Chapter 5

• "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."