Ashes; part iv
jongkey | cinderella!au | angst | pg | part iv/?
a/n: I'm sorry for updating so late ;n; I just got over a... tragedy?(my parents don't call it that but... whatever.) I will try to update this every week, though ^^;;
On Kibum’s eighteenth birthday, he was busy digging in the dirt, being careful not to spoil the harvest. The vegetable garden had become his favorite place besides the attic, because it was quiet. No one dared to bother him, because he was outside, and surrounded by what the other residents of the estate would call “dirty muck, disgusting mud that only a servant should be near.” It was true, only Kibum should be near it. But, not because he was a servant, but rather that he only trusted himself to be near the farm animals and vegetables. If Lady Tremaine or her daughters even stepped close to this area of the estate, surely they would ruin something, or destroy a crop as they squeal and hop about after getting mud on their shoes.
This time last year, Kibum was happy. To him, it seemed sort of surreal how drastically his life had changed within a year. He was still expecting to see his father pull up in a carriage, running out to Kibum with his arms open wide and inviting him in for the biggest hug of their lives.
But it could never be, and the daydreams that Kibum fell into as the hours went by hurt more than his knees and back ached from being bent over on the soil.
He sighed, standing up and brushing the dirt off his pants. He was done for the day, so he should find something to do, so the others wouldn’t put more of a load on his shoulders once they see how “lazy” he’s being.
So, he decided to go for a ride.
The stable was a quiet place, with only one horse left out of the original five. A dappled gray that was Kibum’s mother’s, named Dilly. Kibum had worked hard to keep that mare, and after hours of begging his step-mother to keep her for the heavy workload of pulling the carriage for the women in and out of town, she was finally allowed to stay.
He skipped saddling her up. Kibum really didn’t want to wait another second, he just wanted to feel the freedom before he was caught not doing chores. He climbed on, relaxing once he felt the old mare beneath him. She was a familiar part of his life, and she was a gift he would forever be grateful for.
Quickly exiting the stable, he kicked his mare into a trot, heading towards the grassy meadows he used to play in when he was younger. He was nearly there, after passing through the forest for nearly an hour, when a loud trumpet scared Dilly. She reared, and Kibum flew off her back, landing on the hard ground, butt first.
He cried out; a mix of pain and wanting his horse to stay with him instead of running away shocked his systems. Dilly ran, however, galloping away before Kibum could fully realize what had happened. Kibum watched her go, a groan bubbling in his throat. He hated falling off his horse, and usually it wasn't this bad. He was always able to get right back up and chase his horse, but today he felt like resting on the ground.
It was his birthday, for heaven’s sake! Could nothing ever work out the way he wishes it to? He sighed heavily, and with a shooting pain in his back as he moved, he laid back into the long grass and wildflowers, content with just lying there until his horse came back.
Prince Charming was an intriguing individual. At twenty years of age and heir to the throne of a quaint kingdom, he spent his time doing princely activities, meant to mold him into a regal ruler like his predecessors. He read books, only non-fiction, as those were the only type deemed worthy to engage his mind and enhance his knowledge. He fenced with his trainer and guards, but his skill was only for show. Actually, most of what he does as a Prince was merely to show off to other kingdoms and countries.
He was following the traditions of a century’s worth of Kings -as was required of him -but he didn’t particularly enjoy doing anything he was told to do.
He wanted to sing, as his mother had sung to him; he wanted to paint instead of being painted; he wanted to do anything and everything simply for enjoyment and living in the moment. Because he was doing the opposite, he was living life only to rule and to carry on the line of rulers.
The Prince thought that he must have a terrible life compared to his subjects in regards to happiness and freedom and love. As the future ruler of a land that celebrates equality and welcomes all walks of people and lifestyles, he found himself caged in like an exotic, dangerous animal. He was a symbol of power and refinement, and nothing else. He might not get to truly rule, anyways. There were many people that laws and requests and issues had to go through before he heard of it, and he was positive that many of those people weren’t working for him for the betterment of other peoples’ lives.
Nonetheless, he had to do as he was told, and he had to continue to put on his best face for the people he will eventually rule over.
As he waved to a few farmers on his way to join a hunt, he heard calls of “Prince Charming, I love you!” “Prince Charming, I have a lovely daughter your age!” He always laughed at that. People were saying those kinds of things everyday. If someone didn’t love him, they wanted to set him up with someone that would.
Prince Charming wasn’t even his name. Actually, he had no idea how he got it. He wasn’t that charming, really. He was quite the opposite, but he supposes that maybe the mask he hides beneath was charming in itself. Maybe? He doesn’t know.
