A/N: A big thank you to whitexx for helping me with the FF You don't know how much help she had given me and I'm nothing but grateful. <3

________________________________________________________________________________

Sungyeol woke up when he heard his alarm clock ringing. He tried to stretch but it seemed impossible to do so in the tiny artic room he was given and thanks to his long limbs, he could only curl up like a kitten, it was deadly uncomfortable. He yawned, covering his mouth with his hand as he switched off his alarm clock, worried that it would wake the ‘monsters’ in the house up. He lightly climbed down the stairs and washed up in the backyard of the house, where a small toilet was located. Splashing cold water onto his face, he felt himself being refreshed and awake, ready to start another yet tiring day.

‘Good morning, Dubu ah.’ He smiled as he gave a little pat on the white puppy’s head. The puppy wagged his tail happily as it trailed behind Sungyeol into the kitchen, where Sungyeol was preparing breakfast for everyone in the house.

‘Good morning young mister.’ One of the maids greeted him as he entered the kitchen, but Sungyeol shook his head.

‘Jiae, don’t call me that. Or else you’ll get into trouble with ma’am.’ Sungyeol smiled a little as he took out the milk from a basket and a loaf of bread and began his usual routine of preparing breakfast.

‘Like I care about what she thinks, seriously.’ Jiae snorted. ‘She’s nut and she’s one of the most unreasonable woman I’ve ever seen. She’s a disgrace to the human race.’

Sungyeol only smiled in reply. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to bad mouth that stepmother of his, but Sungyeol found that he shouldn’t use his energy complaining. What’s the point? No matter how much he complained, things would never change, so he wanted to make his life easier instead. Jiae wanted to help Sungyeol to do everything, but dread the thought of Sungyeol’s stepmother finding out. The other time, that obnoxious woman hit Sungyeol when she happened to find out that the breakfast was made by Jiae. Sungyeol knelt for a whole 14 hours that day, with lots of bruises on his back due to the whipping he received. Jiae somehow blamed it to the head of the house, Sungyeol’s father, for being oblivious to all those, but she was as helpless as Sungyeol since she was just a maid.

‘Lee Sungyeol!’ the high-pitched scream indicated that the slumber time was over for the pests of the house, Sungyeol’s nightmare of the day began.

‘Coming!’ Sungyeol replied, carrying two plates with one hand and moving up the stairs without any sigh of any plates toppling over. Well, he had been doing that for a few years already, so he was kind of used to it.

‘Ma’am, here’s your breakfast.’ He gently placed the plate onto the table in his stepmother’s room, if you’re curious, no, his stepmother didn’t share the same room as his father. She took the biggest room and only let Sungyeol’s father to have one of the small rooms. After all, she only married him as she was after the royalty background. Yes. Sungyeol’s father was one of the royalties, but he was a super poor one.

‘Can’t you see that I’m still in my pajamas you imbecile moron!’ The fat woman, sitting on her fluffy bed that didn’t suit her at all, screamed.

‘What is there to see, you fat freak?’ Sungyeol almost said it but he bite his tongue in time, he was laughing in his mind. Why would HE want to see her ‘perfect’ figure? What a joke. Sungyeol would rather look at the horses in his own home than her. Man. They were much more handsome and friendlier.

‘Yes ma’am. I’m so sorry.’ Sungyeol said instead, but he was biting onto his inner cheeks so he wouldn’t laugh. Oh well, he had to get out of that room. The smell of his stepmother filled his nostrils and it disgusted him. He wanted to get out immediately.

5 p.m.

It was a time that Sungyeol looked forward to every day, since his stepmother and stepbrother would be so busy attending to balls organized by the royalties, and since that obnoxious woman was married to his father, they had the privilege to go. Sungyeol had one hour before he needed to do something. Instead, he would go out to the garden of the house and separated by a fence, he would talk to his neighbor, his only friend since 3 years ago.

‘Sungyeol hyung, you’re late by 1 minute.’ The boy in front of him pouted his thin lips. Sungyeol chuckled.

