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Chapter Text

Traveling into the woods behind her home was one of Cinderella’s favorite pastimes.

The dark forest was dangerous, of course, but she found solace in the silence and freedom she had. There were no tasks from her stepsisters or stepmother, there were no complaints or threats, there was only herself.

A small tug was felt at the hem of her dress.

She smiles and looks down, spotting the mouse-like curse at her feet.

Well, there was herself and the curse that liked to follow her.

Were her father still alive, he would have encouraged her to exorcise it immediately. But he was gone, having perished overseas on a mission that was unsuccessful. She never did bear any ill will towards the curse that followed her though, as it was meek and gentle.

At least, it was gentle in her company.

There was something about Cinderella’s cursed technique that made curses calmer, less volatile, and violence-prone. Her father told her he would train her how to use her energy to protect herself, maybe even develop it to the point she could live a normal life where curses bypassed her completely, but he died before that could happen.

So, now when she went into the forest, she practiced using her technique, sending out waves of energy to soothe any curses in the area. It was, in a way, to continue on her father’s work: protecting the people. But in another way, it was to test her own limits. This was something purely her own, something that her stepmother could never take away from her.

Cinderella feels yet another tug on her dress. She chuckles softly and bends to pick up the curse and place it on her shoulder. “You are certainly feeling clingy today, aren’t you, Jaq?”

Jaq divides into several smaller mice, curling around her as they close their eyes and rest.

“I don’t know what I was expecting.” She murmurs and continues her way into the woods to find the old shed where she kept her axe and chopped wood. Normally, she would have carried the axe to and from her home as it felt safer that way, but her stepmother had spoken against it as it “made them look bad.” Cinderella knew it was a fight she would not win, so she went along with her request.

When the shed comes into view, Cinderella removes the ring of keys from her hip and prepares to unlock the door when she hears breathing somewhere behind the wood pile.

She nearly drops her keys, her body tensing as she stops moving to avoid tipping off the being that she was there.

There was a chance that it was simply a curse. There was a chance she was perfectly safe and she would be able to talk with the curse and convince them to leave the shed.

But what if it was human?

The curses around her neck wake up to her fear, becoming agitated as they make a protective loop around her neck. Strangely, they did not hiss at the energy before them, which was a common occurrence when a new curse tried to enter the chateau. This must be a curse with greater energy than them…

Cinderella makes quick work of the lock on the door, opening it and pulling the axe from its holder before slowly walking towards the wood pile to the side of the shed.

With each step closer, Cinderella lifts the axe higher in preparation to defend herself.

But when she finally sees the source of the sound, she is surprised to find a young man around her age sleeping against the wood.

“Oh dear.” She lowers the axe with an embarrassed blush as she realizes she is the real threat in the area. This guy couldn’t possibly be a curse, could he? Surely the curses around her neck were just tired and reacting in her defense, should the man be dangerous.

Bending slightly, Cinderella reaches out and pokes him on the shoulder, looking at the man in amusement as he groans and turns away. Strangely, the curses around her neck jump away in fright as the man moves. 

“Five more minutes grandpa..”

Cinderella kneels properly beside him, setting aside her axe before tapping him once. “I’m afraid I’m not your grandfather.”

The young man reluctantly opens his eyes, his expression exhausted and confused as he looks around himself. She figured he must be looking for answers on where he was, as his confusion only worsened the more he saw.

“This isn’t… the palace?” He grins awkwardly to himself. “Where did he take us..?” 

“Pardon me?” Maybe she shouldn’t have put down her axe so suddenly…

“Oh! Yeah, uh, sorry about that.” The pink and black-haired man rubs the back of his neck and smiles apologetically. “I’m Itadori Yuji, I’m visiting for a while.” He pats himself down before plucking out a paper from his pocket. It was a little wrinkled, but the writing was still legible. 

It had the seal of the king.

“Could you help me get back to the palace? Just point out the way and I’ll be out of your hair!” He clasps his hands together pleadingly. 