His name is really Jonghyun, an unusual and uncommon name for a Prince in a European kingdom, but he never stopped to think about it for too long. He doesn’t want to sit down and get caught up in one of his father’s nostalgic stories. If it was something important, surely he would’ve been told by now, correct?
Anyway, Prince Jonghyun was on a hunt, him and his horse leading a line of other huntsman that were dedicated to this sport. Their target was a doe; lean and elegant, and completely unaware of the muskets aimed at her. The company’s horns blared, Jonghyun’s ears aching when one of the men blew their horn quite close to his ears.
Jonghyun was about to signal for someone to shoot it already, since this hunt was getting tiresome, but suddenly, a horse cut across his path, startling him and all the others. The horse was gray with white spots, a dark tail swishing frantically. He noticed reins on the horse, and his mind went straight to the fact that there was a rider, and that the rider was probably hurt, seeing how the horse was in a panic.
He ordered for someone to catch the horse, and a few men set off after the galloping mare. Jonghyun then told the rest to split up and either hunt the doe, or help him in search of the missing rider. Only his most trusted guard, Baraka, had followed Jonghyun into the dark woods.
The Prince told the other to head east, while he would search in the west for… someone? He was worried, worried about a person that he wasn’t sure even existed, but if the horse was spooked and had a bridle on, then there had to have been a rider, right?
Jonghyun sighed, kicking his horse into a trot and urging him deeper into the woods.
Kibum woke up from the sound and vibrations of a horse cantering nearby. Sitting up straight, he looked around frantically for his horse, but he didn’t see her. He sprang up when a white stallion appeared in his vision, with a handsome man in an equally handsome saddle. The action made the young man dizzy, and he plopped back down into the tall grass and wild flowers, and held his head carefully while the dizzy spell lasted.
Slowly, he looked up again, to see the man staring at him with a curious glint in his eyes.
Jonghyun looked at Kibum, at the sunlight giving his golden head a beautiful, bright halo. He sat in the saddle, mesmerized by the brown and teary eyes, until it dawned on him that the man on the ground could be the one he was looking for.
“Are you okay?” He asked Kibum, holding his horse’s reins tightly.
Whimpering when he moved his chest too much, he said a short “Yes.”
“Really? It doesn’t look like it.” Jonghyun jumped down from his horse, and crouched next to the other. “Do you need help getting up?” Shaking his head, Kibum tried to stand up, but once again failed and gravity pulled him back down. He landed with a thud and a groan. Jonghyun wanted to laugh at the other’s stubborn nature, but kept it to himself, seeing as how Kibum kept trying to get up.
Giving in, he held his hand out for Jonghyun to take, and he winced as he was pulled up. “Do you need anything else?”
“No, thanks. I’ll be alright in a few minutes,” Kibum said, trying to catch his breath after having the wind knocked out of him.
“Are you sure? I can help you back to your home if you wish.”
“No, no, it’s alright. I think I might want to sit down again, though.”
“Okay,” Jonghyun replied, sitting down on the soft grass next to Kibum. “So, what are you doing out here? No one walks alone in these woods.”
“Oh I wasn’t walking. I was riding my horse. She got spooked and threw me off. I guess it’s what I deserve though, I rode her too hard after she hasn’t had proper exercise in a while.”
“Well I’m sure you’ll be relieved to hear that I saw a dappled mare not so long ago.”
“Really? Where?!” Kibum was excited, last time he lost Dilly, she didn’t wander back to the estate until several days later. And, now that Lady Tremaine had taken over the household, she wouldn’t hold back on the punishment if Kibum returned without their only horse. “Can you help me catch her?”
“There’s no need. I sent someone to catch her and bring her to town. We could head over there to see if they’ve gotten her yet.”
“Really? Oh goodness, thank you so much!” Kibum hugged Jonghyun tightly, releasing him immediately once he heard the other gasp. He blushed, embarrassed that he had gotten so excited as to let his manners leave him. “I’m so sorry,” he said, covering his cheeks.
“U-uhm… let’s go to town, yeah?”
“Y-yeah.”
They got up and walked to the little town, Jonghyun holding his horse’s reins in one and, with the other fidgeting between fixing his hair or his clothes. Kibum wasn’t any less awkward, and neither was the silence that ensued.
Despite the thick, awkward tension around them, Kibum smiled. He really, really liked hugging… oh dear, he hadn’t even asked for his name! Kibum didn’t know a single thing about the other, yet he still hugged him and agreed to follow him to town, on foot. He could be a mugger, or a murderer! He would be gone, swift as the wind on his horse, before anyone even noticed. He could be in the next kingdom before Kibum’s body was found! Kibum gulped, and looked at the man next to him. “S-so, what’s your name?”
