"Good, this is good. We wouldn't want a beautiful young lady such as yourself getting hurt now, would we?" Dominic asked softly, a charming smile touching his lips.
"Uhm… I am not that beautiful, my lord," she murmured, her gaze still lowered. Yet even as she spoke, Dominic could hear the quickening of her heart and sense the shy delight that bloomed within her at his praise.
"Look at me, my dear," he said gently. His fingers, warm and sure, lifted her chin so that their eyes met. She did not resist. In his eyes she saw no mockery or cruelty, only a depth of warmth and care that made her cheeks flush crimson.
"Your beauty is radiant," he said softly. "It shines even through these simple clothes, because it comes from within — from your heart." His hand moved with care, brushing a loose strand of her golden-straw hair from her brow. For a heartbeat, she forgot to breathe. When he withdrew his hand and stepped back, her body seemed to sway with the loss of that warmth.
She dared to look upon him fully then — truly see him. His hair shone like silver-white silk beneath the sun, his eyes the color of bright skies reflected in still waters. He looked neither mortal nor entirely divine, but something between the two. The fear that once held her captive melted into curiosity… and something deeper. Something her heart dared not name.
"Now, my dear," Dominic said, voice kind but curious, "would you be so kind as to tell me why you were in such a rush? You could have hurt yourself greatly — or someone else — had I not been here."
She blinked, realizing only now how foolishly she had been running. The street around them was quiet, the market square calm under the early morning light. "Ah! Forgive me!" she gasped. "My stepmother would not be pleased if she hears about this. Please forgive me!" She bowed deeply, trembling with dread — not of him, but of what punishment awaited her at home.
Dominic's smile faltered slightly. Stepmother? The word lingered like poison in his mind. His eyes darkened with restrained anger, though he kept his voice composed. "Alright," he said at last, "I will forgive you… but only on one condition."
She froze, glancing up anxiously. His tone carried weight — a princely authority, gentle yet absolute. His gaze drifted over her, thoughtful, intent. She could feel it as though it were touch itself — tracing her from head to toe — and her body reacted in ways she could not comprehend. Heat and fear mingled beneath her skin.
She had felt eyes upon her before — cruel ones, from the men who loitered near the taverns or markets. But his was different. His gaze was not hungry; it was knowing. It saw her, truly saw her, and that frightened her more than anything else.
"I want you…" he said at last, pausing — long enough for her heart to leap to her throat — "to be my guide in this town."
Her lips parted slightly in surprise, and to her mortification, her body felt… disappointed? "O-Oh! I mean—of course! It would be my honor!" she stammered, her face turning pink as she waved her hands nervously. "That is… I'd be happy to help."
Dominic chuckled, his smirk playful. "Oh? It sounded as though you were expecting something else," he teased, stepping closer. Her blush deepened, and she waved her hands frantically again.
"N-no! That's not—I wasn't—" she rambled.
"Relax, my dear," he said, laughing softly. "I was only teasing. You're far too endearing when flustered." His tone softened as he added, "Do not think I see you as anything less than you are — strong, kind, and full of grace. It's that light within you that I find… remarkable."
She froze again. No one had ever spoken to her like this before. No one had ever seen her like this before.
"How did you know?" she asked softly, almost in disbelief.
Dominic's eyes glimmered. "There is an old saying — that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Yours," he said gently, "shine brighter than most."
"Thank you…" she whispered, her voice trembling. She tried to hold back the tears that threatened to fall, but one escaped, glistening as it traced down her cheek. For the first time in her memory, she felt seen, cherished — even if only for a fleeting moment.
"You're welcome," he replied. "Though I seem to be at a disadvantage, dear one. I do not yet know your name."
She curtsied politely, smiling shyly. "Right, forgive me. My name is Cinderella. Pleased to meet you, Mister…?"
Even though he had already guessed, hearing the name sent a tremor through Dominic's chest. Cinderella.The name itself seemed to stir something ancient within him — something that had slept for ages. His very soul shuddered with realization. I'm here. In her world. In this world.
It took all his restraint not to let the power swelling inside him burst forth in triumph. I've found you, he thought fiercely. And I will find the rest. My princesses… my treasures… all of you will be mine once more.
He straightened, placing a hand over his heart, and bowed lightly. "My name is Dominic," he said with a warm smile. "But please, don't call me 'Mister' or 'Sir.' Just Dom will do. It feels as though I've waited a lifetime to meet you. If I may — may I call you Ella?"
Cinderella's eyes widened, then softened into a radiant smile. "Really? I would love that… and it feels the same for me too."
Her heart fluttered wildly. Could this be fate? she wondered. Or something deeper still? The thought of the prince from before — the one who once made her heart skip a beat — seemed distant now, almost like a dream fading in the morning light. Dominic's presence was something else entirely. Dangerous, yes… but irresistibly magnetic.
"If you don't mind me asking," she said softly, "where are you from?"
"I am from a land very, very far from here," Dominic replied with an amused smile. "I've been traveling to see the world before I settle down… in search of special treasures this world has ever known. And I intend to make them all mine."
His words sent a shiver through her, half fear, half awe. His voice carried weight, the sound of command cloaked in velvet.
"O-oh! I-I wish you the best of luck," she stammered, trying to calm her racing heart. "They… they would be lucky to be under your care." She looked away quickly, forcing a cough. "Ahem! Anyway, follow me."
"Gladly," Dominic replied, his smirk returning. "Lead the way, Ella."
And so she did — her heart light, her mind spinning. Through the winding cobblestone streets she guided him, pointing out the shops and stalls she knew so well. He watched her with quiet fascination — the way she smiled when talking about the baker's sweet rolls, or the longing look that flickered in her eyes when they passed the jewelry and dress shops.
He memorized it all — her favorite colors, the things that caught her gaze, the subtle music of her voice. Soon, he thought, I'll give her far more than these things. She will never want again.
But his reverie was broken by a sudden, piercing shriek from behind them — sharp and shrill enough to make nearby birds scatter.
"Cinderella! Where have you been!?"
Dominic's smile faded. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
The Tremaines.