Everyone was celebrating in the palace on the night of my wedding to Ashton. They all congratulated us, and most of them were still envious because I had won Ashton's heart.
And it seems I didn't just win his heart.
"You look absolutely stunning tonight, Cinderella," Alexander complimented me as he approached while I was drinking wine. "I really like your face tonight."
He had said that several times, but I still couldn't help but feel disgusted whenever I heard it. While looking at the desire in his eyes, it felt as though I wanted to stab the fork I was holding into it.
"Thank you, my dear king," I replied, pretending I had slipped and said I loved him, just like I loved the prince. "I mean, dear king."
I innocently smiled before biting my lower lip. I lowered my head and tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear.
I deliberately showed him my fair and smooth neck.
Fortunately, Ashton was busy conversing with some guests at the moment. The queen had momentarily taken him away. I think she believed I would be irritated because she was temporarily taking my husband away from me.
What she didn't know was that it worked more in my favor.
The dear king closed his eyes. I was sure he could also smell my fragrance. I intentionally chose his favorite scent for this occasion. It was surprising that they both had the same favorite fragrance.
The scent of roses. The same as my mother's favorite perfume.
"I have a gift for you and Ashton," he said. "Would you like to accompany me in retrieving it?"
"I would be delighted, dear king," I replied, and I could see the darkening of his eyes due to my immediate agreement.
He extended his hand to me, and I immediately took it. No one had doubts about it since in everyone's eyes, I was already married to Ashton, and it appeared like a father-daughter moment.
"We'll be back shortly," Alexander said as he was about to approach us. "Do your duty as a prince."
Ashton just nodded, but I could see the jealousy in his eyes. At first, I was puzzled, but then I remembered something and couldn't help but smile.
You truly are like father and son.
I approached Ashton and kissed him on the cheek. He looked upset, but in any case, he couldn't do anything but follow the king.
"We'll be together later," I provocatively whispered to him. "I'm all yours tonight and forever."
I smiled, and I could feel the tension in his body. The dear king also had a dark look in his eyes. I knew he had heard what I said, and I did it on purpose.
Too bad for him, I married Ashton, not him. And if he were to marry me, I'd rather remain an old maid.
As King Alexander walked away, I followed him for a moment, but then I stopped and glanced at the queen.
I just smiled because she seemed like she wanted to pounce on me. I could clearly see the jealousy in her eyes because the dear king had invited me.
When we arrived in the king's chamber, I was amazed. Luxurious items were scattered throughout the room. I even thought that some of his belongings were made of gold. It was as if this room was shouting how powerful and wealthy he was.
"Do you like it?" he asked. He grinned when he saw my reaction.
I nodded. "Yes, dear king. This place is incredibly extravagant."
"Do you regret marrying Ashton?" he asked bluntly, and I must admit, I was somewhat surprised by the question.
I knew the king had a bad attitude from the beginning, but I didn't know he could get even worse.
"No," I replied, gazing at the wine on his table. "Because all of this will eventually belong to Ashton."
He was taken aback by what I said. He wasn't the only one who could be blunt— I could do it too. He avoided eye contact with me and turned his attention to his portrait.
I took advantage of that moment to poison his wine. If he managed to sleep tonight, I would make sure he wouldn't wake up again.
"Cinderella," he called me before turning in my direction. "Are you still a virgin?"
"Yes, dear king," I nodded. I raised an eyebrow because I had a feeling I wouldn't like what he was going to say next.
"In that case..." He slowly approached me, leaning me against the wall and caressing my cheek. "Before the prince, shouldn't the king be the one to have you first?"
I almost swore at what he said. He always used his status as king for insignificant things like this. 
Fortunately, I managed to control myself. I needed to carry out my plans, and letting my emotions take over wouldn't help with my plans.
I nodded, and he smiled. He couldn't help but push me to the wall, burying his face in my neck. I felt some of his mustache tickling my skin, and I almost lost it, but I held back.
As his hands traveled toward my waist, I raised my neck a bit more for him to kiss it. I could hear his deep exhales.
"You smell so good," he said in a lustful tone.
"I'm ready to be your second queen, dear king." I gently pushed him away before I took the wine on the table next to us. "Shouldn't we celebrate this day?"
He smiled and nodded. He didn't hesitate to drink the wine I gave him. As soon as it was empty, Ashton arrived.
I expected that to happen, as I knew Ashton even in the short time we had known each other. He wouldn't allow anyone to snatch me away from him.
And I was the same way.
The next time I blinked, we were in front of the king's casket. I was still sobbing as I looked at his lifeless body, but the truth was, I couldn't wait to smile.
