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“Ah!”

A girl’s exclamation came from ahead.

Richard was startled, feeling somewhat surprised.

This is my territory, and even the hunters from the nearby villages need to report to the lord and organize a hunting party before entering the forest. They had to register before proceeding to designated areas.

And this forest isn’t open to any hunter.

So how could there be someone here?

And judging by the sound, it’s a girl?

He walked forward curiously, with his guards and knights following closely behind just in case.

Richard used his longbow to part the bushes, and when he looked down, he saw a girl covered in dirt sitting on the ground, her face full of fear.

Above her head, an arrow was firmly embedded in the tree trunk, its feathers still quivering.

The girl had a pair of long, slender legs, exuding a healthy vibe that was rather alluring. Her small bare feet curled slightly from nervousness, adding to her charm.

Her entire being emitted an aura that could easily ignite a surge of male hormones.

Next to her, an overturned basket lay on the ground, scattering berries all over, emphasizing her disheveled state.

However, the dirt-covered face of the girl quickly dampened Richard’s fleeting emotions.

A devilish figure but an unremarkable face.

Richard frowned and looked down at the girl, saying:

“Who are you, and what are you doing here?”

Richard didn’t consider himself a good person, but he also wouldn’t easily let his guard down around a stranger.

Who knew what kind of people might do what in this world?

In his previous life, there were people who acted out of envy and did extreme things, let alone in this world.

So he made sure to ask sternly.

Under this intense questioning, the girl looked like a startled deer, timidly replying,

“I—I am Cinderella, the Count’s daughter. I came to the forest just to pick some berries. Please forgive me!”

“Cinderella?”

Richard rested his chin on his hand, feeling like the name sounded familiar.

Suddenly, a light bulb went off in his mind.

Isn’t this Cinderella?

What a surprise!

What kind of fantasy world is this?Have I stumbled into a fairytale?

The Count’s daughter, Cinderella. No, better to confirm it again.

So he looked at Cinderella and said, “You’re the Count’s daughter? I don’t believe it!”

Cinderella was flustered and quickly responded, “You must believe me; I wouldn’t dare lie to you!”

Richard let out a chuckle and then said, “The Count’s daughter needs to come out to pick berries herself? Without even a single guard?”

Knowing Cinderella’s background, he asked this to get some confirmation.

At his words, Cinderella lowered her head and said, “My mother passed away early, and my father is indeed the Count, but now I only have a stepmother and two stepsisters at home.”

Upon hearing this, Richard immediately understood.

He observed her more carefully and noticed that as her tears fell, the dirt on her face washed away, revealing smooth, fair skin.

That face, combined with her impossibly long legs, is a sight to behold!

He couldn’t help but wonder how Cinderella, who was forced to do menial labor by her stepmother, managed to maintain such a good figure and flawless skin.

Richard then extended his hand to Cinderella.

She hesitated for a moment, seemingly in disbelief, and asked, “Have you forgiven me?”

Richard offered a faint smile before returning to a stern expression.

“Get up!”

With a face full of surprise, Cinderella reached out her hand, allowing Richard to pull her up.

“Thank you, sir. Then, I’ll be on my way.”

She spoke cautiously, bending over to pick up her basket, intending to gather the berries scattered on the ground. However, Richard’s next words made her freeze in her tracks.

“Did I say you could leave?” Richard said coldly.

Cinderella’s face turned pale, “You…”

“I don’t think I’ve introduced myself yet.” Richard said, stepping closer. “My name is Richard, second son of Duke Gerwen and the new Viscount of Long Eagle Territory. Do you understand?”

“Y-yes, I understand!”

Cinderella didn’t know what Richard was planning, but she knew that even her father, the nominal Count, wouldn’t dare provoke a landed Viscount.

“I’m so sorry, Viscount. I didn’t know who you were earlier. I realize my mistake now!”

Richard smirked, “Since you understand, you must also know that mistakes come with consequences. This is my land, and entering my private property without permission to pick berries is considered theft!”

Before Richard could finish speaking, Cinderella collapsed to the ground in fear.

She knew the severity of theft. Not long ago, someone in Nuremberg had been executed for stealing, their body left to rot on a wheel as a warning.

As those grim words engraved on the walls of the execution ground came to her mind, she shivered, [Citizens, upon seeing the executioner’s gleaming sword, should know that this is the sacred sword, the sword of the ruler. And I do not wish to be a rebel, but to let the executioner do as the sovereign commands. — Johann Wagner]

Terrified, she threw herself at Richard’s feet, kissing his shoes, pleading, “I don’t want to die! Please, you must be the most merciful of men! I’ll do anything to atone; I’ll be your servant, work for you as your slave!”

Richard pulled her up again and handed her a handkerchief, “Go to the river, wash your face, and then come with me back to the city!”

Cinderella, still shaken, clutched the handkerchief and thanked him profusely, “Thank you! Thank you! I promise I’ll do my best!”

At Richard’s signal, one of his knights followed her to ensure she didn’t escape and to check the safety of the river water.

When Cinderella returned with a clean face, her delicate features made all the earlier discrepancies vanish.

This was the face that matched such a perfect figure, not some shadowy figure that only impressed from a distance.

The group began their journey back to Long Eagle Castle.

Finding a fairy-tale beauty like this made the hunt feel fruitful, his body felt strengthened, and Richard’s mood was pretty good.

Cinderella, on the other hand, felt conflicted.

She never expected that a simple berry-picking outing would lead to her becoming Viscount Richard’s servant.

Perhaps she’d been too out of touch with news to realize that this previously uninhabited land now had a Viscount in charge.

Regardless, the situation was now fixed.

Although she lost her identity as the Count’s daughter, at least she escaped the control of her stepmother, Lady Temmann.

Silently, she wished for a brighter future in her heart.