BEHIND THE SCENES

chapter 44: courage through him

"They are your stepsisters and they treat you like that? They deserve the worst form of punishment in the world." Sungjae shook his head, glaring at Joy and Yeri, before turning back to Jennie and smiling at her warmly. "Don't be scared, just try this on - I would just like to confirm something."

Hesitantly, Jennie lifted up her foot. Sungjae took hold of her foot and slotted it into the glass shoe. A loud collective gasp filled the room as the shoe fit Jennie's foot like a glove. Joy and Yeri stomped their feet as they looked at the two of them in envy.

"I knew it-" Sungjae beamed as he took Jennie's hand and helped her to her feet. "I knew it from when I first saw you, that I was going to make you my wife. Your name... it's Cinderella, am I right?"

Jennie smiled and nodded slowly.

"Well, from now on-" Sungjae announced. "Your name is no longer Cinderella. Your name will be Princess Ella, and you will come live with me in the palace, and you will become my queen one day - when I ascend to the throne. As for your stepsisters and stepmother - they will be thrown into the dungeon where they will live for the rest of their lives."

Joy and Yeri gasped in horror as they fell to their knees. "No, Your Honour, please!"

"I appreciate your good intentions, Your Honour-" Jennie bowed a little. "But please, please spare them this punishment. I will go and live with you in the palace, but please spare them - on behalf of my late father."

"Indeed, I have good taste, Princess Ella-" Sungjae smiled brightly. "You have such a kind heart. Alright! So be it. I will leave them here in the city, and take you home with me to be my wife. I believe that seeing you rise to the throne is enough to teach them a good enough lesson not to treat anyone badly. Let's go."

Jennie smiled as she took Sungjae's hand and they walked out of the frame together.

"Cut!" The director yelled, his tone sounding clearly pleased with their progress. "Scene 56... done! Wrap up! We're done for today! Everyone did a great job today!"

Jennie let go of Sungjae's arm and bowed a few times. "Thank you, Sungjae-ssi! Your acting was superb today."

"Your acting was even more on point, Jennie-ssi-" Sungjae put up a thumb. "Your dress today suits you really well too. It's simple, but really pretty."

Jennie smiled as she looked down at her ragged dress. "Oh, really? Thank you."

"Oppa!"

Sungjae and Jennie spun around, only to see Joy and Yeri running towards them. Joy interlocked her arm around his, as she smiled at him.

"Oppa-" Joy batted her eyelids. "How was I today? Did I do a good job?"

Sungjae was clearly much colder towards her than he was towards Jennie. "You were okay."

"What shall we eat today?" Joy asked, completely ignoring Jennie. "Meat? I'm really hungry-"

"I'm busy after this-" Sungjae said coldly as he removed his arm from Joy's grasp. He then turned towards Jennie and smiled politely. "Jennie-ssi, I'll make a move first. I heard you twisted your ankle last week - be careful with your slippers, they're pretty high."

"Oh-" Jennie's eyes shifted from Sungjae onto Joy, then back onto Sungjae once more. She smiled as she bowed slightly. "Thank you, Sungjae-ssi. Please leave safely! See you tomorrow!"