Jonghyun paused for a moment before he kept walking. This boy didn’t know who he was? Was he locked in an attic his entire life or what? He smiled, this was his chance to be someone other than Charming. “My name is Jong.”
“John?”
“No, Jong.”
“Oh, sorry. That isn't a very common name.”
“It’s alright, I get that all the time! What’s yours?”
“Ki- Cinder. My name is Cinder.”
“Really? What an… obscure name. But I think it suits you.”
Kibum frowned, knowing that Jong was most likely referring to the smeared cinders and dirt on his face. He was dirty and worthless, why not be named Cinder?
“There are many tales of creatures called a Phoenix, and they’re said to be immortal. They are reborn from their ashes after death, and carry immense powers of healing, heroism, and kindness. Such brave creatures… wouldn’t it be amazing if they existed?” Jonghyun continued, taking notice of the frown that warped the beautiful features on Kibum’s face.
Kibum thought about it for a moment. Phoenixes? It reminded him of a fairytale his mother once told him before bedtime, under the clear and starry night sky. It was one of those moments that, even though he was half-asleep, he managed to snatch the details and remember it for all these years. His mother told him that great people will be remembered forever, and reborn after every story told or read. Kind people, brave people, heroic people; all were part of fables that his mother said were based on the truth. He briefly wondered if he would be reborn in such a way, through words and pictures. Or, would he be lost after death? Probably the latter, he thought. He wasn’t worth it such rememberance.
“They sound perfect.”
“They must be,” Jonghyun said, hoping to cheer the other up before they reached the town. “They also have magical powers. Their tears can heal the wounded, and their wings can catch fire yet not burn, like a terrifying display of power and might.”
“Sounds like a show-off to me,” Kibum laughed, imagining a hummingbird with little puffs of smoke coming from their wings, trying to look intimidating, but failing.
“You’re right. They might love to show off what gifts they have, but after all, wouldn’t such a magnificent creature deserve the attention? If they existed, I would be in awe for the rest of my life.”
“Me too.” Kibum wondered if they do exist, just not as birds as originally told. Perhaps they were human, and just maybe, his mother was one of them. He would believe it in a second.
Oh, how he wished he could be a Phoenix, too.
a/n: I'm sorry for updating so late ;n; I just got over a... tragedy?(my parents don't call it that but... whatever.) I will try to update this every week, though ^^;;
On Kibum’s eighteenth birthday, he was busy digging in the dirt, being careful not to spoil the harvest. The vegetable garden had become his favorite place besides the attic, because it was quiet. No one dared to bother him, because he was outside, and surrounded by what the other residents of the estate would call “dirty muck, disgusting mud that only a servant should be near.” It was true, only Kibum should be near it. But, not because he was a servant, but rather that he only trusted himself to be near the farm animals and vegetables. If Lady Tremaine or her daughters even stepped close to this area of the estate, surely they would ruin something, or destroy a crop as they squeal and hop about after getting mud on their shoes.
This time last year, Kibum was happy. To him, it seemed sort of surreal how drastically his life had changed within a year. He was still expecting to see his father pull up in a carriage, running out to Kibum with his arms open wide and inviting him in for the biggest hug of their lives.
But it could never be, and the daydreams that Kibum fell into as the hours went by hurt more than his knees and back ached from being bent over on the soil.
He sighed, standing up and brushing the dirt off his pants. He was done for the day, so he should find something to do, so the others wouldn’t put more of a load on his shoulders once they see how “lazy” he’s being.
So, he decided to go for a ride.
The stable was a quiet place, with only one horse left out of the original five. A dappled gray that was Kibum’s mother’s, named Dilly. Kibum had worked hard to keep that mare, and after hours of begging his step-mother to keep her for the heavy workload of pulling the carriage for the women in and out of town, she was finally allowed to stay.
He skipped saddling her up. Kibum really didn’t want to wait another second, he just wanted to feel the freedom before he was caught not doing chores. He climbed on, relaxing once he felt the old mare beneath him. She was a familiar part of his life, and she was a gift he would forever be grateful for.
Quickly exiting the stable, he kicked his mare into a trot, heading towards the grassy meadows he used to play in when he was younger. He was nearly there, after passing through the forest for nearly an hour, when a loud trumpet scared Dilly. She reared, and Kibum flew off her back, landing on the hard ground, butt first.
