Now only Bella and the head maid remained in the dark dungeon.

The maid’s fake smile disappeared immediately. A cold and cruel expression replaced it.

She slowly walked toward Bella, her footsteps echoing through the room. Then she bent down close to Bella’s face and harshly grabbed her soft cheek.

“You really thought you could escape from me that easily, hmm?” the maid hissed while digging her nails into Bella’s skin. “Don’t forget that I raised you all these years. You owe me. And you will repay me.”

Then the maid laughed in a creepy, cruel way that made Bella shiver.

She pushed Bella’s head aside and walked out of the dungeon, locking the door behind her.

Now Bella was completely alone in the darkness.

She curled into a ball on the cold floor and cried quietly.

That woman is a real monster, Bella thought bitterly. She blamed all of her crimes on me. That’s why I was always punished and locked inside this horrible place.

Painful memories filled Bella’s mind.

The maid had stolen money, jewelry, and food many times, but she always blamed Bella for it.

To everyone else, the head maid looked kind and caring. People believed she was only trying to discipline a spoiled orphan.

That was why Bella was useful to her.

A helpless child made the perfect scapegoat.

“Can I really have a happy ending in this life?” Bella whispered sadly while tears rolled down her swollen cheeks.

*****

The Dawson Family Office

“No… no! I can’t keep that child here anymore!”

The Head of the Dawson family paced nervously across the room while pulling at his hair.

“Because of that stupid child, the Imperial Family has started searching for the lost princess! Why did she have to meet the First Princess of all people?!”

Sweat poured down his face.

“What if the Emperor finds out? What if he learns I’ve been hiding the princess this whole time?!”

Terrified, the man rushed into a secret dark room hidden behind his office.

With shaking hands, he activated a forbidden communication magic stone.

The stone glowed, and the shadow of a man appeared.

He had black hair and sharp ruby-pink eyes.

The Dawson family head immediately fell to his knees.

“M-Master! Please forgive me! I failed the task you gave me!”

Suddenly, a terrifying dark aura burst out from the magic stone.

An invisible force grabbed the Dawson head by the throat and lifted him into the air.

He kicked helplessly while gasping for breath. His face turned purple.

Then, just before he passed out, the dark aura disappeared.

He crashed onto the floor, coughing violently.

A cold voice echoed from the magic stone.

“Send that child to me.”

Then the shadow vanished.

The Dawson head quickly stood up and rushed away to follow the order.

*****

The Next Morning

Bella slowly opened her eyes.

But this time, she did not smell the dirty dungeon.

Instead, a soft flower-like scent filled the air.

Confused, Bella blinked.

She was lying in a huge, luxurious bed covered in silk blankets.

The room was bright, beautiful, and filled with sunlight.

“Huh…? Where am I?”

Bella looked down in surprise.

Her torn clothes were gone.

Now she was wearing a soft clean nightgown, and all of her injuries had been treated carefully with bandages.

“Who treated my wounds?”

She was completely confused.

As Bella climbed out of bed, the large doors suddenly opened.

A young maid entered while carrying warm water.

The maid froze when she saw Bella awake.

Then.....

CLANG!

The maid dropped the basin and screamed loudly.

“She’s awake! She’s awake! Hurry! Call the doctor! The princess is awake!”

Before Bella could understand anything, many maids rushed into the room.

They surrounded the bed in panic and carefully tucked Bella back under the blankets as if she were a fragile treasure.

Bella’s mind went blank.

What is happening?!

A few moments later, an old doctor hurried into the room.

He checked her pulse, temperature, and bandages carefully.

Finally, he sighed in relief.

“She is no longer in danger,” he told the maids. “Her wounds are healing well, but she is very malnourished. She needs healthy food immediately.”

Bella simply stared at everyone with wide confused eyes.

Without realizing it, she looked incredibly adorable.

She’s so cute…! the maids screamed inside their heads while trying not to squeal.

Bella blinked in confusion.

Why are they staring at me like that? Are they all crazy?

Then suddenly, the bedroom doors opened again.

The entire room became silent.

A young girl walked inside.

She was unbelievably beautiful, with shining golden hair and crystal-blue eyes.

Bella’s eyes widened in shock.

The First Princess… the heroine