Part 2 of 3 (maybe)
**Looks about with shifty eyes**
The more I write of this story, the more details pop into mind, and the more elaborate the tale gets.
I would like to note that Sleeping Joongie: The Official Primary ‘Rella Sidestory will be posted to only my LJ following the conclusion of this fic. I cannot post it to miracle______ because, well, it focuses on Jaejoong, with the Super Junior characters playing only minor roles, which is against the community rules. And I cannot make it a part of this fic because 1) splicing Sleeping Joongie into ‘Rella is a bit too awkward, and 2) my Heechul!Muse was throwing a fit at the thought of having to share the spotlight with Jaejoong. I will note here, however (as well as in Sleeping Joongie when I finally finish it) that the climactic ending to both fics are pretty much the same, just with different points of view.
Before any of my readers start freaking, however, I did splice in a short summary into this installment.
**Plunks down the second part, and runs for safety** You attack me, you don’t get part 3!
Fairytales from the Loonatic: ‘Rella
Part 2
Pairings: (past) SiHan + (sort of) HanChul + (eventual) SiChul = SiHanChul, maybe? (What?), others mentioned
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Crack. Little bit of Drama, little bit of Angst. Romance. AU. Fairytales!
Disclaimer: I own several things. None of which are the individuals represented herein.
Warning: What happens when a fanfic author is inspired by fairytales, is not quite sane, and gets evil twisted ideas. Great liberties taken with original fairytale storylines... My world, my rules.
Summary: Cinderella (without the familial abuse), with elements from the Princess Bride.
Note: Yes, I did blatantly borrow some lines from the 1997 TV version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
Recap: When last we left off, you the readers had been introduced to ‘Rella and his stepbrothers Junsu and Jaejoong, learned that Junsu was going on vacation with his best friend Eunhyuk and his cousin Kibum, and that Jaejoong has a slight sleeping problem. You also met HanKyung the woodsman-with-an-unknown-past and Won the stranger-who-ran-into-‘Rella-and-got-drafted-to-be-a-package-carrier. Oh, and Kangin and Shindong made a brief appearance as well. ‘Kyungie’ just barely missed a meeting with ‘Wonnie,’ who had to leave very quickly due to his parents looking for him.
The hoof-beats thundered as the two horses fairly pounded through the raised side gates guarding the castle, past the guards on duty posted there who merely waved at their riders cheerfully, and skidded into the courtyard. The first horse reared onto its back legs and whinnied loudly as its rider pulled in the reins. The other horse came to a prancing halt.
“Go, sir! Your formal coat should be on the chair in the small antechamber outside the east entrance to their Majesties’ private meeting room,” Kangin said quickly “with your simple coronet underneath it. I will take care of your mount.”
“My thanks, Kangin!” ‘Won’ called over his shoulder as he vaulted from the back of the horse and took off in a dead run. He weaved his way expertly through the corridors of the castle, and up numerous flights of stairs, gracefully avoiding the few servants scattered about, and making turns without losing any speed by curling a hand around the many decorative pillars lining the halls and using them as pivot points. He entered the antechamber indicated, and quickly changed, washing his face and brushing his hair back. Adjusting his coronet atop his head, he took a deep breath to compose himself, and plastering a bland mask of indifference on his face entered the meeting room. Both occupants looked at him, and Siwon repressed the urge to start babbling excuses regarding why he was late responding to their summons.
“Ah, Siwon! Wherever have you been, dearest?” The Queen, seated upon the small, elegant divan, tilted her head slightly, and Siwon obeyed the unspoken command, striding over and lightly kissing his mother on the cheek.
“Mother.” Siwon nodded respectfully towards where his father sat behind his large desk. “Father. My most profuse of apologies regarding my late arrival; I was attending to matters of a personal nature.” His mother frowned.
“You were not off sulking about that boy again, were you? Feng or Meng or something like that?” She asked disapprovingly. “Really, Siwon, it has been nearly two years already.” Siwon’s mask cracked slightly, as it usually did when his parents belittled his concern for his old friend.
“Mother! His name is Geng. Han Geng, and he was my friend.” He said hotly. His mother sniffed.
