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The day passed by with an endless lists of chores. As soon as you were about to finish a task, another one would be added.

Sometimes, it would even be unnecessary chores, either way, you obliged and didn't complain verbally nor physically. The last thing you'd want to do is to mess up the only chance of freedom from the mansion.

Your list of chores would just pile up endlessly and infinitely.

What gave you an even more eager inspiration was not only your freedom but to also see the dual-haired man again.

He expected you to be there and you did want to show up wearing an impressive looking gown.

Your thoughts would always linger back to him. At least that was what made you determine and kept you motivated as well with your work.

However, as the sun set and the sky went dim, your chores had finally stopped. And so did your time to recreate your mom's old dress.

Sighing, you opened your bedroom door feeling sadness wash over you.

You weren't able to find time to continue making the dress. And so, you have nothing to wear really.

But you then realized that your room was dark, which was unusual since your animal friends would usually light up a candle for you already.

"Hello?" You called out.

That was until something had happened making your eyes widen and bring your hands to cover your mouth that went agape.

The closet door opened showing the dress you expected it to be.

It was your old mom's dress but it looked better and renovated than it normally was.

"Surprise!" Little voices yelled out.

You uncovered your mouth to show a smile so wide to your animal friends.

Mina, Hagkagure, Kirishima, Kaminari and the others were present. Fully representing a proud look plastered on their faces.

"We worked hard on it!" Mina flew on circles above you before resting on the closet's top again.

"Yeah! It was Hagkaure's idea." Kaminari gestured towards the other female mouse behind him.

Hagakure shyly scratched her neck to you flustered, "It's just that you've done so much for everyone, including us. You deserve a surprise gift you know!

"Isn't it manly?" Kirishima grinned.

You walked over the dress and grazed at it with gratitude as your heart fluttered in appreciation.

You turned to your friends with a loving and caring gaze. "Thank you so much... everyone.. thank you.." You smiled widely in a sincere and genuine way.

➻ ➻ ➻

"Oh, I just couldn't wait to meet the prince~! I'm getting chills~~" Toga giggled while fixing herself.

"Picture this, the prince's dashingly stunning eyes fallen upon a beauty like me as he holds his hand out asking me to dance!" Misa fangirled.

"Don't mess with your makeup and dress now girls." Your Stepmother stepped in.

"I'm just so excited mother! This would be the first time we would be able to enter the Royal Palace!" Misa exclaimed twirling around dreamingly.

Both girls were caked with huge amounts of makeup. Their gowns were way too over the top as both had their hair done in an exaggerating way.

Other than the huge pounds of makeup on their face, were the heavy and different kinds of accessories they wore. It looked completely unnecessary for they wore too much as if they wanted to boast it.

Your Stepmother wore a formal kind of dress that a woman in the same age as hers would wear.

A horse neighing was heard outside the mansion signaling that the carriage has arrived to pick them up.

Both girls squealed in delight and excitement as their mother showed a small smile as well.

"Well girls, it is time to leave then." Your Stepmother announced.

But then Toga added in, "But what about Y/N~?"

Miss rolled her eyes in despise. "Forget about her Toga. Bet she doesn't even have a dress to wear-"

"Stepmother! Toga, Misa! Wait!" Your voice rang to the halls until through your Stepfamily's ears.

This caught their attention whom they immediately turned around to see you wearing a dress.

"Oh you just didn't!" Misa frowned feeling her blood boil inside of her.

You smiled at them in a warm and innocent way.

"You.. have a dress.." Toga's mouth widens as so did her eyes.

Even your Stepmother's eyes grew wide in surprise. She didn't expect for you to have a dress suited for an evening ball.

"I'm ready Stepmother! Are we leaving?" You asked.

'Oh I'm not letting you leave you petty girl.' Your Stepmother's Eyes glowed in silent fury.

She wasn't letting you leave. She have and will always despise you.

Your warm and welcoming demeanor that surrounds you could never fail to trigger through her nerves.

And so, she examined you clearly stepping towards you. "I suppose that is our deal.."

Misa was about to complain but your Stepmother quickly hushed her by raising a finger to shut her.

Each step closer your Stepmother would take would also give you a rush of nervousness and fear.

You were intimated of her that's for sure. You have always taught yourself to never underestimate anyone of that matter. Especially your Stepmother that is.

That was when your Stepmother stopped as she slowly raised her finger to carry the beads of necklace that you wore dangled in your neck.

This made you gulp and worry.

