𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡 ♥︎

Chapter 65: Bad Faith

Clink!

''It is rather nice after all these years to finally have a moment like this with you once more, isn't it?''

Red Shoes' eyes expectantly loomed over the cup of hot, golden tea neatly poured into a small teacup. ''Cinderella... I'm sorry, but this reminds me of some unfond memories...''

Before her, over the other end of the table, was a pale woman in what seemed to be a skin-tight latex suit. Certain parts of it were exposing her skin: abdomen, thighs, and midriff.

She was quite curvaceous, loaded front, back, and center. Hair, white as a snowflake, long enough to reach her lower back, was tied into two twin tails.

Eyes blue as diamonds, yet deep within Red Shoes' consciousness, red as rubies.

... Cinderella is as beautiful as ever before, would you not say?

''Oh?'' Cinderella set her cup down and brought forth a hand to her face. ''I didn't mean for this to be a reference. We're just having tea, let's forget about that, shall we?''

''...'' Red Shoes sighed and picked up her cup before taking a slow, elegant sip from the tea. ''I guess...''

''I'm sorry, Cinderella.''

''...'' The beauty tilted her head. ''What are you sorry about?''

''Everything.'' The porcelain clinked against the table as Red Shoes shook her head in disappointment. ''You know what I'm talking about, right?''

Cinderella slowly nodded. ''Yes, I do. But as Abe has said before, forgiveness is something we're all willing to give you.''

''Forgive? How can you? Do you even know the damage I cost the world?'' Red Shoes looked down in shame. ''I can't even look any of you in the eyes...''

''For the love of... I hadn't even thought about my actions up until now... The only time I actually started feeling regret is when I-''

''When you came here, right?'' Cinderella proposed. ''Understandable. You kept calling this a dream, even if the chance of that being true is somewhat low, it would explain your feelings here.''

Red Shoes brought her head down on the table with a slight slam and grumbled. ''Yes... You can see how hollow my intentions are... Right?''

Feeling a poke on her head, Red Shoes raises it and looks forward, toward Cinderella. She smiles at her, warm as life. ''No. I cannot.''

''...''

Red Shoes takes a deep breath and stands upright, making Cinderella all the more confused. ''Where are you going?''

''Nowhere. Just felt the need to stand up.'' Red Shoes flicks her hair back and closes her eyes. ''Anyway, I know you're not real, so this would not mean anything in the long run.''

''???'' Cinderella seems not to pick up on what she means. ''Red Shoes?''

''But still, I need to get this off before I wake up.'' With a sigh and an exhale of fresh air, Red Shoes leans over the table and faces Cinderella once more. ''I'm sorry.''

''For betraying you, Abe, and everyone else.''

''For using you for my own selfish, unorthodox reasons.''