A/N: I'm back! This is a story I've been working on for a while now, so I'm really excited to be posting it. It is indeed a Cinderella-type story, but I've changed some things, and it's not exactly your typical fairytale. Truthfully, this story was supposed to be kind of dark, a bit angsty and all that, but I quickly figured out that it wasn't working for me. Anyway, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.
I just want to say one more thing before you start reading. The prologue kind of sucks. I mean, it's not bad, but I really don't like it very much. That's why I'm also posting the first real chapter today instead of waiting a day or two, which is what I'll be doing with the rest of the chapters. Anyway, on with the show...
Prologue
Gather round, I have a story. A story of romance and determination, of dreams come true. Be warned, however, that this is not your average fairy tale.
Long ago, in a kingdom rich in tradition and romance, there was a rich scholar known as Trigon. He was a good man, and loved his family very much, but when his wife died, he broke inside. He continued to care for his only daughter to the best of his abilities, but nothing could make him forget his deceased wife.
His daughter did her best to rid him of his loneliness, but nothing could make her forget his lovely Arella. That is, until he met Melinda.
Melinda was a woman of good family with two daughters of her own, and was a widow. In his desolate state, he found solace in the woman, and it hadn't been long before they married.
Their marriage was a quiet one, with no bickering, yet without any outward signs of affection. Still, the man found himself happier, and even felt that Melinda would help provide a mother's love for his daughter.
It wasn't until Trigon's untimely death, that Melinda's true nature was revealed. She quickly took control of the household, squandering all of her newly deceased husband's money on herself and her daughters. They took advantage of Trigon's daughter and his fortune, using the money saved from servants' wages to buy more things for themselves.
Through it all, the daughter of Trigon remained strong. She cleaned the house without complaint, cooked their meals and ran errands; never giving up hope that some day her dreams would come true.
But wait, our story has not yet begun, because like all fairy tales, this one begins with…
Once upon a time…