I Live on the Land in Global Games
Chapter 230 - 227 Cinderella (Small Fish Pond group reaches over 100 members, additional 2/3 - s, to all the little fishlings)

Chapter 230: Chapter 227 Cinderella (Small Fish Pond group reaches over 100 members, additional 2/3 Chapters, to all the little fishlings)

The Queen placed her hand on the King’s arm to soothe him and said to Mu Ying, "I apologize. His Majesty is just too concerned about little Chris."

"It’s alright," Mu Ying said, "Someone is coming."

Outside the courtyard stood an old woman dressed in plain clothes, a basket slung over her arm, leaning on a cane, just like any ordinary village elderly. Her gaze penetrated the courtyard, nodding and smiling at Mu Ying.

Mu Ying stood up to personally open the door, "Please come in."

No matter if she disguised her appearance or not, to such a recent graduate little witch like herself, this woman was a senior.

Reaching the doorway, at a blind spot to the sight of the people inside, the benign old woman suddenly tiptoed and whispered in a cupped hand, "Thinking of becoming a godmother right after graduation?"

Her eyes full of gossip, the previously gentle and kind demeanor completely dispersed.

"No, I’m just here to help them weed out those pretending to be witches. After the probation period, I will leave here to travel," Mu Ying said.

The old woman asked further, "Are there any other competitors inside?"

Mu Ying shook her head.

The old woman seemed relieved and patted her chest, "That’s good then, call me Granny Su Na!"

Mu Ying could guarantee that this person was definitely not as old as she appeared, and from the looks of it, she must be a witch whose life was nearing its end, "You aren’t that old, are you?"

"Shush, a witch’s age is a secret. Granny is teaching you today, never ask about a witch’s age," Granny Su Na said, her back, which had been straight just before, hunched over again.

Upon entering the house, both the King and Queen stood up.

Granny Su Na bowed slightly in greeting and noticing the still sobbing little princess, she pulled a twig from her basket.

The twig, bare and plain, transformed into a blooming red rose as it touched the little princess, and even the thorns on the stem disappeared.

The Red Witch, Mu Ying raised her eyebrows slightly. To be able to use Plant Magic without a Magic Wand, although the effect was very weak, was still quite impressive.

The little princess was drawn to the vivid red, her eyes still teary, but her lips parted in a smile.

The Queen instantaneously felt a fondness for this seemingly unremarkable old woman, the Princess liked her!

The negotiation about the terms of stay followed.

Granny Su Na’s demand was for 1000 Gold Coins each year until the little princess became an adult, and besides that, she wanted a house built for her in the forest outside the city.

A thousand Gold Coins per year until the princess came of age, amounts to eighteen thousand Gold Coins. The annual income of the Royal Capital’s nobles could be just about that.

Although the Queen’s Fairy Godmother initially took no charge for her care, later fairies who came to the Rose Kingdom did charge fees.

So, the Queen and King were mentally prepared, and even though Granny Su Na’s charge was much more than those charged by other fairy godmothers, considering how Fairy Mu Ying had just mentioned how money was of no use to her, they felt the charge was not expensive.

Having waited for so long, finally engaging a true fairy; those cheaper ones might be impostors, right?

Thus, without any bargaining, the King and Queen agreed immediately.

Now it was Granny Su Na’s turn to be taken aback. Was the Royal Family of the Rose Kingdom so wealthy? She wished she had asked for more earlier.

Mu Ying watched all this unfold silently, her task here was now complete.

With one major concern off her mind, the Queen’s mood significantly lightened, "Thank you, Fairy Mu Ying. When would you like to hear the story?"

"Now then," Mu Ying wanted to settle things earlier.

"Your Majesty," the Queen pleaded with the King, "it’s getting late, and you have heard my story many times over. How about you take Ferena back first, and announce the result of Fairy Godmother Chris’s selection by the way?"

"Don’t worry, I will take the Queen and the Princess back later," Mu Ying timely spoke, noticing the King’s reluctance.

Although she did not know why the Queen wanted to isolate the King, she respected her decision, considering the witch in Rose Town.

The King had no choice but to leave with the reluctant Ferena and the Guard Commander.

Once the carriage left the gates, looking back revealed only a wasteland; even if one knew the directions, it was impossible to find the house they had just left.

As the carriage went far, the Queen finally began her tale, "Legend has it that the Fairy Godmother was hidden by my side from childhood, only appearing when I came of age, when the old King was choosing a bride for the Prince, helping me with the gown and pumpkin carriage for the ball, all of which I spread myself."

In fact, since childhood, the Fairy Godmother often sent small animals to help me, to tutor me, sometimes even appearing before me.

That’s why I managed to live through my stepmother’s abuse to adulthood without suffering from malnutrition or bearing scars and calluses from physical labor, and even maintained my good looks.

The godmother was a close friend of my mother, whom after marrying my father gradually reduced their interactions and traveled away, until two years after my mother died from illness."

Yet it turned out that my mother’s death was intentional on my father’s part, as he wanted to take over my mother’s estate.

His family was already declining, revenues not matching expenses, but my mother’s family had a profitable perfume formula; he schemed to lure my mother intentionally, already having an affair with my stepmother by then.

After achieving his goal, he killed my mother and moved the family to a town on the outskirts of the Royal Capital.

Later, it was the godmother, upon her return, who avenged my mother.

Back then, the godmother told me she owed my mother a favor and would grant me a wish.

My wish was to marry a powerful and influential man.

I had been devastated by the true cause of my mother’s death, thinking my father had only been seduced by my stepmother but realizing he was such a person, I lost all illusions about love."

Since there was no love, then power and wealth seemed far more captivating.

That’s why I made that wish.

Behind the scenes, away from my stepmother’s eyes, the godmother taught me to adjust my posture, maintain my beauty, social etiquette, and even taught me not to put all my trust in a man, to love him, but love myself more, as that is how to always stay invincible."

That’s why at the ball, I was able to make a stunning impression and make the then-Prince, the King, fall in love with me at first sight.

Even the Crystal Shoe I intentionally left behind when I ran away was planned with the godmother; every piece of clothing and jewelry on me was changed by magic, and would revert at a set time, except for the pair of Crystal Shoes, which were specially sought by the godmother for me.

As expected, the Prince couldn’t forget me and started searching across the country for the owner of the Crystal Shoes.

The only magic on those shoes is that no one else can fit into them except for me."

Only things not easily attained are cherished by people.

When I was discovered trapped in the attic, the clothes I wore were somewhat old, but the makeup and hair were meticulously prepared, completely different in style from the ball."

Such a contrast evokes sympathy and affection, and appears even more captivating.

Just as I expected, the Prince fell in love with me, but he only loved my appearance and persona..."