I Won't Die A Villainess

Chapter 2 // I'm sorry //

// I'm Sorry //

So basically the story of 'The Princess of Cinders' is a Cinderella fairytale with a twist. It centers on the story of Ella Tremaine, who was bullied all her life by her stepmother and stepsisters. But during her time as a scullery maid, she discovers that she is able to talk to animals, not only talk; but also heal them.

She receives this gift when she rescued a tiny songbird who was injured after falling from the tree of her mother's grave. The tree, which is on holy ground, blessed her with magic and gave her the manipulation of life.

Since this world is fueled by magic, anyone born with abilities are sent to train in the Academy to become scholars, knights, or mages. Powers can either be blessed or hereditary. In Ella's case, she was blessed. A very rare way of obtaining magic.

With her newfound powers, she then convinces her stepmother into letting her attend the Academy of Enchantment as chaperone and maid for her stepsisters while honing her magical abilities in secret. There she meets the Crown Prince. 

They first met when Ella heals him after being injured during training and parts away from him before he could ask for her name. Then again for the second time, at the masquerade ball; when Ella, being forbidden to go to the ball because of her stepsisters, cries on her mother's grave. And the same the tree that blessed her with the ability to manipulate life; blessed her with a gown, a pair of golden slippers, and a curfew. 

And, well, you know what happened after that; girl walks into the ball, the prince falls for her at first sight, they dance, the girl rushes to go home, leaves one of her slippers in the castle doorsteps, prince too dumb to remember what she looks like depends on her golden slippers to find her. Unexpectedly no one in the kingdom has the same shoe size as her, and they find each other in the end; the then prince says something cheesy like; "It was you. It was you this whole time.". Despite only meeting her twice. Crazy, I know. But that's shoujo logic for you.

And let's not forget the best part where the heroine's evil stepmother and stepsisters get burn at the stake by prince charming. Seems a little farfetched to be burned at the stake because of a little bullying, don't you think?

Well, turns out that my mother is responsible for her mother's death, a way for her to have the Baron to herself. 

But what does that have to do with us? We're just children. Mean children, but c'mon. Did she really have to go that far?

Yeah, good question. Well, Penelope and Arianna - who just happens to be me - are Fire manipulators. And they- I mean we sort of attempted to murder Ella several times due to jealousy growing up; without knowing that she possessed greater powers than us. When all our horrible deeds were brought to light, we were sentenced to death by fire. A sort of poetic justice.

And that is everything I know.

"This is so exhausting," I said as I finished writing in my diary. I never knew how hard it was for people in the past before pens were invented. Writing using a quill isn't exactly a walk in the park. But it's a good thing I'm a fast learner. 

"What are you scribbling?" Ella asked as she peered over my diary. "What language is that?" 

"Korean," I answered bluntly, It's not like she could understand.

I was writing everything I knew about 'The Princess of Cinders' story, in case I forget. It's a good thing that Korea, doesn't exist in this world. Otherwise, who knows what would happen if this sort of information is leaked.