Throughout her life, she had endured a barrage of hardship— the cruelty of a wicked stepsister, the malice of a sinister stepmother, and the indifference of an apathetic father. She didn’t think she could ever find happiness... until a little fairy stumbled into her life and changed everything.
"Why are you crying again?" A soft and delicate voice called out to her, and she raised her head to behold the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. "Your cries always sound so sorrowful that I can’t bring myself to ignore them anymore. Don’t cry..." the palm-sized fairy reached out to brush away her tears, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "See, you have such a lovely face. It would be a sha to cover it with tears all day."
That was the first ti soone had ever regarded her with such gentleness and kindness. Having accustod to being mistreated since a young age, the little fairy’s compassion brought a hint of warmth to her cold and desolate heart.
The first ti she learned what happiness tasted like, it ca in the form of a little fairy who called herself Lumina.
"Don’t you want to go to the royal ball?" Lumina demanded indignantly as she placed her hands on her hips, her cheeks puffing up in frustration. "Your stepmother and stepsister are utterly malicious. I have never encountered such wicked humans before— it’s truly an eye-opener!"
Lying sideways on her narrow bed in the old, shabby room, she couldn’t help but smile as she watched Lumina who was angry on her behalf. If this was before, she would have wept herself to sleep, yearning for the chance to experience the grandeur of the royal ball like other girls her age. But now... there wasn’t even an ounce of anger or sadness in her chest. On the contrary, she felt quite delighted to witness Lumina’s righteous anger. And she knew very well the reason why.
For she was no longer cold and empty. No matter what kind of hardship awaited her in the days ahead, she felt like she could endure it all... as long as she had Lumina by her side.
"It’s okay..." she leaned closer to the little fairy and closed her eyes with a serene smile. "I don’t really need to go to the palace. It’s enough that you’re here with , Lu."
Lumina was utterly dissatisfied by that diocre response. "How can you say that? You’re more... no, you’re the most beautiful girl in the whole town. It’s a cri to keep you locked up in here! Co on, I will help you attend the royal ball! Who knows, you might even find your destined one there!"
With great enthusiasm, Lumina cast her magic upon her. A stunning gown enveloped her figure, her hair and make-up were ticulously styled to perfection, and as a final touch, Lumina even bestowed upon her a pair of magical glass slippers which the fairy claid could help her find happiness. She was literally transford from head to toe to the point where she couldn’t even recognize her own reflection in the mirror.
"So beautiful..." Lumina breathed in awe, unable to take her gaze off the beautiful lady before her. "I know this is my magic, but... wow! You’re simply breathtaking!"
She ducked her head bashfully, "Thank you..."
It had only ever been Lumina who praised her as such. In order not to waste her beloved friend’s effort, she agreed to attend the royal ball, though Lumina’s limited magic ant that her transformation would only last until midnight.
But she didn’t think it would pose a problem. After all, she was attending the ball for Lumina’s sake alone.
Indeed, the night turned out to be the most magical night she had ever experienced.
Instead of scorn and disdain, everyone looked at her with awe, admiration and even jealousy – her stepsister included. Stepping into the royal ballroom felt like walking through a dream, it felt absolutely surreal. She had the opportunity to admire the scenery she could never see through her old window. She indulged in delicacies more exquisite than anything she had ever tasted before. And to her astonishnt, she even caught the attention of His Highness the Prince himself, and they danced until the ti she had to leave!
"How wonderful!" was Lumina’s first reaction upon hearing the events that had happened at the ball.
The little fairy spun in midair, leaving a trail of sparkling glitter with each flap of her wings. Her expression was filled with bliss and excitent. "I knew you could do it! If the Prince set his sights on you, you can finally escape this wretched house and find a lifeti of happiness! I can feel it in my very bones – he is surely the one destined for you!"
Her destined one, huh...
What would Lumina think if she found out that... when she gazed at the breathtaking splendor of the royal ballroom, when she savored the delicious desserts, and when she danced with the Prince, the only thing that filled her mind was—
How great would it be if Lu were here with .
How great would it be if I could share these desserts with Lu.
How great would it be... if the one dancing with was Lu.
They could have lots of fun, because it was only in Lumina’s presence that she truly felt alive and happy. Alas, in the face of the little fairy’s excitent, she found herself unable to voice her inner turmoil.
It wouldn’t be good... would it?
After all, Lumina had gone to such lengths to help her attend the ball. If she kept dwelling on the what-ifs, she would only let her beloved friend down. As such, she resolved to keep her thoughts to herself and shifted her gaze to her feet where one of the glass slippers were missing, her expression turning downcast,
"But I lost one of the glass slippers you gave ..."
She couldn’t stop cursing herself inwardly. How could she have been so clumsy, to trip and leave behind such a precious gift from her dearest friend?! What an absolute disaster!
However, Lumina easily dispelled her concern with a reassuring wink. "Don’t worry! The glass slippers have been enchanted with my magic. No matter how far away they are, they will always find their way back to you."
True to Lumina’s words, a few days later, news spread that His Highness the Prince was searching for the mysterious lady who had captured his heart at the royal ball, using the glass slipper as his only clue. Through a series of twists and turns, the glass slipper indeed returned to her side, but along with it ca an unexpected proposal.
A proposal from the Prince himself, the most eligible and reputable bachelor in the entire town – no, the whole nation. And it was directed to a commoner, no less!
What else could this be but a fairy tale co to life?
Of course, the one who was most elated was Lumina. "This is incredible! I’m so happy for you! Hehe, my magic always works wonders in the end. With this, you will definitely obtain a lifeti of happiness!" she twirled and danced through the air, clasping her hands to her chest with dreamy sighs.
Watching the little fairy’s ecstatic deanor, she once again swallowed the lump forming on her throat. As news of the marriage proposal spread, her tale beca the talk of the town. All ladies envied her and wanted nothing more than to be in her shoes. Even her stepmother and stepsister had to fawn over her. Soon, she would bid farewell to the house that had been nothing but a prison and step into the palace – a place that people could only dream about.
That’s why, she should be happy... right?
Biting down on her lower lip, she tried to conceal the tightness in her heart with a smile. "Will you still be there with even after I leave, Lu?" she asked in a voice which she hoped had not betrayed her true feelings.
"Of course!" Lumina bead at her happily. "I will always be by your side!"
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