Cursed Beauty (A Fairy Retelling #1)

by Dorian Tsukioka

  Her long, red curly tresses were straightened, and pinned atop her head in an elegant knot. Long, white gloves adorned her hands, covering her arms to the elbows, and everywhere, jewels sparkled, catching the light of the candle and dancing it throughout the room. Although the changes were all very beautiful, they were nothing compared to the change of her face. Her birthmark had entirely disappeared.

  Adelaide brought a trembling hand up to her cheek, and realized she could feel nothing through the fabric of the thick glove. She quickly removed it, and brought her fingers up to her face. She exhaled in a rush. The smooth, soft skin felt foreign to her fingertips. There were no more ridges, no dark splotches splayed across her visage like a map contouring her face. The absence of her birthmark rendered her unrecognizable. She could ask for no better mask.

  “The glass slippers will take care of your every need,” the old woman said again as she walked up behind Adelaide.

  Adelaide could not stop gazing at herself. She never imagined that she could look so normal, or that the absence of her birthmark would render her so beautiful. What a shame, she thought, that her mark had hidden her beauty for so long.

  “I know it is mesmerizing to see yourself dressed so,” said the old woman, “but you’ll be wanting to leave soon. The magic will not last for long.”

  “It won’t?” Adelaide said, clearly disappointed.

  “No, my dear. It will fade completely at midnight. You will want to make sure that you are back home by the strike of the twelve. I’ll be here waiting for you when you return.”

  “Midnight. So early?”

  “I know, it seems like such a short time to fall in love, but I’m certain that the shoes will give you quite an advantage.”

  “I told you, I’m not in love with the prince. I simply want to speak with him.”

  “I know you think so, dear, but trust me. I’ve seen a thing or two in my time, and after the prince dances with you, he’ll be head over heels in love.”

  “Is that part of the magic of the glass slippers?”

  “Perhaps. Or maybe it’s just what happens to young men when they find themselves with a beautiful young woman at the end of their arm. But, what is more important, is how you feel about him. I’ll be eagerly awaiting to hear if you have found your heart turned to love.”

  Adelaide doubted she would feel that way towards the prince. She’d been angry with him for so long, it was such a foreign thought to think of being in love with him.

  “It’s time to go, now, dear,” the old woman reminded her.

  “But, I still don’t have a way to get to the castle. It will take me hours to walk there in these shoes, and I don’t have a carriage to take me there.”

  “Trust me. Just open the door and start walking.”

  Adelaide opened the front door of the house, and stepped down the few stairs onto the ground. She took one step more, and found herself staring up the grand staircase just outside the castle, and into the eyes of a royal guardsman.

  CHAPTER 5

  “Do you have an invitation, my lady?” the guard asked her.

  Adelaide didn’t answer. She was nonplussed by how she had arrived at the castle the moment she stepped from her father’s threshold. She stared at the guard.

  “An invitation?” he inquired again.

  Invitation? She did have an invitation, didn’t she? Of course, she did. Back home in her bedroom where she had left it.

  “Ah, there it is!” the guard said, pointing to one of her gloved hands. She knew she hadn’t retrieved it before leaving the house. The words of the old woman echoed in her mind. They will provide for your every need. Evidently, the magic of the glass slippers could even procure a royal invitation out of thin air.

  Adelaide held it up for the guard to inspect. He took a perfunctory glance, and bowed low before her, allowing her admittance up the stairs and to the ball.

  Walking into the enormous ballroom of the castle, her attention fixated solely on the splendor of the Elder Prince’s birthday celebration. Servants, bedecked in clothing far more elegant than anything she owned, walked through the throng of guests, offering up platters filled with tempting delicacies and sumptuous hor d'oeuvres. Wine and champagne flowed freely from bottles, to crystalline glasses, to thirsty mouths.

  Everywhere she looked there were people. Men and women smiled at her as they passed by. In fact, they did more than just look at her, their gazes lingered on her like soft caresses. Adelaide knew what it was to be stared and gawked at, but these looks were of a different sort, full of admiration and longing. She felt the familiar blush rise in the cheeks, and was thankful she didn’t have to worry about her birthmark flaring crimson across her face. She lifted her chin, and continued walking through the multitude of guests, searching for Prince Julian.

  “Excuse me, my lady. May I beg a dance?” a young gentleman asked her with a bow.

  Adelaide wasn’t sure what she should answer. She was here only to speak with Prince Julian, but it would be such a wasted opportunity if she didn’t make the most of it. “I would love to.”

  The young man led her towards the center of the ballroom. In a flash of horrific comprehension, Adelaide became acutely aware that she really didn’t know how to dance. Her father had danced with her in the library of their home when she was a young girl, and taught her the basics of how to waltz, but she never actually needed to use that skill, especially in the arms of a handsome young man. She hoped desperately that he would be a strong lead, and that she wouldn’t embarrass herself too much.

  As the music started, he put his hand against the small of her back, and gathered her hand in his. Thankfully, it was a waltz, so Adelaide’s feet had some idea of what to do. As he twirled her around and led her through several complicated steps, she never faltered or misstepped. The magical glass slippers even seemed to help her coordination.

