Cinder woke up in her small bed. She would love to sleep more, but she needed to see the news about the ball. She sat up and looked at news articles about last night's ball. Of course, the all were about the proposal. Cinder expected that, but if Cress was right, he needed to get out of this.
How was Cinder going to do this?
She was surprised that she was trying to stop a royal wedding, but in her mind in made sense. Levana probably killed her sister, previous husband, and niece.
No, Cinder, according to Dr. Erland.
That was another factor.
She scratched the back of her head, feeling the metal. Occurring to the same news article that talked about the proposal, Levana was leaving tomorrow. Cinder decided that she would keep her promise to Dr. Erland, and go see him after Levana leaves. Cinder owed him so much, even though Peony died.
Cinder got up and got dressed, she still had work.
The market wasn't busy, she so far had no customers. The whole time Cinder tried to gather everything she could find about Levana and Princess Selene. She saved everything into a file while all this information sorted out in her brain. She wasn't sure how this was going to work, but it was. She was given too much information, that, without realizing it, a whole revolution was forming in her head.
Cinder opened the door of their apartment and saw Pearl watching the net screen on the wall, it probably was just a net drama.
Cinder hadn't seen her stepsister after the ball, and she wasn't expecting to because of her plan to escape. That's when it hit her, Pearl could've told Kai that she was a cyborg!
When Cinder shut the door, it caught Pearl's attention. She looked at Cinder and then paused her net drama.
"Hello Cinder," She said happily, she knew something.
Cinder put on her cheesiest grin. "How was the ball?"
Pearl sat up and turned her body towards Cinder. "Wonderful," She responded.
Cinder headed towards her room with her head down. "Too bad,"
As Cinder walked past Pearl, she grabbed her shoulder. "I talked to the prince."
"Good, for you. Did you get married?"
"I didn't tell him you were cyborg, freak." She said, ignoring Cinder's comment.
Cinder tried to push past Pearl, but she grasped on harder. "What do you want?" Cinder asked.
"Nothing," Pearl let go, but was still smirking.
Cinder started to walk away, happy about how short this conversation was.
But when she got close to the stairs, she was interrupted. "Wait, I also want to know why you are calling someone on an international chip."
Cinder stopped. "What?"
Pearl crossed her arms."Who's Cress?"
Cinder tried to think of a quick lie. "She helped me with some mechanic stuff. I didn't know how to fix a certain type of android."
Cinder's lie didn't even sound convincing in her head.
"I don't believe you." She scoffed. "But, I'll pretend not to be curious if you grant me a few favors."
Cinder put her hands on her hips. "What?"
"Look, I know Mom wouldn't want you to be talking to someone in another country." Pear put her own hands on her hips. "I won't tell her if you do a few things for me."
Cinder sighed, "Fine, what do you want?"
"Number one," She put one finger up. "I want to know what's going on."
"I thought you said you weren't going to be curious." Cinder said.
"About Cress," Pearl responded. "I want to know the real reason why you went to the palace and aren't at home or the booth."
"What?" Cinder asked, a little surprised.
How did Pearl know that Cinder was not at home or the booth?
"Yeah, I know." Pearl answered. "I knew you weren't home one day, so I went your booth. You weren't there, so I went back the next day, and the next, and the one after that, etc."
"Why didn't you tell Adri?" Cinder asked.
Pearl just shrugged. "Maybe I wanted to blackmail you."
"Okay, what else?"
"Well, of course, I want you to do the first one. Where were you Cinder?" She answered.
Cinder thought a second. "I was seeing Kai," Cinder lied.
Pearl gave her a devilish grin. "Are you guys seeing each other, seeing each other?"
"Oh, stars no!" Cinder answered.
No, Pearl, Cinder wanted to say, he's engaged.
"Oh yeah, that wouldn't be possible." Pearl said.
"Why?" Cinder yelled a little to forcefully.
"He would know about your little secret." She said while grinning.
Cinder would be red if she could be.
"Then what were you doing with Kai?" Pearl asked, saying "Kai" very high pitched.
"We're just friends Pearl, we were just hanging out." Cinder said, and she knew it wasn't convincing.
"Stop lying Cinder," Pearl scolded. "I'll tell Mom if you don't tell. Even though you suck, I've known you long enough to tell when you're lying."
"I'm protesting Levana."
"Mom!"
"Fine, I'm helping the doctor who works their. We're trying to find the cure to the blue fever."
"What?" Pearl asked. "You have no experience in health, why won't you just tell me the truth?"
Pearl quickly walked away, but Cinder followed her and forcefully grabbed her shoulder. She then pushed her against the wall with her arm and used her other hand to close her mouth. Pearl was smaller than her, so it was surprisingly easy.
"I'm telling the truth this time," Cinder whispered. "I'll show you."