The Prince’s Taste - Chapter 7.18

The stepmother began explaining in a falsely kind tone. It was the most expensive necklace ever sold at auction in the kingdom—so pricey that even if she sold everything she owned, she couldn’t afford it. Everyone had wondered who would win it when it was exhibited for three days before being sold in a private auction. No one had known who the final bidder was until now, with her wearing it around her neck.

“Richard, you were the one who bought it in secret?”

“Most likely.”

“That must’ve cost a fortune.”

“Possibly.”

No wonder he had stared at Ella with such a cold look at the banquet. If even Richard was admitting it was expensive, then it was probably enough to buy a few estates in the city.

“From now on, don’t you dare buy anything expensive again without my permission.”

There was something seriously wrong with this man’s concept of money. When Judy Esther glared at him with prim disapproval, Richard cleared his throat awkwardly.

“It reminded me of your hair color, that’s why I bought it.”

“Still.”

First things first, they needed to get that necklace back. But before that, it looked like she’d have to sort out Ella’s situation. As time passed, the stepmother and stepsisters were spewing more and more nonsense.

“Behave yourself and go through the marriage I’ve arranged for you. Stealing like this? You deserve to be punished.”

“Please, stop.”

Ella’s voice trembled. But in that trembling, it wasn’t fear that Judy Esther heard—it was anger. She tilted her head. Was this what Ella was like? From what she remembered, Ella had never stood up to her stepmother or stepsisters. Even when Richard punished them in the original story, hadn’t she just blinked, silent and wide-eyed?

“Mum, did you hear her tone? Just because she’s dressed up a little, she thinks she’s someone else now? This b***h hasn’t been hit enough. Hey, get a grip.”

Stepsister 1 scoffed, clearly incredulous, then smacked Ella on the head. Even though it wasn’t Judy Esther who got hit, her scalp tingled in sympathy.

Why was Ella taking the hits? ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’ She should raise her hand too.

“So this is where everyone is.”

“Oh my, Count T!”

The bastard pervert Count T suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He didn’t fall from the sky, but his entrance was certainly dramatic. Judy Esther blinked in surprise and glanced at Richard, silently asking where that slimeball had come from. Richard casually traced the route through the air with his finger.

“He walked right past us? Then how come I didn’t see him?”

“He didn’t notice us because we were under the trees, hidden in the dark. And you didn’t see him because you were too busy enjoying that fun scene over there.”

It was already evening, and though the darkness had settled in, small lamps lit up parts of the palace garden with a soft glow. Still, it was hard to believe he hadn’t seen them. But maybe looking for logic in a novel’s world was pointless. He just walked by. Didn’t see them. Maybe it really was that simple.

“You didn’t have to come in person.”

“This is the girl?”

“Yes, Count. This is my daughter, Ella.”

Count T gave Ella a lecherous once-over from head to toe. The stepmother, all fluttery and simpering, tried to curry favor with a syrupy voice.

“She’s got every right to act expensive. She’s lovely.”

“Hoho, didn’t I tell you she’d be perfect for you? Ella, what are you doing? Aren’t you going to greet the Count?”

At the sight of Count Pervert, Ella’s expression changed abruptly. It was as if she were looking at the man who had killed her father. The color drained from her already pale face, and she looked as if she might collapse at any moment.

“Trai…tor.”

The unexpected word slipped from her lips.

“What did you say?”

“Oh my, I think Ella’s just so excited to be marrying into the count’s family.”

The stepmother raised her voice in a hurry, scrambling for an excuse.

Judy Esther’s gaze turned cold. The stepmother, the two stepsisters, and the suddenly appearing fiancé, Count T. Even if this were just a novel, it was infuriating to see all misfortune dumped onto one person. Originally, Ella had been destined to become the crown princess, if Judy Esther hadn’t snatched Richard away from her.

Even if unhappiness was part of the plan, it should’ve been the kind that was sprinkled in like seasoning, just enough to make Ella’s eventual happiness with Richard all the more sweeter. The more wicked these people became, the more gallantly the prince who saved her would shine.

But the white knight who was supposed to save Ella had disappeared. If the novel ended like this, Ella might never escape this hell. Judy Esther had twisted the original plot, and now she had to prevent an ending where Ella was sold off to Count T and left to shed tears of blood.

“Disgusting. I can’t bear to watch.”