"Your face looks familiar, dear. Have we met before?"
How can my face not look familiar when you raped my mother for several days?
I wanted to say that, but I forced myself to stay calm.
A sudden wave of anger surged through me. After using my mother in such a way, he couldn't recognize me immediately? I couldn't accept that my face was just familiar to him.
I clenched my fists behind my back. He should recognize me. He should know immediately who the woman in front of him is.
"Greetings, beloved king," I said. Fortunately, it didn't sound sarcastic. "I think we've only just met today. But many people have said that my face is quite ordinary, so maybe that's why it looks familiar to you."
"No," he quickly shook his head. He stared into my eyes. "Your beauty is extraordinary and not at all ordinary. I like you for Ashton."
I smiled. That's not what I read in his eyes. It was delight—joy that I'm here in the palace, but I also saw desire in his eyes.
It's the same look he had in his eyes when he claimed my mother over and over again. I won't forget that.
I didn't expect this to happen, to be honest. I thought he only had those thoughts about his servants, but I didn't know he was still the same as the future wife of his one and only prince.
I felt like throwing up because of his behavior. However, I can use this to my advantage, can't I?
"Thank you very much, beloved king. I'm greatly honored by what you've said to me."
I intentionally brushed my hand against his. I also slightly bowed to show respect and give him a glimpse of my cleavage. I saw him stiffen as I did that. He bit his lower lip as if trying to control himself.
I picked up the glass of wine from the table before turning away. I stopped when I saw the queen looking at me with disdain.
Instead of being afraid, I smiled before bowing to her. It seemed that she was scared because the king seemed to be showing interest in me.
The feast continued, but on the other hand, I was beginning to feel bored. Just when I was sulking because I couldn't do anything, the queen suddenly appeared in front of me.
"Cinderella, isn't it?" she asked.
I immediately stood up and bowed. "Greetings, beloved queen."
The other guests were busy doing their own things. Some were eating, dancing in the middle, and others were talking to various people. So only a few were looking in our direction.
"I'll get straight to the point because I don't want to waste my time on a lowlife like you. Don't ruin my son's life," she said and poured her water into the glass she was holding. "Tell him you won't marry him."
"Who are you to dictate your son's life?" I raised an eyebrow, and my lips curled at the corner.
"Wait, your son? Beloved queen, you’re not the prince’s real mother, isn’t it?”
My tone was mocking, causing the queen to get annoyed and clench her teeth.
"Learn to respect your queen!"
She was about to push me, but I quickly moved. I feigned stumbling, and I also threw the wine I was holding at my chest. She was the only one who saw what I did, so her eyes widened, and her lips trembled.
"What are you doing?!" the queen exclaimed.
"What's happening here?" Ashton asked, quickly approaching me and assisting me.
"T-The queen hurt me!" I deliberately quivered my voice as I said that.
By saying that, I captured the attention of other guests. Because of that, the queen's complexion paled even more.
"That's not true!" she said, pointing at me. "Tell the truth! You did that to yourself!"
I didn't say a word. I just buried my head in Prince Ashton's chest, and his hand immediately wrapped around my waist. Trembling, I clung to the prince, as if I were afraid the queen would do something else to me.
With nobody looking at me, I smirked at the queen, which made her gasp. She should have just kept quiet and not disrupted my plan.
After a few seconds of silence, Prince Ashton spoke. "Take her to my room. I'll be there shortly."
He stood me up and handed me over to his guards. He gently caressed my cheek before returning his gaze to his stepmother.
"Let's talk, your majesty," Prince Ashton said as he walked into an empty room in the palace. The queen followed him.
Due to my unusual abilities, even though I was in Prince Ashton's room, I could still hear their conversation.
"Ashton... Believe me!" the queen shouted. Her voice had a pleading tone. "I didn't hurt that maid's face! She did it to herself!"
"Maybe you just don't know Ella Cinderia. She's a kind person, and everyone in Corohelia knows that." I heard Ashton's chuckle. "This isn't the first time you've hurt a woman either. Why do you always lash out when you feel your position is threatened?"
At his words, the queen suddenly grew agitated. "Mind your words! I'm still the queen and your mother!"
"We’re not blood-related. How can that happen?" Ashton responded without hesitation, causing her to fall silent.
I laughed in the room as I listened. One of the things I disliked the most was people who didn't know their place.
I'm not done with her yet. If she thinks my revenge ends here, she's mistaken.
"The next time I find out you've hurt someone I love, I'll strip you of your queenly title," were Prince Ashton's final words.
I heard the door close, and it startled me with its loudness. I felt a bit weak, probably from using my powers, so I lay down on the bed to rest.
Ashton arrived right on time. Even without looking at the door, I knew it was him. I had quickly memorized his voice and his breathing pattern.
"Ella." I felt the bed dip.
I almost raised an eyebrow. My parents were the last ones to call me that. It seemed like there was some emotion building up inside me because of that.
I opened my eyes and faced him. "Beloved prince—"
"Ashton," he corrected. "Call me Ashton."
"Ashton..." I whispered. "The beloved queen doesn't want me here. Is it right that I'm here now?"
His expression darkened as he stared at me. "You are going to marry me, Ella Cinderia. I don't care if they don't like you for me because I like you." He caressed my cheek with his fingers. "You like me too, don't you?"
"More than you can imagine," I replied without hesitation.
I didn't know why. I knew he was the child of the person who had wronged my parents, but I couldn't control my heart. I didn't know why I seemed to be falling for him every time he defended and protected me.
No one had ever done that to me before.
"I feel the same way." He pulled me close to sit me down and kissed my lips.
I felt a bit embarrassed because of it. I was a bit dizzy from the alcohol I had poured into my body earlier, and I hadn't cleaned myself up yet.
I was about to move away, but he didn't let me. Instead, he brought his head to my neck and licked it.
I immediately moaned as the sensation spread throughout my body, accompanied by a bite on my skin. It seemed he was a bit impatient because of my moans and groans.
"What matters is that we like each other. That's enough for me to fight for you," he said as he looked at me, his eyes getting blurry, probably due to intoxication.
I thought he would let me go, but he suddenly lay me down and hovered over me. His hands slowly traveled under the sleeves of my gown.
"Get ready to go home tomorrow," Ashton whispered as he carefully removed my clothes. "You're with me tonight."
I smiled and completely surrendered. "I'll be yours forever, beloved prince."
THE NEXT day, Ashton had his guards escort me back to our house. He wanted to come with me, but I told him I could manage on my own.
I wouldn't be staying there for long. I was just going back to pick up my remaining belongings, and then I would be living in the palace. Ashton was in a hurry. We were getting married the very next day, so everyone was busy with preparations.
Well, his haste suited me just fine. It would help me get everything I had planned over with.
But before that, I needed to settle something here in our house... where it all began.
When I got home, I quickly went to the kitchen. I lifted a few of the boards on the floor, revealing a small space.
When I peered inside, I smiled. Elizabeth was sleeping soundly. It seems like she's not hungry even though I didn't feed her for a whole day.
"I'm here!” I took water from the sink and poured it on her face. She immediately woke up from what I did. “Is it time for us to talk again?"