“Dearest, that boy all but broke your heart. You were moping for so long after you came home…” She waved one hand in a dismissing gesture. “But no matter; we have called for you for a reason, dear. We are planning a small get together. Nothing fancy, of course; just family, a few close friends…all of the eligible (and marriageable) individuals in the kingdom…” Siwon was flabbergasted.
“What?!” Siwon’s eyebrows went shooting up in surprise, before drawing together in annoyance. “Mother…”
“Oh come now, we are speaking of four, five-hundred at most. Besides, your father and I have decided that it is high time you were betrothed.” The Queen looked to her husband.
“Yes, Siwon. You are nearly of age, and your Mother and I have decided that you must announce your betrothal at the celebrations on your twenty-first birthday.” The King stated. He frowned. “Do not think that we are unaware of the messengers you have sent back across the seas time and time again in the two years since you came home, to search for this friend of yours. I was willing to indulge in your whims before, but seeing as they have not borne fruit it is high time such foolishness stopped.”
“My twenty-first…but that is but a week away!” Siwon burst out, arms flinging wide. “And searching for him is not foolishness! I merely wanted to reassure myself as to his continuing good health!”
“Eight days, and dearest, do control yourself.” The Queen tsked. Siwon scowled.
“No disrespect meant but I suppose that I have no choice in the matter, do I?” Siwon snapped. “I will not be afforded the chance to find true love for myself?” The Queen appeared scandalized.
“Siwon Andrew Gabriel Simba Choi!” She said, hand flying to cover her mouth in outrage. Siwon flinched at the utterance of his full name, but nevertheless clasped his hands behind his back, standing to his full and impressive height, and after bowing stiffly towards his parents turned sharply.
“If you will excuse me. Mother, Father, I bid you good day.” Without waiting for a response, seeing as his father was frowning at him thunderously and his mother was gaping and gasping dramatically, Siwon turned and stormed from the room. He made his way to the private gardens on autopilot, mind lost in thought, flashing back to that evening nearly two years past now, the last time he’d seen Geng...
“I have been summoned by my parents; I have to go home. I leave tomorrow.” Siwon, using the name Siyuan here in this foreign land across the sea, said haltingly. He turned to face Geng, leaning his hip against the balcony’s railing, and took in his friend’s profile. The other seemed to be a bit distant as he stared up at the full moon above, and this news did not seem to surprise him. Somehow, this did not surprise Siyuan in turn, as he’d learned in the time that he’d gotten to know the other male that Geng was somehow able to learn the most recent news faster than anyone else.
“I know…” The other replied softly. “I had heard.” Geng turned to face him, one clenched hand leaving the balcony, but the other remaining resting loosely on it, and Siyuan flinched at seeing the sorrowful look in the other’s eyes, illuminated by the moonlight and glittering with some unnamed emotion. He impulsively reached out and grabbed both of Geng’s hands in his own.
“Geng. Come with me. Come home with me, and I can show you everything about my home that you have shown me about yours!” Siyuan said fervently.
“I…I want to, Siyuan. I do, I truly do… but I cannot. I have obligations… to my family, and to Liyin… I am sorry. I am so very sorry…” As he spoke, his voice trembling slightly, Geng had been backing slowly away, until the two of them remained connected only at the hands. When Siyuan stepped closer to him in an effort to prolong the contact, Geng gave a small shiver, and suddenly breaking their handclasp, caught the taller in a tight, almost desperate hug. As fast as the hug began, it ended, and all Siyuan could do was watch with wounded eyes as Geng ran off the balcony. The slamming of the sliding doors echoed in Siyuan’s ears. Long after he’d disappeared, Siyuan finally looked at the object that had been pressed into his palm. It was a strangely-shaped piece of carved green jade with one jagged edge. As he looked closer, with a start Siyuan recognized it as a part of the intricately carved jade pendant that Geng had always worn around his neck. He clutched it close, heart pounding.
