Cinderella AU
You could still remember it, the day all happiness left your home to never return again. You could remember how your mother refused to leave your father's side for hours, even after his fingers had long gone cold. You could remember having to make your mother dinner each night, practically forcing it down her throat. You remember being forced to get a job at the age of ten since your mother had no income to support you. You could remember the day your mother died on the inside, but worst of all you remembered the day she returned, never to be the same.
You wished you could remember when the happiness was still there. When the light of a candle brought warmth and light to even the darkest corners and not your only heat source for the winter. When the silence was squashed by your father's whistling or deep laughter and not death threats from your mother. When your free time was spent running and playing with the other kids of the village and not scrubbing the floors for the fourth time that day, as you were doing now.
You had already scrubbed them thrice as she always demands but after that third time you were forced to clean the chimney in her room, the only fireplace in the house, thus tracking soot all over them again. At first she was outraged, claimed that she could never understand how one person could be so careless and stupid at the same time, before she walked out of the house claiming she needed a walk to clear her head.
So you scrubbed the floors until they were clean and ran off to the tailors already ten minutes late for your shift.
In all honesty you sucked at sewing but it was the only job you could get, all of the other merchants were afraid that you would act like your mother, but not Richard, the owner of the shop. Richard remembered your father, who he was truly; even remembered who your mother used to be, before her heart turned cold after your father's death.
He often told you stories of his youth while he sewed. Stories about your parents, their amazing love story, when they first had you. He told you of your father's bravery and courage, of your mothers beauty and kindness. Sadly none of this was true today.
The bell chimed above your head as you entered the small shop, a smile appearing on your face as you smelt cinnamon in the air, Richards wife must be in.
"Y/N darling" You heard Elizabeth's sweet, soft voice as she rounded the corner, her arms open so that you may give her a hug.
"Hello Elizabeth" You grinned as you returned her hug.
"Now I'm afraid you caught me at a bad time I was on my way out" She frowned slightly "But I'd love to catch up with you at a later time"
"I'd be delighted" You grinned as you waved goodbye.
She returned your grin and stepped out of the shop, leaving the wonderful cinnamon sent in the air.
You removed your coat and stepped behind the counter towards Richard's workshop, knocking lightly before letting yourself in.
As soon as you walked into the room you saw Richards eyes go wide as he threw a blanket over the mannequin in the middle of the room. "Y/N you're late"
"I slept in" You lied easily, having done it since you were little. "I really am sorry, I swear it won't happen again and I'll even come in early" You began to ramble, you needed this job.
Richard chuckled softly, his deep velvety smooth voice instantly calming your frayed nerves "You don't need to lie to me Y/N. I know you didn't oversleep but I also know you wish not to talk about it"
The corners of your lips lifted up slightly at his words. After your father's death Richard became your best friend. He always looked out for you and he often knew you better than you knew yourself.
"Thank you" You said in a soft voice "So what are you working on" You asked as you gestured to the now covered mannequin.
"Nothing you need worry yourself about" He said in an almost sad voice, the voice that only ever came out when he was thinking about something. "But never mind that, gather your coat we have an appointment with the princes in the palace"
"The palace?" You asked.
"Yes his royal highness" He spoke the title as if it were an insult in itself, in an almost mocking way that made you giggle softly "is throwing a ball in honor of his eldest son and we have been hired to make them both garments for said ball"
Your eyes lit up much like a kid's on Christmas morning, you were going to not only visit the palace, the most gigantic extravagant building you had ever seen, but you were going to meet the princes. "Really?"
"Yes really" Richard chuckled as he gathered up notebooks and measuring tapes. "Now if we don't hurry we will be late" He extended his arm to you which you took gladly, the two of you making your way to the palace, a small skip in your step that had not appeared since you were a kid.
-
The guards let you in through the magnificent gate with no issue. You clutched onto Richards arm tighter as you were led through the palace, marveling at everything as you walked past it.
The art alone was enough to take your breath away, each piece, as it seemed, more beautiful than the last. The guard led you into a large room, at least twice the size of your house, before leaving you and Richard alone, shutting the door behind him.
"Oh Richard everything is so gorgeous" You breathed out as you squeezed his arm again, him being your only tether to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and your mind from spinning.
