NOVPUB"I can’t really remember either!"
Talia had never been in such a brain-exploding situation before.
Moreover, every time she thought about having to perform "So cute, I could eat you up," her cheeks reddened and her heart almost burst uncontrollably.
The two were like students who hadn’t reviewed at all before the final exam, frantically flipping through the script in the exam room, trying to remember every line they could!
At the same moment on the stage.
As she ascended the stairs, the opera hall revealed its grandeur—a three-story golden balcony rising along the walls of the hall.
Thousands of gold-trimmed dark velvet seats were impeccably organized, filled with eager spectators.
Soft background music began to play, and the lights slowly illuminated, focusing on the center of the stage.
Cinderella curled up next to the decrepit stove, dressed in a maid’s attire, her face full of fatigue and despair.
"Oh my, I’m so tired and hungry... but my stepmother won’t let me rest, I must work tirelessly... Father, if you are in heaven, why must I endure this torment?"
She whispered to herself,
"If only... if only you were here, how wonderful that would be..."
Cinderella sang a mournful song, narrating her unfortunate plight.
"Withered leaves fall in the cold wind, tears blurring my view of the stars♫. Stepmother’s harsh words wound my heart, can Father in heaven hear clearly♫? Sisters cruel as demons, bullying me ceaselessly♫. Kitchen smoke burns my eyes, dust on my face cannot be washed away♫..."
A knock suddenly interrupted Cinderella’s singing.
She hurriedly got up to answer the door.
The Governor’s Demon Race messenger strode in confidently.
"By the Governor’s decree, a grand banquet will be held tonight at the Governor’s Mansion, all invited from the Province may attend, and His Excellency the Governor will choose a bride from among the eligible young women."
The Demon Race messenger spoke robustly,
"Alas, if the Governor hadn’t been opposing the Demon World, he wouldn’t have made such a defiant statement about marrying a human."
After finishing, his stern expression softened as he sighed almost imperceptibly.
The messenger threw down the invitation card, then turned and left with a swish.
Cinderella watched him depart, holding the invitation card, overwhelmed with joy.
"Goddess, thank you, this is my chance to turn my fate around, as long as I meet the Governor, I can surely impress him with my education and convince him to help me restore my family."
Cinderella was ecstatic.
Soon after, from the shadows at the side of the stage, the stepmother and stepsisters arrived upon hearing the news, walking briskly and aggressively snatching the invitation card from Cinderella’s hands.
"Tsk, such a fuss over a mere banquet? With that ash-covered face of yours, the Governor would surely run away in fright!"
The stepmother scoffed dismissively.
"Indeed, where in the world would someone attend a ball in tattered clothes? What a joke!"
"Little Ashy Wildcat, go on dreaming, don’t embarrass our entire family!"
The eldest sister chimed in, while the youngest mocked.
"Listen well, you’d better stay at home tonight and finish all the housework! If you dare go to the ball, I’ll break your legs!"
The stepmother warned menacingly.
The three of them criticized Cinderella and then left the stage triumphantly with long strides.
The spotlight illuminated only Cinderella’s figure in the darkness.
"Ooh..."
Cinderella’s expression was sorrowful, and tears streamed down her face.
In her mournful and sorrowful singing voice, she began to sing,
"How many bitter tears have I shed, pausing my ambitious dreams♫. Tonight’s ashes of the dim candles, I can hardly bear to look in the mirror♫. I, a humble and lowly person, how can I meet with the Governor♫? Even with high hopes, alas, I lack the wings to soar♫..."
As she sang, Cinderella stretched out her hand futilely as if to grasp onto hope but then helplessly let it fall.
She slumped to the ground, crying out loud, filled with immense sorrow.
As night fell, the stepmother and sisters, dressed to the nines, left for the ball.
Cinderella, left alone at home, fell deeply asleep amidst the flickering candlelight.
At this point, applause erupted from below the stage.
Both the actors’ skills and the operatic performance effect were top-notch, making the audience feel that their ticket money was well spent tonight.
The scene had not yet ended.
Dressed like a vagabond, Cinderella fell into a cold, hungry sleep by the stove.
Suddenly, a dazzling white light appeared, and the Cat Immortal approached slowly. He resembled an Orc from the Black Cat Clan, draped in a mystical robe, holding a rod, emanating an ethereal fairy aura.
"Child, do not cry, your kindness is seen by heaven. I am the messenger of the gods of love and will, and I shall aid you with my Mana."
Accompanied by heavenly music, the Cat Immortal gently awakened Cinderella, who was leaning by the coal stove.
"A messenger of the Love God?"
Cinderella, as if awakening from a dream,
"Have you heard the call of my heart? Can I really meet the one who will rescue me?"
"Fear not, child. As long as you believe in wishes and dreams, anything is possible. Quick, cards, represent my doves! Come to me!"
The Cat Immortal smiled warmly and waved his rod, and a streak of golden light flashed.
Countless playing cards flew in front of him, assembling into a card house-like splendid carriage, and a group of black and white doves gathered around his knee, magically transforming into uniformed maid servants, while Cinderella was tightly concealed by the mist, taking the opportunity to run backstage.
Next, the beautifully dressed Cinderella can make her appearance onstage, allowing a perfect switch and the next scene to begin.
"Magical rod, obey my command!"
The Cat Immortal waved his rod, loudly chanting.
"Cute—Transform—!"
He finished his chant.
A burst of light erupted.
But when the mist of light dissipated, nothing had happened, and there was no sign of Cinderella on the stage.
