I'm Not Cinderella

Preparations To The Capital

"What? You're going to be the capital?" Sarah exclaimed as I neatly arranged my clothes in the suitcase. Not that I have many things to pack, just three sets of my uniform, two nightgowns, and a few of my necessities.

"How many times have I told you Sarah? Yes, I am going to the capital." I answered in a tired voice. Sarah asked me nonstop when the butler announced that I would be going to the capital with the Fyurdur's.

Everyone was shocked when the butler announced it. But the one reaction that made me satisfied was the head maid's scrunched-up face.

Ever since the incident, she kept giving me little chores such as cleaning the stables, sorting out the attic, cleaning the basement, and a whole lot more. She also didn't allow me to work near the master's and mistresses' rooms.

So seeing how things didn't go her way made me want to jump with joy on the spot. Rosilyn, on the other hand, avoided me like the plague.

The moment she saw me in the hallway, she'd run in the opposite direction. She only goes to the kitchen when everyone has finished eating. I was planning to confront her, but she never gave me a chance to speak to her.

"You're so lucky." Sarah sighed. "If only I can go with you, I can make my dreams come true."

"As if you'll have time to stroll around the capital if ever the butler assigned you there." I rolled my eyes and scoffed, getting a bit annoyed as sleepiness slowly came to me.

"The capital will eat you alive if you keep having those kinds of thoughts. You seriously need to grow up," I continued as I finished packing my stuff, checking one last time before closing it.

"You're so mean!" Sarah said as she lousily threw the pillow at me. She huffed, turned around, and covered her face with her blanket.

I sighed and sat at the edge of her bed. "Sorry Sarah. It's just there's a lot of things in my plate right now."

Sarah slowly peaked from her blanket. "I know."

"You know what, I'll be going to the town tomorrow. And if I have time, I'll stop by the newly opened cafe and get you some cream puffs."

Sarah's face suddenly brightened up. "With strawberry and chocolate?"

"Yes, with strawberry and chocolates." I chuckled at her childishness.

"Promish?" She sheepily asked while yawning in the process

"Promise."

I stood up when I heard her lightly snore. As I was about to prepare for bed, someone suddenly knocked on our door.

I opened it and was surprised by the sudden hug Fia gave me. She buried her face on my chest, mumbling something. I patted her head and hugged her back.

"What's with you?"

Fia continued mumbling. I swear, when this girl gets emotional, I can't get one proper word out from her. But I can guess what she's saying.

"It's not like I'm leaving this place forever. I will back before you know it." I assured her.

She sniffed, nodded her head, then went back to her room.

When I was about to close the door, the lying thief suddenly came out of her room. I frowned at her, causing her to hurriedly go back inside, slamming the door in the process.

I sighed, still mad about what she had done. Not that I know what exactly happened. It made me wonder, why me? Why did she look guilty? Did she steal it? If so, why was I accused or framed? Many questions popped in my head, but I shook them off and directly went to bed.

*****

I brushed my hair and tied it in a neat bun. I looked at my mirror and took the hair tie off. I decided to let my hair loose for the first time in almost forever since I kept trying it when I did my work.

I grabbed my hat and went out of the room. I walked to the kitchen, greeted by the scent of jam and bread.

"Good morning everyone!" I cheerily said as I sat down at the table.

"Good mo- wow, you look so different today Cindy." Sylvia, the main chef, hoarsely said.

Sylvia has worked here longer than I. When I saw her, I thought she was a man because of her significant figure, as well as the scars on her arms.

I shyly smiled, feeling a bit awkward about how she commented on my looks. I should've tied my hair, I thought.

"Good mworning..." Rei and Rai synchronously said while rubbing their eyes. Rei and Rai are identical twins, and they're the sons of Sylvia. They worked in the stables and sometimes tended the garden.

They sat down across me, lay their head on the table.

"Ah very good morning everyone!" Sarah cheerily said as she entered the kitchen, followed by Fia and Tanya.

"Looks like the twins were up all night again." Tanya said, rubbing their head roughly.

I got up when the kettle whistled and made tea for everyone.

"Wow Cindy, you look so different today. It's so rare to see you not wearing a maid uniform, and letting your hair loose." Fia said, slowly seeping her tea.

A blush crept in my face, and I tied my hair immediately, feeling embarrassed.

"Hey don't do that!" Sarah took off my hair tie. The clock struck at seven, and everyone quickly finished drinking their tea.

"I'm bringing this with me." Sarah waved my hair tie. "And don't forget my cream puffs!"

"We want cream puffs too!" The twins said, grabbing my hands and giving me their irresistible puppy eyes.

"Okay, okay, but you should hurry to your stations or else the head maid will have your head!" They shrieked back and ran outside the kitchen.

After cleaning up the table, I said my goodbyes to Sylvia and Lottie, who had just arrived in the kitchen. I then looked for Sir Reynold to get the permission slip to visit the town.

Permission slips have been necessary ever since a few servants, back when I was an apprentice maid, sneak off outside without asking permission. I didn't know what truly happened, but it caused quite an uproar. They were fired on the spot without a letter of recommendation. And for servants who worked there for a long time, being fired without a recommendation letter is a huge nightmare.

I finally caught a glimpse of the butler in the main hall and was about to approach him when a figure appeared in front of me.

"Head maid!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself girl. I'll be watching you here, and in the capital." She glared at me and walked away, intentionally bumping my shoulder.

I turned in her direction and rubbed my slightly bruised shoulder. I was cursing her in my head. Oh, how I wish to see her trip or make a fool of herself in front of the mistress. That would be another lovely sight to see.

I finally caught up with the butler and got my permission slip, along with the list of things to buy for the young mistresses.

"There will be someone who'll accompany you. The head maid assigned him. He's waiting at the west gate."

The head maid assigned someone to accompany me? I'm getting a bad feeling about this.

I said my thanks and walked out of the mansion. I tied the ribbon from my hat around my neck since it was pretty windy. I passed by the greenhouse and the small lake, admiring the beautiful flowers and scenery along the way.

I was close to the west gate when suddenly I heard a familiar voice.

"Well, well, well. I knew you'll coming running back to me."

I turned around, shocked. I unconsciously crumpled the papers in my hand.

"J-jacob, what are you doing here?"

He smirked, looking down at me. "I see you've changed."

"You're not answering my question." I firmly said.

"Well, the head maid told me to accompany you. Didn't the butler told you?"

My eyes started to blurry from the tears forming in my eyes. I will never forget it: the pain, the sorrow, and the misery he brought me.

I will never forget how he broke me. Damn you, head maid.