Chapter 3: The Suspicious Duke

  The snow fell heavier and heavier, the weather also became colder and colder, Mr. Lucas decided to take his wife and daughters to their country estate.

  They almost always went to the country for the winter, Lydia efficiently directing the servants as they packed up the luggage, clothes, hats, and New Year's gifts that filled four carriages, while three more were being prepared, one for Lydia and her daughters, one for Mr. Lucas, and one for Natalie and Ellen's housekeeper.

  After everything was ready, people got on the carriage one after another. Charlotte had just gotten on when she remembered that she had forgotten to bring her usual bedtime reading, "The Wanderer's Tale". It was only a matter of fetching a book, so Charlotte didn't bother to order a servant to do it; she went herself.

  A small conflict is unfolding downstairs, with servants coming and going in preparation for departure, seemingly accustomed to such scenes.

  Cinderella stood stubbornly in front of Kitty's carriage, holding a gray cloth bundle in her hand, with pot ash still stuck to the hem of her linen skirt. Her big eyes were filled with tears that seemed about to fall but didn't. Kitty put on a silver cloak and stood up to block the carriage door, staring down at Cinderella from above.

  Mr. Lucas came down and saw this scene that gave him a headache, although he rarely returned home, but at home, nothing could escape his ears and eyes, the eldest daughter was too cold, the second daughter was too overbearing, and the third daughter was too weak, it was always the daughter of his ex-wife who was bullied at home. He was rarely at home, and in his heart, he always felt sorry for his three beloved daughters. Seeing the bullied Cinderella, Lucas was very heartbroken, but he also couldn't bear to scold Katie, and every time he just compromised.

  This time was no exception, Mr Lucas proposed letting Cinderella ride in Kitty's carriage.

  "Father, our carriage is too small, it can't hold a fourth person."

  The carriage that could seat five people suddenly shrunk to half its size in Miss Kitty's mouth. The daughter opened her eyes and told a lie, Mr. Lucas, who doted on his daughter, was helpless, so he let Cinderella sit in his own carriage. Cinderella didn't expect her father to let her sit in his carriage, the joyful smile had not fully bloomed when it was interrupted by Kitty's exclamation.

  "This can't be! She's too dirty!! I absolutely disagree!!! Let Cinderella ride in the servant's carriage, okay, Father?"

  Katie's demand was too unreasonable, even Mr. Lucas couldn't help but get angry despite his good temper.

  "Katie, she's your sister, let her in. Don't say another word or you won't get any New Year's gifts from me."

  Katie, this little demon king, how could she be intimidated by Lucas' empty threats? She snorted coldly and turned her head away, no longer looking at Lucas, apparently not planning to buy her father's account.

  Mr. Lucas was disheartened and just wanted to slip away when he was called out, turned around and saw a team of knights surrounding a young man riding a fine horse, trotting towards him. As they approached, the young man remained on his horse and greeted Mr. Lucas.

  "You're late, Mr. Lucas, I'm sorry."

  His mouth was saying words of apology, but his demeanor was calm and composed, without a hint of urgency or remorse for being late. If it were anyone else, Mr. Lucas would have felt disrespected, but the visitor was the Duke of Windsor, second in line to the throne. Upon hearing the duke's words, Mr. Lucas felt honored.

  "The Duke of Windsor arrived just in time, we had just finished preparing to depart."

  Kitty only knew that the young man was the famous Duke of Windsor when she heard her father's greeting. The Duke of Windsor wore a leather jacket, long boots and a sheepskin coat, tall and powerful, with strong momentum, his thin hands holding the reins, possibly forgetting to wear gloves, his hands were bright red, and his brown curly hair was neatly pressed under his hat.

  Caught by Windsor's glance, Kitty returned to the carriage with embarrassment. The Duke of Windsor took a look around and fixed his eyes on Charlotte who was watching the commotion with great interest. This girl had just finished reading her book and got a free show, feeling content and ready to leave when she saw the person she least wanted to see. When Windsor saw her, Charlotte's face turned as black as coal.

  "Is this young lady also Mr. Lucas's daughter?"

