Eclipsed Fates of Ever After

~Dash~ “Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a young girl…” My favorite maid, Hety, tells me fairy stories every night. This one is about a girl who gets turned into a servant and is hurt by her step family. Her daddy died when she was little and couldn’t protect her. Many years later, a fairy godmother showed up and helped her go to a big ball. The prince fell in love with her. They were dumb. They didn’t share names or anything. They didn’t talk. She had to leave before the magic disappeared. The step mommy found out and tried to make it so the prince would marry her horrible daughter. It didn’t work. The prince finds his love. “…They married and were said to live happily ever after. But it was a lie. A year after they married, the Princess was stolen. The kingdom disappeared without the Princess. She was forced to marry the evil man who stole her. “Six months after he took her, she gave birth to a handsome little prince. The Little Prince of the Lost Kingdom. The wicked man thought the little prince was his, but there has always been doubt. His own fairy godmother kept watch over her sweet prince. “But the day soon came when he would need to know the truth. He is the key. Only he can set his mommy free and bring the Lost Kingdom back into the light. Only he can bring them out of the shadows.” “Hety, that’s silly. It’s JUST a story. Besides, Daddy says fairies and stuff are evil. No one would REALLY trust one.” I insist. I’m only six, and I know this. She should, too. She looks hurt. “I sorry.” I crawl over and hug her. She scoops me up and sits me in her lap, hugging me tightly. “My Little Prince, how I wish you could see the truth.” She whispers. “That story is true. It’s your mommy’s story. Be vigilant. The time will come when I can’t protect you any longer. My time here is up. I’ve been discovered. Find them. Bring them out of the shadows." What? “Here.” She slips a corded necklace with a pretty wolf over my neck. Looking closely, it looks like tiny winged people are hiding against its ear. “This will hide your power. Keep it secret. Never take it off. Keep this book near. Read it every night. You’ll see why. Stay safe, my Little Prince. I must fly.” She sniffles and sets me on the bed. I want to run after her, but I’m stuck in bed. I rub my eyes as she leaves my room. Something shiny is behind her. Moments later, I hear her scream. I hug the book close and cry out for her. She doesn’t come. I cry and cry. The guards are shouting. More maids scream. I want Maid Hety! What is going on? I can’t move. All I can do it cry. I cry myself to sleep. ** “My son, why are there tears on your sweet face?” I wake up to Mommy gently wiping my face and stroking my hair. “Mommy, where’s Maid Hety? She said she had to go and I heard her scream. Did she get owies?” Mommy gives me a strange look before spotting my necklace. Her eyes get big and scared. She looks around before tucking it into my shirt. “Shh, my son. Never let anyone see that. I'll figure out how to hide it later, like mine. See?” she opens the gold star on her bracelet. A tiny version of my wolf is inside. She closes it quickly and holds her finger to her lips. “We must keep secrets from everyone. We can’t trust anyone.” “Not even, Daddy?” her eyes get a strange look. “Especially not him. He’s…” “RANI! RANI, WHERE ARE YOU? COME OUT HERE NOW!” Daddy’s angry makes me jump. I cling to Mommy. He doesn’t hurt her when I’m hugging her. “In here, Tre.” Daddy throws the door open hard. It scares me. Mommy rocks me and tries to calm me down. “What the hẹll is this? What did you do to my son?” “He had a bad dream. The intruder last night, and the guards yelling scared him. He was afraid all night.” Mommy always talks gently. “Then you should have…” “Sire, with all due respect. We locked Lady Rani and the young master in their rooms for their own protection, per your protocols. We only just unlocked the doors.” The ugly look on Daddy’s face tells me that he’s going to hurt that guard later. He says we must punish those who get out of line. I don’t like it. I won’t hurt them. “I appreciate you protecting me and Mommy like Daddy ordered, mister guard.” Daddy’s face softens. Hopefully, he leaves him alone. “My son is correct. You have done your job well. You may have the weekend off to spend with your family.” The guard goes from looking scared to happy. “You have my gratitude, Sire!” Daddy