Cinderella's epilogue

The ride to the castle was easy. The village Cinderella and the Boss had stayed for some time wasn't that far away but, when a kind farmer suggested taking her on for a ride, she didn't hesitate to accept. The castle was a day trip away, and Cinderella had enough time to think about what she was going to say to the prince. If she even got a chance to talk to him. And that was a very big if.

Even though she accepted the offer to became something like a royal bodyguard, they still had to accept her as well. The letter had said something about training but never specified how long and what they would do or needed to prepare. So saying Cinderella was a little nervous about the whole event was an understatement.

What also didn't help that The Boss hadn't been feeling well, and every mile she traveled further, guilt started to nestle in her stomach. Maybe she was making a big mistake. Maybe Cinderella had to go back. Maybe she had to help The Boss with whatever she needed. Or, maybe she had a death wish because going back to pamper the Boss was the stupidest idea ever.

She sighed. At least she didn't have to walk all the way to the castle. The kind farmer who had taken her on for a ride had to go a different direction, and Cinderella got off. It was the small village she always went to when she needed to get groceries. The bakery was still there, and Cinderella even started to recognize people. She quickly turned her head away and kept on walking.

She crossed the square where she and her stepmother had a heart-to-heart talk. Or where Cinderella poured her frustration from years out on her stepmother. Cinderella smirked; she had it coming.

She quickly left the town behind and walked the path that would lead to the castle.

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"Before the Author wants to add any unnecessary words, let's pick the story up from the moment where I reached the castle."

Why? Don't you think a little explanation is correct here?

"What are you going to explain? How the landscape looked so beautiful in the setting sun?"

...Maybe...

"Yeah, that's what I thought. ...I mean, you're not wrong. It did look pretty. It was like the gold from the sun had painted the hills a gorgeous golden hue. I stood there longer than intended, but I just couldn't... Wait. Stop smirking! You're writing is rubbing off on me! ...Let's continue..."

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Cinderella finally arrived at the castle, and the first she thought was: Thank god I'm not wearing a dress and heels. She didn't miss the stairs for one bit.

The sun went down an hour ago, and she walked up the stairs in complete darkness. When she arrived at the gates that would lead to the castle's hallway, she was held back by the guards. She didn't recognize either of them. Cinderella held up the letter The Boss had gotten from the postal office.

'I am here on behalf of the king. I would like to participate in the training for the Royal Guards.'

The guards snickered, and they lowered their hands they first used to hold Cinderella back. 'Why would you want to compete? You're a girl. A pretty one at that. The only way you will be getting into the castle tonight is by invitation of the prince.' They laughed almost maliciously, and Cinderella could feel her skin crawl by the assumption they were making.

'I have received this letter. I want to compete in this-'

'Everyone in the country received a letter. Use your big girl brain and think that maybe the king doesn't need a tiny little girl like you to protect the future of this country.'

Cinderella's blood was boiling, and all she wanted to do is beat them up and throw them down the stairs. She knew she could. But it would be stupid to act on that. It would slim her chances of getting in to point zero.

'Go home. Seduce someone from your hometown, marry a good and fine man, have kids, and live happily ever after, alright?' They didn't even ask for her to be okay with the insult and turned their backs towards her.

That was it. Something in Cinderella snapped, and she leaped forward. Her arms were stretched, her hands were ready to grab the white necks. Then, the gates were opened, and Cinderella froze, only inches away from the guard's necks.

'Your highness!' Cinderella looked up, and the guards were right. It was the prince, and he looked happy to see her. Not even a tiny bit surprised. Cinderella, on the other hand, was. She almost lost her balance and then proceeded to courtesy before the prince.

'Your highness.' Her voice was slightly trembling, and she hoped that he didn't notice.

He didn't notice or didn't care because she heard him chuckle. 'What is with the formality?' It was muttered, and Cinderella didn't know whether to respond or not. Then the prince turned towards the guards and said in a much louder and more authoritative voice: 'Don't look down on your future colleague. Let her in.' With that, he turned around and waved Cinderella over to follow him.

The guards didn't want to show any emotion other than humble obedience when the prince was looking, but the moment he turned his back, they shot dissatisfied glances Cinderella's way. She chose to ignore them and follow the prince.

She hoped not all of the guards were like that. If they were, or even if the majority of them were like that, she would have a difficult time ahead.