"Beloved prince?!" I asked, my eyes widening. "Is that true?!"
He didn't answer me. Instead, he turned to the guard with a cold look. "What is it?"
"The queen has summoned you to the palace."
Goodness gracious! It was him! Prince Ashton Corohelia, the next ruler of this realm! Wait, am I dreaming about the prince wanting to kill me? 
Is it a foreshadowing of his nasty character?
"Ella Cinderia…" I heard him call my name.
He caught my attention immediately, especially when he held my cheeks and lightly brushed them. His sweet smile sent my heart racing.
"I know we'll meet again," he said seductively before leaving.
As the prince left, I suddenly felt weak in the knees. I just saw him now, but why did he keep appearing in my dreams? It would be great if it was something romantic, but he wanted to take my life.
Another puzzling thing was why he didn't notice the foul smell in this place.
"Wait, the picture."
When I remembered the stench, I remembered my mom. I quickly removed my mom's picture from the frame. Even if he was going to be the future king of Corohelia, I was certain that I had more right to my mom's photo.
I needed to get out of here. I didn't care if it was raining heavily. I felt uncomfortable in this place, as if someone was watching me. It felt as if there was a noose around my neck, making it hard to breathe.
I quickly packed my things. I was about to leave when I noticed the shoes again. For some inexplicable reason, I felt a strange sadness while looking at it.
"Take them. . ."
It was as if someone was whispering those words to me.
I didn't hesitate, and I picked them up. I wiped off the blood on my dress and put it in my bag. Afterward, I left. 
Now, I am regretting my hasty decision.
"What have I done? How could I have been so bold to run away when I have nowhere to go?" I exclaimed, feeling the tears welling up.
From one tear, it flowed continuously. Under the tree, in the heavy rain, in the darkness, I let the world hear my misery. 
I had no other choice but to question the heavens. What sin had I committed to deserve this pain?
Why, among all the people in the world, did I have to experience this?
I closed my eyes and felt the pain. My strength grew whenever I thought of my dad and his promise to come back for me.
I endured it for so many years. I waited for so long.
But now, what else was I waiting for? Where would I find the courage when the people I relied on had left me?
"Oh!" I jolted when something fell in front of me, and my forehead wrinkled as I saw it was the photo of my mom that I had taken earlier. "How did this fall?"
It was impossible for it to fall on its own. I carefully placed it in my pocket. But fine, I pretended it fell on its own. . . but shouldn't it be next to me, not in front of me.
"Mom," I forced a laugh despite the fear I felt. "Please don't haunt me. You know I’m afraid of ghosts.”
I tried to act normally, even though my heart felt like it was pounding loudly. I turned the photo around to clean off some dirt before returning it to my pocket. However, I paused when I noticed there was a note on the back.
Help me.
I almost dropped the photo when I read the note. I felt a surge of anger as I realized what it meant.
Could it be... Something terrible happened to them, and now they're asking for my help?
"If there's anyone who can answer my questions, it's only Elizabeth," I said.
And the prince.
"DASHA, is this real?!"
I was still far from home, but I could already hear Anastasia's loud voice. I saw her crossing her arms and furrowing her brows. Despite her rudeness, I could sense the astonishment in her voice.
"We’re right, aren’t we? Life outside is harder than here!" she said when I entered the living room.
I ignored her. I was too tired to argue with someone as close-minded as her. I went straight to my room and smiled when I saw my happy mices.
"Hello, three musketeers," I greeted before going outside to look for Anastasia. "Where's Elizabeth?"
"She's outside, getting some fresh air," she replied coldly. "I'm sure you'll beg to stay here again. Shameless bitch.” She sarcastically laughed afterward. 
I took a deep breath. I wanted to dunk her in a sink as she irritates the hell out of me. But I had another purpose here, so I couldn't. 
Instead of getting angry, I returned her sarcasm with a sweet smile.
"Yeah, right," I replied. I bowed my head so she wouldn't see that I was trying to restrain myself from grabbing her neck. "It's not easy to live alone, so here I am."
"Let's see." She smirked.
As she was about to leave, I took hold of her wrist. She didn't pull away immediately, but her wide eyes were locked onto mine.
"I've missed you so much, Anastasia," I said playfully before gently wiping the mud onto her beautiful skin.
"Ew! Disgusting! Get away from me!" She recoiled from what I did. I just smiled at her reaction.
After that, I went to the side to find Elizabeth. She cringed when she saw my appearance.
"You quickly swallowed your words," she said, crossing her arms. "I thought you said you wouldn't come back here?"
"I regret what I’ve said," I pleaded, making my voice sound pitiful. "Please forgive me."
I wanted to puke from the words I was saying. Yes, I regretted running away without a concrete plan, but I never regretted the things I said to them because they were all true.
"Hey, you think it's that easy to come back?" She raised an eyebrow. She came up to me and grinned. "I'll accept you... on one condition."
"What is it?" I asked, feeling my heart fill with anxiety. With her grin, I knew the condition wouldn't be good.
"Anastasia! Dasha!" Elizabeth called her witchy daughters, who quickly came up to me.
I raised an eyebrow at what they were doing next. They simply raised their feet and brought them close to my face. I quickly recoiled because of the smell! 
Didn't they take a bath? So fucking disgusting!
"Kiss our feet," Aunt said disdainfully, lifting her foot. "If you want us to accept you here, do this."
"Ella, no matter what happens, don't lower your dignity, especially if you know you're innocent," I remembered my mother's words to me. "This is all we have, and it's what I and your father can leave you.”
My heart ached as I recalled that, but I shook my head. I would do this for them too... because I'm coming back here to investigate their deaths. I believe I can find some answers by staying here temporarily.
"HAHAHAHA! That’s it!”
“How pitiful!”
Anastasia and Dasha's laughter and mockery remained in my ears as I kissed their dirty feet one by one—a symbol of my humility. That's what Elizabeth wanted.
To show me how far I could only go.
"I hope you've learned something from this, Ella," Elizabeth said and kicked me, causing me to fall to the ground. "Always remember your place."