‘I’m so sorry Myungsoo ah. Look on the bright side, we still have 59 minutes to talk. How’s your day?’ Sungyeol smiled warmly. He always felt easy around this boy, at least he was the only one who was willing to treat him like a human and most importantly, a friend that he never thought he would have.

‘Hm. I got lessons today. It was so boring. The teacher just wouldn’t shut up when I wanted to read the notes. I seriously don’t need a teacher. I wonder why dad and mum give me so many. It annoys me to death.’ Myungsoo frowned.

‘Myungsoo, teachers are there for a reason. They are hired to teach you knowledge, how can you expect them to shut up?’ Sungyeol always knew that Myungsoo was smart, no, check that. Myungsoo was a genius. He could study by himself, but seemed like his parents were just being insecure about their son studying alone and that he needed someone to supervise him in his studies.

‘I don’t know! I don’t need them! Aish. Forget about what I said. I don’t want to waste time on me. How’s your day, hyung? I heard the two of them yelling all day long. I can hear them although my room is soundproof.’ Myungsoo looked at Sungyeol with a worried look. Sungyeol suddenly felt that Myungsoo looked as though he was older than him, despite the fact that the younger was actually younger than him by a year, Myungsoo’s maturity was definitely higher than his age.

‘Same old. I don’t want to talk about them either.’ Sungyeol hummed. Talking about his stepmother and stepbrothers was just simply pointless.

‘Hey, hyung, have you heard? The prince is inviting all the citizens aged from 16-21 to go for a ball tomorrow! I heard that he wanted to settle down and find a husband or wife, rumor was that he was biual.’ Myungsoo’s voice dropped to a whisper when he had reached the last sentence, as though it was a secret that wasn’t supposed to be heard by any other people, and it sounded like as though Myungsoo was scared that others’ would hear him.

‘Really? I didn’t know.’ Sungyeol raised his brows in surprise and Myungsoo nodded. ‘You planning to go?’

‘Well, it’s sort of compulsory, so I guess I have no choice.’ Myungsoo shrugged. ‘How about you, hyung? Do you think your stepmother will let you go?’

‘I doubt that. I don’t even think she will mention it to me. In anyways, if she gets her son to marry the prince, she’ll be a queen, wouldn’t she?’ Sungyeol pondered aloud.

‘I don’t think the prince will choose him. Look at their humongous size! Who will be interested in him in the first place?’ Myungsoo scrunched his nose in disgust.

‘Yeah. Quite true. Most probably you’ll get chosen. Your face is a killer to start with, Myungsoo ah. Too handsome, or maybe you’ll get locked up because the prince is jealous.’ Sungyeol laughed and he felt his heart sank a little when he said that. It just felt as though his heart was heavy and uneasy about Myungsoo going to the ball.

‘Of course not. I’m not interested in him in anyway. And you’re just exaggerating. I’m not even that handsome. You are the one that’s handsome hyung.’ Myungsoo said casually. ‘Say, aren’t you suppose to go for your part time job?’ Myungsoo looked at his watch on his wrist.

‘Oh yes! I forgot! Time flies. See you tomo- wait, I mean, see you the day after tomorrow!’ Sungyeol waved and went off, leaving his friend still standing in the garden waving back at him, not forgetting to ask Jiae to look after the house and help him cover up if his stepmother happened to reach home early. Jiae agreed quickly and rushed Sungyeol out of the house, or else he would be late for work. Sungyeol thanked her and ran out after grabbing his thin black coat.

It felt really good with the cool breeze hitting on his face gently. The streets were pretty quiet, given that everyone had knocked off from work and went home for a warm, hearty dinner. Sungyeol blew some air out from his palms then rubbed them against each other quickly. The thin coat was definitely not enough to provide warmth for the poor boy. He finally reached his destination. It was a boutique that sold all kinds of dresses and suites, recently, it had also started providing the service of carriage, sending people, mostly the royalty to their respective places to attend those parties they had to attend so that they would look rich.

Sungyeol pushed open the door and was immediately greeted by the boss, Key.

‘Why, hello there. I have just designed a new suit and I need you to try out, and then, the usual procedure.’ Key smiled at Sungyeol, showing his perfect white teeth. Sungyeol nodded as he stepped into the changing room with the new suit in his hand. He appear a few minutes later, dressed up.

