chapter 32
A string of Bracelet was tossed into her arms.
An unexpected gain, after all.
Tu Nan picked up the Bracelet, unsure of what material it was made of. It felt similar to jade, with beads shaped like little skulls, translucent and smooth with a gentle luster.
She looked up, wanting to thank the giver, but the Vampire Mask had already vanished without a trace.
Tu Nan put the Bracelet on her wrist, deciding to thank that guest if she got the chance.
The atmosphere of the Ball gradually reached its climax, men and women dancing freely on the Dance Floor.
Tu Nan weaved through the crowd, using her identity to search for the right opportunity.
As Cinderella now, she was destined to always be surrounded by a crowd.
The Prince and Cinderella once again entered the Dance Floor. Tu Nan carried her tray, observing them while pondering how she could speak to Cinderella alone.
Reveal her identity? If Cinderella exposed her, she would be in danger.
It would be best to find a way to trick Cinderella into leaving…
Wait, what is Bella doing?
Tu Nan frowned, watching Bella struggle through the crowd toward the Prince and Cinderella. Her movements were urgent, drawing the disapproval of those around her, who glanced at her with annoyance.
What was she trying to do?
Tu Nan stared at her. Bella was wearing an elaborate long dress tonight, with wide sleeves that easily concealed her hands when lowered.
Suddenly, Tu Nan caught a flash of something sharp by Bella’s hand.
…
She couldn’t possibly be so foolish as to attempt to assassinate Cinderella in front of everyone, could she?
Yet, it was obvious-she was just that foolish.
The bustling crowd became Bella’s best cover. Except for Tu Nan, who had been watching them, no one immersed in the Dance Floor noticed Bella’s odd behavior.
The “Cinderella” she had always looked down upon suddenly transformed into the Princess Consort, admired and respected by all. This was unbearable for Bella, who had been spoiled since childhood.
She was foolish and malicious, her mind clouded by jealousy, completely unconcerned about the terrible consequences of her actions.
“Cinderella, you-” Die!
Bella shouted in rage, raising her hand toward Cinderella.
People around instinctively turned to look at her-
Not good!
Tu Nan made a snap decision and pushed her way toward Bella.
She was losing control; Tu Nan had to fulfill her duty and stop Bella’s madness at once.
But in the next instant, the hall was plunged into darkness without warning.
Halfway there, Tu Nan reflexively crouched down and covered her head.
The surroundings erupted in chaos-screams, curses, sobs, and roars from men and women blended together, like a symphony of disorder playing in her ears.
In the confusion, she seemed to hear the sickening sound of a blade piercing flesh.
A faint scent of blood drifted by.
Tu Nan’s mind was a mess. In this complete darkness, countless guesses swirled in her head.
What happened? Was someone hurt?
Why did every Ball end with the lights going out, and after that, there was always bloodshed?
This time, who would it be?
Soon, the lights came on again, soft illumination filling the hall.
Tu Nan rubbed her numb calves and glanced at the clock in the hall-two hours until Midnight.
She slowly stood up.
“God-”
“How could this happen?!”
Cries of shock rose one after another.
What had happened?
Tu Nan soothed the panicked crowd while squeezing through them, finally reaching the center.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Cinderella lay peacefully on the ground, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, looking as if she were merely asleep.
-If one ignored the dagger lodged in her chest.
Her chest was stained bright red with blood, the dagger deeply embedded in her torso, her chest utterly still.
“No-” The Prince knelt beside Cinderella, his mournful voice echoing through the hall, “Cinderella, who was it? Who killed you!”
Cinderella, dead?
Tu Nan quickly scanned her surroundings.
The crowd tightly encircled Cinderella and the Prince at the center, forming a ring with a hollow space about three meters in diameter left in the middle.
Their faces were anxious, filled with terror.
Tu Nan soon spotted Bella hiding among the crowd; she looked utterly terrified, staring at Cinderella on the ground in disbelief.
A headache began to creep up on her.
How could Cinderella die, and at such a critical moment?
Was it a coincidence?
More importantly, how did she die?
“Where have all the Maids gone?” The supervisor parted the crowd, his hawk-like eyes scanning the people before quickly locking onto Tu Nan standing to the side.
He pointed at her and ordered, “Come help, quickly.”
Tu Nan hurried forward.
As the future Princess Consort, Cinderella’s corpse was treated differently from those at the previous Balls; those female corpses had been carried away by Soldiers, their whereabouts unknown.
Though the Prince had only known Cinderella for a short time, his feelings ran deep. He looked grief-stricken, devastated.
He ordered a Stretcher to be brought, and Cinderella’s body was placed upon it, then sent to a room he specified.
Following the supervisor’s instructions, Tu Nan made her way through the crowd to a pitch-dark room.
Only then did she realize there was such a room on the first floor, hidden behind a Secret Door, extremely well concealed.
The supervisor pressed a certain brick on the wall; after the sound of gears turning, a Secret Door appeared in the wall.
The room was unlit, pitch black, with no windows, exuding a chilling coldness.
“Put the Stretcher inside,” the supervisor said, holding a Candlestick, its dim flame flickering and illuminating his pale face.
His expression was blank as he instructed Tu Nan and another Maid to carry the Stretcher in.
The other Maid trembled with fear, whispering to her, “Can you go in first?”
Tu Nan had no choice but to carry the Stretcher in first.
As soon as she entered, the temperature dropped, as if winter had arrived in an instant. Though there were no windows, a cold wind seemed to burrow straight into her sleeves from somewhere unknown.
“Lay the body on the ground,” the supervisor said coldly from the doorway, “You may leave now. Remember to clean up the Front Hall before you go home.”
She and the other Maid set down the Stretcher; the person behind them hurriedly turned and left. Tu Nan hesitated, unable to resist taking one last look at Cinderella’s body.
However, the room was too dim; the only source of light was the Candlestick in the supervisor’s hand at the door, its flame illuminating only a small patch.
“What are you waiting for?” the supervisor asked in a chilling tone.