Cursed

Cousins

The entire castle from members of the court to the kitchen maids remained gathered in the courtyard for the Queen's welcome. Princess Ellinor stood, waiting to greet the queen for the first time since her wedding. She tried to refrain from twisting her fingers together, something she knew Stephanie would snap at her for later, as the tall thin woman greeted her family.

First, Prince Phillip, approached and embracing his aunt. Then, her husband's nephews, Lord Kentwall and his brother, Samuel, followed suit.

"Aunt," Prince Phillip said, smiling brightly.

"Phillip. Looking as handsome as ever. Kentwall. Samuel," she said, respectively.

After they had all greeted the Queen, she began searching through the crowd behind them fervently. "Now, where is my son's new bride? Or is she 'sick' too?"

Without hesitation, Stephanie nudged Ellinor, hoping she'd respond to the Queen's question. To her surprise, the Princess took the gesture in stride and stepped forward with a bow.

At first, it seemed the Queen's attention was drawn to someone else in the crowd. Stephanie followed her cocked gaze to Mary Oliver, who looked a bit distressed and unprepared for the gathering. It was peculiar, but she didn't know quite what to make of it.

"Your majesty," Princess Ellinor said, flashing a joyful smile.

The Queen turned back with a scrutinizing glare. "A delicacy for my son, you certainly are."

Stephanie could see the fear in Ellinor's eyes as she looked down at the ground, but she had warned her of that. Queen Annabel could be a darling if she wanted to be, but she was also calculating and very clever. She could win a war with her words alone.

Instead of falling under the pressure however, the Princess lifted her gaze back to the Queen and spoke confidently. "Your majesty, it would be my honor if you would join me for tea this afternoon."

"Of course, I will join you for tea, my dear. What time?"

Princess Ellinor stuttered, "Uh... Three o'clock, your majesty?"

"Splendid," the Queen replied. Then, she entered the castle as the household and staff followed her inside.

As Ellinor slid back into the crowd, she bit her lip nervously. Stephanie wanted to say something rude to knock her off her high horse and make her feel worse, but again, she went against the urge and gritted her teeth. "You did very well, your highness."

Ellinor smiled and squeezed her step-sister's hand excitedly. And to Stephanie's surprise, she even squeezed back.

***

Mid-day in the Barren Wood was comparable to dusk in any other corner of the kingdom, but it was fitting. The woman who ruled over that dark forest was raven-haired and humorless, so it was a perfect match. That was probably why she had settled there in the first place, but Felice never really spoke much of her past. Even she wanted to forget it.

That afternoon, she sat in those woods, sipping from a glass of wine freshly poured. As she did so, the black stone began to shimmer, changing to a bright green tone. Growling, she threw her glass at the wall, shattering it completely as the blood-colored liquid soaked the area.

***

Prince Dominic strode through the castle halls, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of the masked man with blue boots and a sword. Why would someone go through so much trouble to attack a former-royal now turned servant? It just made no sense at all.