‘Perfect!’ Key cried. ‘Now, go! Wait, gel your hair up a bit… Like this. Okay! You’re good to go! Take one of the carriage will you?’

Sungyeol stepped into the carriage and soon, he reached the place and he put on a white mask, covering three quarters of his face so no one would recognize him. That’s right. He worked at a boutique, but not as a sales person, nor was he a designer. He was a model, a live model for the boutique. He just had to simply slip onto one of the suits and go to the ball, every single night, so that he would be an advertisement for the boutique. It was Key who came up with the awesome idea since he thought that Sungyeol’s height and perfect proportion of his body would show off the charm of the suit Key designed further. The mask was something to disguise himself so his stepmother and stepbrother would not recognize him in the ball.

Sungyeol stepped into the ball room, signing in as ‘masked man’ and began his hunt. He only looked out for those who had the authority and the power, then he would dance with them, so as to get their attention. Then, he would secretly stuff one of the Key’s name card into their suit pocket and that would be for the night. So far, this method had worked pretty well as many of them really did went to Key’s shop to buy their desired outfits or asked Key to design a unique outfit for them.

Whispers could be heard when people spotted Sungyeol. Some whistled while the others knew that it wouldn’t be possible to dance with him if they weren’t in Sungyeol’s ‘category’. Those who knew about their limit could only watched Sungyeol dancing with some rich royalties with a mouthwatering expression plastered on their face.

As the huge clock in the hall slowly moved towards twelve midnight, Sungyeol slipped away from the party to return to the boutique to return Key the newly designed suit, he then tried to remove the hair gel from his hair and ran home. Yup. All the magic would disappear after twelve and that was when Sungyeol had turned back into the little servant he was.

‘It’s so irritating! Once that masked man is gone, all the pretty girls left as well!’ Sungyeol’s stepbrother complained.

‘Lee Sungyeol! LEE SUNGYEOL!’ Sungyeol’s stepmother yelled again. Some footsteps hurrying down the stairs could be heard and soon, Sungyeol stood just a few meters away from his stepmother, facing her with his head bowed.

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Sungyeol replied.

‘Where is my supper?’ She demanded.

‘I’ll go and prepare now, ma’am.’ Sungyeol bowed again and ran into the kitchen, quickly prepared a plate of sandwiches and passed the plate to the fat woman. She greedily gobbled down everything. When her son reached out for one, she slapped his hand away, glaring.

‘Didn’t you remember what I said earlier?! No food but water for you until the ball party organized by the prince tomorrow ends!’ She shrieked with full of bread, Sungyeol frowned slightly.

‘Shh! Mother! You don’t want you-know-who to know about this, didn’t you?’ Her son shushed her and gave a quick glance at Sungyeol, who was acting as though he didn’t hear anything. ‘What are you standing for? Go back to your rat hole!’ He barked at Sungyeol and Sungyeol obediently went back to his room.

Well, at least his stepmother had something in mind that could spare him some freedom.

Or so he thought.

‘LEE SUNGYEOL!’ That was the thousandth time his name was called in a day.

‘Coming.’ Sungyeol could only sighed again and again. His stepmother and his stepbrother were preparing for the important ball tonight. They had been stuck in his stepbrother’s room, trying outfit after outfit, the used outfits were just thrown to the ground, which had formed a small mountain in the corner of the room.

‘We ran out of hair gel so you better go to the market to get it for us!’ His stepbrother demanded with a nasty expression.

‘But, the market is already closed.’ Sungyeol looked at the clock fixed on the wall. It was already 4 p.m., the market closed by 3p.m. How would Sungyeol be able to get any from there?

‘Do I look like I care?’ His stepmother rolled her eyes at him. ‘You’d better get it within 20 minutes, is that clear? Or else you’ll be locked in your room for 3 days.’

‘Yes ma’am.’ Sungyeol pitifully said as he retreated from the room.