“I will not forget you, my friend.” He vowed to himself. Early the next morning, as he mounted his horse outside the gates to the residence where he’d been a guest these past months before dawn even broke, Siyuan hoped for one last meeting with his friend to perhaps change his mind, but Geng was nowhere to be found. Only Liyin, Geng’s younger cousin, and her attendant were there to bid him goodbye. And as he sadly rode off, accompanied by the messenger and two guards who had been sent to retrieve him, he’d sent one last look up towards the balcony overlooking the street where he’d thought he’d seen someone watching, but no one was there…
Siwon blindly sat down on one of the many small stone benches scattered in the private gardens, elbows resting on his knees and head bowed. He did not often allow himself to think back so vividly, but the morning’s talks with the fascinating ‘Rella as well as the words that his parents had spoken had managed to unloose the fastenings to the chest in his mind in which he’d buried the memories, the wonderful memories of his time spent with Geng. Unconsciously, he began to fiddle with the thick golden chain that had slipped from the neck of his shirt, and the object it held.
“Your Highness?” Kangin approached his younger charge warily, shaking him free of his thoughts and causing Siwon to look up, automatically fixing his posture.
“Kangin.” The prince smiled “You know I regard you as a friend, as such I have long given you my permission to call me by the name my friends and family use.” The Captain of the Prince’s Royal Guard grinned ruefully.
“Habit, Siwon.” He took a seat next to the other. “I’ve just heard; will you be all right?” He regarded the prince with a steady gaze. Siwon looked down once more.
“…Kangin, do you believe that I am a foolish man?” Kangin sighed, pointing at the piece of jade that hung from Siwon’s neck.
“If it is about the one who gave you that…then no.” He replied. “Love is meant to be cherished, in all of its forms, no matter how fleeting it may be. But on the other hand, one should not pine away in hope for an impossible dream, for some things are simply not meant to be.” He well remembered the crushed look on the young Prince’s face as the first messenger, sent back across the seas a mere week after the Prince’s return, came back after the two-week round trip bearing the news that he could not locate anyone by the names of Han Geng or Liyin at the address he’d been given. Subsequent searchers had also come back without news. “Recall the memories you have with fondness, but open yourself to accepting a different path.” Siwon regarded the Captain with raised eyebrows.
“…when did you get to be so insightful?” He teased. Kangin scowled and blushed at the same time.
“I read!” he replied in mock affront. Siwon smiled, genuinely this time. He thought back to the fascinating man he’d met earlier that day in the town shopping center. Maybe…just maybe he could follow Kangin’s advice.
“…Thank you for your words, Kangin.”
“Anytime, my liege.”
~*~*~*~*~
The pounding at the door was seriously beginning to irritate Heechul, who was in the process of applying to his face one of the new cream conditioners he’d purchased the previous day.
“Joongie, would you get the door?” He called out. There was no response, and the annoying pest at the door continued to pound on it. “…JAEJOONG!” He shrieked. Still no response from his brother, so huffing in a supremely exasperated manner, Heechul cleaned his face off and stormed to the door himself.
“WHAT?!” He asked loudly. Very loudly, seeing as the unfortunate royal herald on the doorsteps flinched and backed away, stunned.
“…erm…engraved invitations from their Majesties for Masters Kim Heechul, Kim Jaejoong, and Kim Junsu…” The poor boy shook in his boots as Heechul glared at him as one would a particularly noxious insect, holding out three rich-cream colored envelopes. Heechul accepted them, and raised an eyebrow. The herald paled, turned, and ran as if the Hounds of Hell were nipping at his heels. Heechul smirked.
“…so weak.” He closed the door then turned his attention to the envelopes he held, curiously inspecting them. Shrugging, he cracked the wax seal to the one bearing his name, and read, or rather, deciphered the contents.
Their Royal Majesties are pleased to make an announcement!
In one week’s time a
Grand Ball
is to be held in honor of His Highness the
Crown Prince Andrew Gabriel Simba the Charming’s
upcoming
Birthday Celebration
All eligible individuals of good breeding are invited to attend, for at that time the Prince will also be selecting an individual with whom he is to become betrothed.
Mayhap you will be the lucky person!