Cinderella was still rather shaken up by meeting one of the king’s personal guests as she thoroughly read the permission. But there was something strange about why he was a guest. 

“You’re… here to hunt curses?” 

Yuji opens his eyes and looks at her, blinking slowly as her words settle. “Huh? Oh! Ohhh… yeah that’s- that’s another way to say I’m here to…” He glances around him. “Hunt predators?” 

Cinderella gives him a look, causing him to let out a hey!

“It’s true! I’m really handy with a bow!” 

“Itadori?” 

“Yes?” 

“Can you really see curses?” She knew that her father had worked with others when he exorcised curses, but she had never met anyone with the gift. Could Itadori actually see curses like she could..? 

Itadori looks conflicted as if preparing to speak another lie, but his face takes on a look of realization. “Can you see them too?” 

Cinderella nods. Looking behind her, she beckons forth the small curses that followed her. “Come on, it’s okay Jaq.”

Hesitantly, the small curse that had now reformed into one moves to Cinderella’s waiting hand. It looks at Yuji, its eyes squinting before it looks back at Cinderella and climbs onto her hand. 

“They actually like you..?” Yuji asks in amazement. “I’ve never seen a curse act so docile like that.” 

Cinderella brings Jaq to her shoulder and smiles as he rubs against her cheek. “They have always liked me. My father told me it was likely my innate technique, but he never had the chance to explore my cursed energy further with me. I always wondered about them, but I have never met anyone else who could see them until you.” 

Yuji whistles, crossing his legs and holding them as he leans back a bit. “I know a whole bunch of people who can see them. See, I came here with my mentor and my friends, they can all see curses. We’re jujutsu sorcerers, but I guess you can call us exorcists.” 

"Sorcerers..." Cinderella whispers. "So I'm not alone."

"Have you really never met another sorcerer before? I know I never knew about this until I met Fushiguro, but surely there are others here who can see them?”

Cinderella shakes her head and sighs. "I am not allowed to go outside of my home unless it is for buying food or running errands for my stepmother or stepsisters."

"Wait, seriously?" Yuji leans forward, startling Cinderella for a moment as she leans back. "You can't be serious?"

Cinderella nods quietly.

Yuji leans back once he notices her nervousness, whispering a quick sorry before holding his chin in his hand and humming. "It sounds like you could use some help."

She shakes her hands in front of her, "Oh you needn't worry about me! I can handle myself." While she didn't normally like lying, she had slowly accumulated money from her trips to the market. Bargaining for lower prices allowed her to save the money she didn't use as funds to escape her home. One more week was all she needed before she could leave her home for good. It did upset her, that her family home would be left in the hands of her stepmother, but what other choice did she have?

Yuji looks at the axe she had laid behind her. "It does look like it, but I could still help. I don't feel comfortable knowing you're living like a prisoner."

"Suddenly sympathetic to prisoners, eh?"

Yuji slaps his cheek, holding his hand over the left side of his face.  Before Cinderella can question where the voice came from, Yuji hurries to his feet and smiles down at her. "I've got to get going, but if you ever need help, just ask for me at the palace and I'll come running!"

Cinderella holds her hand out, the permission of the king still in her hand, "Wait-!"

"Gotta go, bye!" Yuji yells over his shoulder as he begins running out of the woods, thankfully in the right direction. 

.

Cinderella returns home with the slip tucked in her apron pocket, her axe still in hand as she crosses into the stables before making her way to the kitchen. "I wonder if he will be alright?" She murmurs as she hovers a hand over the pocket. "Maybe I should have followed him." 

Jaq shakes its head and huffs, dividing into multiple mice before jumping onto the ground and shuffling her house slippers towards her.

Cinderella chuckles and removes her boots at the door before putting on the slippers. "Thank you, Jaq. What would I have done without you?" 

For the rest of the evening, Cinderella cleans the house from top to bottom and occasionally fulfills the request of her stepsisters who arrive home from their university. It wasn't something she openly admitted to anyone, but she wished that she could attend university like them, rather than sneaking away to the library in town to try teaching herself concepts she could only dream of mastering. Her sisters often complained of their classes or their teachers, but oh what Cinderella would do to switch places with them. She would put up with anything for the chance to learn. 