  The music came to a close, and winded from the exertion and excitement, Adelaide thanked the young man. She turned to depart before he could ask her to join him for a second, and found herself face to face with her stepmother. Adelaide knew that shock was written all across her face, and was ready for the verbal assault Celeste was likely to unleash on her.

  “Those are beautiful shoes. Wherever did you get them?” Celeste asked.

  Breathless from the dance, as well as the shock of seeing her stepmother, Adelaide took a moment to catch her breath. “They were a gift,” she finally replied.

  “I see. Quite extraordinary.”

  Adelaide wasn’t sure how to respond.

  “What is your name, my dear?” Celeste asked.

  “My name?”

  Celeste did not recognize her. Without her mark, Celeste didn’t know who she was. Adelaide decided to use a nickname her mother had given her, hoping it wasn’t close enough to her given name to cause suspicion.

  “Leidy. My name is Leidy,” she answered.

  Celeste opened her mouth to ask something more, but abruptly stopped as her gaze shifted to something just behind her. Celeste curtsied deeply, as Adelaide turned around.

  The Elder Prince was holding his hand out to her. “It would be my greatest pleasure if you would dance with me, fair maiden,” he said softly.

  Adelaide offered her hand, and he placed it in the crook of his arm, leading her once again to the dance floor. As they entered, other couples that had populated the floor dispersed. Everyone watched as Adelaide and the Elder Prince began to dance.

  Fear of falling and humiliating herself grasped her heart, but once again the glass slippers wove their magic into the rhythm of her feet as Prince Leon led her around the room in intricate circles. The music swelled, and Adelaide’s gaze lifted to meet the prince’s. She had been too nervous to look him in the eyes, but when she finally did, she saw him smiling kindly at her.

  The only time she had been this close to Prince Leon was when she was seven years old. He had grown into a very handsome man since then. His hair was long and dark, his smile broad
. Dark lashes framed his light blue eyes. The contrast between the lightness of his eyes and the darkness of his hair was both unsettling and beautiful. Though his smile was genuine, his eyes stared at her intensely.

  Adelaide wondered what he was thinking, but knew it wouldn’t be proper to speak before he initiated the conversation. They continued to dance in silence. Finally, the music came to a close, he spoke, still holding her in his strong embrace as if he were ready to dance once more.

  “You must forgive me,” he said.

  “Forgive you?”

  “I am a terrible host, and not at all an engaging dance partner. I was concentrating so hard on not mistaking the steps that I forgot to speak.”

  “Well, it didn’t help that everyone else stopped dancing and started watching us, did it,” she replied.

  He smiled even more broadly.

  “No, it didn’t. I hate when they do that. But, I have to confess, I was as much distracted by your beauty as I was by anything else.”

  The music began again. Other dancers, noticing that the Elder Prince was not initiating another dance himself, began to trickle onto the floor and twirl around the couple.

  “Thank you, Your Highness, for the dance. I enjoyed myself immensely,” Adelaide said when her senses came back to her.

  “I would very much like to spend some more time with you, if I may,” he started, “but for now, I must attend to some of my father’s business and greet some of the other guests.”

  “Of course. I would like that very much, myself.”

  “I will find you, then.”

  “I’m looking forward to it, Your Majesty.”

  The prince squeezed her hands tightly in a quick embrace, and bowed.

  “Later then, Lady…” he stopped, realizing he did not know her name, and looked inquisitively at her.

  Adelaide laughed. “That is my name. Leidy.”

  “Well, then, I shall see you again soon, Lady Leidy,” he teased.

  “Just Leidy will do,” Adelaide said with a smile. The Elder Prince turned and walked towards the end of the room where the king was speaking to a throng of important-looking men and woman. She decided to find some refreshment. Dancing, and talking with the prince had left her parched.

  The banquet table was overflowing with cuisine she barely recognized, but looked and smelled delicious. She found herself standing near some delicate looking pastries, and glanced down to find a plate full of croissants. She took one, and bit into it. Its flaky, buttery crust instantly melted in her mouth. Divine.

  “Would you like something to drink with that?” a familiar voice said next to her.

  She turned. Prince Julian held out a glass of champagne for her to take. “Ah, I see you have impeccable taste in food,” he said, with a twinkle in his eye. Thankfully, having a mouth full of food gave her an excuse not to say anything.

  “And I see that I have rendered you completely speechless. I seem to have that effect on women lately.”

  Adelaide wondered for a moment if he recognized her, but then realized he was joking. She took the glass of champagne and curtsied. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your thoughtfulness.”

  “I am nothing, if not thoughtful,” he said, with a smirk. “I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Julian. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?”

  For a moment, she teetered on the brink of telling him her actual name. But the excitement of being someone else, even for just an evening, won out. “Leidy,” Adelaide answered, realizing fully how ridiculous that sounded in a room full of lords and ladies.

  “Leidy? I don’t believe I’ve ever known anyone called that before.”

  “It’s a nickname my mother gave to me before she died, and it’s been dear to me ever since.”

  The prince’s smile turned to a frown and his eyes darkened. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.” He paused. “My mother died as well, some time ago.”