“…this script is worse that Eeteuk’s handwriting.” Heechul complained, before raising one perfectly manicured brow. “So the Prince is having a Ball? Interesting.” He placed Junsu’s envelope into a desk drawer, seeing as he did not know whether or not his youngest brother would be back in time for the Ball, and placed Jaejoong’s in a highly visible place for whenever that brother came back from wherever he’d gone off to this time. Someone knocked on the door again, and with an annoyed sigh, Heechul turned and opened the door. “…Well, speak of the devil and he shall appear. Hello, Teukie.” Heechul said drily.
“HEECHUL~! DID YOU GET YOUR INVITATION YET BECAUSE WE SAW ONE OF THE HERALDS RUNNING FROM THIS DIRECTION AS WE CAME UP THE LANE OH GOOD I SEE THAT YOU DID COME ON THERE ISN’T A MOMENT TO WASTE WE MUST GET YOU READY FOR THE BALL OH MAYBE THE PRINCE WILL FALL IN LOVE IS THIS NOT THE MOST EXCITING OPPORTUNITY EVER I SO LOVE HAPPINESS AND ROMANCE DON’T YOU?!” The caramel-haired whirlwind literally spun into the residence, trailing golden sparkles as he did, and waving a familiar cream-colored envelope in one hand. Behind him from where he remained standing on the steps, HanKyung had a slight pained smile on his face.
“Good afternoon, ‘Rella.” He greeted Heechul “Eeteuk has been like that the entire time; when I arrived at his place earlier today on my way through the woods, he immediately accosted me and demanded that I bring him here.” HanKyung explained, watching the still-ongoing whirlwind babble away.
“…I see.” Heechul replied. “…well, come in then! Don’t just stand there like an idiot, Kyungie!” He scowled even as HanKyung gave a small smile.
“As you wish, thank you ‘Rella.” He replied, stepping in. Heechul closed the door, and led the way to the parlor, where gesturing imperiously for HanKyung to take a seat he sat down himself, and the both of them watched in exasperation (Heechul) or amusement (HanKyung) as Eeteuk continued his happy bouncing sparkle-trailing whirlwind imitation of a dance. Finally, Heechul could take no more of the nausea-inducing happy light show.
“Teukie…Eeteuk…EETEUK~! STOP getting your magic glitter everywhere~!” He screamed. Named individual stopped in mid-twirl. “I don’t care that you fancy yourself my ‘Fairy Godmother’ even if you are male, but please stop leaking sparkles all over the place, all right?” Heechul took a deep breath. “I am glad that you are so overjoyed about this ‘Grand Ball’ nonsense, but I have no intention of attending, thank you very much.” He informed the suddenly crestfallen Eeteuk. “If you are so hot on trying to get the Prince to fall in love with you, be my guest, but since I believe he’s probably nothing but a stuck-up, whiny, oily little snot who is more interested in a pretty face and an empty brain, which I have but am not, so no thank you can count me out.” Eeteuk blinked.
“…I’m not going as an eligible individual, though…I’ve been specially invited as one of the guests of the Royal Family seeing as I’m one of the few light-magic users in the land.” Eeteuk pointed out blankly. He then placed his hands on his hips in a huff. “And what do you mean, you aren’t going to go?!” Heechul rolled his eyes.
“Are you going deaf in your old age? I said I am not going! Besides, at a Grand Ball there is going to be a lot of dancing, and I have no desire to let my lack of skill in that area be put on display for the entire kingdom to ridicule.” Heechul sniped. Eeteuk looked crestfallen, then seemed to suddenly perk up.
“I can cook up a potion that will make you the best dancer in the kingdom!” He exclaimed happily. Heechul looked horrified.
“You, cook?! NO! No no no no no no no, and NO!” He shouted. “Teukie, you are horrible at cooking! I have no wish to be poisoned, and I do not need to know how to dance that badly.” He crossed his arms. HanKyung, who had been silently watching this exchange with growing amusement, finally spoke up.
“If you so desire, ‘Rella, I can teach you to dance.” He said softly. This had the effect of making both of the other men turn and stare at him. At their incredulous expressions, he stood up. “Shall I demonstrate?” Without waiting for a response, HanKyung launched himself into a short dance routine set to music only he could hear. It was fluid, it was graceful, it seemed at times that HanKyung had no bones, and it completely amazed his audience of two, who watched the dance with wide eyes. Eeteuk was the first to speak.