.

It is the next morning when there is a knock at the door. 

Cinderella, being in the middle of cleaning the staircase, is the first to arrive. Pulling open the door, she greets the stout man with a bow, accepting the letter in his hand. 

"An urgent message from the palace!" He announces before turning away and returning to his car. 

"A message from the palace?" Cinderella murmurs, closing the door behind her and making her way up the stairs. Even from the first floor, she could hear her stepsisters singing practice, though it felt more like the screech of a poorly tuned violin. She looks to her pocket where Jaq is hiding out. "Do you think I should interrupt their singing?" She questions in a playful tone. 

Jaq nods, his tail swishing back and forth.

"That's a yes." She continues onto the second floor, taking a right into the hall before knocking on the door to the music room. Upon hearing her name screamed out, she opens the door as that was the best greeting she would be getting.

Her stepmother was livid. "How many times have I told you, never to interrupt where you are not needed!" 

Cinderella holds up the letter, "Yes stepmother, but this just arrived from the palace-"

"The palace!" Her stepsisters squeal and run to her, snatching the paper out of her hands to begin reading over the page. "There will be a ball tomorrow night! Every eligible maiden in the kingdom is to attend!"

Anastasia, the younger of the two, presses the letter to her chest and holds her hand to her head in a fainting pose. "And I'm so eligible!"

Drizella shoves her and snatches the paper from her hands. "So am I, idiot!"

Cinderella looks at Jaq and shrugs, preparing to leave the room before she is stopped by the sound of her name. 

"Cinderella."

She looks around the door. "Yes, stepmother?"

"You will go into town to the tailor and have Drizella's and Anastasia's best dresses altered for the ball. Posthaste, give them whatever payment they require to make it in time for the ball."

Silently, Cinderella sent up a prayer to whatever god was out there. This was how she would make the money she needed for her escape. This was the opportunity she needed. 

"Right away, stepmother." Cinderella closes the door with a smile. 

.

Cinderella, upon reaching the town that lay at the base of the hill where the chateau stood, carried the bags of dresses to the local tailor. She could have taken their carriage, as her stepmother refused to lend her a car, but Drizella and Anastasia decided to treat themselves with a ride to destress before the ball tomorrow. 

There was simply not arguing with them at that point. 

Pulling open the door, Cinderella is surprised to see a group of ladies in a circle, surrounding someone she assumed was an important client. 

With a shrug, Cinderella walks up to the tailor and begins the process of payment for adjustments to the dresses. She passes on the note her stepmother wrote about what adjustments should be made, and then begins the bartering process to save on the money she hoped to keep. 

Fortunately, the tailor was a kindly older woman who gave her a fair price, allowing Cinderella to keep quite a bit of change left over besides what she had to give back to keep up the ruse. 

Once her stepfamily was gone from the house, she would make her escape. To where? She didn’t know yet, but somewhere far. Somewhere with adventure waiting for her. 

“Have none of you ever met a foreigner before? Jeez, back off!” 

Cinderella looks at the crowd of women and stands on her tiptoes to get a look at what is going on. 

In the center of the group, wearing a rather unique set of clothes, was a young woman with cropped ginger hair. She had apparently been looking over the dresses on display but inadvertently summoned a crowd to her. 

“I know this kingdom likes its traditions but is it so strange to see a woman in pants! Augh- hands off!” The woman smacks the hands of one of the women who grab her sleeve to feel the fabric. 

Immediately, Cinderella steps in. Pushing her way to the front, she uses her curse energy to send out a wave of distressed emotion to the women around her. “That’s enough! You should be ashamed of yourselves! Grouping up on her, haven’t you enough entertainment elsewhere?” She huffs as she watches the women scatter, fanning themselves as they exit the store in a hurry. 

Cinderella waits until the last of the ladies leave before turning to look at the foreigner. “I’m sorry for their behavior-“ 

“Do that again.” 

“Huh?” 

