Lanchi and Talia's Curtain Call

The next morning, the Governor's Residence was thrown into chaos. The demon governor issued an order to search the entire province for the human girl from last night's ball.

"Governor, you seemed distracted all night. Was it because of that mysterious woman? But she didn't even leave her name. Where are we supposed to look for her?"

The stage lights came up, and the demon steward hurried in to offer his advice.

"No matter what, I have to find her! Please help me announce this throughout the province. Have all eligible girls around twenty to twenty-five years old come and try on this shoe. Whoever can wear it and walk normally in it is her."

The governor stood by the window of the Governor's Residence, stubbornly insisting despite his slight headache.

The steward accepted the order and hurried away.

"It hurts... It hurts so much..."

The governor gazed into the distance, sinking into thought.

"My Cinderella, why... why are you hiding from me?"

The stage dimmed, and the scene changed.

In the brief interval before the transition.

"He really looks like he's in pain. What could he possibly have gone through to perform such soul-crushing anguish?"

a girl in the audience said sympathetically.

"Could it be that he really is in Pain Pierces the Heavens?"

Her male companion gave her a speechless look.

The lighting remained dim.

The scene shifted to Cinderella's home.

After learning that the governor was searching for the mysterious girl, the stepmother locked Cinderella in the attic so she could not show herself.

"This is a glorious chance to make our family rise to greatness. No matter what, I have to make sure the governor chooses one of my daughters! Let's eliminate one obstacle for him first."

The stepmother threw back her head and laughed greedily.