“HanKyung~! That was absolutely gorgeous! You dance?! Why didn’t you ever say?!” He gushed, clapping happily, not really expecting an answer seeing as HanKyung deflected or pretended not to understand the questions put to him about his personal life. HanKyung blushed a bit, looking at the still stunned Heechul from the corner of his eyes as he spoke.
“I learned dance when I was very young; my cousin had seen a performing troupe, and she convinced our parents to allow her to take dance lessons, and my mother that I had to accompany her to practice to protect her and so she would have someone she knew and trusted with whom to practice. It turns out I had the talent for it. Father was not amused, but indulged in my mother’s whims so long as I also took martial arts to balance things out.” He explained simply. The other two had returned to their flabbergasted state at HanKyung’s actually answering the questions. Heechul shook his head.
“…wait, you dance and you know martial arts too?!” Heechul practically stared at HanKyung with wide eyes. “Kyungie…you are so full of secrets!” He crossed his arms in a huff. “Just where and what did you grow up as?!” Here HanKyung returned to his standard redirection. He shrugged.
“’Rella? Would you care to learn to dance from me?” He asked, smiling softly. Heechul’s heart gave a strange, not-unpleasant thump. This smile was so different from the ones he’d usually received from HanKyung, the ones that were still so laced with sadness that, though the emotion had been fading in recent weeks, the emotion had still been present. This smile actually managed to reach HanKyung’s eyes, and with a painful start Heechul realized that he could actually, maybe, sort of fall for the admittedly handsome, but annoyingly mysterious young woodsman.
“…sure. Why not.” Heechul replied, feigning nonchalance. He was rewarded with another of HanKyung’s heart-melting soft smiles. The moment was ruined by Eeteuk.
“EEEEE~! OH MY GOODNESS I AM SO EXCITED~!!”
~*~*~*~*~
Over the course of the next six days, in between questioning Jaejoong in the evenings in order to discover whereabouts he disappeared to every single day, to which said young man proved as stubborn as Heechul himself and refused to answer by simply falling asleep while Heechul was mid-sentence, and harassing the tailor and the seamstress hired to make his and Jaejoong’s costumes for the ball, and avoiding Eeteuk like the plague since his ‘Fairy God(Person)’ kept on trying to convince Heechul to let him use his magic to make the costumes, Heechul learned how to dance from HanKyung. It must be said that HanKyung was a very patient teacher, and put up with Heechul’s complaints with nary a flinch. All in all, it was rather impressive, and even as Heechul got to know HanKyung more, his feelings grew for the ‘woodsman’ grew.
~*~*~*~*~
And where, one might ask, exactly was Kim Jaejoong disappearing to? Well, that is yet another tale to be told another time. But you the readers must understand some things if we are to proceed… All right. Suffice it to say…in short, the day Heechul had met Siwon in town, the same day Junsu had left on his trip, Jaejoong himself had ventured into the woods to gather a basket of sweet-tart wild berries to make dessert with. He’d been singing as he went, found a secluded clearing, been entranced by the deep soft green of the ground covering, and decided to take a nap, as he was very sleepy. Yunho, Prince of a neighboring kingdom, Siwon’s friend, and travelling incognito to visit said friend, had been enraptured by the lovely singing, and decided to seek out the singer. He came across the sleeping Jaejoong nestled among tiny white daisies and sweet clover blossoms, and was caught by the sight. Once Jaejoong woke up, and after a few misunderstandings, the two started to talk. The next day, they met in the clearing again, and talked more. Same with the next day, and the next…basically, they fell in love. Yunho asked if Jaejoong would be attending the Prince’s ball, when he replied in the affirmative they made plans to meet there.
Coming up soon: Part 3! Wherein the Grand Ball is attended, a love triangle rears its head, a pairing is made, and **gasp** someone makes a reappearance. Oh, and we find out just why Jaejoong has become Sleeping Beauty. **Giggle**
XD **Waits in expectation for the uproar.