The woman was looking at her, confused yet knowing. “What you just did. You are aware you can do it, yes?” 

Cinderella blinks in surprise and whispers. “You’re a sorcerer?” 

The woman nods, her expression a tad wary. “You can tell?” 

“I believe I met your friend, Itadori Yuji the other day in the woods.” Cinderella adjusts her apron, a nervous tick of hers. “He is your friend, right?” 

The foreign woman laughs, wiping her eyes comically as she nods. She does her best to whisper in return, but ends up a little loud in the end. “So you’re the axe woman they were talking about! Yeah, I’m Kugisaki Nobara, one of the sorcerers visiting this place with him.” 

Cinderella opted not to ask who the added person in “they” was, deciding to continue on with a different subject. “Was Itadori able to return to the castle okay? He left his permission letter with me.” She admits as she removes the slip from her pocket. “Would you please return it to him?” 

Kugisaki looks at her, then at the letter. She chuckles lightly and nudges Cinderella’s hand aside. “Keep it. The dork managed his way back inside on his own. Maybe the slip will do you some good.” 

Cinderella reluctantly returns the slip to her pocket. 

“You know what? How about I buy you a dress? You’re coming to the ball tonight, right?” Kugisaki gestures around them. “That’s why you’re in here?” 

Cinderella shakes her head, “I’m not allowed to-“ 

“Sure you are! I didn’t steal Gojo’s wallet for nothing if not to buy a cute girl a dress. He’s rich as hell, and while I was the cute girl in mind, there’s room for two of us.” Kugisaki grabs her hand and guides her around the shop, pointing to dresses she thought would compliment Cinderella best. 

Cinderella had no plans on attending the ball, it was too good of an opportunity to escape her home. But Kugisaki was incredibly convincing with her convictions and energy. She managed to find a blue dress that Cinderella couldn’t take her eyes off of. 

The dress was incredibly pricey, something that the tailor admitted she might alter into a cheaper dress, but Kugisaki wasn’t lying when she told Cinderella, Gojo is rich as hell. 

So she ended up in a dress. 

Cinderella was standing stunned in front of the mirror as the tailor-made quick adjustments to the dress to make it perfect for her. She stood stock still as she wanted to avoid getting poked by a stray needle, but Kugisaki, who was getting fitted on her left, had no such fear. 

“I’ve been struck by worse.” Kugisaki grins, amused by her own inner joke. “A little needle is nothing.” 

Cinderella turns her head slightly, growing more and more curious about the sorcerers she is suddenly meeting. “Kugisaki? How long will you be staying in the kingdom?”

”Probably another few days. We’re getting closer to finding what we need here, so it shouldn’t be very long. Why’d ya ask?” 

“I’m… curious. You’re the second-“ She pauses on the word sorcerer, aware of how strange it would be for the tailors to hear such a thing. “Guest I have met,” She says cautiously, “And I wish to know more about your culture.” 

Luckily, Kugisaki was quick to catch on. 

“Come to the ball and meet me there, I’ll introduce you to everyone and see what we can answer for you.” She offers. “The information you want might be more than you can handle though, are you prepared for that?” 

Cinderella smiles. 

“I can handle myself.” 

Chapter Text

Returning to the house with a full gown in hand was surprisingly not as difficult as Cinderella would have imagined. While it wasn’t ideal, there was a spot in the stables where she could stash away her dress until the night; her family wouldn’t dare stay in the stables long enough to let the smell of the horses sink into their clothes.

Jaq runs up to her as she prepares to walk into the kitchen, helping her switch her shoes to avoid tracking in unnecessary dirt. Though by the looks of it, Drizella and Anastasia didn’t care to do the same. There were dirty footsteps leading up the stairs from the kitchen into the rest of the house, meaning more work for Cinderella.

“One last thing to do before the night, hm?” Cinderella asks Jaq with a tired smile. Grabbing her bandana, she ties it over her hair before continuing on into the house to begin cleaning.

.