If I could wear red at his funeral, I would.
"It feels like you just showered us with gifts a while ago," I said before throwing the white roses I held onto the casket. "Thank you for accepting me here in the palace."
Unknown to everyone, the king's death was one of the happiest moments of my life. Since then, I haven't felt my mother's presence as much, and my powers have been gradually weakening.
But it wasn't over yet. I had more to do, but I would make the most of the happy days with Ashton first.
A few days had passed, and Ashton had become the king of Corohelia—with me as his queen. His stepmother was now imprisoned on a remote island owned by the Corohelia, as I had successfully proven her embezzlement of money here.
Of course, I had orchestrated all of it. I had told her from the beginning that she would see where her actions would lead her, and it had become easier for me to move once I became queen.
And now, I wasn't just going to be a queen. I was going to be a mother as well.
Both Ashton and I couldn't help but get emotional as we lay on the bed. We were both undressed because we had just been done making love. We were both ecstatic because we finally had an heir.
And that is not the only reason why I’m happy for today. This was the right time to finish everything I had planned.
"I've been waiting for this moment, Ashton," I said in a happy tone.
"I have too, my dear queen," he replied, closing his eyes.
He pulled me close and kissed me gently. I accepted it wholeheartedly. I kept my eyes open, savoring the softness of his lips. I memorized every part of his face, even the warmth of his palms.
Because this would be the last time I would see him alive.
A tear rolled down my cheek as I buried the knife hidden under my pillow into his stomach. His lips quivered, and blood began to seep out. Since our faces were close, I immediately tasted it.
Sweet. His blood was incredibly sweet. I think I’ll get addicted to it.
"Why...?" he asked, and I pushed the knife deeper into his body.
"Why? Did you think I was unaware of everything that was happening, Ashton?" I grinned and brought my mouth close to his ear. "Not only did the king violate my mother back then..."
Ashton knew what his father did, and King Alexander had no idea that Ashton was also involved whenever he had a woman. The reason Ashton had ordered my mother to do an errand during those times was to allow the king to see her appearance and take her to an abandoned house.
So that he could have his way with my mother as well. That cunning bastard.
"Ella—"
"You're just like him," I interrupted his attempt to say my name. "Both of you have a twisted desire for women, and no matter what you do, you can't control it."
He didn't respond immediately, which made me grin. The love I once felt for him had been replaced with hatred.
But I couldn't deny the heavy feeling in my chest right now.
"Even though you're already my husband, you still seek other women, don't you? You had sex with them without thinking how would I feel," I pulled the knife out and thrust it into his stomach again. "I'm not stupid to not know that."
I knew that every day he touched other women even though everyone praised him for being lucky to have me. I accepted it because I loved him. I loved him even when I knew I shouldn't.
But now... If he wasn't going to be faithful to me, it didn't matter if he didn't benefit from me anymore.
I would do to him what he did to his sister, Ciara, several years ago.
Ciara had sent a letter with the palace seal a long time ago. She was one of the people who cared enough to let me know about the strange occurrences in the palace. But when Ashton found out, he didn't hesitate to kill his own sister.
"I love you, Ashton," I whispered before I kissed him on the lips. I sucked his blood. "But until you die at my own hands, my revenge will not end."
During those moments, Ashton breathed his last, and I easily got away with it. Due to my good reputation, I immediately convinced everyone by saying that an evil spirit had possessed Ashton. Before long, I became the queen of all of Corohelia, and that's where all my plans, as well as the story of my life, seemed to end.
But it turned out that was just my assumption. I thought everything was okay, and I could live peacefully with my child—the person who would be the memory of my love with Ashton.
However, as I stood in front of my parents' graves, a strong wind suddenly blew, and the man who had helped me before appeared before me.
The demon.
"W-What are you doing here?" I asked nervously, taking slow steps backward.
"I told you that everything comes at a price, didn't I?" he said. "It's time for me to collect that price."
In an instant, he rotated his hand, and black and red smoke emerged from it. I didn't notice it quickly approaching me and entering my abdomen.
"No! No!"
I tried to run away, but it was too late. I knelt on the floor, screaming in pain due to the pain in my stomach. It felt as if everything inside me was separating from my body.
"She's the price for all the wrongs you've done, Cinderella," the man said before opening his palm.
I was almost in tears when I saw the image of a baby there. "Because revenge never had a happy ending. You should have known that."
Those were his final words before he slowly disappeared in front of me. I could hardly speak, and I could hardly stand.
The last thing I saw before my vision completely darkened was the glass slippers at my feet, seeming to consume my entire body with the blood flowing from them.
This was the true ending of this story, and not the happy ending I had dreamed of.