Chapter Text
Once, there was a girl who lived with her guardian at the edge of a beautiful forest, who dreamed of a wondrous world from stories long past and wishes for the chance to make a difference….
Hi. My name is Stephanie Wallace. I guess you could say that I've always been the dreamer, ever since I was young. The one who every day goes to the window, and expects their "Prince Charming" to ride up and whisk them away from a dismal fate to happily-ever-after.
But, life isn't happily ever after, at least not for me anyways. You see, I've always been the person who's left day in, day out working for far less, in something other than what I had planned for myself. You see, a long time ago, I was alone at an orphanage that didn't have room for me at all. They always said that I was of no use, and that I had no family or family acquaintances with which I could live. And, being born, well, a little different than most, that's quite the challenge for a young child. I was always waiting for the right person to find me and care for me, and never expecting anyone to want me. And then out of all of it, came Maggie.
She came to the orphanage as a nurse, wanting to care for the local children, and having a good memory on how to deal with any ailment. She was a natural mother to all, and when she was there for me, it felt as if she was guiding me with a little magic to help me when I couldn't help myself at all. And, then I was told I could leave. I was so happy that out of everyone that Maggie was guiding me, although I didn't know why she stayed.
And then, I grew up. I dealt with life's ever-changing moods, and with every day, my dream of happily-ever-after was getting better and being dashed also with one string at a time.
For you see, I longed to see the world, and to have what others have: friends, family, and a chance to enjoy life. But, on the other hand, I accept what I have right now. For you see, nothing will ever change. I'll always live in New York. I'll always live near the forest, even if it's Central Park to everyone else. I'll always be a carriage driver to everyone more important than me. I'll always be different from everyone else. And, everything will always remain the same.…
"Antony, what's wrong? You seem to be upset. After I have sent you all that way to meet with the council…what did they have to say?"
Wendy knew that his friend was avoiding saying anything. The avoiding eyes, the downcast look, the melancholy walk… he knew something was up. So, at this point, Wendell knew that he would have to use reverse tactics to get any council news at all, since Antony looked as if he wasn't going to tell him anything soon…
"Wendy, why didn't you want to go with me? You could've had a say in the matter…."
"For your information, Antony, I had to deal with another crisis. Apparently, I along with Red Riding Hood had to deal with the 6th kingdom…"
However, Antony, at this point, gave Wendell a half-crazed look like he had lost all rational thinking…
"Why, they're all asleep with that spell and all…."
"Well, they're not anymore, and they're having a row about what has been happening for the last 100 years… especially with a report of something strange coming out of Lady Rapunzel's castle."
"Tough luck. Well, I told Virginia that I'd get there in plenty of time before Virginia's off and married…. So I'm off to the mirror then?"
"You aren't getting away with it that easy… what could they have possibly have said to get you so worried…" Wendell was in the middle of telling the Lord Rupert that he was free to be the person in charge of any plans, until he returned with Antony, from the wedding of course. After all, Wendell knew he had to be there for Virginia. She was his stepsister after all. And, she was family, even with everything that has happened…
" Well, let's just say that the good news is that they aren't going to take the kingdom away from you, and they're sending a friend of your grandmother Cinderella's, a Lady Beatrice, to tell you how long you have before they take the kingdom away by force…."
"For what, Antony? I don't understand…."
And, then Wendell could see it, there was something Tony wasn't telling him, that he really didn't want to tell him….
"Alright then, out with it. What's the bad news?"
"Wendell, you have to get married."
"WHAT!" The shout could be heard across his kingdom.
"Well, at I say King Wendell is taking it well…" Rupert said very calmly.
"I bet you 1,500 gold Wendells he doesn't, what say you?" Tony said with a mischievous grin.
"Why, Sir Antony! How disgraceful… " Rupert knew Mr. Lewis would never bet anything on chance, but in this case, and the fact that he was about to be head of the castle for a couple of weeks, he had only one response. "I never bet on such things less than 4,000.…."
"You're on."
Poor Wendell, but it's always a good time for a bet. And, ever since the Lucky-in-Love Casino, I've always wanted to win some money back since then, if nothing else, to pay back Wolf…Tony though, as he agreed to the wager.
"Ugghhh…." And then, came the sound he had known too well. The sound a grown man makes when he faints from overbearing news. Tony had did the same thing when Christine had told him to tell her mother that he was marrying Christine; and when only a few months later, he found out Christine was pregnant.
"And, I expect to be paid, as soon as the woman from the council arrives, before me and Wendell have to go visit Lady Virginia in the 10th kingdom, remember that…" . Tony Lewis replied as he went to tell the servants what to be prepared for when Lady Beatrice came.
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