The next morning, Cinderella finds herself washing her stepmother’s car. It was a Thunderbird that Cinderella’s father had gifted her when they got married. While she doubted her stepmother had affection for her father, the woman treasured her car, which meant she had to be extra careful with the vehicle.

Upon finishing the polish on the outside of the car, Cinderella prepares to clean the leather interior. Setting aside her used rags, she grabs a new one as well as a spray to clean the leather. She gets through one spray on the front seat when a loud crash startles her from her focus.

Bumping her head on the inner section of the door, she hisses and rubs her head as she straightens and looks to the side where the entrance to the stable was.

There was rustling in the thicket preceding the appearance of a large curse. It groaned as it crashed into the stables, its face was stuck in a terrified expression while its multiple arms swung forward to keep it upright as it had no legs. When its eyes land on Cinderella, it tumbles toward her at full speed.

There is a young man following behind it, cursing as he hops over the fence to reach the cursed spirit. There was a bird-like creature following after him in the air, looking ready to swoop down.

Cinderella moves quickly to step in front of the car as she knows the man will not make it in time. She holds her hands out and speaks softly as she releases a wave of energy.

“You are safe now.”

The curse stops its rolling, its extra limbs frozen in the middle of spinning. When the energy fully soaks into it, it morphs until it shrinks into a form similar to Jaq. The newly reformed curse shakes its head out, standing on its hind legs it shakes out its head and cleans its whiskers.

Cinderella chuckles and kneels, holding her hand out to the curse while ignoring the man who she could feel was looking at her strangely. “Come here.”

The rat-like curse scurries to her hand and bops its nose against her hand.

Finally, she looked to see the man who was panting quietly and eyeing her with mild disgust. Which, she supposed was fair. The curse wasn’t very pretty to look at before.

“Let me guess, you must be Fushiguro, correct?” She taps her chin, grinning at his brief look of surprise. Really, it was only the small widening of his eyes. “I will take that as a yes.” Scooping up the curse in her arms, she walks up to him and offers out the curse. “I assume he has done damage to someone if you are chasing him.”

Fushiguro bows his head in a nod, accepting the curse from her hands. “So, you are the girl Kugisaki and Itadori were speaking of.”

“Am I popular now?” Cinderella chuckles, ignoring the small pang in her heart as she watches him exorcise the cursed spirit in his hands. “I didn’t think I would meet someone like this. Do strange happenings occur constantly after learning about jujutsu sorcerers?”

Fushiguro adjusts his collar. “In short? Yes.”

She had this strange feeling that he was not the talkative type. Call it a hunch. But she wasn’t put off by him, she didn’t know if she would have been the quiet type if she was around people more often. As it was, she wanted to meet and speak with people but was forbidden from doing so, so she had the desire. 

“Ah, it just occurred to me that neither of them know my name, right?” 

“They didn’t mention one, no.” 

“Well, my name is Cinderella Tremaine.” She doesn’t bother holding her hand out, as she was sure he wouldn’t feel comfortable with it. 

“Fushiguro Megumi.” He looks around, realizing where he was. “Am I… allowed to be in here?” 

“My stepmother would likely say no, but she and my stepsisters are busy inside, preparing for the ball.” She whispers, “I certainly hope there is no singing involved. I pray for the prince’s ears.” 

She catches the small sound of a stifled laugh, looking up, she manages to see as Fushiguro covers his face behind a balled fist. Well, she would count that as a success!

The curse that had been flying above them finally comes to land beside Fushiguro, though it crawls to Cinderella and places it’s head under her hand, releasing a cooing sound that made her smile. She strokes its feathers, tickled by the static they held. “Do you calm curses as well?” She asks. 

“Not exactly…” Fushiguro murmurs as he watches Nue receive affection from her. “Nue is a shikigami. Not quite a curse, but something certain sorcerers can tame and summon to aid in exorcising cursed spirits.” 

Cinderella chuckles, giving Nue one last pat before stopping. “I see. Nue must really like you. I can tell you’ve had him for a very long time.” 

