The essence of 【Cinderella】 was the pure romantic affection Viviana suppressed in her heart. Normally, Viviana’s soft and delicate face rarely showed expression, her magnificent purple eyes always containing a hint of melancholy.
She was almost like a doll.
She was used to hiding her feelings. After opening her heart to Faust, she had indeed become more proactive, speaking heartfelt words of love and occasionally making intense, gravity-laden remarks, constantly talking about wanting to be together for a lifetime.
But this still wasn't enough; Viviana was still restraining her true nature.
One could tell from her current behavior that she was deeply suppressed.
The pale-blonde girl bit her lower lip and shook her head.
"I cannot break my promise. Besides, you probably wouldn't be pleased to see her."
Does she think I'm afraid of 【Cinderella】? Good grief, I'm really being looked down upon!
If it were before, Faust might have been wary, but after Mystoria’s training, he seemed to have been instilled with a warrior's heart, possessing the will to face difficulties head-on.
How can I allow myself to be afraid of anything in this world? I said we need to do more desensitization training!
"Didn't you say you wanted to pursue me? If you keep being so lukewarm, it'll be hard for my heart to be moved."
Seeing that Viviana was still resisting, the corners of Faust’s mouth curled up as he smiled.
"I think she’s very cute, honestly."
Viviana’s magnificent purple eyes widened. "C... Cute?"
"Like a soft, sweet, and sticky honey cake. Can I take a bite?"
Faust understood his childhood friend’s preferences very well. With her serious personality, if he offered poetic lines and praise, she might just start reciting poetry back at him. What she needed was these cringy, cheesy pick-up lines.
"...I understand. Please wait a moment."
With cheeks flushed crimson, the girl stood up and fled the room.
【That's right, this is exactly what you should do. The greed of a witch's fate-star for love is bottomless; their power is inseparable from their romantic feelings. Try your best to link your fate with the witch, just as your fate is linked with mine. Only then will you have the confidence for fate-defying blasphemy.】
Mephistopheles, for once, was not grinning mischievously, but praised Faust’s actions in an incredibly serious tone.
Faust replied, "Wow, there's even a binding mechanism."
Should have bound them long ago.
The point that Faust and Mephistopheles both tacitly understood was that the prince's special constitution as "the one loved by witches" was the fundamental key.
Only by pulling a 【witch】 into their camp and relying on their significant weight within destiny would it be possible to avoid being crushed by the wheel of destiny.
To put it bluntly, it was about piggybacking on the witch's protagonist aura.
【Regarding the witch fate-star of your fiancée, it is still unclear exactly what kind of reality-warping power destiny has bestowed upon her.】
【On this point, even with my knowledge, I cannot help you. We must not pry into the secrets of a witch.】
"Don't worry, I'll figure it out."
The Prince of Qingxi quietly soaked in the bath for a while before finally stepping out of the bathroom.
As soon as he walked out, the prince's maid squad did not come forward to greet him. In fact, they were nowhere to be seen.
Needless to say, this was definitely Viviana’s command.
"Your Highness... Faust... I'm right behind you."
Just as the prince finished putting on his coat, a pair of soft small hands climbed onto his shoulders, followed by a breath fragrant like orchids brushing against his earlobe.
The sweet, syrupy voice gave Faust a jolt. He turned his head, and standing behind him was Viviana... no, it should be said, it was Viviana wearing the mask of 【Cinderella】.
She wore a platinum-colored off-the-shoulder dress, revealing her delicate collarbones and dazzlingly white skin.
The design of the dress was not as complex or gaudy as typical formal attire; with just simple, light-colored lines, it gave off a refreshing and beautiful sensation.
Her pale-blonde hair was tied in a side ponytail, and without the strands obscuring it, her breathtakingly beautiful face was fully revealed.
Just like when Cinderella first attended the ball, the stunning visual impact defined the meaning of love at first sight.
Faust’s eyes lit up involuntarily.
"This outfit..."
Cinderella pinched the hem of her skirt and twirled in front of the prince, smiling.
"How is it? Does it look good?"
Faust nodded. "In all seriousness, it looks truly beautiful."
The usual Viviana always wore her exquisite knight uniform—a corset, a cloak, and high boots—wrapping herself up tightly and appearing very serious.
While it must be said that combined with her melancholic and cool temperament, it was indeed very beautiful, Viviana unfortunately only had that one type of clothing, all in the same style with very little difference.
Even Faust had more styles of formal wear than this young girl!
Cinderella was undoubtedly the other extreme; she completely lacked Viviana’s otherworldly coldness.
On the contrary, though Faust had seen many women, he had never seen a beauty with such a powerful sense of girlishness.
"I made it myself. I'm different from that boring person who doesn't understand romance. Even if one is born beautiful, one must dress up properly."
"After all, I want you to see me at my best."
Cinderella stretched her waist in front of the full-length mirror and snapped her fingers. A gold-and-red sash appeared out of thin air and draped from her shoulder.
This casual display left Faust dumbfounded.
"Wait, where did this clothing come from?"
The blonde girl’s clear, beautiful eyes blinked innocently. "I manifested it."
Cinderella put her hands behind her back and leaned forward with a smile.
"The previous dress, the glass slippers, and the unicorn carriage were all manifested as well. Just like this—shoo—"
The girl energetically snapped her fingers.
Clatter, clatter—
Various styles of brooches, pendants, earrings, and even gems and pearls all fell onto the carpet.
What is this, creating something from nothing? Void creation?
Thermodynamics has ceased to exist!
Faust almost felt his knees go weak, nearly kneeling before this being who seemed like a creator god descending to experience mortal life.
Fortunately, Cinderella rested her hand against her cheek and gave a faint sigh.
"However, these things have a time limit. When my beautiful dream ends, they will vanish like bubbles."
There's a time limit? That’s better, that’s better. At least it can be explained by occultism.
Faust’s dignity and mental conviction were saved by these words. He firmly grabbed the blonde girl’s arm and asked Mephistopheles in his heart:
"Is this Viviana’s reality-warping power?"
【Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.】
"Mephistopheles, I'm talking to you."
【Me-me doesn't know!】
He was playing dumb.
When it came to this matter, even the veteran fairy was useless. Mephistopheles, who dared to say anything, had a deep-seated wariness of 【witches】.
Just as Faust shook his head and criticized the fairy in his mind, a heated whisper reached him.
"Your Highness, my dear Faust, are you always this passionate?"
Only then did Faust realize he was gripping Cinderella tightly. The latter didn't mind the prince's rough behavior at all, casting him a seductive look.
"It seems you truly do like me."
Rate on N.U.
