"He's a liar, mom," Amelia said with a brittle voice as she kneeled down at her mother's grave.

"He said he'd never forget me. He lied." She spoke to the gravestone.

She wasn't crazy. She knew she would never get an answer from her mom, never again, but this was the only place where she could release her feelings and cry undisturbed.

"He is going to marry. He must really be in love if he'd go through the kingdom to look for one person." A tear fell down from her eye. Since two weeks ago, she hadn't been able to sleep. She was too afraid to wake up and hear that the Prince had found the owner of the shoe he was carrying. She thought she had accepted the fact that she was not longer a part of his life. She was wrong. She knew that one day Kris would marry another girl, probably a beautiful Princess of a powerful house. She thought she could congratulate him on the wedding sincerely. She was wrong.

The Prince had announced that at the ball, he had found the one he wanted to marry, whom he, however, had lost. He had found the shoe that belonged to his "soulmate" and he'll marry the person whom the shoe belonged to. Therefore, the Prince was travelling through the Kingdom to look for his future wife.

Meanwhile, in the castle, Kris was running as fast he could, heading to south garden with a bright smile on his face.

"Cathy," he called cheerfully as he saw the beautiful and familiar figure of his older sister. Catherine was five years older than Kris. She was the only Princess and Kris' only sibling. He loved her more than anybody. They used to be of one mind. The day she left, Kris had hidden in her linen chest, wanting to go with her. When his parents had found him, he had cried and begged them to let her stay until her coach had disappeared completely. She had married the neighboring Kingdom's Prince and two years ago, she had become the Queen.

"Long time no see, how is my Kris doing?" she said as Kris almost jumped on her and hugged her tightly.

"Good, and you?" he asked. He stepped back a bit to take a better look at her before he embraced her again. "God, I missed you so much," he whispered.

"I missed you too," replied the Princess, Queen, Cathy, grinning. "So when can I see that person who stole my little brother's heart?"

"I'll tell you about that later. Come, I want to show you something," Kris said, changing the subject. He grabbed his sister's hand, and pulled her out of the garden cheerfully.

"Kris, I have to visit our parents first," the Princess told her brother who just ignored her.

"Oh, Cathy, they can wait, I want to show you something now. You'll be so surprised. I promise," Kris said happily. Whenever they were together, Kris would turn into a naughty little boy again.

The Prince stopped in front of a big wooden door, causing his sister to smile as she realized his intention. Kris opened the door for her and she stepped in, looking around carefully.

"My old chamber," she said in surprise, "It's still as I left it."

"I told father not to change it. I want you to feel at home when you're back. I know how much you loved your room. You chose every single item and decorated the room on your own, do you remember?" Kris told his sister proudly.

"Of course, thank you, Kris," Catherine said. She sat down on her old bed and touched the bed sheet with a smile on her face as memories ran through her head.

Kris spoke again. "Do you remember that time when Liam, Rory and I played hide and seek in your room and broke your favorite vase? You wouldn't talk to us for three days." The siblings laughed at the memory.

"I do," she said, and she laughed sadly.

"Rory," Catherine said with a sudden calm voice, "How is he?"

"He is fine." With the mention of Rory's name, his smile faded away.

"I heard about father's decision. I'm so sorry," Catherine said, holding her brother's hand.

"You don't have to," Kris sighed. "He'll be fine. I'll take care of that."

"What do you mean?"

Kris took a deep breath before telling his sister his plan. There had never been any secrets between them and he was not starting to keep secrets from her, even if he knew she would be very mad at him.

"You can't be serious, Kris. You promised me. You promised you won't offer up your marriage for policy," Catherine said angrily as her eyes became red.

"After everything I have done for you, how could you throw it away?"

Kris bit on his lower lip when he saw the disappointment in her eyes. He knew what she had done for him. It was him who was supposed to marry the Princess of the neighbor Kingdom, someone he had never met. But one day, his parent suddenly changed their mind. Instead of him, his sister should marry the crowned Prince.

"Cathy..." He tried to comfort her. "You know, you were always so cheerful and lively. Everyone loved you and I was so proud to be your brother. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, especially on your wedding day. I never forgot how pretty you looked that day. You had that lovely white dress on and I thought my sister had turned into an angel, the most beautiful angel everyone could ever dream of," Kris said, looking at his sister.

