They got on the road again. The Boss hadn't said anything once they left ten minutes ago. Cinderella wasn't going to push her luck but was dying with curiosity. They had been walking for a while now, and the road got quieter with the minute.

'You still have the crown, right?'

The question came out of nowhere, but Cinderella tapped the bag next to her side. 'Of course!'

'Good. When we arrive at the market in a few hours, I will sell it as quickly as possible, before the Royal Guards pick up our scent. After, we have to leave immediately.'

The Boss almost started rambling. Like she was nervous, but that couldn't be right. She had just told Cinderella she trained with the mafioso, and she had even killed some people. How can she be nervous when she is about to sell a piece of nice-wielded metal? It wasn't like they were going to kill somebody.

'Are you nervous?'

The Boss didn't stop walking, but Cinderella could see she flinched a little. 'Of course not. I want this to be over. I've had this debt for a while, and I would like for it to be gone. Maybe then I can live a more relaxing life instead of having to look back over my shoulder.

Cinderella nodded. 'I see. Let's do that then!' She linked her arm through The Boss's, and although The Boss looked at her like she would cut her arm off, she eventually accepted the fact, and they walked the long road, arm in arm.

We could hear the market from miles away. The chitter-chatter of the townsmen. The salesmen voices trying to yell at every possible customer to buy their goods, and the laughter of little kids at the hands of their mothers.

Cinderella had always loved the market. This one way bigger than the one she always would go to, but hers was friendlier and cozier. The salesmen knew who she was, even before her stepmother married her dad. Cinderella had come to the market with her mother and sometimes later on with her father. The sellers now give her discounts. Of course, that gave her stepmother all the more reasons to send her out for groceries.

Not that she minded. It was her way to escape from the house and her stepfamily. It almost was her second home.

This market was bigger, and she didn't know anyone, but it was the same type of people. Some of the women wore prettier dresses than on her market, but everything else was the same. They still sold food, drinks, and everything more you can think of.

There was also a jeweler. The Boss took her apart from the crows, into a quiet alley. 'Alright, give me the crown. I will sell it right away.'

Cinderella took the bag and handed it over. 'Good luck!' She said.

'I don't need it but thank you. Stay here.' She smiled and went away.

Cinderella watched The Boss disappear in the crowds. She hoped she would come back soon. People started to notice her, and Cinderella put on her shawl she had worn this morning.

After ten minutes, The Boss hadn't returned yet, and because Cinderella couldn't see where she was from her position, she decided to take a little stroll and check out what took so long. From her point of view, she could overlook the whole market except the jeweler. Cinderella walked over until she saw the jeweler. The little stall, which was a bit in the shadows, was empty. The Boss wasn't there. Cinderella frowned her eyebrows and walked up to the seller.

'Hi, there.' She said in the sweetest tone. 'Did you perhaps see an older lady here?'

'Hello.' The seller behind the stall was a young guy, around Cinderella's age. 'I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't help you.' He said it in a certain kind of way that Cinderella didn't know if he was messing with her or not. She could feel something was off about this guy but couldn't pinpoint it out.

'Right... So, are you the only jeweler here? Or are there others?'

The guy smiled again. It was the kind of smile you often get shivers off. 'No, it's just me. Can I help you with something else? Maybe a fine necklace, perhaps?' He gestured at his merchandise, but Cinderella didn't look down. She looked at his eyes and could tell he was lying.

'Lie.' she said.

'Sorry?'

'You are lying. I can tell.' Cinderella held his gaze.

'About what?' The guy faintly grinned.

His grin almost threw her off. 'You say that you haven't seen an older lady here. Yet, you're the only guy here who sells and buys jewels. My boss had something to sell. You're the only one she could have gone to. So,' Cinderella leaned on the small wooden planks, still held his gaze, and leaned in. 'Where is she?'

The seller didn't find her intimidating at all. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and smiled. 'I'm sorry, but like I said: I can't help you.'

'Fine.' Cinderella backed off a little and wiped her hands. 'Just so you know, my boss is very dangerous. She has killed at least twenty men without any weapon. Just her hands.' She held up her own. 'Like these. I'm giving you a heads up, so you're welcome.' She started to walk away but got stopped by his voice.

'Wait.'

Cinderella turned around as slowly as possible. 'Yes?' The seller now looked irritated and was still hesitant. She plastered an annoyed look on her face. 'I'm a very busy woman. What is it?'

After a second, he released his breath. 'Fine. You win.' He urged her over to his stall and leaned in a little. 'She came by. I guess, ten minutes ago. I don't know what your relationship is, but I suggest you cut ties with her. As you said, she is dangerous, and I don't want her near me. Not longer than necessary.'

'What do you mean? What do you have to do with all of this?'

The seller looked at her almost with pity in his eyes. 'O sh*t. She told you only a little for you to be intrigued.'

No matter what he said, he only made Cinderella more confused. 'Look, buddy. I wasn't kidding when I said I was busy. What are you trying to say?'

The seller scoffed at the word "buddy" but answered. 'This boss of yours, she isn't who she said she is. Look here.' He rolled up his sleeve, and it revealed a picture on his arm. It was a little rose, with a single large thorn, engulfed in flames. 'It's called a tattoo. It shows you belong somewhere.'

'So?' Cinderella was still confused and had no idea where his story was going.

'The Boss has the same.'

Cinderella noticed two things from his sentence. One: he uses the same name she uses for The Boss. Two: The Boss had lied to her when she said she had no one. Apparently, she still belongs to a family. 'Where is she?'

'She is gone. She sold her "merch" and left.'

'You're lying!' Cinderella rose her voice. People started to stare and pointed fingers at her. Cinderella noticed too late that they pointed fingers at her because they recognized, just like The Boss had said. Anger built up in her stomach, and Cinderella clenched her hands into a fist.

'Would I also be lying if I said guards are coming?' The moments he said that Cinderella heard hooves and shouting of men. The anger got a hint of fear, and Cinderella knew; she was in trouble.