He cried out; a mix of pain and wanting his horse to stay with him instead of running away shocked his systems. Dilly ran, however, galloping away before Kibum could fully realize what had happened. Kibum watched her go, a groan bubbling in his throat. He hated falling off his horse, and usually it wasn't this bad. He was always able to get right back up and chase his horse, but today he felt like resting on the ground.
It was his birthday, for heaven’s sake! Could nothing ever work out the way he wishes it to? He sighed heavily, and with a shooting pain in his back as he moved, he laid back into the long grass and wildflowers, content with just lying there until his horse came back.
Prince Charming was an intriguing individual. At twenty years of age and heir to the throne of a quaint kingdom, he spent his time doing princely activities, meant to mold him into a regal ruler like his predecessors. He read books, only non-fiction, as those were the only type deemed worthy to engage his mind and enhance his knowledge. He fenced with his trainer and guards, but his skill was only for show. Actually, most of what he does as a Prince was merely to show off to other kingdoms and countries.
He was following the traditions of a century’s worth of Kings -as was required of him -but he didn’t particularly enjoy doing anything he was told to do.
He wanted to sing, as his mother had sung to him; he wanted to paint instead of being painted; he wanted to do anything and everything simply for enjoyment and living in the moment. Because he was doing the opposite, he was living life only to rule and to carry on the line of rulers.
The Prince thought that he must have a terrible life compared to his subjects in regards to happiness and freedom and love. As the future ruler of a land that celebrates equality and welcomes all walks of people and lifestyles, he found himself caged in like an exotic, dangerous animal. He was a symbol of power and refinement, and nothing else. He might not get to truly rule, anyways. There were many people that laws and requests and issues had to go through before he heard of it, and he was positive that many of those people weren’t working for him for the betterment of other peoples’ lives.
Nonetheless, he had to do as he was told, and he had to continue to put on his best face for the people he will eventually rule over.
As he waved to a few farmers on his way to join a hunt, he heard calls of “Prince Charming, I love you!” “Prince Charming, I have a lovely daughter your age!” He always laughed at that. People were saying those kinds of things everyday. If someone didn’t love him, they wanted to set him up with someone that would.
Prince Charming wasn’t even his name. Actually, he had no idea how he got it. He wasn’t that charming, really. He was quite the opposite, but he supposes that maybe the mask he hides beneath was charming in itself. Maybe? He doesn’t know.
His name is really Jonghyun, an unusual and uncommon name for a Prince in a European kingdom, but he never stopped to think about it for too long. He doesn’t want to sit down and get caught up in one of his father’s nostalgic stories. If it was something important, surely he would’ve been told by now, correct?
Anyway, Prince Jonghyun was on a hunt, him and his horse leading a line of other huntsman that were dedicated to this sport. Their target was a doe; lean and elegant, and completely unaware of the muskets aimed at her. The company’s horns blared, Jonghyun’s ears aching when one of the men blew their horn quite close to his ears.
Jonghyun was about to signal for someone to shoot it already, since this hunt was getting tiresome, but suddenly, a horse cut across his path, startling him and all the others. The horse was gray with white spots, a dark tail swishing frantically. He noticed reins on the horse, and his mind went straight to the fact that there was a rider, and that the rider was probably hurt, seeing how the horse was in a panic.
He ordered for someone to catch the horse, and a few men set off after the galloping mare. Jonghyun then told the rest to split up and either hunt the doe, or help him in search of the missing rider. Only his most trusted guard, Baraka, had followed Jonghyun into the dark woods.
The Prince told the other to head east, while he would search in the west for… someone? He was worried, worried about a person that he wasn’t sure even existed, but if the horse was spooked and had a bridle on, then there had to have been a rider, right?
Jonghyun sighed, kicking his horse into a trot and urging him deeper into the woods.
Kibum woke up from the sound and vibrations of a horse cantering nearby. Sitting up straight, he looked around frantically for his horse, but he didn’t see her. He sprang up when a white stallion appeared in his vision, with a handsome man in an equally handsome saddle. The action made the young man dizzy, and he plopped back down into the tall grass and wild flowers, and held his head carefully while the dizzy spell lasted.
Slowly, he looked up again, to see the man staring at him with a curious glint in his eyes.
Jonghyun looked at Kibum, at the sunlight giving his golden head a beautiful, bright halo. He sat in the saddle, mesmerized by the brown and teary eyes, until it dawned on him that the man on the ground could be the one he was looking for.
“Are you okay?” He asked Kibum, holding his horse’s reins tightly.
Whimpering when he moved his chest too much, he said a short “Yes.”
