Discovery of Truth - sakura.anime (world of reading .txt) 📗

He cradled the mug in both hands before taking a sip of coffee. It was the day of the annual ball, and the weather was no different from the previous year. A giant seemed to be plunging his gleaming blade from the sky, piercing through the gloomy clouds. His furious growl echoed throughout as vicious raindrops pelted down onto Earth. Jellal’s mind drifted back to that fateful day exactly a year ago … …

The night of the Grand Ball had finally descended upon them. Palace maids scurried about, doing chores and attending to the guests. Prince Jellal scanned through his attire, checking it for the umpteenth time before making a beeline for the ballroom.

As he pushed open the majestic doors, all eyes spun towards him in spontaneous unison, and the owners of the eyes started breaking out in whispers and smiles. Jellal returned the smile, before making his way to greet a few important guests.

Just then, Jellal caught sight of someone from the corner of his eye. She had on a dark purple gown that fitted her camellia-like complexion and the most charismatic eyes. Despite all those, her most distinctive feature was her fiery scarlet hair.

Without second thoughts, Jellal slid unnoticed between the guests to the lady’s side and greeted her, bowing to kiss the back of her hand. The two of them chatted and he found out that her name was Erza Scarlet.

At that moment, orchestra music filled the hall and couples began to ball dance. Jellal too, took Erza by the hand and waltzed around the dance floor.

“Dong, dong, dong … …” The grandfather clock in the palace gardens stroked twelve, signaling the start and end of a day.

Erza stopped short in her tracks and stared in horror at the time. ‘I… need to go,’ Erza informed Jellal reluctantly and left, hurrying down the palace stairs. ‘Wait!’ he seemingly shouted, reaching his hands towards her, hands that would never reach her.

Recovering from his initial shock, Jellal sprinted after her, only to find all that was left was a glass slipper. The slipper that had once been on Erza’s dainty foot. Without hesitation, Jellal hopped onto a carriage and went straight, following a trail of mysterious sparkling dust on the road, hoping it would lead to the mysterious girl.

All of a sudden, the glass slipper in his hand started shrinking, not stopping until it was no bigger than an eraser. He was stunned and confused, but did not have the luxury to ponder over it. The trail had ended, leading into a dilapidated cottage.

Jellal leapt off the carriage and barged into the house, searching every nook and cranny but to no avail. The only place left was the attic. The prince ran up the creaking stairs and flung open the door. There, on a dust-coated chair, was a red-haired doll in a purple dress.

A doll with only one glass slipper.

Publication Date: 02-12-2013

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