Cinderella
977 Words
Cold air from the Alps swept through overnight, bringing heavy snow to the northwestern countries.
The Duchy of Eaton, located at the windward side of the Alps, received much heavier snowfall than other nations, with snowflakes as large as goose feathers.
"Your Highness, are you cold? Shall I fetch the woolen knee warmers?"
Charlie, driving the carriage outside, called out.
"I'm not cold at all; wear more yourself."
As a magician, Yize's constitution was far superior to that of ordinary people.
"I'm well bundled up. I truly envy you and Lord Raymond—combat professions never fear the cold or heat."
Charlie was wrapped up like a ball, while Yize and Raymond wore only thin fur cloaks.
Receiving no response from Yize and Raymond, Charlie continued, "Your Highness, the Duchy of Eaton is larger than our Duchy of Kabel, with a much larger population. Their specialties include blue cheese and Andes lamb chops. Despite the severe winters, there are many hot springs. Shall we stop for lamb chops and a hot spring soak? By the way, Eaton women are known for their beauty, with skin as fair and smooth as peeled eggs..."
Yize interrupted Charlie's monologue, "Charlie, you've never left the country before. How do you know all this?"
"Your Highness, I am your most resourceful attendant. I’ve been reading up on the cultural and geographical information of various countries in preparation for this journey."
Yize nodded approvingly. Charlie's thoroughness and quick wit made him Yize's most reliable servant.
"Tell me about the royal family of the Duchy of Eaton."
As a neighboring prince, Yize knew he must courteously visit the King of Eaton.
Charlie began his relentless narration, "Your Highness, the King of Eaton, Pochi, is quite remarkable. He has 33 consorts and has fathered 38 princesses and 29 princes. The queen, Selina, has borne him two sons and a daughter. The eldest son, Hans, is the future heir of Eaton. However, I believe there is no prince in all of Eurasia more outstanding than you, Your Highness—handsome, kind, and a magician! Truly..."
Yize cut Charlie off, "Enough flattery for one day. Check the gifts we’ve prepared for the King and Queen of Eaton; we'll head to the royal palace."
King Pochi's vitality amazed Yize; his father, also a king, had only five consorts besides his mother.
The Eaton royal family's numerous descendants contrasted sharply with Kabel's, which had just four princes and six princesses, including Yize.
In Eurasia, the throne typically passed to the eldest legitimate son, but a king could alter the succession order if the eldest was incompetent and another prince more capable.
Hans, the legitimate prince of Eaton, was two years older than Yize and reputedly very handsome.
Today was Prince Hans's birthday ball, attended by princesses, dignitaries, and wealthy merchants' daughters.
Everyone knew this ball was, in essence, a wife-selection event for Prince Hans.
Yize arrived at the palace, presenting gifts from the Duchy of Kabel to the King and Queen of Eaton.
The Duchies of Eaton and Kabel, both vassals of the Norman Empire, maintained a relatively equal and harmonious relationship.
The King and Queen of Eaton welcomed Yize's party courteously, issued travel documents, and invited them to Prince Hans's birthday ball that evening.
...
In a dim woodshed, Cinderella was picking peas out of a pile of ashes, a task assigned by her stepmother, who said she could attend Prince Hans's ball if she finished by dinner.
Cinderella, the daughter of a merchant, lived a life worse than a servant after her mother died and her stepmother and two daughters moved in.
Her father, always away on business, showed no concern for household affairs. Her stepmother and stepsisters mistreated her daily, leaving her with no fine clothes and forcing her to sleep in the kitchen straw. The neighbors called her Cinderella because of the ash marks on her face.
Running away was not an option. As a beautiful, fragile woman, she might not even find enough to eat and risk being kidn*pped.
Cinderella was smart and longed to change her fate. Upon learning of the prince's ball, she saw it as her chance.
She knew her beauty was her greatest asset. Even without makeup, she was far more attractive than her well-groomed stepsisters.
Her natural beauty incited jealousy in her stepmother and stepsisters.
If a prince or nobleman noticed her at the ball, she could escape her miserable life.
After painstakingly sorting the peas, Cinderella showed them to her stepmother, who sneered, "Did you really believe you could attend the ball with no proper dress? Keep dreaming!"
Cinderella clenched her fists, holding back tears, knowing they were useless now.
After her stepmother and stepsisters left for the ball, Cinderella sneaked into her stepmother's room and stole a pair of silver earrings.
She knew she'd be beaten when her stepmother discovered the theft but deemed it worth the risk to leave forever.
Selling the earrings for three silver coins, Cinderella rented a gown and glass slippers for a day, including makeup service.
The dress shop owner happily agreed. After washing her face, applying makeup, and donning the white dress, Cinderella looked transformed. Her stepmother and stepsisters wouldn't recognize her.
"You're more beautiful than any princess I've ever seen!"
The makeup artist exclaimed.
"Thank you."
Cinderella hurried to the ball, making up a story to the guards, who let her in, assuming she was a princess from some distant land.
The ball had started a few minutes ago, with food, music, and champagne filling the hall.
Not wanting to outshine Prince Hans, Yize deliberately arrived late.
As he turned a corner in the hall, he accidentally collided with a girl in a white dress.
Charlie rushed to support Yize, "Your Highness, are you alright?"
Then, turning angrily to the girl, "How dare you! What if you hurt our prince?"
- Writer