"But that day, you didn't smile," he continued. "It was supposed to be the happiest day of your life and you didn't smile once. That was when I understood what you had done. That was the moment I realized that we don't have control over our fate. It's the duty of every King's family member to take care of peace and you had offered up your happiness to protect me and the Kingdom. You had made your decision and now I'm doing the same. I'm protecting my family. I'm protecting Rory."

"Kris, at least one of us should be happy," said Catherine with a cracked voice.

"Cathy, four years ago you made your decision. Now it's my turn and when I do it, I need to know that my sister is supporting me. I just need to know it, please." Kris looked at the Princess with sad eyes.

Gently, she pulled him into a warm hug. "I got your back. I promise."

"Cin!" Amelia ran upstairs to her stepmother who was calling for her loudly.

"Where have you been?" Diana yelled as soon as she saw Amelia opened the door.

"I was at my mom's grave."

"You dare to waste your time on this important day, stupid girl?"

"I'm sorry," whispered Amelia as she held back her tears.

"Keep that useless apology to yourself and help Julia get ready. The Prince is coming," her stepmother screamed.

"The Prince is coming?" Amelia asked in shock.

"Yes, he is. Now help Julia to dress up. Then, you'll go in the kitchen and stay there. If you dare to show the Prince your dirty face, you'll regret it till the end of your life. Do you hear me?" Diana threatened.

"Yes," answered Amelia quietly before leaving the room.

"He is coming," she murmured, and a smile unknowingly appeared on her lips. Yet, a sudden disappointment hit her. Kris wasn't coming for her. He was looking for the person who stole his heart at the ball, his future wife. He was going to marry and forget Amy for good.

Amelia's heart raced as she heard the noise of excited people outside. The Prince was coming. After a few minutes, the door opened and when she heard that familiar voice, her heart stopped. Kris was there, in her house, only a few steps away from her, if there wasn't that kitchen door.

"Long time no see, Mrs. Albinson." the Prince greeted politely.

"My Prince, she is no longer Mrs. Albinson. She has remarried." an old servant informed the Prince.

"Oh, my apology. Mrs...?" Kris said, kissed her hand charmingly.

"Please, it's too formal. We've known each other for a very long time. Please call me Diana."

"Alex?" Kris asked in surprise as he saw the boy standing behind Diana. "Oh my god, Alex? You grow so fast. The last time we played together, you were still like a baby, always having that plush monkey with you while you followed Amy."

"You remember me too, your Highness? I'm Julia." The stepsister interrupted as soon as Amelia's name was mentioned. The Prince turned to her and smiled politely.

"Of course, Alex's twin sister, right?"

"Yes, my Prince, we danced together at the ball." she said proudly.

"Of course," said Kris as he forced an awkward smile. He had never been a good liar.

After everyone had gone upstairs, everything was so silent that Amelia could even hear her own nervous breaths. It felt like centuries passed as she waited for the answer. Had the shoe fit Julia?

Suddenly, the door flung open and Julia entered the room. As cliché as it might sound, Amelia thought her time had come, if looks could kill. The next thing Amelia knew, there was a sharp pain on her cheek.

"Stay away from my Prince!" she yelled.

"Stay away from my Prince!" Young Amelia heard Julia yell at her as she touched her cheek in shock. Her younger friend had slapped her for no reason. They had never been good friends and the young girl had never paid attention to Amelia, but Julia was still a friendly and polite child. Amelia didn't understand why she had suddenly acted like this.

Julia grabbed Amelia's hand and ripped the ring off of her finger. It was a simple green ring made of leaves.

"What are you doing? Give it back!" Amelia yelled. Julia raised her hand, ready to hit the girl again, but someone stopped her at the right second.

"What do you think you're doing?" an older girl in white dress, who was stood protecting Amelia, asked.

"Cathy," Kris called, running after his sister.

"Amy, what happened?" he asked worriedly. He touched Amelia's cheek gently. Just then, he bit his teeth together. Kris turned to Julia and yelled at her.

"Why did you hurt Amy? Who gave you the right to hurt her?"

"Kris, calm down," the Princess told her little brother while Amelia grabbed Kris' wrist, saying she was ok. But the young Prince was too angry and he ignored them.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you hurt my Amy... in my castle?" he cried loudly, causing Julia to flinch in fear. Yet, when Kris kept yelling at her, calling her a naughty ugly girl, she got mad and shouted back.

"It's your fault! Why did you marry her and give her that ring? I should be your Queen. You are mine. Mine alone."

"He is mine. Mine alone." Julia said with a low voice, as if she was threatening Amelia.

