6
Of course, it fit perfectly–not too big, not too small, not too long, not too short. The glass slipper on my pitch–black foot looked
as if it had been custom–made for me.
Roderick looked awkwardly at the prince.
“Your Highness, are you sure this girl is the one you’re looking for?”
The two sisters, who had been rolling on the ground clutching their legs, hurriedly crawled over and said in unison: “There must
be a mistake, she didn’t go out last night!”
Madame Tremaine nodded along.
“Yes, this is my maid. I locked her in the attic last night; she couldn’t possibly have attended the ball. Your Highness, she absolutely cannot be the girl you’re looking for.”
The prince stared at Madame Tremaine for a while, then curled his lips into a smile.
“Liars must swallow a thousand needles.
“Roderick, bring out that box of needles.”
What kind of psychopath carries around boxes of needles? Watching Roderick stuff silver needles as long as a pinky finger into Madame Tremaine’s mouth, I was so scared my legs went weak.
Amidst the wailing of the mother and daughters, I was escorted onto a carriage by the guards.
As the wheels rolled, two guards watched me vigilantly from the side. I couldn’t find any chance to escape. Soon, the majestic palace appeared before my eyes.
“My dear Henry, have you found your beloved girl?” Queen Eleanor came out to greet us enthusiastically. Seeing my ash–covered face, the queen paused, a flash of horror crossing her eyes.
“This is-”
“Someone, take her away to clean up.”
The prince acted as if he hadn’t seen the queen and ordered the people beside him. The queen circled around the prince, asking if his journey had been tiring and chattering endlessly. The prince coldly waved her away, turned to Roderick, and instructed:
“Clean her up and bring her to see me.”
