Fractured Fairy Tale (Burkes or Tyler)

[Ophelia Burke]

Ophelia had never really understood Kassia. She was her sister, and of course she adored her, but Kassia was just so… reserved. While most of Ophelia’s “perfect princess” act was just that, Kassi seemed to really be the perfect example of a lady. Surely there had to be more going on beneath the surface, but Ophelia couldn’t begin to guess what that might be.

“OK,” she agreed readily. “I know Ally will cover for us. She’s more the romantic type, like me. Speaking of which, have you really met her yet?”

[Tyler Parsons]

"I haven't really met her yet. I've seen her around and heard you talk about her, but that's it." Tyler was willing to do what he could to keep Fee happy. Okay, maybe it was a little clique but he could still try, right?

He did want her father's approval but Tyler had a feeling that it wasn't going to happen. Her father would probably find something wrong with him and send him far away. School was almost finished with and then they would have one more year. Every minute that dragged by seemed to point closer tothe fact that they would probably have to run away. Of course, what sixteen year old boy wouldn't want to run off with his dream girl?

"I am looking forward to finally actually meeting your sister."

[Ophelia Burke]

Out of everyone else in her family, Ophelia was certain that the only one who would be likely to be on her side was Allaire. Kassia believed in duty and took every lesson that had been drilled into their heads since childhood to heart. Jadon would probably side with their father, too. And Mum... well, Ophelia wouldn't actually be surprised if all of this had been her idea.

No, Allaire was the romantic, the intelligent one, the rebellious one. It was like her father had warned--when women read too much, it gave them dangerous ideas. There might have been a time when Ophelia agreed with that, but no more. Now she was glad that Allaire read too much. Maybe she could help them figure this out.

"Allaire would like you," she said , nodding her head. "And I know she'd never stand for an arranged marriage, either."

[Tyler Parsons]

It was a relief that Ophelia had one person in her family on her side. He didn't want to have to fight her family alone nor did he want her to fight her family at all but he knew that she was going to have to do something.

"We'll work together to figure something out. I'm sure the way you have spoken about her, we'll find something." Tyler gave her a reassuring smile. He hoped that however this whole thing was going to play out wasn't going to play out tragically.

He was quite for a moment as he played with a strand of her hair, then he looked back to her. "You know Ace, we're going to be okay. We're going to have fun, laugh, and not worry about hardly anything at all."

[Ophelia Burke]

Ophelia looked up at him, adoration shining in her eyes. Perhaps one of the reasons she loved Tyler so much was because he treated her like she was smart. All her life, people had treated her more like she was a pretty little doll; loved and spoiled, but never respected. She liked being spoiled and getting whatever she wanted. But she was starting to believe that she could go about getting that for herself, rather than having someone give it to her just because she pouted prettily at them.

Tyler was good for her; why couldn't Daddy see that?

"Whatever happens," she said seriously, "we're in this together, right? We make our decisions together, like a team, OK?"

[Tyler Parsons]

Ophelia was a very smart girl. She knew what she was doing and Tyler didn't doubt her one bit. They would make it through this somehow. Tyler was more than willing to do whatever he could to make it work. This couldn't be some school boy crush on a girl, not if he was willing to risk a lot for it.

"Of course we're going to make decisions together Ace. I couldn't come up with everything on my own. Besides, who is going to be there to maybe tell me that I might be doing something wrong? Or who is going to be the one there that I can do crazy things with?" Tyler smiled and tapped the end of her nose.

[Ophelia Burke]

Ophelia let out a happy giggle, then leaned in to kiss him. "I love you, Tyler Parsons," she declared. "You make me feel like a real person, not a fairy tale princess. Like I can actually think for myself and don't just need to make other people get things for me. I like being pretty and having people fuss over me... but it's like they never thought there was a real person underneath. You see me as I am, not just how you want me to be."

It was amazing to Ophelia to realize that there was more to life than just being pretty and rich and popular. Even more amazing to her was the fact that she actually cared about those other things, and wanted to work for things, instead of just having them all come easy to her. She felt like she was outgrowing her old life, and was surprised to realize that she didn't mind it.

"Nothing is going to stop us from being together," she said very seriously. "Not my father, not Axelthorpe whatever his name is... No one."

[Tyler Parsons]

"You're not a doll Ace," he said simply. "You are a person and I will treat you as such, and maybe there might be a chance that I treat you a little more special than I do others." Tyler gave her a wink.

The thought of treating certain people like they were some kind of high up royalty never crossed Tyler's mind. People were people, and they were supposed to be treated as such, however that wasn't always going to be the case. Not everyone would see things that way.

"And you're right Ace. We're staying together. Hopefully you'll never tire of me, because I know I couldn't ever tire of you. You always keep me going."

[Ophelia Burke]

In spite of everything going on around her, Ophelia felt certain that she had never been more happy than she was at this moment. Even though she had always been treated like she was someone special all of her life, Tyler somehow made her feel more special than anyone else ever had. And all because he treated her like she wasn't special. Like she was a human being with thoughts and feelings and who was capable of making decisions on her own. No one else had ever done that. Back at home, Ophelia was sometimes surprised that they let her chew her own food.

"Let's dance," she said suddenly, taking his arm. "We can have music in here, right? All we have to do is think about it and it appears?"