In the Midst of Revenge on Cinderella (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 7
Eileen’s face crumpled beyond repair.
“Are you all right, my lady?”
“Are you badly hurt?”
The young noblewomen, who had frozen at the sudden commotion, finally grasped the situation and rushed over to support Eileen. Floria approached me and asked,
“What happened, sister?”
Though she looked flustered, her sharp mind had likely already pieced together what had occurred. I pretended ignorance and lowered my head.
“I’m sorry for causing such a disturbance. I didn’t see your foot in time and accidentally stepped on it…”
“You deliberately stepped—!”
Eileen, about to retort sharply, bit her lip with a sudden look of realization and glared at me. She couldn’t possibly claim I’d done it knowingly—after all, stepping on a foot neatly hidden beneath a dress wasn’t easy unless someone had deliberately stuck their foot out to trip another.
Finding her frustrated expression amusing—after all, she’d fallen for such a clumsy trick—I couldn’t help but smile slightly, which only made her scowl deepen.
Oops, that unintentional smirk probably made me look like a proper villainess.
“Does it hurt badly?”
“Y-Your Highness.”
When Floria bent down to sit beside her, not only Eileen but all the noblewomen looked utterly flustered.
“It’s swollen and red. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem too serious. Still, we should call the Royal Physician for an examination.”
“Your Highness…”
Touched by Floria’s careful inspection and concern for her injured foot, Eileen’s cheeks flushed. But the moment our eyes met, her expression twisted back into a deep frown.
After all, I’d just given a silent, mocking snort precisely to cement my villainess image. Even I had to admit it must’ve looked extremely petty.
Just as Floria turned back toward me, I swiftly changed my expression, prompting the noblewomen to glare at me in disbelief.
“Sister, I’m sorry, but could you please call the Royal Physician?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
While Floria redirected her attention to Eileen’s foot once more, I gave a subtle shrug toward the noblewomen and slipped out of the room.
‘Well, that should’ve boosted Floria’s reputation by +1.’
Mine probably dropped by about -50.
I’d played along with her obvious ploy because that was exactly what Floria wanted from me. Of course, she’d never asked outright.
But her circumstances and the subtle hints in her words made her intentions clear enough. She didn’t actually want me to reform. On the contrary, she wanted me to freely display my ill temper in front of others.
Only then could she perform the role of the compassionate, forgiving figure—something that would surely help solidify her standing in the palace.
‘It’s a method that’s already proven successful.’
I’d heard that among the public, who remained unaware of Floria’s true nature, she was so praised they’d even created a play about her. It said everything that she currently enjoyed the highest public support among the royal family.
‘Though the faction backing the First Prince is no small force either.’
He might be called a warmonger, but having subjugated rival nations and expanded the realm, such popularity was only natural. Between the two, the First Prince’s support base was far more solid—the commoners’ affection for Cinderella was practically a phenomenon.
Thus, in the latter half of the original story, Floria had resorted to every trick imaginable to dismantle that strong foundation.
“Well, it’s none of my concern.”
Before their rivalry truly escalated, I planned to flee far, far away to some place untouched by the original plot and live peacefully. So, I’d gladly play the role Floria wanted—even if it dragged my reputation through the mud. After all, once everything was settled, I’d never see these people again.
‘Speaking of which, since I’m already playing the part, why not explore the palace?’
I should memorize the layout in advance—who knew when the chance to escape might come?
‘If anyone complains I’m late, I’ll just say I got lost—it’s my first time here, after all.’
With that carefree thought, I stepped out of the Second Prince’s quarters—only to genuinely lose my way moments later, as if my words had summoned it.
“…Isn’t this the same spot as before?”
There really was truth to the saying that words become reality.
I glared at the familiar courtyard wall—surely I’d seen it at least twenty times already. Ever since leaving the Second Prince’s quarters, everything had descended into utter chaos. Whichever path I took, it looped back to the same route.
It couldn’t possibly be the exact same place, yet even the spacing of the trees along the wall and the number and shape of the stones on the ground matched perfectly.
Though I prided myself on having a good sense of direction, I now had absolutely no idea where I was.
“Ugh, I give up!”
After wandering under the blazing sun for over an hour, utterly drained, I abandoned all dignity and plopped down onto the ground. Leaning against the wall, I felt its coolness seep into my back, making me feel alive again. Fanning myself to cool the sweat, I stared down the empty path.
If only someone would pass by so I could ask for directions. Forget calling the Royal Physician—just finding my way back to the Second Prince’s quarters seemed hopeless.
“I really let my guard down and got played.”
Floria, who surely knew how labyrinthine the palace layout was, had deliberately sent me—a newcomer who’d only arrived two days prior—to fetch the Royal Physician. It was clearly a setup.
“What a sly one.”
I kicked off my shoes and fanned my burning soles, grinding my teeth in frustration.
“May your hair get hopelessly tangled in your comb and yanked right out!”
Just as I spat out that curse, a shadow fell over me. Before I could even lift my head, something suddenly appeared—landing lightly before me in the blink of an eye. The shock left me too stunned to even scream.
‘He jumped over the wall?’
I looked up at the wall behind me—it stood at least three times my height.
“So you’ve finally entered the palace.”
My astonishment lasted only a moment before I snapped my head around at the familiar voice.
“!”
The man with that annoyingly smug smirk was none other than the very culprit who’d reduced me to a mayfly’s lifespan.
“…Yes. Thanks to you.”
My lips trembled as much as my hands, which I clenched tightly, forcing out each syllable with deliberate slowness.
“Seems I’m not a welcome sight, huh?”
Welcome?
