happened so swiftly. One moment, she was turning to walk away from one stand to the next when suddenly she was on the ground, her basket landing next to her. Her first thought, before even if she was hurt or not was... please let everything in the basket be alright! Crista feared the wine would not have survived the fall. If it hadn't, she did not have enough coin to be another one! "Oh no!" she whispered a little as she struggled to her knees and started franticly looking through the basket. The bottle was NOT broken, only then did she finally breath in relief and move her focus to other things.

She had crashed into someone, that was her next thought. Of please do not let it be someone important. Someone that knew her family. That was all she needed was one of Juliet's stuck up friends reporting back that she was a clumsy girl and knocked them over. Crista did not even realize that it was him that had caused the crash. And so, she automatically went into begging for forgiveness mode, just to be safe, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry sir. I'm to clumsy for my own good..."

At last her eyes rose to finally see who it was she had collided with. Time seemed to just pause then, if only for a moment. He certainly was not one of Juliet's friends. She would recall a handsome man like his easily. In fact, she had never seen this man before in her life. It was a thought that suddenly made her sad. He was the kind of man you could see every day forever and never go tired of looking upon him. He was like an image from a dream. Crista started to stumble over her apologizes, "I... I'm s... sorry... sir..."

 

[Kolath]

As Aidenâ??s eyes came up to meet hers he smiled on instinct. It was warm and welcoming and a true smile not just something that you put on when you want to appease someone. He was a bit taken aback for a moment as she started saying she was sorry for what had clearly been his fault. Time had indeed seemed to stop totally for the both of them as their eyes finally locked onto the others. it was as though throughout all time everything in the world was working up to this one point and now destiny was deciding what would be done next.

Finally he found his tongue yet again smiling all the more. â??No no beautiful lady it was not your fault in anyway.â? He reached out and took the handle of her basket standing holding it for her without asking. His other hand was held out to her to help her stand. he could not believe two things, one how beautiful she was even under the dirt, grime and if he wasnâ??t mistaken bruises. The second was how someone could do this to such a beautiful maid as she was. It was clear that her family had either fallen on hard times or her servants were very lax in their duties for her to be in this shape because she surly must have been a noble lady.

 

[butterfly0408]

He called her beautiful? He actually called her... beautiful? It was suddenly as she was standing watching them from another angle. She could see how she looked and it was certainly anything BUT beautiful. She had to have misheard his words. A trick of her mind. She shook her head a few times to attempt to clear it, "No, no..." she started once again, kindly protesting his hand with her own, waving it slightly and starting to pull herself up on her own. She was not at all accustomed to being helped with it being some kind of trick. But then she reconsidered it. It could be a trick NOT to take it. Somewhere in her head, everyone plotted against it. Call it paranoia. Yes indeed call it that. And thank Juliet for it's presence in her everyday life. She was already half to her feet before she took his hand, but it made time stop once again. This time, a sort of spark seemed to suddenly connect them. A simple touch, yet it felt like so much more. Even when she was one her feet, her hand continued to rest in his. "It was... my fault..." she commented softly.

 

[Kolath]

He felt the spark also and felt another as he looked slightly down into her eyes again. He had heard about this feeling in books but had never believed it to be really true. He stood there looking into her eyes for the longest moment not feeling time pass at all. â??I swear it was mine my lady and I would fane to know the name of the beautiful woman that I have wronged this day so that I might repay you in some way.â?

It was in that moment that he realized where he was and that it was not the kingâ??s court. Taking a moment to look around he realized that many of the people were giving him weird stares wondering why he was speaking so elegantly. â??I mean please forgive me Miss I wasnâ??t looking where I was going.â? He said taking on the air of a common man rather than one used to the high court, also slipping his hand out of hers.

 

[butterfly0408]

She was certainly one of the ones looking at him a little oddly. Not only used that word again, 'beautiful' but a serious of others that not normal person would ever speak to her. Not unless... her hand snapped away slightly in that final moment as their hands parted ways. The thought this was somehow a tricky trap of one of her stepmother's friend suddenly came racing to her head once again. Her manner changed, she became like a frightened animal, looking for a ways of escape. The moment she spoked an opening, she was swift to take it, even though she highly regretted being in his presence any longer, "You are forgiven, though truly there is nothing to forgive." Somehow she had taken her basket back from him in the confusion and it rested upon her arm once again, "Good day sir," she said with a quick bow of respect and she turned, walking away.

She could not help but feel a pain in her very heart as she walked away. Some kind of distant feeling inside that this was wrong. She was walking in the wrong direction. She should be walking towards him, not away. But her head overpowered her heart and so she kept moving off into the crowd, not even giving him her name.

 

[Kolath]

He just stood there watching as she grabbed the basket and rushed away. He could almost feel a part of his heart going with her. he could only stand there watching her disappear into the crowd. In a instant he realized that he was letting something slip through his grasp that he needed to have in his life. he wasnâ??t going to let that happen. â??Hey wait!â? he started after her through the press of people doing his best to try and catch her before she got too far.