You faintly heard his laugh but his reply was cut off by the sound of another pair of double doors opened and two extremely tall men stepped through them. You felt your jaw drop as you looked at them, both of them extremely handsome, living up to every rumor you had ever heard, small smiles on both of their faces as they looked at you.
You felt a tug on your arm and looked over to see Richard bowing, you quickly regained your wits and curtsied, squeaking out a small "Your highness" as you tried to hide your blush.
"Please none of that, call me Dean" You heard the slightly shorter of the two speak, his voice deep and slightly gruff.
"Sam" The other one nodded simply, his hands held behind his back as he sent a look to his brother, a smirk on his face.
"If it's alright with you I'd like to get started immediately" Richard spoke "I want as much time as possible to ensure that I get these measurements correct."
"Of course just tell us where you want us to be" Sam answered a smile never leaving his face as Dean's eyes never left you, a fact that you nor Sam missed.
"Dean if I could get you on that pedestal over there" Richard pointed across the room "and Sam I leave you in the trusty hands of my colleague on this pedestal"
You could have sworn you saw Dean's smile falter slightly at this news but he recovered so quickly that you doubted it, chalking it up to wishful thinking.
You directed Sam onto the raised area and began taking his measurements starting with his legs. It was silent for quite some time before Sam spoke up. "I believe you have captured my brother's attention."
You looked up at him in shock before quickly averting your attention back to his torso "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about your highness."
"Please call me Sam" He quickly corrected you. "Though I'm sad to say I don't know what to call you."
"Arm up please" You said doing your best to ignore his question as you took down his measurements.
"Though I can't say I don't understand where his affections are coming from" He continued as a smirk appeared on his face "You are quite beautiful"
A blush appeared on your cheeks as you bit back a grin "Thank you your- Sam"
Sam grinned as he tried to find a new conversation topic. "So do you enjoy being a tailor"
"In all honesty no, I am horrible at sewing" You chuckled slightly, taking down another measurement.
"And I'm letting you make me something to wear for a ball?" Sam asked.
Your eyes widened and you looked up at him ready to assure him that you do not actually make the garments only to stop as you saw the smirk on his face that told you he was joking. You started laughing drawing Dean's attention back to you. He watched as you threw your head back and allowed bubbly laughter to fill the air, admiring your beauty as your hair framed your face perfectly.
"I must admit it has been my goal this entire time to ensure that you look awful at this ball" You said fighting back more laughter as it was Sam's turn to laugh, waves of jealousy making their way through Dean as he watched the two of you interact.
"I believe that is all the measurements I need, thank you for your time" Richard said with a knowing smile on his face as he watched Dean watch you.
Dean quickly thanked Richard and made his way over to you and Sam, both of you laughing so hard that tears streamed from your eyes.
"What's so funny?" Dean asked with an obviously fake laugh as he tried to seem as casual as possible.
"Nothing" Sam shook his head, taking your hands and helping you to your feet making Dean involuntarily clench his jaw. "Thank you for this" Sam directed this to you as you nodded with a smile still on your face.
"No problem" You said as you looked up at the clock "though I am afraid it is time that I depart"
"I'll walk you out" Dean offered immediately, offering his arm to you as he led you out of the palace.
For a while you and Dean walked together in silence, albeit a comfortable one, before you broke it. "The palace is absolutely breathtaking"
Dean smiled as he watched your eyes eagerly skimmed over every inch of the walkway. "If you like this you should see our garden, it was always my mother's favorite."
"It sounds lovely" You answered.
"I could show you now if you'd like" Dean replied immediately, eager to spend more time with you.
"I'd love to" You began slowly "Though I am afraid I'm needed elsewhere at the moment."
Dean's smile faltered slightly but he quickly repainted it "No problem, shall we say at a later date?"
"I'd like that" You said with a smile as Dean led you down the steps and out of the gate.
However, once you had cleared it you saw the one person who could ruin anything, even a day as great as this. You felt your eyes widen and your skin pale as you saw your mother standing just down the street, her arms crossed and a scowl on her face as she glared at you. "Though I'm afraid at the moment I must leave" You said as you let go of Dean's arm walking briskly down the street.
"Wait I never got your name" Dean called as the guards stepped in, preventing him from leaving he palace grounds.
"I'm sorry" was all you called over your shoulder as you ran to your mother, her scowl only growing deeper as you neared. You were in for one hell of a night.
