Italy X Reader - Cinderella CH.2

Chapter 2 - Sing Sweet Nightingale

"Good morning, Mei." You carefully said her real name.

"Well, it's about time! Don't forget the mending. And don't be all day getting it done, either!" She said, gesturing to a couple torn outfits. You picked them up, as Feliciano set up her breakfast.

"Yes, Mei." You both walked out and Feliciano gave you a concerned look.

"Bella... They don't treat you right at all. Doesn't that bother you." He asked, hushed.

"I guess I'm used to it." You shrugged, as he frowned a bit more. You walked into the last room, but found it to be quite dark. You walked in a bit more, Feliciano behind you, as you began to see who sat on the bed. You almost dropped all the laundry when you saw China. But it made sense with Vietnam and Taiwan being his daughters. "Good morning, Stepfather."

"Pick up the laundry and get on with your duties, aru." He stated, as Feliciano served him breakfast.

"Yes, Stepfather." You picked up another laundry basket and headed out, as Feliciano went to catch up with you.

"They all treat you like a servant." Feliciano frowned, again.

"Yeah, well, I guess not being blood related to them doesn't make me good enough." You sighed and began to head downstairs. That is, until a scream pierced the air.

"Father! Oh, Father!" Mei bursts out of her bedroom and glared at you when she saw you. "You did it! You did it on purpose! Father!"

She ran into China's room, as Lien emerged from her room.

"Now what did you do?" She glared, before walking over to China's room.

"What did you do?" Feliciano gave you a puzzled look, knowing you hadn't done anything.

"She put it there! A big ugly mouse... under my teacup!" You heard Mei whine.

"But you weren't even handling the tea, that was me!" Feliciano exclaimed. You both walked over to the room to see what was up.

"___!" You heard China shout, as you entered.

"Yes, Stepfather?" You asked.

"You are gonna get it!" Lien huffed, as she and Mei walked out.

"Close the door, ___." China ordered. You did as said and sighed, turning back to him.

"Oh, please, you don't think-" You were interrupted.

"Hold your tongue!"

"She's telling the truth, I was the one working with the tea. She had nothing to do with it." Feliciano tried to defend you.

"Now, no need to take the blame, Vargas. I know you're new, but she's more of a nuisance than you think." China said, placing the blame on you. "It seems we have time on our hands."

"But I was only trying to-"

"Silence! Time for vicious practical jokes. Perhaps we can put it to better use. Now... let me see." China pondered for a moment, before looking back to you. "There's the large carpet in the main hall. Clean it! And the windows, upstairs and down. Wash them!"

"Please, it really was my fault." Feliciano tried to explain.

"Oh, yes... and the tapestries, and the draperies." China ignored him.

"But they're already fin-"

"Do them again! And don't forget... the garden... then scrub the terrace... sweep the halls..." China continued to name off chores. "And the stairs... clean the chimneys. And of course, there's the mending, and the sewing, and the laundry. Oh, yes, and one more thing. See that my dragon gets his bath."

You sighed, looking to the ground. China looked to Feliciano.

"You're work is done for now, return this afternoon to help with a few things." Feliciano seemed like he was going to argue, but instead sighed and left. Looks like you were going to need to start on your chores.

~

"The pear-shaped tones. Oh, sing sweet nightingale, sing sweet nightingale high... Above me. Oh, sing sweet nightingale, sing sweet nightingale high... Above..." You were scrubbing the floor as you heard Lien sing above. You knew the song from the Cinderella movie and decided to softly sing along.

"Oh, sing sweet nightingale, sing sweet nightingale high... Oh, sing sweet nightingale, sing sweet nightingale. Oh, sing sweet nightingale, sing... sweet... Oh, sing sweet nightingale, sing..." You sung to yourself. You wetted your rag and continued to clean the floor, oblivious of your surroundings. "Oh, sing sweet nightingale, oh, sing sweet... Oh... Sing..."

You faded off, but then your eyes widened. There was dirt everywhere and it happened while you were cleaning! You looked over to see Yao's dragon snicker, before flying off.

"You mean old thing! I'm just going to have to... teach you a lesson." You grabbed the broom, ready to chase him down, when you heard a knock at the door.

"Open in the name of the King!" A voice called. You walked over and opened the door to find a small man, he held up a letter to you. "An urgent message from His Imperial Majesty."

"Thank you." You smiled and took it, before closing the door. You looked it over, before looking upstairs. "He said its urgent. Maybe I should interrupt the... uh... music lesson..."

You hesitated, before heading upstairs. You pause, before opening the door.

"___!" Yao stood up from his place at the piano. "I've warned you never to interrupt while-"

"But this just arrived from the palace." You said, holding up the letter.

"From the palace!" Mei exclaimed.

"Give it here!" Lien took it from your hands.

"Let me have it!" Mei swiped it from her hands.

"No, it's mine." Lien huffed, taking it back.

"No-"

"I'll read it." Yao took it and opened it. "Well... There's to be a ball."

"A ball." Lien smiled.

"In honour of His Highness, the Prince!" China exclaimed.

"Oh, the Prince!" Mei swooned.

"And by royal command, every eligible maiden is to attend." China read.

"Why, that's us." Lien gestured to herself and Mei.

"And I'm so eligible!" Mei exclaimed. Realization came to you.

"Why, that means I can go too!" You said.

"Her, dancing with the Prince!" Lien scoffed.

"I'd be honored, Your Highness." Mei mocked, pretending to be you. "Would you mind holding my broom?"