“You can say that.” Fushiguro toys with his collar again. She decides not to point out his shyness, as he would likely shut himself off, and she has at least gotten a decent sentence out of him. Progress. 

“Will you be leaving?” She asks as she notices his small movements as if he were itching to jump the fence again. 

“I should. I need to check on the others, they were chasing their own curses.” 

Cinderella nods in understanding. Well, if it all went well, she would be seeing them all at the palace tonight. “I wish you luck.” 

Fushiguro nods and with a wave to Nue to summon him forward, he leaves the stables- though he decides to leave through the door this time. 

.

Cinderella, upon going out to retrieve the dresses for her stepsisters, was quickly summoned by her stepmother to aid them in dressing, as they required a cage crinoline. She thought it would look a bit too traditional, but they believed that tradition would win over new-age fashion in the eyes of royalty.

An interesting thought.

Cinderella was almost glad she was not seen as a member of their family as she would have had to wear the same cage as they did.

As they make their way to the door in preparation to leave, her stepmother holds up a finger, pointing at Cinderella, venom and all.

”You are to stay here. If I notice anything out of line.” She doesn’t bother finishing her threat. With one last look, she leaves with her daughters.

Cinderella waits until she can hear the engine start and fade before looking into her apron pocket at Jaq. “It’s time.” She smiles down at the curse who hopped out of her pocket and ran ahead to the stables.

.

Cinderella managed to arrive to the castle on horseback. Though it was a terrifying process as she had a dress to worry about, she had done her fair share of tending to the horses, that she needn’t fear them being dirty.

Once she leaves her horse at a stable around the side, she makes her way up the stairs into the palace. 

As all the women in the kingdom were invited, there was no need to show off one’s invitation. That much was a relief. She didn’t know how she would have made it through otherwise. 

Cinderella, despite having a single goal in mind, enjoyed the walk into the palace and through the doors. She feels… a sense of peace while looking up at the cathedral paintings on the ceilings, watching as they slowly transform into paintings of the night sky with stars and constellations. 

When she finally reaches the doors to the ballroom, she hides away with a group of ladies whose presence as already announced. She had no intention of giving anyone her name, in fear of her stepmother learning she was here. 

Once out of the danger zone, Cinderella quickly and quietly goes around the large ballroom, checking to see where the sorcerers may be. 

Funnily enough, the Prince was perfectly visible at one of the mezzanines. But… there was something else with him. 

Cinderella’s eyes widen as she realizes that beside the Prince, was a curse. It was immobile, likely due to the talismans surrounding it, but it was a curse. 

Why would the prince have a curse with him? 

She shakes her head and continues moving on, unaware of the eyes now on her. 

.

“How can I not find them?” Cinderella sighs, leaning against one of the pillars in the room. She had walked around the entire ballroom with no luck. Surely she would have spotted at least one of them by now? Unless… their not being here has something to do with the curse the Prince had beside him?

”Oh mother, look at him!”

Cinderella startles at the sound of Anastasia yelling. Immediately she moves to hide behind the pillar. 

“I see him. All we must do now, is wait.” 

“Why do you think he’s up there?” Drizella mumbles. “Why couldn’t he be down here?” 

Cinderella slowly backs away to the garden doors as their voices grow louder, coming closer to her hiding spot. 

“Patience my dears, you will have your chance with the Prince.” Her stepmother says, her voice far too close for comfort. 

With few options left, Cinderella runs into the garden, looking around for a place to wait until her family moves away from the pillars. Or for a weak spot in the hedges so she could climb over. 

“Look at this garden, mother!” 

Climbing over it is.

Cinderella grips the branches of the hedges and begins to attempt her climb, getting rather high up and ready to place her leg over the top when a branch snaps and sends her falling down. She squeezes her eyes shut in fear of the fall onto the stepping stones. 

But all she feels is arms catching her. 

She opens her eyes and sees a man staring down at her. He looked eerily similar to Itadori… She prepares to apologize for falling on him- though he did catch her- when he lifts her up closer to his body and walks backward behind one of the hedges. 

