"The beloved prince is here!" announced one of the palace guards in Corohelia.
I almost cursed when I saw Ashton in front of our house. I could see the outside from the basement window. Anxiety quickly coursed through me, while the opposite seemed to happen to Anastasia.
She seemed to regain her spirit. Despite her injuries, she managed to smile and sneer at me.
"You're in trouble now. I'm sure the prince will take my side! I'll have you imprisoned, you beast!" she exclaimed.
She took a deep breath before shouting, "Help! Can you hear me?! Help me!"
Anastasia's never-ending screams and cries echoed. I, on the other hand, just looked out the window, watching her beloved prince.
"They know we're going to pick up the Fortelle family today, right?" I heard Prince Ashton ask his guard. His annoyance was evident in his voice as he impatiently tapped his feet.
"Yes, Your Highness," the guard replied.
"What's wrong?!" Anastasia complained in frustration because no one seemed to hear her despite her repeated cries. "Are you all deaf?! I'm here!"
"Are you losing it already, Anastasia? They can't hear you from here. We're too far away," I smiled before picking up a thick book from the table. "And don't expect your plans to come to fruition, because I won't allow that."
I didn't wait for her to respond. I immediately struck her on the head with the book. She just widened her eyes before losing consciousness.
I needed to hurry. I quickly bathed and changed my clothes. I put on my blue dress and an old white skirt.
The wounds on my body were still visible, but I had no intention of hiding them. I wanted Prince Ashton to see them when I went out later.
Even though I looked like a pauper, I made sure I looked presentable. I couldn't smell bad when I faced the beloved prince.
My beloved prince.
I smiled as I thought about it. Somehow, I also wanted to experience the love my parents had once felt.
When I opened the door, I saw that Prince Ashton was returning to his carriage, ready to leave. So, I called out to him, "Prince Ashton!"
Prince Ashton turned to me, and his guard raised an eyebrow.
That's when I realized that I couldn't address the prince so casually. It was a big offense to the Corohelia family. I had forgotten about that.
"I apologize for my behavior, your highness," I placed both of my feet behind me and bowed.
When I lifted my head, his ash-gray eyes met mine. The coldness of his emotion seemed to penetrate my entire body.
I suddenly felt self-conscious under his gaze, similar to when we first met, but I didn't look away.
I needed to win him over. He needed to choose me, even though I didn't own the shoes he was holding now.
"Ella Cinderia..." he called in a firm yet deep voice. I bowed again. "I've been calling for a while. Didn't you hear me?"
Prince Ashton tilted his head and glanced at his watch. His tone became more pronounced, and his eyebrows furrowed further.
"I heard, but I couldn't stand up immediately," I replied, intentionally making my voice sound pitiful.
I bowed again and looked at my wounds on my legs and feet, which made his gaze shift there as well. I saw concern in his eyes as he knelt in front of me.
I pretended to be slightly scared of him and stepped back, but he quickly reached for my pulse.
My heart rate suddenly increased, and it wasn't an act anymore.
"What happened?" he asked. His gaze darkened with each second he examined my wounds.
"I-It’s because of Anastasia and her family, you’re highness..." I averted my gaze. "They left after doing this to me. I don't know why, but they left me alone here..."
I could easily make the entire Corohelia family believe what I said. That's why I didn't care that they mistreated me all over the place as it scattered on the whole village, too.
In an instant, tears welled up in my eyes. I bowed and covered my face with my hands.
"Shh..." I suddenly felt him standing in front of me. He pulled me closer and embraced me. "I'm here..."
I grinned while buried in his chest.
What can you say now, Anastasia? The man you desire is with me. Too bad, maybe I shouldn't have hit her on the head. Then she would be dying of envy while watching this scene.
I'm just taking back what's mine.
"Thank you, your highness," I said, gazing into his radiant eyes.
According to the book I'm reading, men prefer to protect women. It apparently elevates their masculinity.
I'll use your pride against you, Ashton.
The beloved prince briefly separated from me before facing his guard. "She's the one I'll bring to the palace."
"But—"
"I am the prince of Corohelia, so I have the final say," the prince replied firmly, silencing the guard. "Cinderella is the one I will marry, not Anastasia."
"Your highness!" I pretended to respond in shock.
I pretended not to believe what he said, even though this was the plan from the beginning. It's just amusing that it's finally happening.
"I wanted you from the beginning," he said. He brought his face closer to mine, wiping away my tears with his thumb. "Anastasia is not worthy to be my wife. She should not benefit from my wealth and love."
I remained silent, but in my thoughts, I wanted to burst into laughter at what he was saying. It seemed like this man had fallen for me instantly, but that was just right.
Because Ashton belongs to me. The prince and the entire realm of Corohelia are mine.
"PAY HOMAGE to the beloved prince and the beloved princess!" the guard shouted as we arrived at the Corohelia palace.
All the guests immediately bowed. They occasionally stole glances at me, but when the prince looked at them, they quickly bowed again.
Now I understand why Anastasia almost killed me with her gaze earlier. I didn't realize what a tremendous opportunity I had taken from her.
That's also why Prince Ashton had me quickly dressed by his attendants earlier. Now, I was wearing a blue gown that reached my ankles.
It suited my appearance. I looked like a princess, and I thought the king's crown on my head looked perfect.
I couldn't help but giggle at my thoughts. Fortunately, they didn't seem to notice.
"Beloved king," Prince Ashton greeted as we reached the throne. "This is Cinderella. The woman I will marry."
A hush fell over Corohelia after Prince Ashton said that. The king's gaze remained on me. His eyes went up and down, as if he were examining my entire appearance.
I understood why. I looked exactly like my mother—the younger version of her.
"I respect whatever decision you make."
He licked his lower lip. He was speaking to Prince Ashton, but he was looking at me. I almost raised an eyebrow, but I managed to control myself.
Ashton bowed, and I followed suit to show respect.
AFTER that, the festivities began. The envy on the faces of the women present was evident as they couldn't take their eyes off me. Besides the fact that Prince Ashton was protecting me, it seemed they were jealous because I was more beautiful than all of them.
It's not my fault, so they can die of envy for all I care.
"Just stay here for now. I need to talk to someone," Prince Ashton said before leaving me at a table.
His departure was well-timed. Besides wanting to be alone, I had been feeling someone wanting to approach me for a while now.
And I wasn't wrong. In an instant, the king was in front of me, and my vision darkened as I heard his next words.