How could I be, when because of him my life hung by a thread, and I could die at any moment? And yet he stood there, utterly relaxed. I wanted nothing more than to storm over and demand if he even knew what I’d been through because of him—but he was one of Floria’s followers. An especially devoted one, at that.
What if I misspoke and he scurried off to tattle on me?
He didn’t look like the type who’d spend all night lurking under someone’s window—but then again, appearances could be deceiving.
‘Such a waste of a handsome face, you bastard.’
Bathed in unfiltered sunlight, his features looked far more striking than they had in the moonlight—so captivating that no one could look away.
‘With looks like that, he ought to play a major role in the story.’
He radiated an aura of authority more suited to commanding followers than serving as one himself. It was far easier to picture him giving orders than taking them.
Someone like the First Prince, perhaps. But the First Prince—the story’s ultimate mastermind—would never waste his time loitering under someone’s window.
Moreover, unlike the First Prince, who was described as a cold-blooded, taciturn killer, this man was far too smug and playful. And though he wore servant’s attire—which suited him oddly well—it still felt strangely incongruous.
‘That name “Jaan” bothers me, but he doesn’t have black hair…’
Surely it couldn’t be him—but as I eyed him suspiciously, the man tilted his head curiously.
“So, what are you doing here?”
Following his gaze, I suddenly became aware of my disheveled state. Hastily covering my feet with my skirt, I snatched up my shoes. Why did I always end up looking ridiculous in front of this man?
“I was just resting—it’s hot.”
For some reason, admitting the truth felt beneath my dignity, so I stood up and answered coolly.
‘Why is he so tall?’
I’d known he was tall that night, but seeing him in daylight made him seem even more imposing. The sun glared so brightly in my eyes as I looked up that I stepped back a few paces.
“And what about you? Where did you suddenly pop out from? Is it really okay to just leap over palace walls like that?”
I pointed behind me at the wall with my thumb, and the man raised an eyebrow.
“I thought the gatekeepers might make a fuss. I’ve been hopping over it like this for a while.”
…This guy.
That mischievous grin confirmed he was teasing me—clearly mimicking the ridiculous excuse I’d given that night. Right, there was no way someone like him could be the First Prince. I nodded inwardly, certain of it.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
I’d planned to confront him about his rudeness that night the next time we met, but this wasn’t the right moment. With my hair a mess and clothes soaked in sweat, I wouldn’t look very threatening even if I tried.
Instead, I gestured toward the path, hoping he’d just vanish—but he merely curled his lips into a relaxed smile.
“You sure you’ll be fine going that way? You look completely lost.”
“…”
Sharp as ever.
Annoying as he was, I couldn’t deny the immediate wave of relief and gladness I felt at seeing him. After all, he was the first person I’d encountered in over an hour of wandering. If I let him leave now, who knew when I’d meet someone else?
When I stayed silent, he asked,
“Where are you headed?”
“…To the Royal Physician’s quarters.”
I answered a beat late, avoiding his eyes. I half-expected him to press me to ask for help, but he just chuckled softly and walked past me without a word, leading the way.
Recognizing the clear invitation, I quickly followed behind.
My Arch-enemy Sealed My Memory and Said That He is My Husband
This is an incredibly captivating story that you absolutely shouldn’t miss! I’ll give a brief introduction here, and below you’ll find a detailed synopsis of the plot.
The female lead is a fierce and powerful demon king. The male lead is a once-in-a-millennium celestial lord, admired by the entire cultivation world.
They are equally matched, legendary rivals who have battled for centuries.
In the final duel, the female lead is gravely injured. The male lead saves her, seals her memories, and hides her true identity. He tells her that he is her fiancé. His entire life has been flawless—except for the one thing he never expected, never controlled, and never wanted to control: falling for his greatest enemy. She is his inner demon, his obsession.
When the female lead regains her memories, she is furious at his deception.
She makes his life a living hell.
And somehow, the male lead—possibly a total masochist—doesn’t mind at all. In fact, he’s happy she’s paying attention to him.
Yep, we’re back to my favorite trope: male lead suffering. If you love this kind of story, jump into the pit with me now!!!
Intro
Dong Xia lost her memory.
Her handsome and extremely powerful fiancé Li Qing comforted her: “It’s okay if you can’t remember. I’ll always be with you.”
Everyone thought Dong Xia’s ancestors must have burned incense to get such a perfect fiancé. He was the number one person in the immortal realm, yet he remained chaste and only loved her.
…
The day before marrying her fiancé, Dong Xia finally remembered everything.
She wasn’t suffering from memory loss at all.
Her arch-enemy had made her fake her death, destroyed her cultivation, replaced her memories, and pretended to be her deeply in love fiancé.
No wonder he said, “It’s okay if you can’t remember”!
Dong Xia laughed coldly as she pulled out her long knife: Li Qing, prepare to die 🙂
*
Li Qing, as the supreme being of the immortal realm, was the people’s shining beacon.
The only unknown stain in his life was his affection for Dong Xia, the ruler of the demon realm.
In the final battle of the war between immortals and demons, the sky collapsed and the earth shattered. The ruler of the demon realm was finally slain under the sword of the supreme being of the immortal realm, and everyone in the immortal realm applauded.
The cultivation world lost a ruler of the demon realm.
And in the back mountain of Li Qing’s cave dwelling, he secretly hid away a fiancée.
Notes:
1. The female lead is white on the outside, black on the inside, and the queen of flattery; the male lead repeatedly tests the edge of darkness, a VIP guest at the crematorium.
2. Fantasy cultivation world setting.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
Shes smart. I love her for this.yeah dont care about the ruin reputation
Girlboss. YEAH LETS GO PLAYING VILLAINESS UNTIL THE END!
Shes really got caught by the demon king. Good luck for the grim future