Chapter 1: Lady Luck

Cinderella Farmington P.O.V

Spring 1821

The kingdom of Nevera

I guess am starting the whole introduction with my name. My father loved fairytales as do I. He and my mother always admired the story of Cinderella. How she was able to overcome the trials and then found her prince charming. My mother always told me that Cinderella was her inspiration. Yeah am using the word WAS because she's gone now, they're both gone now leaving me with nothing but my name,"Cinderella" but I would prefer to be called Cindy. 

Well my life isn't really that good rather it's constricting just like Cinderella's. I'm currently walking around the market with my basket full of groceries while humming an old and well-known ballad to myself. 

Welcome to my life!

My own typical story.....

Right now am hoping to be done with shopping so I can spend some time alone in town, before heading home. Shopping is the only time I have to be free, it's like my lunch break an escape for me to be able to escape the taunts and ridicule from my stepmother and my annoying stepsisters who notoriously make my life difficult. There's also another reason why I enjoy these weekly trips, I really hope to finally see the forest ranger and find the courage to speak to him.

I live in the Kingdom of Nevera that is ruled by the wealthy and most powerful King, Alaric the II which a lowly girl like me has never seen. The powerful King Alaric the II is the owner of the entire land and he has always ruled the Nevera Kingdom fairly. Apparently, his wife passed away almost twenty years ago and he never married again. But apparently all the ladies in town are convinced that he’s incredibly good looking and handsome. There's been different stories some a little bit exaggerated on how our King looks like and he also has a son, he's a little bit older than me, He's prince Aldrich, many say he's been seen around town many times before.....

I keep up the pace walking around, enjoying the weather with my basket already half full. knowing that I still have a little bit of time left on my hands, since I made sure not to waste time in the market because every little time I spend outside matters. 

I wander around the stands, thinking about the day ahead, and finally enjoying being on my own. I stopped in my tracks when I spotted Conrad, the forest ranger by the veggies stand. My heart skipped a bit, I could literally feel myself going out of breath, my hands are suddenly shaky. Nervous I tried to dust off any dirt on me tackling a lock of my blond hair behind my ear. I swallowed hard and tried to push my nervous and quavering nerves down the drain trying to be brave. This is my chance to approach him, who knows?

Maybe finally he'll notice me!

Cassy, a friend of mine introduced Conrad to me a couple of years ago and that was the first time I actually like like a boy, ever since our first meeting have been so enchanted and smitten with him, and before I even had my chance Cassy started going out with Conrad.

I was so sad and heartbroken, I felt like I had been a little slow at that time. I should have just blantly confessed my feelings to him.. Anyway that was then and even as time went by, my feelings for him never dwindled. I developed a little crush on Conrad, and it was really hard on me. I had to fight my feelings, not wanting to hurt my friend. Besides, Conrad never paid any attention to me even before Cassy and him started dating, he never showed any interest in me..

And I haven't seen him in a while too, seeing him casually resting looking all beautiful and handsome makes my heart weep.

Deep down, I'm really feeling insecure and unsure about speaking to him. 

What if he dosen't want to talk to me? A few weeks ago, I heard that Conrad has broken up with Cassy. Apparently, the two of them had a huge fight and went their separate ways.

Since Cassy and Conrad are no more a couple, there's no need to hide how I feel for him. It's better to try than die in silence. And I don't see the need for me to feel guilty anymore about the way I feel for him. 

Although I'm a bit worried, what if Cassy is still in love with Conrad?

“Is it appropriate for me to do this”I thought to myself debating in my head.to see if what am about to do is the right thing..

I had no idea that I was suddenly lost in my thoughts and just when I'm meters away from Conrad, someone pushed me from behind, causing me to drop the basket, falling head-straight onto the ground at his feet. 

All the Vegetables that were in the basket seconds ago are now everywhere; embarrassed and wanting to leave right away, I tried to pick everything up as quickly as possible. As I hurriedly tried to grab a carrot, someone’s hand landed on mine at the same time. My heart leapt in my throat as I lift my eyes, staring into the very face I was trying to see or not see, and there it was those his intense brown gaze that has always set me on fire...

Staring at me with an amazed look, he's just only inches away from me.

“Let me help you with that,” he said, in that low voice that causes my insides to quiver instantly. Although I'm a little confused, because Conrad is definitely acting strange....

He has this amazed and shocked look on his face and the tone he used to speak to me is different from the causal and practical one he used whenever we spoke.

“Thank you, Conrad. I’m surprised to see you here alone today,”I quickly said.

