Vol. 6 Chapter 5: Focus

Chapter 5: Focus

When Lu Li delivered the news, Cinderella's face turned even paler, displaying a morbid beauty. She clearly understood the consequences of her dress losing its magic at midnight. She would be branded a witch and burned at the stake, living with the infamy for the rest of her life.

"Are you here to help me, sir?" Cinderella asked Lu Li, fighting the urge to run away. Escaping now would be futile. Without the dress, she would revert to her old self.

Returning to the baron's house would mean facing her miserable conditions again. Running away was the worst choice; the forests outside the city were teeming with beasts. Hiding in someone's home would be temporary; the baron, as a noble, could send guards to find her. If caught, her situation would worsen.

Her only way out of this nightmare was to marry the prince, becoming a princess, and escaping her dire circumstances. Determined, Cinderella lifted her skirt and softly said, "If you help me, I am willing to give you everything."

She knew her only asset was her body, and she was ready to give it all. She wanted to leave her disgusting family, escape her lowly life, and become noble. This was her best chance.

"I have no interest in your body, and yes, I am here to help you," Lu Li replied, shaking his head. "Your task is simple: attract the prince at the ball. With your current appearance, that shouldn't be a problem."

"Then, you need to leave the prince before midnight, giving him a fond memory. Let him seek you out later." Lu Li understood the importance of first impressions.

In modern society, many quick marriages end in quick divorces, often due to unmet first impressions. People present their best selves initially, but after marriage, flaws become evident, leading to disillusionment and divorce.

In this era, marriage was easier but divorce was hard. According to noble rules, wives had inheritance rights. If a husband died without heirs or brothers, his wife would inherit his title. This system protected noble interests, making divorce nearly impossible.

Cinderella needed to make a great first impression on the prince, then leave quickly to avoid being exposed as a witch. She had to wait for the prince to find her.

Cinderella's beauty, enhanced by her dress and glass slippers, was enough for the ball. However, she would need an upgrade later, as her current self without the dress might not attract the prince.

"The problem is, I'm too insignificant in the baron's house. The prince might not find me," Cinderella expressed her concern. She was too lowly, and the prince might not be able to find her once she reverted to her original state.

"Then you need to leave some clues about your identity. The prince's ball isn't just one night, right?" Lu Li asked, knowing such matchmaking balls usually lasted several days.

"Yes, the ball lasts three days," Cinderella confirmed.

"Then here's the plan. On the first day, I'll help you escape without leaving any traces. On the second day, leave a hint of your general location. On the third day, leave something that can identify you. Gradually, let the prince find you," Lu Li explained.

Men, or rather people, tend to value what they can't easily get. Playing hard to get was the easiest way to capture someone's heart.

The carriage soon arrived at the prince's palace. As Cinderella stepped out, she became the center of attention. Her shimmering blue dress and glowing glass slippers made her the focus of everyone's gaze.

Lu Li, who followed her out, was ignored. The prince's ball had no strict entry requirements. As long as one looked presentable, the guards would not stop them. Nobles valued their reputation, and commoners dared not impersonate them. The relaxed conditions were also due to the current peace in the country.

Walking through the long corridor, Cinderella seemed to transform into a real princess, her elegance and beauty captivating everyone. As she entered the ballroom, all eyes were on her.

Her transformation was partly due to the dress and glass slippers, but also her own efforts. She had always wanted to escape the baron's house. In this era, there was no better way than marrying a good man.

Despite her usual dirty appearance, she always paid attention to her manners and demeanor. Without that, the dress and slippers alone wouldn't have created such a stunning effect.

In the distance, she saw her stepsisters and stepmother in their expensive dresses. Despite their attire, their lack of manners and poise exposed their merchant origins, making them outcasts at the ball.

Her stepsisters and stepmother couldn't believe that the girl they had bullied was now the belle of the ball. The baron himself didn't recognize his own daughter.

Cinderella became the center of attention, with many noble young men approaching her. Although the ball was for the prince to find a bride, the nobles saw it as a chance for matchmaking. While the prince had the first choice, they hoped to win Cinderella's heart before he arrived.

Even if it meant offending the prince, they couldn't resist her beauty.