She stays silent as Anastasia’s voice gets louder. She looks to the side, watching the shadows on the ground as her stepsisters enter further into the garden. 

“Look at the roses!” 

“Ana we don’t have time for this!” Drizella yells, likely grabbing her sister as Anastasia lets out a yelp. “Come on!” 

Their voices fade and soon the garden is silent again, minus the soft bubbling of fountains. 

Cinderella releases a sigh of relief before looking back at the man who caught her. “Thank you.” 

“Why are you thanking me?” He grins, eyes alight with mischief. “What if I am here to steal you away?” 

Cinderella looks at him with a raised brow. “Then you wouldn’t be talking to me right now.”

“Have you been kidnapped before?”

“No, but I know a poor job when I see one.”

The man huffs and drops her. “This is the thanks I get for good behavior.”

Cinderella winces as she lands on the floor. It wasn’t any worse than one of her normal spills, but it did ache a bit. She looks at the man and glares. “I did say thank you. I might be taking it back now…” Slowly, she rises to her feet and dusts herself off. “Regardless, I am appreciative of you hiding me, but I must be going now.” 

She takes three steps before the man speaks up again. 

“Where is your axe this time?” He drawls. “I was hoping to see it in use this time.” 

She pauses and looks back. Really looking, she notices the extra two eyes on his cheekbones and feels the curse energy in the air. Were Jaq with her, he would have been cowering in fear. 

“You aren’t Itadori…” She murmurs. 

“How bright you are, dear.” The man says in a blunt tone. “You would be correct. I am not that idiot.” 

“But you look similar to him.” Cinderella may not go outside often to see enough people, but she knows the odds of him looking like Yuji is very small. Unless they are brothers? But with that much energy...

The man grins, sharpened canines on display as he walks closer and draws a finger along the underside of her jaw. “Can you spot the difference?” 

She frowns at his touch, but she looks closer. “For one, he doesn’t have four eyes.” 

“An astute observation.” 

“And,” She grabs his wrist and turns it in her hand, looking at the black bands around his wrist. “He doesn’t have these tattoos.” 

The man doesn't pull his arm away from her, instead, he focuses his gaze on her. He examines her as she examines him. "And?"

"Your cursed energy is stronger than his. You feel like..." She prepares to laugh off her theory when he tilts her chin to have her look at him. 

"Like what?" He questions, his gaze cold. "Answer me."

She feels the sharpness of his nails, the odd chill to his touch. "A curse."

The curse grins and releases her from his hold. "So your sight wasn't a fluke." He hums, pulling away from her. Cinderella doesn't bother holding onto his wrist, he likely would have tugged himself away regardless. "You must have noticed this little party isn't as it seems then." 

Cinderella nods, glancing at the garden doors that led back to the ballroom. "The prince is standing beside a contained curse."

"Yes yes, and why do you think that is?"

She looks at him, "Only... only sorcerers would be able to see it. So... the Prince is trying to determine who in the crowd can see curses?" 

The curse laughs and claps his hands. "So you aren't as dimwitted as the kid. Yes, the Prince is trying to find women who can see curses. If you want to be a princess, you are ruining your chances by not claiming your prize." He leans down to meet her eyes. "So you should go now." 

Cinderella straightens, refusing to cower under his gaze. "I am not interested in being a princess."

"Oh?" He grins and grabs her by the chin. "Then you're interested in being devoured here and now? I assure you, I am not a good little curse like the one you've tamed."

She glares at him, her patience for his attitude waning. "I am looking for Itadori, Kugisaki, and Fushiguro. If you know where they are, point the way and I'll get out of your sight." 

Drawing his sharp nail across her chin, but not enough to draw blood, he eyes her as if searching for something. Fear maybe? Discomfort? But the only thing he found was annoyance. 

His grin falls. Boredom kicks in and soon he releases her. "They are nearly out. They were taken to speak with the king last minute. Feel free to follow me if you're feeling trusting." He turns around and waves over his shoulder for her to follow as he exits the garden. 

Cinderella huffs before following him. 

Not even this curse's attitude would get in the way of her answers.