“Sorry Cinderella, these barrels are a little too heavy and I lost my balance,” said another voice. I then glanced up to the owner of the voice and it’s Jake, The tavern owner's son. He's carrying three large wine barrels, looking a bit embarrassed about what has happened, as two other barrels rolls down across the road.

“It’s all fine young man, just be more careful next time,” Conrad said, sounding annoyed. Jake nodded, he smiled at me and then continued to walk towards the tavern.

“Cinderella, what a pleasant surprise seeing you here.”Conrad says smiling...

“Oh stop it Conrad, you know that I don’t like being called Cinderella. Cindy is just fine,”I reply chuckling, as I try not to look too flustered and red. 

Conrad helped me put the groceries back into the basket, then held my hand as he helps me to my feet, Smiling at me. I couldn't help but feel a cold shiver crawl over my spine.

“Cindy, come walk with me. I’m browsing around the market today, and would love for us to catch up,” Conrad says, staring at me so intensely that I feel like am going to suddenly lose my bearing and just trip over myself again...

Heat rushed to every part of my body. Making me go hot and cold!

“Sure, so are you buying something for Cassy?”I ask timidly testing the waters, fingers crossed!

“No”He replied

“I haven’t spoken to her in a while. I hope she’s all right.”I asked, just to be sure that Conrad and Cassy are no longer an item. I definitely don't want to feel guilty about flirting with him.

Conrad expression remained stilled, anyway I still pushed on with my questions. Ignoring his bland expression towards the mention of Cassy's name.

“I’m asking because I heard that you guys had a little disagreement.”I chip in biting my lips.

“There’s no other woman in my life, beautiful. Right now, all I want to know is where you’ve been hiding all this time?” he finally says.

I gasped out parting my lips, and squeezing the handle of my basket, trying to deal with my racing pulse and my giddy and excited body. Conrad has never, ever called me beautiful....

We've exchanged a few words here and there, but he seems so different today. Whatever luck that's with me today should better stay because the way he's currently studying my face, noticing me for the first time makes me feel so special.

I could literally die happy right now!

“I’ve been at home, you know doing my usual chores and helping my stepmother. Cassy and I haven’t been seeing each other that much and I was concerned about her when people told me that you two had broken up,”I finally said after finding the voice to speak. My knees are too weak now to move properly all because of his compliment...

Feeling a little hot. It then dawned on me that I need to be conscious of the time, as much as my non-existent love life is starting to blossom, I still can't afford to go home late or to face my stepmother's wrath!  

“Don’t worry about Cassy, I’m sure she’s already seeing someone else. I was wondering if you would want to spend some time with me today?” the forest ranger asked, moving a little closer and I caught a wave of his cologne. It made my heart pound even faster.

“Yes, Yes...I’m almost done with shopping and the weather is so nice today,”I answered feeling ecstatic that he wanted to keep me company.

Conrad walked with me around the market, and we talked more than we ever did; I literally couldn't contain my excitement. We talked and laughed, just forgetting about eachother worries and reveling in our own company. He even bought me roses and kept asking me about life with my stepmother and stepsisters.

A niggling feeling keeps reminding me that I should have been home almost an hour ago. But the stories and sweet talks just made me forget, I always thought that Conrad was only interested in his work in the forest, but after a few hours with him I realised how wrong I'd misjudged and concluded....

He's well-read, travelled and I could already feel like we already understood each other without words.

Conrad ended up walking me halfway home. Although no matter how high I might be consumed with my feelings for him I just wouldn’t let him get too close just in case stepmother is lurking about. 

Sometimes she does that....

She's like this monitoring spirit hovering around me that sometimes , it gets too suffocating.... When we were just about to say goodbyes, he was already asking me when we could see each other again. 

At that moment, I stopped being conflicted about my feelings. Conrad has now made it clear that his relationship with Cassy is officially over and that he's ready to start fresh. 

I even let him kiss me on the cheek. Even As I was walking away, he continued watching me from a distance and my heart was just pounding away in my chest.

“Oh lady luck, please continue to settle in my life”I whispered and prayed, because I seriously can't believe my incredible fortune.

Conrad has finally noticed me and is interested. Today is definitely one of the happiest days of my life, because I was finally noticed by someone other than a drunken peasant.

Oh well, Everything was perfect until I arrived home of course. My stepmother began her usual shouting and ranting, asking me where I was all that time. But here's the funny thing about being this happy, Even my stepmother’s rants, threats and shouting didn't spoil my mood. I still kept my radiant smile, knowing that soon enough I'll soon see my Conrad again.