Oh, where on earth could he find hair gel when the market was already closed? How he wished he could talk to Myungsoo today, but it seemed impossible since Myungsoo would have to prepare for the ball as well. Wait. Myungsoo. He should had hair gel, right? Sungyeol walked over to Myungsoo’s home, just beside his, and knocked onto the door. A maid opened the door.

‘Look, if you’re begging for money, I think you have come to the wrong place.’ The maid snickered at Sungyeol as she looked at him up and down. Sungyeol couldn’t blame her. He was wearing a plain white shirt and a sweatpants that had been torn at the calf area.

‘I’m sorry but can I speak to Myungsoo? Please tell him that Sungyeol’s here.’ Sungyeol requested politely. The maid threw him one of her stupid looks but nonetheless, she went back into the house to inform Myungsoo, because Myungsoo came marching out in his usual attire only moments later. Seemed like he still hadn’t gotten himself ready yet for the prince’s ball night.

‘Sungyeol hyung. You finding me? I mean, your stepmother’s gone?’ Myungsoo tilted his head slightly and his bangs was swapped to one side due to the gesture. He leant again the door frame and crossed his arms.

‘Um. Not really. I’m have a small favor I need to ask from you desperately.’ Sungyeol said sheepishly. He felt really bad asking for things from his only friend.

‘Sure! I’ll help in whatever why I can.’ Myungsoo’s eyes glittered with some excitement. It was the first time Sungyeol asked for help from him, although he had offered help to Sungyeol a gazillion times but was turned down by the older. At least he could be helpful to the older this time.

‘I need hair gel.’ Sungyeol rubbed his nape. He was both nervous and embarrassed.

‘Hair gel? Hang on. Chaeyeon! Get hair gel from my bathroom please!’ He turned towards the house and yelled. ‘She’ll bring it in a minute. So you’re preparing to go for the ball after all?’

‘Not me. My stepbrother. And somehow he and my stepmother had used up all the hair gel and asked me to get from the market. But the market’s already closed so I have no choice but to ask from you. I’m so sorry, Myungsoo.’ Sungyeol apologized and bowed a little.

‘Why are you apologizing? It’s just a bottle of hair gel.’ Myungsoo gave Sungyeol a weird look. ‘Here you go.’ Myungsoo placed the bottle into Sungyeol’s hands and gave him a small smile, a smile that showed off his cute dimples, leaving Sungyeol dazed a little and causing his heart to beat a little faster.

‘Thanks Myungsoo ah! I’ll buy you a new one tomorrow!’ Sungyeol waved at Myungsoo.

‘It’s okay, hyung! You don’t have to return me!’ Myungsoo yelled after Sungyeol and after he saw Sungyeol stepping into the house, he retreated back and got ready.

‘Lee Sungyeol, you’d better look after the house properly. We won’t be back until tomorrow afternoon. The invitation to the ball has offered us a night to spend there as well. If I find even just a small patch of dust in the house after I come back, you’re doom.’ His stepmother hissed at him as she stepped into the carriage that she had called.

‘Yes ma’am.’ Sungyeol bowed and he watched as the carriage disappeared in sight. He let out a sigh. He would have an hour of free time today then, without anyone to talk to. Sure, he could talk to Jiae, but he would rather not. She was quite a negative person although He could get along with her. He missed Myungsoo. He walked to the garden, but no one was there. Myungsoo must’ve gone to the ball by now, and the prince would choose him because Myungsoo was the best-looking guy he had ever seen.

‘If I managed to get to the prince, maybe I can stand a chance of escaping here?’ Sungyeol unconsciously said, but he knocked his own head with his fist after saying it. How would it be possible for him to attend? He would only be dressed like a beggar and the guards in the palace would just chase him away as though he was a bug. Well, maybe it would be a good idea to go to work early today. Sungyeol picked up his black thin coat again and went out.

‘Oh my gawd you finally came!’ Key cried the moment he saw Sungyeol, as though Sungyeol was his savior.

‘Yeah.’ Sungyeol replied quietly.

‘Good. Good. I need you to go to the prince’s ball, please? I beg you? So that the prince might be interested in this boutique and might even visit. Who knows? Now, now, now. You’ll have to wear the best suit here. How about this? Yes. This is perfect for you.’ Key pulled out a white suit among the clothes hung on the racks.

