Arvin_Bantasan

She was supposed to be dancing with the prince under the luminous moonlight in the royal garden, enjoying music, feeling the vibrancy of love and freedom. However, it was not as what she expected, she suddenly felt weak, her visions started to blur, and she knew she would fall anytime now. Before losing all consciousness, words were given to her by the prince that continues to hold her as if they were still dancing.

"Die for me, my princess. I love it when you die." 

She was woken up by her fairy godmother telling her that she must go to the ball, that she must experience everything all over again.

Cinderella: A Twisted Encounter

"Remember, Cinderella, that you MUST be back once the clock is at twelfth 'o clock or the magic wears off."


"Yes, fairy godmother, I shall remember those words, and just one last for all of this. Thank you."


"Oh now, what is with this child! Don't you go making an old lady blush now, off you go. Go, go ahead now."


And thus, the magnificent carriage went off to the Royal Castle. Along with it is a proud coachman, an exuberant footman, five fabulous stallions, and a nervous, anxious Cinderella.


As she twiddles her thumbs atop her elegant "blue" dress, thoughts run wild on how to take in the situation and how to manage once she is in the castle premises. Looking at the windows did not help easing the anxiety growing inside her, only trees and darkness is in view during the travel.


It is just a few more minutes and Cinderella would enter the royal garden and traverse onwards the esteemed event that every woman in the country is dreaming of attending. However, one cannot just remove worry immediately especially in certain unique circumstances. As this is the case with the ever-beautiful Cinderella, she started pacing back and forth inside the carriage, all the while moving her hands in different poses. Under her chin, at her back, crossed, all of what was instinctual to one that is in deep thought.


"Miss Cinderella, we are about to enter the royal premises," said the Proud Coachman. 


"What to do?! What to do?! Why did he have to be so goddamn fast?!" Cinderella whispered as she shouted internally.


Luckily, the coachman didn't hear the somewhat hate-laden murmurs of the lady in "blue." He just became prouder as he thought that her client was complimenting him. Though the horses, endowed with superior auditory senses, began to feel skeptical due to what they heard. 


Massive gates opened and the magnificent carriage dyed in colors of vibrancy entered the point of no return. Paved roads made travel seemed like floating in mid-air, and the surroundings are full of well-maintained greenery. As the Royal Castle never wastes effort in creating and sustaining an image fit for their status, this goes to show that even their garden must be of the most exquisite look. 


There are still a few moments until they arrive at the inner castle doors, and so Cinderella forced herself to calm down and arrange her thoughts. It was a hard feat to command your mind to settle in times of turmoil, and yet Cinderella had no choice for if she were to present herself in the state that she was in, disastrous things might happen. 


The carriage slowed down, signaling Cinderella that they are now within reach of the castle doors. A few carriages are still holding up the line, though all of the people going out are turning their heads and causing more delays. It is really hard to resist looking into something as extravagant as a carriage decorated with precious jewels. One simply does not encounter these in their daily lives. 


The carriage is now in full stop. There is no turning back anymore, she had to do this, she had to make sure that this will all be worth it. 


"I just need to calm down. I will make sure that I will not die."


And the footman opened the carriage's door.


First. The Suspicious Event