Your Stepmother then spoke with venom drip from her words, "Misa... these necklace looks awfully familiar to me.. It's quite beautiful as well."

Misa crossed her arms huffing as she looked away shutting her eyes close. "I don't care and it looks plain and disgusting and-" That was when her eyes shot open.

She glared at you with clear anger and frustration. "YOU- That's my necklace!"

She suddenly tore it off you which you had respond in a late manner. The next thing you knew was your other stepsister, Toga, also joined in as she presumed that you have used her sash as well.

That was when a whole entire sabotage erupted. You cried while begging, pleading them to stop which went into ignorance to both girls considering they continued to tear your dress.

They even went far by ruining your mother's dress as well.

As a result, they eventually stopped grinning proudly while their mother opened the door gesturing them to leave. "My Daughters, I think we shouldn't let our carriage wait that long." She slyly smiled.

Your stepsisters snickered evilly as they left you there disrespectfully.

You stood there as hot tears fell from your eyes, streaming your cheek. You clenched your fists in embarrassment.

That was when you decided to go outside in order to calm yourself down as you felt the strong urge to visit your mother's willow tre

It was a shock that you were able to compose yourself. But truthfully, it felt like a piece of your heart just ripped apart.

You silently cried not wanting to draw your animal friend's attention. However, it didn't go unnoticed to them.

Grabbing a cloak to prevent yourself from getting cold, you went outside and rode your horse, Sero not bothering to hitch him. (A/N: I was originally gonna write 'rode Sero' but then that sounds... naughty..)

This had caught Bakugou, your dog's attention, as soon as you left hurriedly galloping away from the mansion.

That was when some of your mice and bird friends decided to follow you out of worry. Birds flew while mice rode your dog since Bakugou was also worried, which he obviously didn't show.

"Her stepfamily are so unmanly!" Kaminari clenched both of his fists while Bakugou continued catching up to you and Sero.

"You aren't wrong." Hagakure sighs.

"Hold my feathers! Is that Y/N and the man?" Mina gushed which Bakugou immediately stopped as soon as you were in their view. They had a tad bit distance from you that fortunately went unnoticed .

Coincidentally, you have bumped into Shoto who was also riding his white horse.

Earlier as the ball was ongoing, Shoto couldn't help but already miss you. So badly that he had ditched the ball that had caused a few commotions here and there.

It was as if a strong urge made him go there. Maybe what like soulmates would feel.

He wanted to talk to you again. He wanted to meet you again. He wanted to see you again.

And so he selfishly left the ball for you.

As a result, one way or another you both have crossed paths. Much to Shoto's pleasure but to your displeasure.

Luckily, you wore a cloak and the moon was the only source of illumination so Shoto wasn't able to see in your distress state at the moment.

Yet it wasn't able to fool Shoto that it wasn't you. Somehow, the man knew that it was you.

Back to the scene. Your breath hitched as your eyes locked with his heterochromatic ones.

He looked... dashingly handsome than he usually was. He wore a white vest and a black average sized cloak that looked expensive which he paired with black pants. He also had a crest worn that matched with his attire.

"It's you.." You softly whispered still mesmerized by his sudden appearance clutching your cloak.

It was only a few hours and yet your voice have never failed to captivate him as it produced chills to run down through him.

He cleared his throat. "Y-yes..."

But then he noticed that you weren't prepped up for the ball. "Why aren't you-"

He paused widening his eyes when what struck him the most was that he had also realized your eyes were red and your cheeks puffed out that matched out with your chapped and dry lips.

Which made him conclude that you were crying since he had also noticed that some of your hair that was shown were messy and untidy.

"Princess, were you crying?"

This made you cry all over again making you look away trying to hide your sniffs and the tears. You were always sensitive. And to no avail, it didn't go unnoticed to Shoto.

His heart skipped a bit as a foreign rush of worry overwhelmed him.

"W-wait, don't cry! I-I'm sorry." He frantically ushered. It was the first time someone cried in front of him. And yet what was worse was that it was a girl, more specifically, you.

You sniffed, "I-I'm alright. How about you? Shouldn't you be at the ball?"

"That's not my priority at the moment. Right now, I should be focusing on you first."

"No I'm fine. I can handle this." You sadly smiled.

"Friends don't lie." He suddenly replied without hesitation. Shoto's eyes widen as soon as he realized that he labeled the both of you as friends. But it wasn't like none of the two of you are complaining though.

But before you could reply, you heard a male's voice interrupt from a distance. "Prince Todoroki!"

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