Chapter 35 FLASBACK
\[FLASBACK\]
Camilla's birthday arrived, and tonight she was ready. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. The blue dress she wore was captivating, and her makeup was so natural.
Camilla was wearing the same dress as Cinderella's, and she was very pleased with the glass slippers she had now slipped onto her feet. It felt... like she really was a princess now.
The girl turned around, delighted as the skirt of her dress billowed. Her smile never faded, especially when she saw the ballroom her parents had arranged for her. The same room, of course, where Cinderella danced with the prince.
The door to the room opened, and Camilla immediately turned her attention. The girl smiled again, seeing her parents dressed like the royals in Cinderella.
“Dad... Mom...” Camilla immediately approached her parents. She hugged them both, expressing her happiness.
“Are you happy?” Agata asked, returning her daughter's hug. The woman smiled, relieved.
“Of course, Mom is the best! You always know what I like,” Camilla replied.
“Are you just complimenting Mom?” Terizla asked.
“No... no... Dad is the best too.”
Terizla smiled, delighted to see her daughter's happiness.
“Come on, we're already late. All your school friends have arrived with their parents.” Agata released her hug. She gazed at Camilla's beautiful face and stroked her daughter's cheek lovingly.
“Will there be a dance?” Camilla asked.
“Of course, it's a beautiful day for my daughter.” Terizla took Camilla's left hand, and she smiled as his wife took their daughter's right hand.
"I want to dance!" Camilla exclaimed.
"Come on, the faster we get downstairs, the sooner you can get it." Agata immediately took off.
"Your mother is right, Camilla." Terizla did the same with his wife.
Camilla quickly followed her parents, going down to the ground floor and beginning her birthday celebration.
A few moments later, the three of them arrived at the celebration venue. The door in front of them was the entrance to the ballroom. Two hotel employees, also dressed as royal soldiers, immediately opened the door, inviting Camilla and her parents inside.
'This is amazing!' Camilla screamed hysterically. When the door opened, she saw the room that had been the center of her happiness, absolutely stunning. It was like the palace hall in the Cinderella movie she often saw on television. Decorative lamps hanging from the ceiling of the room, with large pillars as supports.
“Princess Camilla is entering,” said one of the guards near the top of the stairs.
Camilla looked at her parents, who released her hand and stared at her.
“Come down, meet your friends. Mom and Dad will be opening the ceremony,” Terizla said.
Camilla immediately nodded, grabbed the side of her dress, and stepped down the stairs.
All the guests’ eyes were on Camilla; they looked delighted as she approached them.
Camilla stopped in her tracks and looked at a young man who was now holding out his hand. He smiled, reminding her of him.
“Would you like to dance with me?” Danieru asked.
“But I—”
“The ball will begin if you take my hand.”
Camilla looked up and saw her mother nod. Her focus returned to Danieru, she took his hand, and the music began.
Flowers fell from the ceiling, each petal captivating Camilla.
“Do you remember the gift Leoni and I promised?” Danieru asked.
Camilla quickly snapped out of her daydream. She stared at Danieru, who was now so close to her, his arms around her waist, accompanying her to the soft, echoing music.
“What?” Camilla asked.
“Your Mom asked me to be your prince tonight,” Danieru replied.
“Really?” Camilla asked.
“Why would I lie?” Danieru asked back.
Camilla shook her head. There was no reason for Danieru to lie, but... the question now was, why was Danieru chosen?
“My Mom was a close friend of your father's, so it's no wonder we became close friends too.”
Camilla stared at Danieru, not realizing how small the world was. The girl calmed herself, and she and Danieru continued dancing, enjoying the music.
“Where's Leoni?” Camilla asked.
“Leoni is still outside, she went back home because she forgot her gift.”
Camilla nodded, feeling her heart beating irregularly. The closer she got to Danieru, the more nervous she became. Why was this so strange? What was happening? Why did it feel so uncertain?
Bang...
“Aaaaa!!!”
The explosion echoed loudly, accompanied by a shrill scream, startling Camilla into a hug. The girl felt the same way; Danieru hugged her and protected her.
Bang...
Bang...
Bang...
The sound of gunfire echoed, further disrupting the party. Many people were hit, some instantly dying, while others collapsed in pain.
“CAMILLA, RUN!” Terizla and Agata shouted from above. They wanted to approach Camilla, but their movements were blocked by three men who had already brandished guns.
“Daddy! Mommy!” Camilla screamed.
BANG!
The gunshot stunned Camilla, sending blood splashing across her face, and tears streaming down her face.
Bang...
A body lay sprawled out, covered in blood, and looking utterly miserable.
“LEONI!” Danieru shouted, immediately releasing Camilla and approaching her twin sister who had been shot.
Camilla froze, staring at everyone around her.
'No, why did this happen?' Camilla fell to her knees, staring at Leoni’s now limp, helpless body.
BANG...
The gunshot echoed again, and at that moment, Camilla felt herself being held in someone's arms.
“Run!” the person murmured softly.
“Quick!” Again, the person ordered Camilla to run.
“Danieru...”
“Quick, run.. don't waste Leoni's sacrifice to protect you.”
Camilla couldn't move; she could only remain silent. Why was it so bad? Why was it so painful? Why... why did everything have to hurt?
“CAMILLA, RUN!” a woman shouted.
“M-Mom...” Camilla cried, her body shaking.
“QUICK!” Terizla shouted.
Camilla tried to stand, but her weak legs caused her to fall again. Danieru and Leoni's blood stained her face and her beautiful dress.
“Little girl, you better obey now. Don't you care about your parents' lives?” asked someone who suddenly stood behind Camilla.
"DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER!" The scream rang out. Agata, still immobile, stared at Camilla, crying, sad, hurt, and regretting throwing the party.
"M-Mom..."
"Yes, if you don't obey us, your mother will end up the same as those two friends of yours."
Camilla bit her lower lip, terrified. Her eyes were fixed on Danieru; she could see that he had closed his eyes.
"Save Leoni, save Danieru, save my school friends. Free, free Mom and Dad, free everyone."
"We agree, little girl," the man said, and he also gagged Camilla with a handkerchief.
Camilla struggled, but the man immediately hit her on the head. Camilla's forehead hit the hilt of the dagger in his hand, blood gushing from the wound.
"CAMILLA!"
The scream sent Camilla into her subconscious, she could no longer feel her body, completely immersed in darkness.