nods. “Tell me, what happened to the intruder?” “She threw herself over the wall. We heard her being eaten.” “Do you know what she was doing?” “Yes, Sire. It’s strange. She was posing as a maid. She went by Hety. Hety R. Grofo.” Hety is dead? I start crying. “What is it? What is wrong with the boy?” “Hety is the maid who cared for him at night. He only just told me. I wasn’t aware Mirabelle was away.” The guard looked at mommy in surprise. “My Lady, Mirabelle hasn’t worked here since two weeks after the young master was born. I know this because that is when we wed.” “Th-That’s impossible. I’ve seen her myself. She has always cared for our son.” Daddy says angrily. Mommy nods her head. “I swear, my Mirabelle has not stepped foot in the palace since we wed. I have kept her heavy with child. She has been far too busy with our home and family to care for another’s.” Daddy turns to Mommy in anger. He grabs her neck and squeezes. “If I find you have had anything to do with this or regained your memories, I will kill you in front of our son.” “Wh-what?” Mommy asks, confused. “I- husband.” Daddy releases her. The ugly look is on his face. “Never mind. Take care of our son. You are not to leave his side. Am I understood?” “Y-yes My Liege.” Mommy’s voice sounds hurt. “Good. Cover that up. I don’t want anything happening to him.” Daddy storms off. The guard quickly helps Mommy lay down and runs for the doctor. They’re used to Mommy’s owies. “Maid Hety R. Grofo. My son, what happens when you rearrange the letters?” I shrug. She smiles in the way Mommy does. “Figure it out, and I’ll tell you more. You have to know things like it to find what’s hidden in shadows.” I look at Mommy in shock. She never met Maid Hety. How would she know? “Worry no more. Hety lives. You shall see.” She gets quiet when the doctor comes in. I move aside and start working on my assignments. I know many languages and pick up on learning fast. Other kids hate me, but I don’t care. Adults call me weird, but Mommy says I’m perfect. Daddy secretly beats them up if he finds out. I don’t like it. I write Hety’s name down when I’m through my assignments. I’ll play with that later. I want to read my storybook. The doctor pats my head as he leaves. He doesn’t bother me. I bit his assistant. He called me a bad name. He’s not allowed around me anymore. “My son, come.” Mommy pats the bed next to her. I crawl up using the stairs. My bed is high up off the floor. I cuddle next to Mommy carefully and kiss her neck. I wish I could heal her. A faint glow comes from my hands, and Mommy winces. It goes away, and she rubs her neck. “Be careful what you wish for. I know it’s hard, but you can’t let others see that. They’ll hurt you.” I look to my hands confused. What did I do? “You healed me.” Mommy whispers in my ear and kisses my head. “Read me a story?” I quickly comply. I read Mommy the story read last night. She cries through it all. I don’t understand. Mommy cries herself to sleep. Her maid comes in with food. She sneers at Mommy and clicks her tongue. I don’t like her. She uncovers a tray for me and one for Mommy. Mommy gets butter bread with milk. I get eggs, sausage, toast, potato cakes, milk, and juice. I go to pick Mommy’s food up, and the maid smacks my hands. My scream wakes Mommy, and the guard comes running in. “Get away from the young master!” She looks surprised that he’s here. My whimper of pain draws their attention. She hurt my hand badly, but it burns, too! “Young Master! GUARDS!” He yells after looking at Mommy’s spilled food. The floor and rug are broken. It looks melty, like peeing in snow. “GUARDS! ASASSIN!” He yells out again. Four big guys come in and start chasing her. She makes it out into the hall. Mirabelle’s husband rushes me to clean my hand. The doctor runs in. “What happened?” “Lady Rani’s maid tried to kill them. The young master is burned.” The doctor quickly heals me, then smells the food. “Cyanide, iron shavings, and… I don’t get it. Why would she do this. The young master’s milk has oleander in it. Lady Rani’s is acid. Why would she do this?” He shakes his head. “Dax, chose only those you would trust with Mira. Set up rotations and protect them. Nothing can happen to them.” “I can move into the room next door.” Mommy pretends to still be hurt. My hand is quickly treated, and the danger food taken away. The floor is fixed, and Mommy’s things get moved into the room next to me by lunch. I need a nap.