A Royal's Curse

Chapter 1: The Summons

The sun had barely risen over the village of Thornwick, casting a gentle light over the thatched roofs and cobbled streets. Eleanor Hart stood by the window of her small cottage, the morning air crisp against her skin. Her fingers traced the patterns of frost on the glass as she gazed out at the fields of golden wheat that stretched beyond the village borders. It was a scene of tranquility and simplicity, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside her.

She had hoped for a peaceful day, one where she could tend to her flowers and perhaps enjoy a quiet cup of tea. But fate had other plans. A sharp knock on her door shattered the morning's calm. Eleanor's heart skipped a beat as she turned from the window, her mind racing with thoughts of what could be the cause of such an urgent visit.

Opening the door, she was greeted by Constable Hargrave, a man of imposing stature with a grave expression. He held an ornate scroll in his hand, its seal bearing the emblem of the royal family. Eleanor's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight. The royal seal was a rare and serious matter, not something one encountered in everyday life.

"Miss Hart," Constable Hargrave began, his voice heavy with an unspoken burden, "I have come to deliver a royal decree."

Eleanor's eyes widened. "A decree? What could the crown possibly want with me?"

Hargrave's expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained solemn. "It's not just you, Eleanor. It's your village. The decree is... it's about a marriage."

A cold shiver ran down Eleanor's spine. Marriage? Her heart pounded as she reached for the scroll, her hands trembling. She broke the seal and unrolled the parchment, her eyes scanning the ornate script. As she read the words, each one seemed to weigh heavier than the last.

**By the decree of His Royal Highness, Prince Alexander, it is hereby commanded that Eleanor Hart, of Thornwick, be wed to Prince Alexander in order to secure the future of her village. The terms of this union are non-negotiable.**

The words danced before her eyes, and she struggled to grasp their full meaning. The village was in dire straits, that was true. The fields were failing, the harvests meager, and the villagers' spirits had dwindled to nothing. But to be chosen as a pawn in a royal scheme was beyond anything she had imagined.

Hargrave's voice interrupted her thoughts. "The prince has promised to provide aid to your village, but only if you agree to this marriage. It is the only way to ensure the survival of Thornwick."

Eleanor's mind raced as she processed the gravity of the situation. Her village depended on her, a burden she had never imagined bearing. The thought of leaving behind everything she knew, of marrying a man she had never met and who was rumored to be cruel and mysterious, was almost too much to bear.

"Is there no other way?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Couldn't they send aid without such a drastic measure?"

Hargrave shook his head slowly. "The prince's decree is absolute. There is no room for negotiation. The future of your village is at stake."

Eleanor's gaze fell to the ground. Her parents, long gone, had entrusted her with the care of their home and their land. She had worked tirelessly to keep Thornwick alive, to maintain its beauty and its peace. And now, she was being torn from it, her future dictated by forces beyond her control.

A sense of desperation gripped her heart. She could not abandon her village, but the thought of marrying a stranger, especially one described in hushed tones as a prince with a dark reputation, was overwhelming. She raised her eyes to meet Hargrave's.

"Tell me more about this prince," she said. "What kind of man is he?"

Hargrave's eyes grew even more solemn. "Prince Alexander is a figure shrouded in mystery. He is known to be powerful and uncompromising. Rumors speak of a curse that has befallen him, affecting not only him but those around him. He is not the most approachable of men, but his influence is unmatched. The aid he offers could mean the difference between life and death for Thornwick."

Eleanor nodded slowly, the weight of her decision settling heavily on her shoulders. She knew she had little choice. The survival of her village was paramount, and if this marriage was the only way to secure it, she would have to accept.

"Very well," she said quietly. "I will do it. I will marry Prince Alexander."

Hargrave's expression softened with a hint of relief. "I will relay your acceptance to the palace. They will make the arrangements."

As he left, Eleanor stood alone in her cottage, staring at the royal decree as if it were a living, breathing entity. The realization of her fate pressed down on her like a suffocating fog. She had been given no say in her future, her destiny now intertwined with a prince she had never met.

The village of Thornwick had always been her home, a place of comfort and familiarity. But now, she would be leaving it behind, stepping into an unknown world governed by the whims of royalty and the shadows of a curse. The future seemed uncertain, and the only certainty was the path she had been forced to take.

Eleanor took a deep breath, steeling herself for the journey ahead. The road to the prince's castle would be long and fraught with challenges, but she knew she had to face it. For the sake of her village, for the sake of Thornwick, she would endure whatever lay beyond the castle gates.

As she looked out one last time at the fields of her home, she whispered a silent farewell to the life she had known. The adventure ahead was unknown, but Eleanor Hart was determined to face it with the courage and resolve that had always defined her. The journey into the unknown had begun.