  Windsor looked at Cinderella, somewhat uncertain of her identity. Mr. Lucas, who was asked, blushed with embarrassment, it would be too awkward if the Duke of Windsor thought he had been mistreating his daughter.

  She has no carriage to sit in.

  Mr. Lucas stuttered and failed to answer the question.

  "Sit on my horse."

  The Duke of Windsor tossed out a sentence that shocked everyone. Only Charlotte let out a sigh of relief, and Charlotte found Cinderella's pitiful appearance not so annoying after all, since she was the one who had saved her from disaster.

  Cinderella was initially startled to see Windsor driving the horse towards her, her ears turned red with shyness and she didn't dare look straight at Windsor.

  Windsor's horse walked in front of Cinderella only for a few seconds, but it was still very long in some people's hearts.

  "Get out of the way."

  Cinderella thought she had misheard and didn't react for a moment.

  "Get out of the way."

  Windsor's tone was already somewhat impatient. Cinderella mechanically shifted her feet, making way for half of her body, Windsor had no interest in waiting for her and rode over to Charlotte who was watching the commotion from a distance.

  Charlotte took down the book and enjoyed a good show for free, feeling satisfied and ready to get on the bus when she saw the person she least wanted to see - Duke of Windsor! When Windsor's horse stopped in front of her, Charlotte's face had already turned as black as coal.

  He raised his hand to tip his hat brim, and the Duke of Windsor flashed a captivating smile.

  "Hey, we meet again, Miss Charlotte."

  Charlotte knew this guy wouldn't let her off easily, so she quickly rolled her eyes and immediately put on a ladylike smile.

  "There are five Miss Charlottes in this town, dear Duke of Windsor!"

  The implication is that I don't know you, so don't pretend we're familiar! Having caught Charlotte's undertone, Windsor smiled even more radiantly.

  "So Miss Charlotte doesn't know Mary either."

  Charlotte really wanted to find a piece of tofu to smash herself to death, but was caught by the wicked Windsor at her weak point. If she were to lose face in front of Duke Windsor, Mary might not be killed, but would probably not have a good time either.

  Katie sensed the tense atmosphere outside the carriage, lifted the curtain to look out, and the entire city's silver and white decorations became the background. A man and a woman in the snowy ground attracted everyone's attention. The man riding on the back of a black horse leaned forward, stretched out his hand to pull the girl onto the horse, but the girl pretended to be clumsy and uncooperative. The man frowned, suddenly stretched out both hands and scooped up the girl into mid-air, scaring her so much that she flailed about wildly with her hands and feet. Amused by the girl's silly appearance, the man finally spared her and sat her in front of him.

  Wow! It turns out that the elder sister and the Duke of Windsor are already in a romantic relationship. Along the way, Kitty is delightedly fantasizing about her future noble life and no longer bothers Cinderella.

  The Golden Manor is located in the south of the town, and after leaving the town and crossing two mountains, you can reach it. Although the two mountains don't seem far away, it takes a lot of time to walk there. Lucas' family usually sets out in the morning and arrives at the Golden Manor in the evening.

  At last she was seated in the magnificent carriage, but Cinderella could not be excited. Lydia and Kitty were talking with excitement of Charlotte and Windsor Duchess. Cinderella put her head out to take a breath of fresh air, but what she saw unexpectedly made her mood even lower.

  The Duke of Windsor held Charlotte's hands, and Charlotte carefully lifted her legs to the same side. Although she was very careful, she slipped when getting off the horse, but fortunately, the Duke of Windsor reacted quickly and tightly hugged Charlotte, so the girl did not make a fool of herself in public.

  After a brief rest, the party began to move towards the first mountain. The mountains were no less than the town. The Duke of Windsor agreed to Charlotte's request to return to the carriage.

  The howling wind and snow outside the carriage, as well as the rustling sound of the snow hitting the carriage, all contributed to the woman inside becoming quieter. Holding onto the warm stove, Lydia poured Charlotte a cup of milk, the rich creamy flavor slightly alleviating Charlotte's unease.