Chapter 26

  Things turned out as the king had expected, Cinderella's attempted suicide pained Rochester greatly, and he began to take a closer look at Cinderella and her father's contradictions. The only way for his father to accept Cinderella was for Cinderella to voluntarily hand over the Lucas family property. Rochester had always been unwilling to force her to do so, but now he didn't think that way anymore. Money was more important than people, and after Cinderella woke up, she agreed to hand over the family property under Rochester's persuasion.

  Charlotte, with a growling stomach, wandered aimlessly on the crowded street, carefully hiding herself under her hat and cloak, looking down at the square meter in front of her feet. Charlotte felt extremely oppressed, but she didn't dare to look up or pay attention to the curious glances from the people around her.

  Not far from the street corner, Ero sat on a chair and beckoned a beggar-like man to come over. She lured him with a bag of money to do something for her, pointing at Charlotte's figure and telling the beggar that his task was to take down that hat. After completing it, the money would be his. The beggar thought this was too easy and immediately agreed with Ero, running towards Charlotte in small steps.

  A turbulent stomach can be soothed with one hand, but what can calm the surging thoughts in her heart? The brilliant life was just a facade, and the lurking demons in the corner were staring at her, waiting for her to weaken before pouncing on her fiercely. Charlotte pressed her hat brim down even lower, as if that could cover up her miserable anger.

  Due to grief, hunger and long journey, Charlotte was extremely exhausted, walking very slowly. The beggar soon caught up with her, following behind Charlotte for a while, finding that Charlotte didn't notice him at all. The beggar finally made his move, snatching off Charlotte's hat, and ran away as soon as he got it. Charlotte covered her face in panic, but there were still sharp-eyed passersby who saw Charlotte's face, screaming and running away.

  "Run quickly! Monster!"

  People for unknown reasons also followed the screams and ran wildly. Charlotte was caught by someone's wrist in the chaos, she instinctively wanted to break free, but that hand stuck to her body like glue.

  Charlotte.

  She knew who I was! Charlotte opened one eye, and in the crimson iris reflected a short lolita.

  "Do you want to see Lydia?"

  Charlotte remained vigilant, following Little Lori onto a carriage until it smoothly drove into the palace. Charlotte finally believed Little Lori's words that she could bring her to see her mother, which further deepened Charlotte's suspicion - what was Little Lori's true identity?

  After getting off the carriage, Charlotte was led by Little Lori to a secret room.

  "For the next few days, you'll probably have to stay here. Of course, you can also go out for a walk. It's best not to leave Ganlu Palace. Here, this is your freedom."

  As she spoke, the little loli threw a key to Charlotte. Facing the little loli's mocking gaze, Charlotte didn't want to pick it up. She stopped her before the little loli left.

  "Who are you, anyway? What's your purpose in luring me here? Why won't you let me see Mother?"

  The little loli returned to the secret room and sat down, her eyes fixed tightly on Charlotte, with a maturity in her gaze that was inconsistent with her age.

  "First of all, it was you who were willing to follow me, I didn't force you, did I?"

  Charlotte was stunned by Xiao Luoli's words and had no choice but to retreat, saying

  "Even so, you should have told me who you are; this secrecy is unsettling."

  "What's the point of knowing who I am? You're a weird person."

  Charlotte thought sorrowfully that Little Loli was right, now she was out of the wolf's den and into the tiger's lair, she had no control over herself, what was the use of knowing who she was?

  "Your desire to see your mother comes with conditions. You should know that in this world, success requires a corresponding price. So, what do you plan to exchange with me?"

  "What do you want? I'll give you anything I have."

  The little loli smiled.

  "You're really generous, but this is perfect. I don't want anything from you, just that you listen to me in everything. The deadline is fifteen days, after which you'll be free and can leave the capital with your mother and sister."

  Charlotte hesitated, what if she listened to her, this was obviously going to get herself into trouble! Could she agree to it?

  "Besides, don't you want to change back to your original form? Aren't you curious at all about what the fake Charlotte did with your body?"

  Charlotte touched her own face, she had become so ugly, would her mother still recognize herself? And after the family reunion, would they have to hide and live in hiding with themselves?

  "In fifteen days it won't work, in ten days, I'll agree with you."

  "Many people in town already know that a monster has infiltrated, if you hand me over, think carefully about the consequences!"

  The little loli must stay for 15 days by herself. It seems that 15 days is a crucial point, and maybe something big will happen.

  "Ai Luo, you should think it over too!"

  A majestic male voice came from outside the secret room door, Ero's face changed greatly, and he hurriedly tried to hide Charlotte, but unfortunately, the man had already taken a step into the secret room.

  "Ai Luo, you really disappointed me."

  Ero hung her head in front of the man, looking dejected. The golden crown on the man's head shone brightly, and Charlotte immediately guessed that this person was the king. So, the one who called him father must be Princess Ero!

  The man scanned the room in a circle. Although Ero was blocking his view with his body, he still discovered Charlotte, who was trying to minimize her presence.

  "What kind of monster is this! Come on! Take it away and lock it up in a big prison!"

  Yelü hastily blocked him

  "Father, she is my friend, you can't do this!"

  "Friend? It seems you've not only learned how to curse, but also want to befriend a monster!"

  A Luo gave a stern look at the person behind his father,

  "Moses! You've betrayed me!"

  The king slapped Ero on the head with one palm.

  "Moses is mine, what right have you to ask him to cover for you."

  Ayro let out a low hum of discontent. The king saw that she still didn't know her mistake, and immediately became furious, his voice also turning cold.

  "Moses, take the princess back to her chambers. She doesn't need to come out again before the prince's wedding. And no one is allowed to visit her!"

  Ai Luo still wanted to argue, but Moses hastily took the princess away from the secret chamber and on their way back to the bedroom, Moses saw Ai Luo's low mood and comforted the princess by saying

  "Your Highness can rest assured, His Majesty the King has ways to deal with the Duke of Windsor. If Your Highness had to take care of it personally, then we servants would be out of a job."

  Elo was amused by Moses' smile, she thought that Charlotte falling into her father's hands might be more effective than in her own hands, and no longer held it against Moses for reporting to her father.

  "Has all your food grown a mouth? Haha ~~"

  It's just a pity that it won't be convenient to take any action later, damn Moses! Ero couldn't laugh anymore, she turned her head and glared at Moses with one eye, making Moses very strange, wasn't he coaxed well? Why is he angry again?!

  In the confined space, Charlotte couldn't help but feel slightly tense under the king's scrutinizing gaze. Half an hour passed before Charlotte finally broke the silence.

  "What do you want to know?"

  "Charlotte, I am curious, how did you escape from the jaws of the greedy snake? Tell me who helped you and I will set you and your mother free."

  The king had indeed heard everything. Charlotte sighed and now it was almost impossible to secretly take her mother and sister away.

  "A small kitten bit a snake to death, and I was lucky enough to survive."

  The king thought Charlotte was telling a lie and he was somewhat annoyed that this family had repeatedly deceived themselves, which was really unforgivable!

  "Hmm! Think about it carefully."

  The king slammed the door and left the secret room, Charlotte patted her forehead anxiously, saying that no one believed in telling the truth, it would have been better to make up a character for the king to find.