“Really? It doesn’t look like it.” Jonghyun jumped down from his horse, and crouched next to the other. “Do you need help getting up?” Shaking his head, Kibum tried to stand up, but once again failed and gravity pulled him back down. He landed with a thud and a groan. Jonghyun wanted to laugh at the other’s stubborn nature, but kept it to himself, seeing as how Kibum kept trying to get up.
Giving in, he held his hand out for Jonghyun to take, and he winced as he was pulled up. “Do you need anything else?”
“No, thanks. I’ll be alright in a few minutes,” Kibum said, trying to catch his breath after having the wind knocked out of him.
“Are you sure? I can help you back to your home if you wish.”
“No, no, it’s alright. I think I might want to sit down again, though.”
“Okay,” Jonghyun replied, sitting down on the soft grass next to Kibum. “So, what are you doing out here? No one walks alone in these woods.”
“Oh I wasn’t walking. I was riding my horse. She got spooked and threw me off. I guess it’s what I deserve though, I rode her too hard after she hasn’t had proper exercise in a while.”
“Well I’m sure you’ll be relieved to hear that I saw a dappled mare not so long ago.”
“Really? Where?!” Kibum was excited, last time he lost Dilly, she didn’t wander back to the estate until several days later. And, now that Lady Tremaine had taken over the household, she wouldn’t hold back on the punishment if Kibum returned without their only horse. “Can you help me catch her?”
“There’s no need. I sent someone to catch her and bring her to town. We could head over there to see if they’ve gotten her yet.”
“Really? Oh goodness, thank you so much!” Kibum hugged Jonghyun tightly, releasing him immediately once he heard the other gasp. He blushed, embarrassed that he had gotten so excited as to let his manners leave him. “I’m so sorry,” he said, covering his cheeks.
“U-uhm… let’s go to town, yeah?”
“Y-yeah.”
They got up and walked to the little town, Jonghyun holding his horse’s reins in one and, with the other fidgeting between fixing his hair or his clothes. Kibum wasn’t any less awkward, and neither was the silence that ensued.
Despite the thick, awkward tension around them, Kibum smiled. He really, really liked hugging… oh dear, he hadn’t even asked for his name! Kibum didn’t know a single thing about the other, yet he still hugged him and agreed to follow him to town, on foot. He could be a mugger, or a murderer! He would be gone, swift as the wind on his horse, before anyone even noticed. He could be in the next kingdom before Kibum’s body was found! Kibum gulped, and looked at the man next to him. “S-so, what’s your name?”
Jonghyun paused for a moment before he kept walking. This boy didn’t know who he was? Was he locked in an attic his entire life or what? He smiled, this was his chance to be someone other than Charming. “My name is Jong.”
“John?”
“No, Jong.”
“Oh, sorry. That isn't a very common name.”
“It’s alright, I get that all the time! What’s yours?”
“Ki- Cinder. My name is Cinder.”
“Really? What an… obscure name. But I think it suits you.”
Kibum frowned, knowing that Jong was most likely referring to the smeared cinders and dirt on his face. He was dirty and worthless, why not be named Cinder?
“There are many tales of creatures called a Phoenix, and they’re said to be immortal. They are reborn from their ashes after death, and carry immense powers of healing, heroism, and kindness. Such brave creatures… wouldn’t it be amazing if they existed?” Jonghyun continued, taking notice of the frown that warped the beautiful features on Kibum’s face.
Kibum thought about it for a moment. Phoenixes? It reminded him of a fairytale his mother once told him before bedtime, under the clear and starry night sky. It was one of those moments that, even though he was half-asleep, he managed to snatch the details and remember it for all these years. His mother told him that great people will be remembered forever, and reborn after every story told or read. Kind people, brave people, heroic people; all were part of fables that his mother said were based on the truth. He briefly wondered if he would be reborn in such a way, through words and pictures. Or, would he be lost after death? Probably the latter, he thought. He wasn’t worth it such rememberance.
“They sound perfect.”
“They must be,” Jonghyun said, hoping to cheer the other up before they reached the town. “They also have magical powers. Their tears can heal the wounded, and their wings can catch fire yet not burn, like a terrifying display of power and might.”
“Sounds like a show-off to me,” Kibum laughed, imagining a hummingbird with little puffs of smoke coming from their wings, trying to look intimidating, but failing.
“You’re right. They might love to show off what gifts they have, but after all, wouldn’t such a magnificent creature deserve the attention? If they existed, I would be in awe for the rest of my life.”
“Me too.” Kibum wondered if they do exist, just not as birds as originally told. Perhaps they were human, and just maybe, his mother was one of them. He would believe it in a second.
Oh, how he wished he could be a Phoenix, too.