 

[butterfly0408]

She truly did seem to vanish into the crowds. Glancing back she saw him starting to give chase on her, but she knew this market very well. Better than most. Two quick movements and she had turned herself around, out of his sight. She was soon heading right back the way they came while he was still moving the way the way she had gone. Taking one more glance back, she saw him drifting away. Once more that tugging at her heart filled her, trying to get her to turn around one more time and follow him, talk to him again, but she would not give in. She decided it best to finish her tasks and just get home early. She turned and started to head for the one place she could get the rope and the riding crop... on of the local stable master's stalls.

 

[Kolath]

Finally he stopped somewhere deeper in the market he had totally lost her. he could feel his heart almost give out at the thought that she might be gone for good. He turned around and started to walk back through the market not caring where he went almost wanting to walk off a cliff rather than go through life without at least knowing her name. he sighed and took one look up just for a moment not caring what was going on around him. it was that look that saved his heart. There she was walking toward one of the smaller stables not on the look out for him just going about her normal business. Quickly and silently he started to follow her doing his best to remain hidden.

 

[butterfly0408]

She was standing at the stall, speaking with the middle aged seller. The two seemed to know one another well. They did much business together. "What can I get for you today?" he asked her with a hearty smile.

"Well," she started, looking at the items on display, "the baron and baroness need rope and a new riding crop today. Something a little strong then the last time for both."

"Stronger?!" he asked, shocked. "What kind of horse are those two training?! The last riding crop I sold you was a brutal one. The animal still has not broken?"

Oh the things she could respond to that with. How could she tell him she knew VERY well how brutal that last crop was and that SHE was the animal that they were trying to break. "It's a very...... spirited animal," was the only reply she could come up with.

"Well, I have one a bit stronger. Wait here... but you tell the baron and baroness that I recommend this be the strongest they EVER on a horse," he started to move towards the storage area to get her items for her. His parting words before vanishing into the back were, "They certainly are brutal on their animals..."

"Tell me about it..." she whispered on a sigh.

 

[Kolath]

Aiden stood to one side watching the exchange and wondering who she could be talking about. surely she was the baroness not a servant like she was acting. Something did not fit right and he planned to find out just what it was. He waited while the seller went back into storage still trying to work out something to make it so she didnâ??t run away this time. Finally he moved over standing behind her just a little bit away and coughed lightly. â??You are a hard one to follow you must know this market well. â??

 

[butterfly0408]

She jumped, a little startled to hear him speak to her once more. Her heart fluttered at the sound, knowing it was her mystery man before she even had to look. When at last she did look, her heart went and fluttered once again. He was just....... sooo handsome. "You again," she said, trying to hide her happiness that he was there, that he had followed her. "You followed me? I don't see why. You know I should not talk to you. You are complete stranger..."

 

[Kolath]

He smiled, â??Why shouldnâ??t I follow you? After all it is not often that a man comes upon such a rare find as you in the market. I guess today was just my lucky day.â? He smiled charmingly his hand going to rest on the cover of the stall only slightly hemming her in so she could not get away. He wasnâ??t blocking her but his body language screamed that he wanted her to stay. â??I cannot let you get away till I at least know your name.â?

 

[butterfly0408]

Crista felt a little nervous by him. True, she had been cornered many times before, but not like this. She was use to her stepfather or stepmother, but not a handsome stranger coming on strongly. Even his words made her nervous. A normal girl would see them as innocent and charming comments for her, but her mind was tainted by all the things she had been called over the past few years by her family. He was coming off very sexual to her. Perhaps he really was one of her step mother's friends after all. She knew that there were some that knew. Others that were just as dark in their private lives as the baroness was. She just never knew who it was. Was THIS one of them? Who else would show interest in her beside on of Juliet's perverted friends.

"Something tells me you know who I am very well already sir and please I have very little time for your games. I need to return home before lunch service begins. I think someone like you would know that the baroness does not take kindly to a late lunch." Crista had him pegged totally wrong!

 

[Kolath]

He blinked pulling back slightly taken aback by what she had said. Did she know who he was? She seemed to know that he was a noble no matter that he tried to hide it. however there was more to it, she was insisting that she was a servant in every way. He just could not believe it but he took a second look at her clothes and the dirt everywhere and knew that she was speaking the truth. Howâ?¦how could he have felt this way about a servant, and how was he still feeling the same way. Stepping back slightly he sighed. â??Iâ??m sorry I wasnâ??t trying to suggest anything, I merelyâ?¦â? he paused biting his lip thinking over what he wanted to say, â??I merely wished to know such a beautyâ??s name no matter what her station maybe. Just give me your name and I will let you be on your way.â?

