The Prince’s Taste

Just to be sure, she asked,

“May I ask what time we left the banquet hall?”

“I think it was before ten.”

She didn’t know exactly what time Cinderella appeared, but it must have been quite late. After a few dances, it would have been midnight.

Even if Ella had come, they wouldn’t have met. Judy let out a faint sigh.

“Is there something wrong?”

“I was just thinking that if a glass slipper had been left on the stairs of the banquet hall, things would be very complicated.”

“If my eyes aren’t mistaken, your shoes are right there on the floor.”

His gaze followed hers to the floor, where her two shoes lay among the scattered clothes.

“Not mine. If there’s a pumpkin carriage in the parking lot, I mean the carriage storage, then, Your Highness, —it would mean trouble for you.”

“Why would that be?”

“Because fate will have passed you by.”

Had Ella come to the ball yesterday? Probably not. According to the rules of the original story, Richard and Ella would be drawn to each other irresistibly. That meant she would be discarded like leftover food. Even if her existence as a supporting character and villainess was insignificant, being treated like used tissue was a sad fate.

“If you’re not feeling well, you should lie down a little longer.”

Richard, seemingly concerned, placed his hand gently on Judy Esther’s forehead. Although his touch was gentle, Judy Esther did not mistake it for affection. His love and obsession were not meant for her; such tender gestures and actions belonged solely to the heroine.

“No, I’m fine.”

Judy Esther’s lips trembled slightly. Why, of all people, did it have to be Richard? Judy Esther knew she was inherently weak against him. She needed to pull herself together. If she felt fluttery around Richard, it would only lead to her demise, just like in the original story.

In ‘The Secrets of Cinderella’s Climax’, Judy Esther’s death was a dramatic device created to show that Richard loved only Ella. Yet Judy Esther had been avoiding Richard. This meant that the obstacles between Richard and Ella had vanished. Love tends to burn even brighter when there are obstacles in the way. The presence of a villainess is essential for the passionate love to flourish between Richard and Ella.

Even if it wasn’t Judy Esther, another spirited noble lady could take on the role of the villainess, but that wouldn’t be easy either. Those ladies would likely say, “If he chooses Ella as his wife, that’s fine by me,” with an air of elegance. Thus, there was no one quite like Judy Esther to play the role of a desperate villainess.

If today’s incident became known to the king and Marquis Emers, it would likely lead to a royal marriage. After that, Richard would inevitably fall for Ella, and even if Judy Esther didn’t cause a scene like in the original story by saying, “I can’t bear to see my man take another wife,” given Marquis Emers’s temperament, he would likely respond with something like, “How dare you… regarding my daughter.” An unprecedented situation where the Prime Minister goes on strike could unfold, and she would bet all her slush funds on that.

Her brother, Daniel, wasn’t any less formidable. Although he had long set aside the sword, Daniel was the kingdom’s sharpest mind. While he might not resort to treason by killing Richard, he could certainly paralyze the entire administration of Adrian.

Just thinking about it made Judy shudder from head to toe. She glared at Richard with a determined gaze.

“Your Highness!”

“……”

His clear golden eyes were fixed on her. It’s said that a face has its own logic; just facing Richard made her heart race uncontrollably.

Swallowing hard, she shook her head. She placed her hand over her heart and took a deep breath. She needed to compose herself.

First, she should explain the situation to Richard and make it seem like nothing happened. Before rumors spread any further, she needed to leave the palace, forget about the ball, and flee the capital altogether.

“I made a mistake due to alcohol. Please have mercy…”

Although she didn’t add, ‘Your Majesty, please forgive me,’her voice sounded just as desperate as a servant begging for forgiveness in a historical drama. As soon as she finished speaking, she bowed low. She wondered what the hard object pressing against her forehead was, but now wasn’t the time to be curious.

“……”

There was no response from Richard. As the silence grew unbearable, she opened her eyes in frustration and raised her head just a little. Something hard brushed against her face, and it was…

“Ah.”

Without warning, her gaze was met with the sight of a thick, veiny, and imposing p***s.

It didn’t take much to figure out what had happened. The hard object her forehead had been hitting was Richard’s p***s. The position she was in—kneeling, head bowed—was reminiscent of a pornographic scene. And it was in such close proximity that she could bite it if she opened his mouth.

‘What have I done?’

The situation was taking a turn that was far from her intentions. She wondered what his expression was, but she didn’t dare look up. She couldn’t see his expression, but she could tell what he was thinking because the pole to which her gaze was fixed was pulsing like it was about to strike her in the face. It was terrifyingly large.