Something unexpected, amazing, shocking, and life changing happened the very next day.

There was a news that prince Gakushū and his father the king, who's had an estranged relationship for a long time, finally reconciled. And, prince Gakushū made a proclamation that whoever fits into the ruby shoe that was left behind last night, shall be made into his bride.

Everyone shall have a chance to fit into the ruby shoe, youths from across the land excitedly gathered for a chance to fit their feet into the shoe, and marry the prince.

Nobles and commoners alike, all were visited to try on the beautiful shoe that was left behind by the mysterious prince from the ball.

And when Irina, Nagisa, and Kaede heard this, they were overjoyed. "I'm sure the shoe will fit me!" Nagisa boasted. "I have smooth and small feet, the prince will be mine!"

"As if!" Kaede pulled on Nagisa's hair. "The prince will be mine! Not yours!"

"You look beautiful" Karma complimented as he ironed their dresses.

"I know" Nagisa smirked.

"He meant me" Kaede rebutted.

Karma sighed. Another day, another migraine. "What are you two even talking about?"

Kaede and Nagisa gaped at him. "Haven't you heard? Prince Gakushū will marry whoever fits the ruby shoe that was left behind by that mysterious stranger!" Nagisa explained. "And I'll be the one who'll fit the shoe"

"Says who!?!" Kaede screamed.

"Says me!" The blue haired boy snapped.

Karma was no longer listening. His mind went blank completely. All that was on repeat in his mind was he'll marry whoever fits the shoe

Gakushū will marry whoever fits the shoe.

The shoe he left behind.

The shoe that belongs to him

And it just so happens he still has the other ruby shoe! Hidden in his room. He couldn't help but laugh, the stars are aligning for him! "Ugh, Karma you look stupid smiling like that" Kaede said in disgust.

Kaa ignored them, and for the rest of the day, remained unfocused.

_________________________

Days passed, and still no luck. Soon, the prince, the king, and some of their guards, has found Karma's home address and decides that the Akabane family shall be next.

Gakushū was beggining to lose hope. Will he never see his red head again? But his father encouraged him, he just has to be confident.

And when Karma heard that the royal family will be arriving soon, he felt excited. He'll be reunited with his prince!

Karma ran to his room. He was going to get his other ruby shoe and show it to Gakushū, but he stopped in his tracks when he reached his bedroom and there, sitting on his bed, holding the ruby shoe, was his stepmother Irina(Author: please I love Bitch-sensei she is just this way in this story alright?)

"Oh I'm sorry, were you about to come get this?" She held out the ruby shoe. "There must have been an interesting story for this...won't you tell me?"

Karma took a step back, cautiously.

"No? Alright then" Irina leaned towards him. "I shall tell you a story. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young girl, who married for love and had two loving children" she began slowly. "All was well but, one day, her husband...the love of her life, died"

The red head and his stepmother maintained eye contact, neither breaking the stare. "The next time she married, it was for the sake of her children. But that man too was taken from her, and she was doomed to look...everyday, at his stupid, beloved, child"

"Is this why she hates me?" Karma thought in disbelief.

"She had hoped to marry one of her beloved, stupid children to the prince, but his head was turned by a stupid red haired boy with fancy, ruby shoes"

Irina then glanced down at the ruby shoe in hand. "Tell me...did you steal it?"

Karma automatically shook his head. "No it was..it was given to me"

"Given?" Irina laughed. "Given to you? Nothing is ever given in this world. For everything you must pay, pay, pay for it"

"That's not true" Karma gently said. "Kindness and love is free"

"Kindness? You're not a kind person Karma" Irina scoffed. "I've seen the way you look at us with disdain in your eyes, how you look at Nagisa with the want to yank all his hair. You're just as bad as I am" the woman stood up. "As for love, it's not free either, it comes with a painful cost"

She walked towards Karma in a slow condescending manner. "Now here is what I offer. If you wish to have what you want...no one will really believe you, a dirty servant boy without a family, but with my help you will not be ignored.  After your marriage with the prince, you will appoint me as the head of the royal household, we will pair off Nagisa and Kaede to rich, noble families, and  I---" she stood infront of Karma. "Will manage that boy"

"He's not just a boy" Karma glared at her.

"And who are you? How will you manage a kingdom?" She walked pass him, bumping his shoulder. "Best leave it all to me, that way we all get what we want"

"No" Karma said firmly. Irina stopped mid step. "What?"

