'Cinderella. Wake up.'
Her stepsister's voice was annoying as ever in her ear. But she had to wake up. When Cinderella didn't hear much else after that, she thought she had left, but then the voice spoke again.
'Come on. Wake up, let's have breakfast!'
Cinderella nearly jumped out of bed when she heard that. "Let's have breakfast" translated to "You have to make me breakfast! And fast!". She jerked awake, and head bumped her head into The Boss's head.
'What the hell!' The Boss shouted. 'Are you crazy? One minute you're like the dead, and the next you need to run a marathon?'
Cinderella put her hand on her forehead to soothe the pain. 'Ah, sorry. I thought you were someone else...'
'Geez, don't tell me I was a member of your stepfamily again?'
'Well, then I won't.'
'Ah, seriously.' The Boss was annoyed, but she softened her tone. 'Well, thankfully, I'm not. Let's have breakfast together, alright. And keep it relaxed this time. There is no need for the hastiness in the morning.'
'I'll be down in second!'
The Boss walked away, muttering in herself, and when she closed the door, Cinderella sighed loud. This was the third time this week she had the same dream.
A stepsister or her stepmother would bother her with chores to do, and if Cinderella refused or didn't do them on time, she would often get locked up in her room. Her stepmother would take away the key, and she would be left alone.
The drama with Nathaniel and the crown happened last month. The Boss had a few favors to collect, and with that, they could stay in this house. It had been a long time since Cinderella had slept in an actual bed instead of on the cold ground.
Not to mention the whole house. It wasn't as big as Cinderella's old house, but it was still too big for two people. She hadn't seen the person The Boss collected a favor from, but she assumed he or she was rich. The house was near the market where they wanted to sell the crown and just far enough from Cinderella running into her stepfamily.
'Cinderella! Hurry up, the food is getting cold!'
Cinderella grinned to herself. It still felt unreal. After everything that had happened, living in a house, together with her mentor and she didn't have to do any chores, was still the weirdest thing.
After the breakfast, The Boss went into town for a while. Usually to buy some food or collect the mail, and today wasn't any different. Cinderella went into the garden and laid down on the soft grass. The sun was shining brightly and warmed her skin up.
She didn't realize she dozed off until a shadow appeared on her face.
'You got mail.'
'What? For me?' Cinderella took the letter from The Boss and read the name on it. It said "general".
Cinderella raised her eyebrow. 'I don't know who this is for, but last time I checked, my name isn't general.'
The Boss had settled down in the rocking chair on the porch. She looked a bit tired. 'True, but I think you should read it.'
'Why?'
The Boss sighed and rolled her eyes. 'Just read the damn letter.'
'Fine, fine...' Cinderella opened the letter and saw the royal crest. She looked back at The Boss, but she gestured to keep on reading.
'"Dear citizens, We, The King, need your help."' She read out loud. The rest of the letter she read in silence, but that didn't help with the impact of the letter's content. Apparently, the king needed new royal guards. Not regular soldiers, no, guards who protect the royal family from any harm.
'What is this?' Cinderella waved the letter above her head. 'What is the meaning of this?'
The Boss waved Cinderella over, and when Cinderella did so, The Boss explained.
'I have a confession to make. You might have noticed already, but lately, I haven't used my magic at all. Prior, I used it every day. I used it to fuel my energy levels, to do basic things, and to perform magic. But since that night with Nathaniel, I'm no longer the same person.'
Cinderella didn't want to admit it, but she already knew deep down that something was off. Before, The Boss had energy like a twenty-year-old. She could do everything she wanted and was never tired. Now, she grunts when she gets up from the chair, and streaks of grey had appeared almost overnight.
'The amount of energy I used that night... I think it was too much. Maybe I'm burned out.'
'I know. I've noticed.' Cinderella laid her hand on top of the hands of the Boss.
She smiled and patted Cinderella's hand. 'Of course, you have. I guess I have trained you well.'
The letter from the king laid still on The Boss's lap. 'So, what has that to do with the letter?' Cinderella asked.
'Cinderella. You're young. I want you to live a good life from now on. Can you do that for me?'
For a moment, Cinderella didn't know how to respond. Firstly because she didn't know what The Boss meant. Then, because she couldn't believe it. 'You want me to join the Royal Guard?' She exclaimed. 'Are you crazy? Why would I do that? Why would I leave you alone when I know you're not doing well?' She stood up, being irritated. 'Did you really think I would agree to this?'
The Boss smiled faintly. 'No. I knew you would hate the plan, but I wanted to ask you this anyway.' She reached out for Cinderella, and Cinderella took her outstretched hand, even though she didn't want to. 'I have called someone for help. I hope she can help me. But why are you so irritated? You really don't want to leave?'
'Of course not! You're sick and...' Cinderella hastily stopped herself.
'And what? Weak? I hope that wasn't what you were going to say.' She sighed and continued. 'I'm not dying yet, Cindy. I'm just under the weather, as they say.'
Cinderella sat down beside The Boss on the porch, and together they looked out at the beautiful garden. 'I'm just worried. That's all. What will happen when I go?'
'I'll be fine and...' She paused midsentence and turned to Cinderella. 'Wait, did you say "when"?'
Cinderella turned her head towards The Boss. 'What? No, I didn't... Did I?' The Boss laughed out loud. 'Don't make fun of me! I said, "if". I'm sure I did...'
'It's okay. I want you to go, remember?'
'You want me to leave so badly?'
The Boss waved her hand. 'That's not it. I hate to admit it, but I rather want you near me than in some big castle.'
'What...?' Cinderella couldn't believe her ears.
'Don't look at me like that. I mean it. But for my recovery, it's best if you're not here.'
Cinderella sighed once more and took the letter from The Boss's lap. 'Fine. I'll go. But only because you'll recover better.' To be honest, she wasn't too sure about leaving The Boss like this. On the other hand, she wanted to go.
When The Boss and Cinderella first got here, she wanted to sleep forever and just process everything. And now she has. She wanted to do something again, but often she couldn't.
The Boss would be away or not in the mood for something. Maybe this mysterious visitor, The Boss had sent a letter to, would do her some good. And as The Boss had said, it's better to be somewhere else and keep her mind busy so she wouldn't have to worry about her all the time.
Cinderella reopened the letter again. 'Let's see what these weirdos want from me.'
The Boss looked down at Cinderella, smiling and content. After all this time, The Boss wanted to move forward instead of looking back at the past. She wished for Cinderella the same.
Who would have thought it would turn out like this? At first, Cinderella was convenient for her. Then, she started to care for her and later on take care of her. And now, well, she's like family.
The Boss only hoped for the letter she sent out for help to arrive swiftly and on time.