Italy X Reader - Cinderella CH.3

Chapter 3 - Torn

"Well, why not? After all, I'm still a member of the family. And it says, "By royal command... every eligible maiden is to attend."" You stated.

"Yes... So it does. Well, I see no reason why you can't go... if you get all your work done." Yao said, seeming nonchalant about you going.

"I will! I promise." You said, becoming a bit excited.

"And if you can find something... suitable to wear." Yao added.

"I'm sure I can! Oh, thank you, Stepfather." You smiled, before leaving to go finish up your chores.

~

"Isn't it lovely?" You held up your dress, showing it to Feliciano.

"It is nice, but it seems a bit worn through." Feliciano admitted.

"Well, maybe it is a little old-fashioned, but... I'll fix that." You said, posing it down on your bed. You noticed a book on your desk and flipped it open to find dress designs. "Wait a minute. There ought to be... some good ideas in here."

"How about that one?" Feliciano pointed.

"Not really my style." You flipped a couple more pages, before stopping and pointing at one. "I like this one."

"Yeah, that one's great!" Feliciano beamed.

"I'll have to shorten the sleeves... I'll need a sash... a ruffle... and something for a collar." You were making notes, figuring out how much fabric you'd need. "And then I'll-"

"___!" A voice called.

"Now what do they want?" You sighed.

"___!"

"___!"

"Well, guess my dress will just have to wait." You said.

"But what if you don't have time to finish it?!" Feliciano exclaimed.

"It's just one dance, it's not a big deal." You shrugged before heading down to see what wanted, leaving Feliciano to think. "All right, all right! I'm coming."

~

"-and this too, ___, my slippers. Now don't forget-"

"___, take my dress!" You were helping both Lien and Mei with their dresses. They both seemed to be complaining and ruining everything though, giving you more work.

"Here, mend the buttonholes. Press my skirt too, and mind the ruffle. You're always-"

"And, ___..." Yao spoke up.

"Yes?" You looked to him, holding some of Lien and Mei's things.

"When you're through, and before you begin your regular chores, I have a few little things." Yao held up a list of a few more chores.

"Very well." You sighed, taking the list.

"I don't see why... everybody else seems to have such nice things to wear... and I always end up in these old rags. This sash! Why, I wouldn't be seen dead in it!" Mei complained, tossing her sash behind her.

"You should talk! These beads! I'm sick of looking at them!" Lien broke the necklace, dropping the beads on the floor. "Trash! Oh, I hate-"

"I don't see why I can't have-" They both continued to complain, as you sighed and began to fix their dresses.

~

You helped Lien and Mei into their dresses and finished up the rest of your chores. You were about to go work on your dress when Yao called for you. You walked down the stairs to find Yao, Lien, and Mei all formal and ready.

"Yes?" You asked.

"The carriage is here." Yao answered, gesturing to the coachman and the carriage outside. He looked over your dress and raised an eyebrow. "Why, ___, you're not ready."

"I'm not going." You looked down, knowing you didn't have the dress for it.

"Not going? Oh, what a shame. But of course, there will be..." He paused. "Other times, and-"

"Yes. Good night." You interrupted, heading upstairs. You sighed, staring at the ground as you walked to your room. "What's a royal ball? After all, I suppose it would be... frightfully dull... and... and boring... and... and completely... completely wonderful."

You walked into your room and the light entered, revealing a beautiful dress. It had the same design that you had picked out from the book,but it was even better than you imagined. You gasped, putting a hand over your mouth.

"Oh, why... its my..."

"Surprise!" Feliciano emerged, smiling brightly. "I didn't think you'd have the time to finish it, so I did for you! You deserve it."

"Why, I never dreamed... It's such a surprise! How can I ever...why... Oh, thank you so much!" You hugged Feliciano. He hugged you right back, before pulling away.

"You better hurry and get it on." You smiled, but then began to frown, your heart dropping.

"What about you?" You asked.

"I wasn't invited." He shrugged, but smiled brightly again. "But go have fun, okay? You deserve it! I have to head home now. Ciao!"

He rushed out the door, leaving you to put on the beautiful dress he fixed up for you. But now, you really wanted to go to this ball with him. There's no one you'd rather dance with...

~

"Now remember, when you're presented to His Highness, be sure-"

"Wait!" You interrupted Yao, walking down the stairs. You were in your dress and had your hair all done up, ready to go to the ball. "Please... wait for me! Isn't it lovely? Do you like it? Do you think it will do?"

"___!" Lien gasped, looking over your outfit.

"Father, she can't!" Mei pleaded.

"You wouldn't-"

"Oh, no! You-"

"-let her!"

"Girls, please! After all, we did make a bargain. Didn't we, ___? And I never go back on my word." Yao stated. He looked at you, before gesturing to the necklace you wore. "How very clever, these beads. They give it just the right touch. Don't you think so, Lien?"

"No, I don't! I think she's-" Lien hesitated, when she noticed that the same necklace you wore, was the same one she destroyed earlier. "Why you little thief! They're my beads! Give them here!"

"What? No!" She tore off the necklace, breaking it once more.

"Oh... and look, that's my sash! Wearing my sash! She can't!" Mei shouted, grabbing what used to be her sash and tearing it off your dress.

"Don't! Please, stop!" You begged, as they began to rip other things off your dress.