"I couldn't protect my father from you, But I will protect the prince, and the kingdom. No matter what happens to me"

Irina stared at him blankly. "Well, that's a mistake" she, to Karma's horror, smashed the ruby shoe against the wall. Karma's eyes widened in horror as he watched the shards fall to the ground. "Why are you so cruel?" He gasped. "I tried to be good to you, I've been patient with you! Why are you like this?!"

"Why?" Irina mocked "Because you are young, and innocent, and beloved, and I---" she stopped. Then, without a word, she left the room and, before Karma could progress, locked the door.

Once Karma realized it, he was too late. He banged against the door, begging to be let out, but Irina gave no care, nor pity. She walked down to greet the royal family.

Karma slumped on his bed, body shaking. He felt hopeless, and that there was nothing for him left to do.

__________________________

Nagisa and Kaede excitedly tried on the shoe. Nagisa pushed, and pushed, sucking in his pain as he for forced his foot into the shoe.

"Give it up! It's my turn!" Kaede snatched the shoe and tried it on for herself.

Gakushū and the king watched, unimpressed.

Eventually, Kaede too gave up.

"Forgive me for wasting your time my Lord" Irina said bowing respectfully.

"Is there no one else left to try on the shoe madam?" Gakushū asked.

_________________________

Karma was not one to give up without a fight though. Standing up, he picked up the chair, raised it above his head, and brought it down on the door with the intent of breaking it down.

THUD!

the loud thud, followed by several repeats, echoed across the house, picking up the attention of the King and prince.

Irina's eyes widened in panic.

"Y-you best be off now your highnesses, I am sure you have more youths to visit" she tried pushing them out, but Gakushū spoke "Are you sure you have no one else in the house?" in a dangerous voice.

Meanwhile, Karma resorted to kicking and slamming against the door.

"No" Irina said quietly.

The repeated banging sounds were becoming louder. Gakushū and Gakuho looked at each other. "May we investigate the sound then?"

"You might find nothing of interest for you your mejesty" Irina said.

"We'll see about that" Gakuho pushed pass her, following the sound.

Irina followed after him.

________________________

Karma felt confident that the door would break down after a few more damages, but then he stepped backwards when the door was pushed open by his stepmother, and with her was the king.

"There, see? Nothing to pique your interest" Irina pointed at Karma smugly.

Gakuho looked at Karma, his eyes widening slightly with recognition. He smiled. "Young man, if you would please follow me down, we would like you to try a shoe for us"

"I forbid you from going downstairs!" Irina snapped.

"And I forbid you from forbidding him" Gakuho glared at Irina. "Who do you think you are? A deity? The queen?"

Irina looked at Karma. "I'm his mother"

The red head, after a moment of silence, spoke "You were never, and never will be my mother"

Gakuho, seeming to be satisfied, nodded at him. "Come now, young man"

Karma walked pass Irina without a second glance, and slammed the door loudly behind him.

As he descended the stairs, and saw his reflection, his dirty clothes and face, he felt ashamed momentarily. Before gathering his courage and continuing to follow after the king.

And soon, he found himself infront of his love. The young strawberry blonde held the ruby shoe in his hand, looking at Karma with such tenderness. "Who are you really?" He asked.

"Your highness...I'm not a prince. I have no carriage, no castle, no dowry, and no family" he looked at the shining ruby shoe in Gakushū's hand. "I'm not really sure if that beautiful shoe will fit me..But if it does, will you take me as I am?" He looked into those beautiful violet eyes. "An honest, poor servant boy who loves you?"

Gakushū responded. "But only if you'll take me as I am. A young man still learning his place in this world. Still learning about himself"

When Karma nodded at him, Gakushū gestured for Karma to sit down.

The red head did so, and he removed his shoe, waiting for Gakushū to slip the ruby shoe into his foot.

And with breaths held, with the king, the guards, even his step siblings watching, they saw how the shoe fit into his foot perfectly.

Nagisa and Kaede gasped, while the king and the guards applause for them. Gakushū and Karma shared a loving kiss.

Once that was all over and done, Gakushū led Karma outside.

Nagisa and Kaede followed behind them. "K-Karma!" Nagisa shouted. When Karma turned to look at his step brother, Nagisa bowed meekly. "We're so sorry" he apologized.

And behind them, standing, leaning against the door frame, was Irina. Karma  nodded at them all. "I forgive you" he said, before following his prince to the carriage.

Forgiven or not, Karma never saw his step mother and sister ever again, and they two never approached him..but perhaps that is for the best?

There was a beautiful wedding held, crows from all over the country attended. Karma, with his prince, stood at the balcony, arm in arm, smiling lovingly at each other.

And they lived happily every after

The end