All the hair on my body stood on end because of the sudden appearance of that person. I didn't know why... but I felt an inexplicable fear. I also realized that I had been holding my breath.
"W-Who are you?" I stammered. Even though my knees were trembling, I summoned the courage to look at him.
Since I had nothing to defend myself with, I just clenched my fists, ready for a physical fight. But I froze when I saw his face. He was a man in a black suit and pants.
He was handsome, imposing, and seemed attractive. My heart started to race when I gazed at his face, not because of infatuation... but out of fear, especially when I noticed the color of his eyes.
Were my eyes playing tricks on me, or were they truly blood-red, like a demon's?
"Do you still need to ask that?" He grinned. His voice was deep and chilling. "Shouldn't you inquire first about your wish?"
"I know you're not telling the truth, so I'm not interested." I sneered. He laughed. "I know you're a thief, but you won't find anything valuable here. Look for another house."
Maybe he thought I said that just to get rid of him, but I meant it. There was nothing to steal in this house apart from me.
"Wait... Am I your target?" I bit my lower lip.
He looked rich, so he wouldn't need to steal. Perhaps he wanted me!
"Whatever you think, cease that," he waved both hands in front of him. "I'm not a thief, and I have no intention toward you. I simply heard your wish, which is why I came here."
"My wish?" I raised an eyebrow. "Are you a genie?"
"More than that, my lady."
He took a step closer to me, and I took a step back. I didn't know why, but trying to meet his gaze messed with my thoughts. I already had enough problems, and he was adding to them.
"You know, it's just fatigue," I told him and shook my head. My head hurt because of his presence. "You can go and steal something or whatever. I've already warned you, you're wasting your time here."
Instead of wasting time on this conversation, I decided to go back inside. I hoped I could still find something like the letter earlier. Damn, if my dress hadn't been ruined, I would've asked Prince Ashton himself.
"Are you going to the palace now? I heard the prince is looking for a bride," he asked, causing me to raise an eyebrow.
"Do you see what I'm wearing?" This guy was annoying. Was he teasing me? "How can I go with this torn dress—”
I didn't finish my sentence because he suddenly opened his right palm. There was a black circular crystal on top of it. At first, I thought he just wanted to show me he wasn't an ordinary person, but I was left wide-eyed when I saw the next thing.
"I have higher expectations from you than your sister...'' my aunt Elizabeth said as she held Anastasia by both shoulders. "Attract the prince. Use your beauty."
"Yes, Mom," Anastasia replied. She even winked at my aunt before moving away.
I blinked twice because I thought I was seeing things... but it was real.
I gasped and didn't move immediately. I knew what I was seeing was genuine. With their behavior, I already knew I wasn't being deceived by the man in front of me.
"How are you able to... do that?" I asked.
"Because I can do anything." He clenched his fist, causing the crystal ball to disappear. "I can do everything. That's why I'm asking you again. Are you sure about your wish?"
"Whoever is listening, give me the power to take revenge!" I suddenly remembered my words earlier.
His words got my full attention. "Can you grant me this power?"
"Yes, if that's what you want." He nodded and grinned. "But you already have that power, Cinderella. You just haven't discovered it yet. Besides, I'm not the only one who wants to help you."
"What do you mean?" I raised an eyebrow, tilting my head.
However, he didn't answer my question. Instead, he shifted the conversation. "You want to go to the party, right?"
"Hey. What do you mean by what you said earlier?” I asked again.
“If you continue to ask that question, I won't help you," he said in a serious tone.
Fearing that he might not help me, I didn't press him for the answer to his previous statement. Jeez, why would he say those things and leave me hanging afterward?
"Yes," I answered. I held the torn part of my dress. "But this is ruined. It's embarrassing to go looking like this."
"That's not a problem if you're talking to me, but I have two conditions," he explained. "First, you need to come back here before midnight."
I glanced at the wall clock and saw that it was only nine o'clock. I had three hours left, which should be enough.
"That's fine with me," I nodded. "What's the second condition?"
"I won't tell you right now, but remember that everything has a price. I'll take it when I feel like it." I felt a shiver down my spine when I heard the threat in his voice. "Are you willing to give me the price when I ask for it?"
Without hesitation, I nodded. I wasn't going to change my mind now. My investigation depended on this, and I believed in his abilities. I knew he would help me.
"I'm ready to give everything," I said, my voice filled with determination. "So please help me."
He grinned upon hearing my response. After a few seconds, the wind's temperature dropped, and the color of his eyes disappeared, no longer showing any signs of red. I was amazed instead of scared.
He flicked his finger, and a black smoke enveloped my entire body.
"In princeps contrito corde." [On the princess with the shattered heart.]
My dress transformed in an instant. It sprouted sleeves and the torn edges appeared to be sewn back together. My hair was tied up at the back, and I felt like a beauty.
"Vindictam per dolorem." [Seeking revenge using pain.]
My shoes suddenly sparkled, and I was surprised to find that I was wearing the glass slippers I had picked up at the abandoned house earlier. The glass slippers matched perfectly with my blue dress.
"In nomine diaboli." [In the name of the Devil.]
He then focused on the pumpkin on the side. As soon as the smoke arrived, the pumpkin rapidly expanded until it became a carriage.
"Auxilium recuperandam eam." [Help her recover.]
He flicked his hand again, accompanied by a small cheer from behind me.
"Wow... I have feet now!" Even without looking, I knew it was Tristan. I recognized his voice even from when he was still a mouse.
I couldn't believe it as I looked around at the golden carriage, my dress, and even my three mice, who were now human. I approached the window to check my reflection.
"So, how's it look?" he asked, but I shook my head.
"I look like a princess," I complained. "I'm not a princess. Can you tone down the makeup?"
"You're such a complainer. Do you know that?" he replied with a grin. I just laughed because he seemed to be quite pleased with my reaction.
He used his power to adjust my appearance once more. There were only a few changes, but I liked it better than before. My blue gown turned black, as did my makeup and my nail color.
I had my blonde hair down now. Black and gold... It suited me so well.
"No one will recognize you in the palace except for the prince," he said, pointing at the carriage. "Be careful."
"Thank you very much. I will consider this a huge favor," I replied before getting into the carriage. Hades immediately assisted me.
He shook his head. "I told you, this comes with a price."
I just smiled and nodded. Whatever price he asked for, I hoped I could give it.