Returning to the Throne Room, Kara and Verina were intercepted by the servants, that hurriedly escorted them to the dining hall: they would be able to discuss with the King, and quell their hunger.
At the table, King Kaster was patiently waiting for his daughter and guest to arrive. Once in the room, the maids fled to warn the cooks to terminate their preparations. They couldn't organize in advance, without knowing how the private consult was going, between the doctor and the patient.
Greeting the two with a concerned expression, he was profoundly surprised by his daughter's calculated choice to sit in front of him, beside the Sorceress. He felt, for a fleeting moment, that this had become a confrontation.
The three of them exchanged a couple of pleasantries, while waiting for lunch. A few, fresh appetizers arrived, giving them enough reason to prolongate such a dead time.
It was Kara that ended the stall, once the first course was served. «Our assumptions were correct: Verina has identified the curse.»
The King's complexion shifted quickly. Verina admired the calm determination of the princess; she put her fourchette to the side, and swallowed. Maybe it was her duty to explain, after all.
«Indeed. It is called 'Cantamen', and occurs naturally and unpredictably in extremely rare occasions...» explained Verina, trying to stay professional, but-
«...it was our controversy, two weeks ago, the spark that ignited the fire. It is your fault.»
Both king and witch emitted a guttural sound, surprised. Verina's heart seemed to stop completely, while Kaster started changing color again, from wan to livid.
«Kara, don't you-»
«Lady Verina affirms that I will turn into a demon, if I don't treat it correctly.»
The woman was unconsciously holding her breath; Kara sure had a unique way with words. Her direct and firm sentences, paired with that sweet yet assertive voice, and two fierce eyes that could rival those of a predator, were the mirror of those same flirts she witnessed before. The princess wasn't shy at all: that façade was broken at last.
The king faltered. He looked at the witch, searching for her confirmation. «D-depending on the emotions of the subject, it may take a couple of weeks or happen immediately. It can't be dispelled.» Kara hid her surprise egregiously, discovering how time-sensitive this issue was. The king didn't. "Kara would make a sly ruler, if given the chance..." thought Verina, and finally softened her expression.
The princess continued for a bit. Verina lazily started eating again, dazzled by her, so focused on the girl's strength and refined charm that she didn't listen to any word that followed. Kaster changed expression and stances constantly, worried or angry; his daughter kept her elegant behaviour, but felt more theatrical than any novel character the witch could ever attempt to imitate.
Mesmerized by her radiance, Verina didn't pay attention for some time; while very assertive in matters of magic and war, she probably wouldn't have been able to properly handle such a delicate topic even in her prime. Her talent and knowledge were rather useless when interacting with people; if she hadn't learnt the bare minimum during her time at the University, many things would have been different by that day.
It was when her eyes caught Kara's lips spelling out the word 'kiss' that Verina had her first reaction in a while. She felt her visage set ablaze, remembering that fleeting moment on the balcony. Nothing had happened yet, but... it was a matter of time, now, if they wanted her to administer the treatment. She observed the girl's thin lips with fear and excitement, feeling thrown back in time to when she was just as young. Her heart started yet another vain race, while the king's attention now moved away from the daughter.
«I... am aware of my daughter's tendencies. Can I trust your judgement, Lady Verina? Is this really the necessary 'treatment' she requires?»
Verina closed her eyelids with force, trying to forget for a moment Kara was there. «I admit that it seems... farfetched. But any magic practitioner of a certain level would give you the same answers. The fact that we are both women is... purely a coincidence, in this case.»
«So, if I asked a man to do that?»
Kara's eye twitched lightly. «The treatment would be as effective,» replied Verina, looking at her side «but I think the Princess wouldn't approve.»
«And you? Do you approve? Are you willing to treat her?»
«Yes, King Kaster.»
The king paused, with a curious expression. His dish had already gone cold, but the servants were too afraid to enter the room and interfere in any way with that peculiar discussion, of which they grasped just sparse pieces.
«You seem unfazed, Lady Verina. A young woman like you, even with your immense power and high status, would have difficulty finding a man, if she had to 'treat' my daughter indefinitely.»
Verina felt cornered. When was the last time she had to come out to someone?
«It is not a goal I am intending to pursue.»
The king grinned, with a veiled tip of anger «I suspected as much.»
Verina was surprised to feel Kara's hand lay on hers, under the table. She looked at her, receiving a warm smile. She returned it briefly, while wrapping her fingers with the princess'.
«I'm not your new 'daughter-in-law', King Kaster,» said the witch, saddening slightly the expression of the girl next to her «yet. I will do anything in my power to serve the Princess and stop the curse.» She paused enough to blur the difference between the two meanings of that 'yet', and Kara noticed, tightening her grip softly.
The king suspired, massaging his eyelids with two fingers. «Deviant or demon, I lose anyway, don't I?» He made a gesture the maids recognized from afar, ordering them to take away all plates and serve dessert.
«...do as you wish. At this point, the best decision is to just let her be happy.»
«That would have been the best decision even before this whole ordeal started, Father.»
«Whatever...» he dismissed, looking at his soufflé with resignation «I just hope her brother isn't gay, too.»
