Now what kind of ending was that?!
I grab the pillow I'm resting my head on and scream into it. I roll around on my bed, with my phone still in my right hand. I almost end up dropping it when I spread my arms out.
I turn to the ceiling, my phone is still on, and so were the words on the screen: [The End]
Reading this whole thing was my fault. I honestly didn't know what I was expecting from a novel with a tragedy tag. I mean… the name is [Darkest Cinderella] after all.
I was hoping that there would be a silver lining after all the crap the ML and FL had to go through. Them meeting up at the forest next to the academy seemed like the perfect part in the story for the two of them to make their much-needed comeback after a long time apart from each other but NO!
The FL ends up dying off-screen, and the ML is forced into marrying the villainess in the end.
What's even more grating was the fact that the author decided to make it so he couldn't even defend himself! He became mute after learning that his true love was murdered. In the last chapters, he was nothing more than a puppet held by strings.
I mean good for the villainess…?
I know it's a huge trend now to have badass female characters but her? Gaining power because he's one class above her is the only reason she wants him.
Not only was she unrelatable as an antagonist, but she never had a personality beyond wanting to get married to the ML, at least the FL didn't do the cliché "first love at first sight" trope.
I let out a deep sigh, so unsatisfying.
Abigail and Ellis.
Damn it, their scenes were so cute too! ARGH!
There was a nightstand next to me, and I set my phone down on it. I hit the bed, a resounding thud let out every time I did.
If only…the ML was able to outsmart their enemies, or had help, allies, anything!
"You think you can do something about it then?"
Wait what?
There's nobody else in my room, was there really someone else talking to me? It's just…me in my apartment. Maybe I was just hearing things-
I catch something in the corner of my eye.
My phone.
It's blinking. It's slow at first, but then it got faster – flashing sporadically before my eyes. Until it just turned off.
Now THAT is spooky.
Checking my phone, it wouldn't turn on no matter how many times I stubbornly pressed the power button. Then suddenly, letters began to appear one by one on the screen despite me being sure it hasn't been turned on yet.
[Are you willing to help those two?]
I…is it talking about Abigail and Ellis? Those can be the only "two" this thing is referring to. I mean, if I was given a chance, I would! I don't know how I'd do that though since their world is just fictional-
[Analysis complete. Suitable match confirmed. Soul transfer initiating.]
I drop my phone. What?!
Then that was when my room started to turn blurry, the walls swirled. The floor beneath me started to crack, and everything was devoured by light.
*****
A cough. The type someone makes to get your attention.
"My lord, the tea that you have requested is ready."
"Huh?"
"Your tea… That you asked for? It is ready, my lord."
That didn't really help. You just rearranged what you said. Urgh, I'm having a huge headache after finishing that novel. I think I blacked out or something, so hard that I imagined the floor was giving way and everything was disintegrating. Dehydration does some weird things I guess.
I open my eyes, and I'm met with a fairly short girl donning a worn maid outfit. Her black hair, in pigtails.
Wait a minute. Where am I?
"What's going on here?"
"P-pardon?"
I glance at the girl, whose hands start to tremble, she doesn't know how to react to my question. Yet, she still had the strength to hold up a plate that a tea set was resting on.
"I need a mirror. Now!"
This…isn't my voice!
"R-right away, my lord!"
The maid did her best trying to run as fast as she could while still carrying everything.
Geez. She could've just set it on this end table here, I guess she figured I didn't want it anymore. But one thing's for sure, everything that's happening right now, it can only mean one thing. It's obvious although I don't want to have to spell it out until I see it for myself.
Not a lot of time had passed, and the short maid came running back with a handheld silver mirror decorated with sparkling blue gems.
Talk about expensive, whoever was the owner of this place was banking it big time. Either that, or they were born rich.
I close my eyes, now that I have the mirror…I'm not so sure if I'm ready at all but it is what it is, if it happens to be!
Putting it right in front of me, I slowly open my eyes again.
A dashing young man looks back; eyes like diamonds staring at me. I glance all over the guy's face and hair, taking note of how well-kept it is, how could someone look so hot despite it seeming like they just woke up?!
I reach for the top of my head, and I see him do the same thing, strands of brown hair in between my fingers.
It's so…silky soft?! I wonder what they use around here?! And more importantly!
"I-I'M A GUY!"
*****
"Come in."
Blue skies outside a window. It was an ordinary day for the countess.
[Lydia of House Seymour]
A woman of tall stature, with the same set of hair and eyes: brown hair wrapped up in a decorative bun, and green eyes that watches all the movement around her with caution.
Legs crossed, she sits in her office. A male servant comes in with a tray of pastries. She thanks him before he finally exits the room. The doors close, leaving her and the maid from earlier alone.
"Want a bite, maid Lucia?"
"I c-couldn't possibly, my lady!'
"Oh please, you deserve it. It's only your third month, and you had to deal with my second son's…erratic behavior as of recent."
"About that, it all started when I came in with some Golden Narcissus tea that he asked for. Normally, he'd be very cold in my interactions with him. I apologize, I did not know what to do…"
"Had you told the Head Maid, perhaps things would've become even messier, you coming here was a wise choice. As such, feel free to take advantage of my kindness."
The maid fell to her knees, "I cannot accept such things-"
The countess's gentle voice became sharp and icy although she maintained a neutral expression.
"I can see right through you, how you pretend to be modest and anxiety-ridden. I know you like to spread rumors, and it wouldn't do if you tarnish my son's image because of this incident by making him out to be someone bizarre."
She snapped her fingers, and the servant from earlier entered again, now with a large bag in his hands. Inside were glittering gold coins.
"Don't be greedy, that's as much as you're going to get. Now promise me you'll be quiet regarding this matter from now on. Not doing so will make your life quite unpleasant."
*****
"Make sure to watch Lucia's every move from now on" the countess said, finally standing up, "If she breaks her promise, report it to me immediately James."
"Yes, my lady."
"Oh and bring that boy in here for me, It's about time he and I had a mother-and-son talk."