‘Aren’t you going to the ball?’ Sungyeol pointed out, a little confused. Wasn’t it everyone’s dream to become the wife slash husband of the prince?

‘Nope. I still have a design I want to work on. Moreover, my boyfriend just proposed to me yesterday night so… What’s the point when I’ve already found my own happiness?’ Key lifted his right hand which had a ring on his middle finger as he smiled widely.

‘Congrats.’ Sungyeol said with some sincerity but Key just rushed him into the changing room and hurried him to change into the outfit. As usual, Key styled his hair as well. He even offered to put some make up on Sungyeol’s face but Sungyeol rejected his boss’s offer since he was going to wear his mask in anyway.

In just thirty minutes, Sungyeol reached the venue – the Palace. It was really gorgeous and it was crowded with people, young people. Sungyeol looked around, curious. Maybe he could find Myungsoo here, but Myungsoo didn’t know about his job, so his cover might be blown in front of his stepmother instead. He had just spotted them a few minutes ago, eating the buffet like pigs. Since the palace was opened due to the ball, Sungyeol walked around. The walls of the palace was hung with paintings of the royal family. He walked deeper down, where it was less crowded and he came upon a huge family photo that occupied the whole wall. It was the queen and the king of the country. He admired the photo, since the king was really handsome and the queen was the beauty of the beauties. But somehow, he felt as though he had seen the king’s face before. He shook off the thought since it wouldn’t be possible.

‘Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. The most exciting part of the night has arrived. Now will you all put your hands together and welcome the arrival of the Prince.’ A guy wearing a suit and a big smile announced the arrival of the prince. Sungyeol anticipated a little, he was indeed curious about how the prince looked like. But much to his surprise, the prince was wearing a golden mask that covered the upper half of his face as well, but his sharp jawline could be seen.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, please line up in a row to face the prince. He will make his selection now.’ The crowd complied and some of the girls squealed. The masked prince grabbed a girl randomly, an average looking girl from the line and went off.

‘Looks like the prince had made his decision. Please feel free to go off or you can continue to enjoy yourself at the party. Have a good night and thank you for coming!’ The MC got off the stage.

So. He didn’t have to be here anymore, right? Sungyeol only wanted to leave. No point staying here since he wouldn’t be able to promote anything anyway, all the people there were too young to buy an expensive suit or gown for themselves. He was pretty relief that the prince picked a girl. Where was Myungsoo by the way? Sungyeol didn’t see him in the line. Well, maybe Myungsoo had already returned home to rest. Sungyeol his heels, ready to leave. Much to his surprise, the MC walked towards him and asked him to follow him to somewhere, a room to be more exact.

‘I’m sorry to ask this question but, sir, may I know where you’re bringing me? And why?’ Sungyeol voiced out his doubt.

‘You’ll know soon, child. Just be more patient. We’re almost there.’ He gave Sungyeol a sideway smile and continued to walk at a fast pace. Thanks to Sungyeol’s long legs, he was able to catch up. After a lots of turns and going upstairs even, they arrived at a room that Sungyeol had never seen. It was also a room that Sungyeol thought was the biggest in the entire universe.

Inside was a chair and there, seated the masked prince, crossing his legs.

‘You may go now.’ The prince waved off the MC, facing Sungyeol and after the MC had left, leaving only Sungyeol and the mysterious prince in the huge room. Strange. The voice sounded awfully familiar to Sungyeol. Was it just his illusion or his ears playing trick on him?

‘Why am I here, your highness?’ Sungyeol asked politely.

‘Take off your mask.’ The prince ordered.

‘I… Why?’ Sungyeol was surprised at what the prince had said.

‘Just take it off. I’ll tell you when you’ve taken off your mask.’ The prince said with a stern voice. He was wearing a black suit that hugged his body perfectly. Sungyeol could only obliged as the prince said so.

‘Why can’t you let your face be seen, your highness?’ Sungyeol asked curiously after taking off his mask.

