Why is my blood so sweet? I can't stop myself from repeatedly licking the blood from this knife, even though I know Anastasia is already cringing in front of me. The same goes for Dasha and Elizabeth, who are right behind her.
"W-What... What the hell are you doing?!" Anastasia exclaimed, her eyes wide in shock as she stared at me.
"Drinking blood. Are you blind?" I raised an eyebrow in question.
I don't know why, but I suddenly wanted to drink blood, even though I was the only one here. Even though I knew Elizabeth and the others were on their way earlier, I couldn't wait for them.
I pressed the knife against my thigh until blood gushed out. There, I tasted the sweetness of my blood - sweet, yet salty. I couldn't understand the taste, but it was addictive to savor repeatedly.
I licked the knife over and over again until I could feel my tongue getting cut.
"Why are you all looking like that?" I wondered aloud. "Is this the first time you've seen blood?"
"No, but it's the first time I've seen someone drinking blood!" Anastasia exclaimed before taking a step back, only to yelp as she accidentally stepped on something.
I grinned when I saw the panic in her eyes. It seemed she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"W-What..."
She couldn't even finish her sentence. She just stared at the three lifeless bodies sprawled on the floor. I also removed their intestines and separated them like what the voice I’m hearing in my mind had instructed earlier.
"Did you also kill your favorite mice?!" she stammered.
"Me, killing? I haven't killed anyone." I grinned and twirled the knife in my hand. "Maybe you did, though."
She paled upon hearing my words, as did Elizabeth. Dasha, with a confused expression, seemed to have no idea what I was talking about.
"What are you saying? S-Stop it!" Anastasia quickly distanced herself from the three lifeless bodies, which made my gaze fixated there.
They probably think I'm so brutal now, but in truth, it also hurts me to take their lives. As I sliced their throats and cut their bellies, they called my name over and over.
But I haven't killed anyone... because it's Elizabeth and the others who made me do these things.
Because sacrificing the most important thing to me is the key to increasing my power. Now, I feel immortal. Even with so much blood pouring from my body, I don't feel any pain.
So, I'm not guilty. If anyone should suffer, it's Elizabeth.
And the beloved king.
As I pondered these things, I suddenly burst into laughter. I felt so happy now, as if I had escaped from the cage I had been imprisoned in for so long.
I like this feeling. It's incredibly liberating.
"Mom! I think she's really gone crazy since we locked him up here!" Dasha said in a fearful tone as she hid behind Elizabeth.
"Yes, Dasha. You're right. You're absolutely right!" I replied with applause. "You took too long to come back. If you had returned earlier, I would have targeted your feet instead of mine.”
I grinned as their gaze focused on my feet. There were so many wounds on my thighs and legs.
"Do you want me to do this to your feet too, Dasha?" I asked when I saw fear in her eyes. "Let's do some drawing—"
"Get a hold of yourself!" Elizabeth scolded me. She impressed me because there was no sign of fear in her voice. "I won't get you any medical help even if you die here—"
"Really?" I asked, and without difficulty, I stood up, causing their jaws to drop. "You don't need to get me medical help because I'm not sick."
"You—you're a witch!" Anastasia accused me while pointing at me. "I remember the day I couldn't stand up! You did that because you're a witch!"
"A witch? Come on!" I burst into laughter. "Can't it just be... that I'm immune to pain?"
They couldn't speak. By the looks they were giving me, it seemed as if they were wondering whether it was really me they were facing or someone else.
Well, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what they were thinking. I feel like my behavior has changed. Or maybe this is just my true nature that I've unleashed now?
"But don't worry. When you're gone, I won't have anywhere to go," I said before smiling sweetly. "I'll still serve you to the best of my ability."
TWO WEEKS have passed, and everything has returned to the way it was before. It's the same as always. I'm still serving as their maid. They were staying at the palace for three days, invited by Prince Ashton, and I wasn't even included.
"Tsk." I couldn't help but grumble. I should have been the one there.
I suddenly felt irritated with Ashton. He knew I was the girl he danced with that night, but he didn't do anything to investigate the events. I thought he was a prince. Why does he seem to just follow what people want?
They all seem so foolish.
"Hey, Cinderella!" shouted a shrill voice using my lovely name. I didn't even have to turn to recognize her.
Of course, it's Anastasia. She's always angry with me. Maybe because we're always compared when we're out. Is it my fault that I'm prettier than her? She even blames her ugliness on me.
I quickly replaced my earlier scowl with a fake smile.
"What's up, my dear princess?" I asked sweetly, causing her to stop in her tracks.
She stood there like a statue for a while, staring at me, and both her cheeks turned red. It seems like the witch is blushing.
As if she expects me to let her be the princess in this place.
"W-Why are you so slow?!" she yelled, a bit stuttering. "Set the table now and finish the luggage quickly! If we got late, I'll really make mincemeat out of you!"
"Come on, you're too impatient. I'm already done." I grinned and tapped three times on the black suitcase where their belongings were.
After that, I lowered my gaze to her face, moving slightly lower to her ample chest. Teasing her, I asked, "Are you excited to marry the prince and get your hands on him?"
"Stop your nonsense," she said, slightly flustered. "Just shut up and serve the meal!"
"Alright," I replied and raised both of my hands as if surrendering.
Dasha couldn't contain her excitement as she looked at the dishes on the dining table once we were there. I won't be surprised if I'm served with leftovers again later.
"Wow! How did you know our favorites, Cinderella?" Dasha asked with gleaming eyes.
"Of course, I've been with you for a long time," I replied with a smile. I pointed to the pork steak. "Go ahead, taste it, and see if it's delicious."
"Maybe it's poisoned!" Anastasia accused, giving me more reason to smile widely.
"You're really dumb if you think you'd be poisoned in your own house—"
I didn't finish what I was about to say because Aunt Elizabeth shot me a deadly look. I just bit my lower lip, trying not to burst into laughter.
I pointed to the food again, and they immediately dug in.
In this house, I'm the only one who knows how to cook. So it's not surprising that they'd rather eat my cooking than endure their own terrible-tasting dishes. That might even be the reason for their demise.
"It's delicious!" Dasha exclaimed, still smiling.
But that didn't last long either. Of course, it couldn't last.
In an instant, the three of them started convulsing and lost consciousness. Anastasia's head fell onto the table, Elizabeth's into her bowl, and Dasha lay sprawled on the floor.
"See? You really are idiots," I said before starting to drag Dasha's feet away from the kitchen. "Finally, I can start my plans again."