After that day, everyone went back to their usual routines. Nothing changed in how they treated me, but I'm sure something changed in me. I've become less patient, and I'm on the verge of losing my temper with Anastasia.
She's blabbering again. Doesn't her own voice annoy her?
"You're really hopeless, Cinderella!" Anastasia exclaimed before tossing a piece of meat she was holding at me. "I told you to teach me. Don't make me look useless in front of everyone!"
Is it my fault that she's helpless? She can't even pick the right kind of meat. Men prefer women who can cook, and she's trying to learn it. With her attitude, she'll probably die unmarried.
"Choose the white meat, so it's fresh—"
"I don't want to do this anymore, okay?!" In frustration, she threw another piece of meat on the floor. "You and your meat can go to hell!" she added before leaving.
I let out a sigh and smiled weakly to the people around us, asking for their forgiveness for my sister's embarrassment.
When I got home, Anastasia was still at it, along with Dasha. I raised an eyebrow. Were they planning to get married now, given that they were trying to learn to cook? They always said they'd learn housework when they got married.
"Argh! It's burnt!" I was pulled back to reality when I heard Dasha scream. The pancake she was cooking had burned. "Cinderella, clean it up!"
"Coming right there!”
Instead of having to do less, I ended up with more work because of the two of them. I winced as I took the pan off the stove.
"Come on, move faster!" Dasha said and bumped into me.
I nearly gasped as the hot pan touched my skin. It hurt, darn it! But I had to endure it and not complain. If they saw that I was in pain, they would hurt me even more.
That's how they are, and that's how numb I've become. I feel like I don't care about anything anymore. All I want right now is to find out why my parents died... because I won't let them deceive me.
I know they're hiding something, and I need to find out what it is.
"GOOD MORNING, Albert," I greeted as I arrived at the market after cleaning my evil stepsisters’ mess.
I didn't have the energy to talk to people today, but Albert is a nice guy. I felt like I should greet him.
He was about to speak when Elizabeth, who arrived out of nowhere, slapped me right away. I nearly lost my balance if I hadn't regained my balance.
"You idiot!" she cursed, making me raise an eyebrow in surprise. "Why is there a rat bite here? Do you know how expensive this is?!"
She showed me the lilac-colored dress she was holding. I tilted my head, trying to remember where I had seen that dress.
Ah, this is the one Dasha tried on earlier!
I remember how happy she was when she saw that it matched her porcelain-like skin. She's Anastasia's younger sister, but she's not pretty. She compensated by having smooth skin, and I guess that worked out fine for her.
"I'm sorry," I said, but deep inside, I couldn't help but laugh. Dasha's ugly face when she's fuming suddenly popped into my head.
"Forgiveness? Will forgiveness fix this dress?" she yelled. "Damn you and your damn rats! I should've killed them all back then!"
I fell silent when she said that. No, not... Not my pets. I got scared of her threat because I knew she could do it.
"I don't want this to happen again. You know what I'm capable of," Elizabeth threatened before walking away.
I took a deep breath until I felt better. I felt weaker, but I had to continue selling. I didn't want her anger to escalate and have me thrown out.
I couldn't leave yet. Not now.
"Cinderella—"
"I'm okay."
I could hear the concern in Albert's voice, so I pre-empted him. I didn't want pity from anyone. I just wanted to find answers to all the questions in my mind.
"I heard about what happened..." he said, referring to when I left. "It might be difficult, but I believe your life will be better if you stay away from here. You're kind. I'm sure you'll be blessed. Why did you come back?"
Me? Kind? 
I wanted to laugh. There was no kindness in this body of mine. I'm just foolish, not kind. And blessed? Where did he get that word from?
If God does indeed bless, then I shouldn't have experienced all this suffering. I shouldn’t.
"I just had to come back for something," was all I said. I was grateful that he didn't ask further.
AS SOON as I got home, I started to interrogate my mices.
"Which one of you was nibbling on Dasha's dress while looking for evidence?" I asked the three mice who pretended to be innocent in front of me.
"Elton!" Tristan, one of the three musketeers, yelled.
"Why me? It's you!" Elton retorted. "Hey, Hades, speak up! Defend me!" he added before glancing at Hades, who was the quietest of the three.
I didn't know what happened, but after I left the house, I could talk to the three of them. I could hear their voices in my mind.
It was scary at first, but it made me happy after. That's how I learned their names and how grateful they were to me for not killing them, despite being mices.
Why would I do that? I love them so much.
"Who?" I looked at Hades. He didn't seem to be taking sides with either of them.
"Tristan," he casually replied with a shrug.
I smiled before I tapped his head with my index finger. "I've never seen Elizabeth so angry like that before, so what you did was right."
"Huh?" he asked, confused.
I think he thought I was going to scold him. That was my initial plan, but I got too excited with Elizabeth’s priceless facial expression, so I didn't do it.
"What's going on with that dress? Is there a party or something?" I asked.
"Haven't you heard?" Hades looked at me. "They say the prince is looking for a wife, so there's a celebration at the palace."
"A wife?" I raised an eyebrow.
Now, I understand why Anastasia and Dasha acted the way they did. They must be hoping to be chosen by the prince as his bride? They're looking for a husband, not to care for teenagers. Ridiculous.
"Is there anything needed to attend that event?" I asked.
"Nothing. Anyone can go—whether they're poor or rich." Hades was inquisitive as he looked at me. "What are you planning?"
"What else? Of course, I'm going." I grinned. "If I need to talk to someone right now, it's the prince."
He will be a significant help in my investigation.
Like Anastasia and Dasha, I prepared what I needed to attend that gathering. With the help of Elton, Hades, and Tristan, we made a simple dress.
I know how to sew. It's one of my pastimes when I get bored at home.
"Does it look good?" I asked them as I tried on what we made.
It was a red dress made of cloth. It had no sleeves and ended just above the knees. It had no embellishments, but for me, it was fine.
"Yes, of course!" Tristan said. "You're naturally beautiful, you don't need to put make up!”
"How can she dress up when she has to work all the time?" Elton retorted. "Duh!”
I just shook my head and smiled. These little rascals really brighten my day. My joyous expression didn't fade even after I left the basement.
But it quickly disappeared as someone blocked my path.