‘Such a beauty.’ The prince didn’t answer his question, and Sungyeol felt his brows raising. Rumor was that he was biual. Myungsoo’s word seemed to ring in his ear again. Uh-oh. Was the prince interested in him? But… didn’t he just choose his wife? Was that just a trick or something? Sungyeol just felt that the prince was a weirdo.

‘Er. Thanks?’ Sungyeol was clearly uncomfortable, he wasn’t sure how to answer to the prince’s compliment either.

‘Are you very nervous because you can’t see my face?’ The prince chuckled and damn, Sungyeol thought of Myungsoo again. He missed the younger really badly and wished that Myungsoo was here with him.

‘N-no.’ Sungyeol hesitated a little. The prince stood up and walked towards him, Sungyeol then realized that the prince was actually a little shorter than he was. He took a step back as the prince was standing a little too close. Before his eyes, the prince pulled off his mask and Sungyeol’s jaw dropped.

‘M-Myungsoo?’ Sungyeol stammered. ‘N-no. It can’t be. Myungsoo must be in the ball party or he has already returned home. I’m so sorry your highness. I have mistaken you as my friend.’ Sungyeol bowed quickly.

‘Sungyeol hyung, why can’t you believe your own eyes? I am indeed the prince.’ Myungsoo laughed.

‘B-but, why didn’t you say anything when I’m talking to you?’ Sungyeol asked, his face still plastered with a shock look.

‘Well, it’s just that I want to be independent so I live next to your house. But I want you to treat me as a true friend, not as a prince, that’s why.’ Myungsoo explained. ‘So, now that the mystery is solved, are you willing to be my husband, Sungyeol?’ Oh. So he had dropped the ‘hyung’.

‘What about the girl you chose earlier?’ Sungyeol looked worried.

‘Don’t you worry yourself over such small matter. She’s one of the servant but I chose her so that I can advert other’s attention. I’m pretty sure you don’t want you stepbrothers to identify you.’ Myungsoo chuckled again.

‘Sungyeol, I’ve been in love with you for three years secretly. I saw you only once in the market when you’re buying grocery and I had escaped from the palace since it was too boring. I have been waiting and waiting ever since I moved next to your home, it broke my heart when I heard your stepmother and stepbrother yelling at you. I really wanted to go over to your home to drag you out and bring you here, so you could live happily ever after. But I don’t want you to be in a difficult spot due to your father’s marriage. I’m so sorry I took so long. It is because of you that I organized this ball night. Will you be mine from today onwards?’ Myungsoo held both of Sungyeol’s hands as he confessed.

Sungyeol could only felt his eyes watering up as he tried to hold back the tears. He nodded once and Myungsoo leant in to kiss him on lips. It was a short, but sweet kiss, what made it even more special was the fact that they shared their first kiss with each other.

‘I can’t believe I’m able to wait for you for three years.’ Myungsoo exclaimed after the kiss and wiped away Sungyeol’s tears with his thumbs. ‘Smile hyung. You’re good looking when you smile.’ And Sungyeol did as he was told and pulled Myungsoo into a tight hug.

Things were good. Sungyeol and Myungsoo got married after a week’s time. As for Sungyeol’s father, he had a divorce with his second wife and gave blessings to the new couple, he apologized to Sungyeol for being useless as a father but nonetheless, Sungyeol forgave him and understood that his father didn’t have a say in that marriage either, so Sungyeol didn’t blame his father at all.

And they lived happily ever after.

-Finish-

_______________________________________________________________________________

A/N: As I have already mentioned. I just want to thank whitexx for this. She gave me a lot of advice and had helped me with all my errors as well. Thank you! Anyway, I have no idea how this crazy idea of Cinderella Au came to my mind but it just did. This is the first time I'm writing an AU but nonetheless, I hope the twist is good (?) Yeah. I feel it's a little cliché about what I've written though. ^^' Hope you have enjoyed this and see you in my next FF. (If I write one-shots again. kekeke) Oh yeah. Hope you're not disappointed. ><

P.S. My favorite disney princess is not Cinderella, I like Mulan ('Cause she's a warrior. Lmao.)