Just then, Alex entered the room, followed by the Prince and his valets. Julia stepped back immediately, acting like nothing happened.

"See? I told you I have another sister," Alex said.

Amelia widened her eyes in shock and her breathing became hard as Kris walked closer and closer to her. She wasn't sure, but for once second she thought she had seen a smirk on the Prince's face.

"Indeed you do," said the Prince as he stooped right in front of her. "Do you mind sitting down to try the shoe on, my lady?" he questioned.

"W-why?" Amelia asked nervously. Kris was undoubtedly smirking. Why?

Not waiting for Amelia's willingness, two servants helped her sit down and another had taken off her left shoe.

"Wait, wait, wait, what are you doing?" Amelia panicked.

"Please, can you wait outside? It's enough to have my people here. The room is small." Ignoring Amelia's question, the Prince demanded the others to leave. Now it was only Amelia and the prince, with his servants in the kitchen.

The Prince gave his butler a signal and the old man kneeled down before Amelia. He carefully placed Amelia's foot on his lap. Then, the man looked in the brown bag she carried with and took out a beautiful shoe.

"That's not mine. It would never fit. What actually are you doing here?"

"Well, we'll see if it fits you or not." The Prince said with a smirk on his face. Why was he smirking again?

Amelia gasped as the shoe fit perfectly.

"How come? This is not my shoe, really. It's not mine," the poor girl explained, but Kris only ignored her.

"Please wait outside. I want to talk to my future wife in private for a minute," the Prince demanded and the next second, the room was empty, except for the Prince and a confused Amelia.

"It's a joke, isn't it? How did you do that? How did you know my shoe size?" she asked.

"You like to question people, don't you?" The Prince teased. "Well, since we're going to marry, I should enlighten you, right? First of all, my new servant can tell the shoe size only by looking at someone's foot. It's an advantage of working as a shoemaker for over twenty years. And guess how many different shoes does she had in his bag? Second of all, no, this isn't a joke," Kris said. "It took me a long time, but I finally found you."

"You were really looking for me?" Amelia asked as a slight happiness warm up her heart. Kris was going to marry... her? Had he remembered Amy?

"Exactly, and I'll tell you why. You sneaked into the ball, escaped when I ask you a simple question about a medallion. You know the castle very well, even though you don't work there, and you risked being caught at the murder scene that night. It looks like we'll have a lot to talk about, my dear wife."

Amelia felt an unbearable pressure in the chest, as if every word Kris said was a blade that cut her bruised heart into pieces.

"I have nothing to tell you," she said, looking down to hide her face. By that, the Prince stepped closer, leaned in, so that Amelia was looking straight into his big brown eyes.

"You are going to tell me everything, so I can get Rory out of that damn cage. Do you understand me?" Kris asked with a low voice that caused Amelia to feel a cold rush through her body.

"I'm not helping you free that murderer. I'm not marring you either," Amelia answered, trying to hold the hurt in her voice. How could she be so stupid? For once second, she really thought Kris had remembered her. Yet, the Prince was only helping that person who killed her mother. After all, Rory was his family.

"Isn't it funny when you think you got a choice? We're going to the castle and there, we'll have enough time to talk, only you and me," the Prince replied.

"What part of "I won't marry you" don't you understand?" Amelia asked in frustration.

"You're the one who doesn't understand the situation, my dear. The Prince said he'll marry the person whom the shoe fits and it fits you, so if you're not marrying me, it's disobedience. Do you even know the consequence? You and your whole family could be hanged."

"Are you threatening me?" Amelia asked.

"Exactly," answered Kris playfully.

"Y-you," Amelia was speechless. This wasn't the Kris she knew. The Kris she knew would never protect a murderer. The Kris she knew would never force anyone into marriage. The Kris she knew would never hurt anybody. But the Kris she knew didn't exist anymore.

A tear escaped from Amelia's eyes, even though she had tried her best to hold back. What was she doing? Shouldn't she be happy to marry that one person she had always loved?

"I'll take it as a yes," the Prince said. "Come one, let the people see your beautiful smile. You're going to marry the Prince, after all." Amelia shivered as Kris whispered in her ear. She was sitting on the Prince's horse, the Prince's strong arms around her waist, feeling his warmth against her back. It was like that the one time, when Kris had brought her to his riding lesson. But this time, it felt different. It wasn't fun, but scary. Amelia forced a smile and kept silent until they reached the castle.

So Cinderella married the Prince and they lived happily ever after.

The End

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Bullshit.

This was only the beginning.