 

[butterfly0408]

His reaction was not how she expected it to be. Now she was confused as well. Was he or was he not who she thought him to be? Perhaps she didn't really know anything about him at all. So then the only thought that came over her was now she had just made a total fool of herself in front of a total stranger. To hell with playing it save now, she didn't care is she misstepped with a friend of the baroness or nor, she had to end this awkwardness.

Thankfully, it was at that moment that the seller returned with her items. She quickly paid him and put the items into her basket. Turning to him once more, she spoke nervously, but with conviction, "If you are who I think you are you know my name well and I do not appreciate this game to cat and mouse to try and play sir. And if you are not who I think you are, then I prefer you not to know my name for I have just made a complete and utter fool of myself. Good day sir." She quickly departed once again, this time taking a winding path through the market that she knew he could not follow.

She felt tears welling up in his eyes as she hurried away. She knew deep inside she had just let something slip through her fingers that could have been good for her. Something that she might never get another chance at. Perhaps she could have had happiness, if only for one morning in the market. Instead, she was escaping like a scared animal.

 

[Kolath]

He sighed watching her leave not knowing what it was that he had done. He had never met anyone that was like her in anyway. Turning back through the crowd he made his way slowly toward the castle. He had been so used to people knowing who he was and not daring to not answer him that he did not realize how much his actions would have sacred any girl let alone one that was used to being dominated, and controlled.

It confused him and he knew that he needed to speak to someone that had more experience with beingâ?¦well normal for lack of another way of putting it. He thought about it and finally settled on one person that he could talk to about this, his personal guard that had let him go out this morning, he would be able to help and understand.

 

[butterfly0408]

Crista was home much earlier then she usually was. There was more then enough time to place each of her family's requested items in their proper places. She was even able to join cook in the kitchen and give her a hand. The cook objected of course. She knew the torment that Crista went through, telling her that she deserved a little time to herself. But the truth was Crista needed sometime to keep her mind off of the events from this morning. It bothered her the more she let herself think about it, for the more she realized she had misjudged that poor man. She had made a fool of herself AND surely had insulted him. She had so few people she could have any kind of conversation with. When she had a chance at it, she let her paranoia ruin it. Now she was with no one but cook. Being alone was sometimes even worse then all the things she was forced to endure. With a sigh, she tried to push him from her mind still, and went on with her dreaded life, serving lunch and getting down to her OTHER duties...


Meanwhile, the prince's guard had a big smile on his face and amusement in his voice as he finished up giving the prince advice. The whole situation had him laughing. The prince striking out with a common girl, even though the prince still swore there was more to her then that. But the guard brought it to his attention that if she really was a baroness, she would have known who he was with one look. The prince, not able to use his charm. For the first time, he knew a taste of what it was like to be a normal person. Not a person that had people begging and bowing all the time to be in his favor. Perhaps trying to get to meet this girl and know her would help him. It certainly would humble him if he knew more what it was like to be a common servant in the kingdom. The prince could but a real face to it. Something his father had never done.

"Prince Aiden, you cannot treat this girl like a lady. Just as you cannot treat a lady like a common girl. It's like an insult to both. You would be better off treating this girl more like you treat me. She'll respond more favorable to it. Just... talk to her. That's all you have to do."

 

[Kolath]

Aiden look highly perplexed at that still not sure what Christian was meaning by that but he supposed he could give it a try. â??I told you Christian when we are alone you can call me Aiden, I donâ??t like one that I consider my friend calling me Prince when no one else is there to get them in trouble.â? He sighed, â??And are you sure that she would like it better? All girls donâ??t want treated like a princess?â?

 

[butterfly0408]

Christan laughed again and put his hand on Aiden's shoulder, "Of course all girls would LIKE to be treated as a princess, but if someone is not use to it, it can strange and different for them and..." Christan's tone grew a little darker, "If someone not use to being treated kindly at all, being suddenly treated like a queen could frighten." The prince had no idea of the things out there in the world. The dark side of the world. The way that he described this girl's reactions to him... Christan had not met her or even seen her, but he could sense that if she had such reactions... being treated like a princess was the total opposite of how she was treated.

"Aiden!" a voice suddenly roared from down the hall. It was the strong commanding voice of his father, the king. His footsteps were heavy and fast, joined by the sounds of ladies shoes trying to keep pace. His mother was with him it seemed, fighting to keep up. What else was new. She was always a few steps behind her husband.

"I think it best I leave the to your father, Aiden," Christen said with a bow, "I wish you luck. You shall need it."

As Christen snuck out one door, in burst his father through the other. His mother entering soon after. The king was a tall, broad, plump man. Pictures painted of him in his youth showed him to have once been muscular, fit, and handsome. It was doubtful those were painted from him modeling, for he was always this plump bump on a log all of Aiden's life. His mother was still a beautiful woman. Her youth was gone, but her face still fair, her dark hair only just starting to gray.

"Aiden! Sit! We need to speak!"