I raised my head and saw that it was Anastasia. She sneered at me while crossing her arms over her chest. She looked at me disapprovingly as she raised and lowered her eyebrows, but there was also a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
I got scared suddenly because the way she looked at me seemed like she recognized me. I was about to leave, but she grabbed my arm and pulled me toward her.
"W-Why?" I stammered.
"Aren't you even going to apologize?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "And why does your voice sound familiar? Have we talked before?"
I almost cursed when she said that. Was I just deceived by the guy earlier? He said no one would recognize me except the prince!
"Sorry. . ." I just said what she wanted to hear.
My eyes kept darting back and forth between the clock and Anastasia, but she wouldn't let me go. My heart was racing unusually now. I didn't know what would happen if I didn't leave the palace, but I knew I wouldn't like it.
"Do you need something?" I asked, but she didn't answer.
Her reaction was amusing. She was clearly irritated with me because I caught Prince Ashton's attention. Did she think beauty was the only thing you needed to get noticed by the person you liked?
Fool.
"Let her go."
In an instant, Elizabeth appeared in front of us. She was smiling, but I could see the hatred in her eyes. How could she not when I ruined her daughter's dreams? Instead of Anastasia being the prince's infatuation, it became me.
Of course, I wouldn't let her be happy. Never.
"Sorry for my daughter's rudeness," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, you can leave now. You seem to be in a hurry."
I rolled my eyes before running out of the palace, which surprised them. Whether they recognize me or not, I don't care. Did Elizabeth speak that way just now? I couldn't believe it.
"Hurry!" Elton said when he saw me running. Fortunately, I saw our carriage right away! Just two more minutes!
Multiple curses came out of my mouth as I jumped into the carriage. I was lucky Elton had already started it. It was a good thing that Hades immediately assisted me, looking nervous himself.
"My shoe—"
"We can't stop. Let it be," Hades said when I was about to get off to get my shoe.
I just sighed. We were all praying that we would get away from the palace before it struck twelve, and thankfully, we did. The carriage was starting to change into a pumpkin in the forest.
"Ah! My balance!"
"Wait! My butt is itchy!"
The Musketeers were all next in line. The tails on their butts had suddenly come out. Hades also had one, looking concerned about me. He knew I'd be left in this dark forest alone.
"Hold on, everyone!" I shouted.
In an instant, the carriage completely transformed. The three musketeers shouted before landing on the road, just like my butt. My beautiful dress from earlier turned into rags again.
"Your dream is over, Cinderella," I whispered sadly.
I kept walking, but I stopped when I smelled something foul in the surroundings. I was familiar with that smell. Where have I smelled it before?
"Ah!" I exclaimed. That house is in the prince's house!
But. . . why is that house in front of me now? As far as I can remember, it's not supposed to be here.
What's happening?
I don't know why, but it's like my feet had a life of their own. They suddenly stepped towards somewhere, and I couldn't stop them.
"Ouch!" I almost fell to the floor because I was only wearing one shoe, but my feet continued to walk.
It's as if my feet were taking me somewhere important. . . to the prince's house.
"Ahhh!" I shouted when I saw a lot of blood on my feet. I didn't understand why my feet kept bleeding, and I didn't like it either.
I don't want to!
I wanted to run, but I didn't realize that I was now inside the house, facing a large mirror.
But I couldn't see my face.
"Mom. . ." I said to a woman wearing an orange blouse and a white long skirt with bloodstains on it.
"Ella. . . My child. . ." she said in a sad voice.
I blinked in surprise and fear crept into my heart when the woman in front of the mirror didn't move. Did this mean it was really my mother?
"M-Mom?" I almost choked with fear.
I was happy to see her, even if it was just her spirit, but not in this way. I might die of fright like this!
"Never forget this day," she whispered, causing me to furrow my brow.
I was about to ask why, but I couldn't speak when blood slowly flowed from her eyes, nose, and mouth in that scene. My vision darkened completely.
WHEN I woke up, I was in my room again. Wait, how did I get home from the forest? And where is Mama? Did I really see what I saw, or was I just dreaming?
"Cinderella."
I stopped pondering when someone called my name. I looked around and saw the man who helped me earlier in my room.
But there was something different in his appearance now. Were there really two red horns I saw, or was I just hallucinating?
In an instant, he was right in front of me. His grin widened, and he gently caressed my cheek. "Everything has a price. I didn't skimp on reminding you of that."
"LAST NIGHT’S party was so much fun, wasn't it, Dasha?" Anastasia commented, obviously trying to make me jealous while I cleaned here in the kitchen.
"Of course, and the prince seemed so smitten with you! It's like he wanted to marry you right there and then!" Dasha replied and laughed.
I smirked as I wiped down the surfaces. Their forced laughter was so obvious, and they were so fake. Did they really think they could fool me?
After all, it was me who caught Prince Ashton's attention that night.
Anastasia seemed irritated by my laughter. She quickly approached me.
"Hey, what are you laughing about?" she demanded.
"Nothing." I shook my head. I didn't want to argue with an envious person like her.
"Don't mutter when I'm around, okay? You're so annoying! Damn!"
Anastasia left after that, and Dasha followed her. I smiled wider when they were gone.
I might not have gained anything when I went to the palace last night, but I did manage to annoy the whole family of Elizabeth.
For now, that was enough for me. But I won't stop. That's not enough to pay them back for all the pain they caused me.
They should taste the full extent of my revenge.