  Adelaide didn’t know what to say, or how to help steer the conversation. She had imagined coming to the ball, finding Julian immediately, and talking to him about this very thing, but now that he did not recognize her, telling him who she really was would be more complicated than she had planned.

  What would he say if she told him about the magic of the glass slippers? Would he call her a witch, and have her condemned for practicing black arts? Would he even listen to her? Perhaps the whole evening was a mistake, and she should have stayed at home. How was she going to apologize for her rudeness when he didn’t even know who she was?

  “Although I did not know your mother,” she said, “I’ve heard that she was a very kind, and considerate woman, and treated you and brother with warm affection.”

  “Oh, really? Where did you hear that?” he asked.

  From my father, she thought, and realized she couldn’t say that. Next would come questions about how her father had known the queen. The conversation was becoming more and more cumbersome.

  “It seems to be common knowledge,” she finally said. “Everyone loved her.”

  “They did, that’s true,” he acquiesced.

  “I’m sorry if I’ve made you sad,” she said.

  “Not at all. It isn’t often that I get to talk about her, actually. I love my brother and father, but they spend more time arguing than talking.”

  “Oh, really? Do they have strong temperaments?”

  He laughed. “You have no idea. They are both incredibly hot headed, and continually argue over how to govern the country. Stubborn, both of them.”

  “Aren’t you the argumentative type?” she asked with grin.

  “Well, sometimes,” he agreed sheepishly. “I swear, the both of them were meant to be born red-headed. I’ve always been warned of the tempers of red-headed people, like you. Do you find that to be true?”

  Adelaide smiled, thinking of how hot her temper could be, as well as her father’s at times.

  “Perhaps, on occasion,” she replied.

  She wondered what he or his brother would look like if they had crimson hair like hers. She noticed that Julian’s hair was fairer than his brother’s, a warm, chocolate brown. His eyes, however, were that same shade of piercing blue, like looking through the top of a frozen lake. She’d never given thought to how handsome he was, before. Her anger had always given her reason to not acknowledge that fact. Now, as he looked at her, a tiny shiver danced up her spine, and she wondered what it would be like to be in his arms and dance around the ballroom floor. Would his embrace be as firm and gentle as his brother’s?

  “Well, you seem far less likely to blow up at me than my family, or to give me the cold shoulder like another redhead I know.”

  “Oh, really?” she asked, her stomach tightening in knots. “Are you in the acquaintance of many redheads?

  “No,” he chuckled. “Only one, and I’m afraid that I’ve ruined any chance of truly being acquainted with her.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Oh, for a good number of reasons. I insulted her as a child. My family is also the cause for a great pain in her life. I’m not sure how forgiving I would be if I was her.”

  “What pain is that, Your Majesty?”

  Julian paused, and looked deeply into his champagne glass, as if he was considering the quality of the grapes. Finally, he spoke. “Her father, a trusted friend of my family, was killed recently while he was on his way home from the castle. I thought it would be best if I told his family, but now I realize how presumptuous of me it was to come and relay that news. My family is practically the cause of her father’s death. She must hate me. I can’t say that I blame her. If I had been in her position, I might hate me as well.”

  Adelaide thought for a moment before speaking. She wanted to choose her words carefully. “Excuse me, your Highness, I don’t mean to pry, but why does it matter to you if this girl hates you? Why does what she think matter at all?”

  Julian smiled. “Believe me, I’ve been asking myself that same question for weeks now, ever since
the night that I told her that her father had died. The look on her face broke my heart. It was full of so much anguish. I shouldn’t have been surprised when she fainted from the shock. I barely caught her before she hit the floor.”

  “You caught her?” she said in surprise. This was the first she had heard of that.

  “Yes, I did. I was filled with so much guilt, I spent the night beside her, making sure she was alright. Luckily, there was no bodily damage done, though I have no idea what ruin happened to her mind and soul that night.”

  He looked at Adelaide, and smiled. “You must think me an absolute horror of a man. Here I come to begin a conversation with you, the girl who so singularly stole my brother’s attention, and I spend all my time talking about someone else. I do apologize.”

  Adelaide smiled broadly. “I don’t mind at all. I’m happily surprised to know that there is still such chivalry in the world.”

  “Well, you are remarkably easy to talk to, Leidy,” he said.

  “Tell me more about her, this girl you gallantly caught and watched over.”

  “There isn’t that much more to tell. I don’t know her very well, and yet, I can’t stop thinking about her.”

  Adelaide wondered why. “Is she very beautiful, this girl?” she asked. Although she knew full well what his answer would be, she found her muscles clenching in anticipation to his negative response.

  “Others would say she is not,” he responded with a frown.

  “What would you say?” she whispered.

  “I would say that she has a fierce beauty that is sadly missed by the people who carelessly call her cursed and ugly. From what I’ve learned from her father, she also possesses a kind heart that is used to giving, with little thought of return.

  “Though I haven’t spent much time with her, I grew up knowing her father. I feel like I know her, through him. That probably seems silly, doesn’t it? There have been many times, though, when I felt like I knew his family better than my own.