Page 64 of Of Curses and Courtship

Heavens, why have I been given the burden of this desire?

“Ah…” I allow the energy to fade. Whatever this feeling is, it’s not something I should hold onto for long. Seeing him in that light makes me want to do things I shouldn’t and that I can’t. “I’ve been feeling what you are feeling lately, Your Highness, and it’s been causing me tremendous worry. Are you all right?”

He scoffs. “You mustn’t worry about me, little halfling.”

“But I do. Is it the illness of your friend that has you so morose?”

“No. Well, yes, I suppose—but I am afraid… it’s more than that.” He looks at the moon, as if it may hold answers for him, too. “My betrothal is not how it appears to the public. Perhaps I shouldn’t tell you, but you have proven yourself trustworthy.”

“Iamworthy of your trust—or at least, I would like to be.” My heart races. How could I ever be worthy of being a prince’s confidant? “Whatever could you mean?”

“My parents arranged for Minetta and me to be married. They allowed me to pick my bride, yes, but they gave me no further time to meet someone I wanted to wed. They’ve set a date less than two months from now, and I must follow what they say.”

I blink. “Then you aren’t…?”

“In love?” His laughter is bitter. “No. I am not, no matter how much I wish to be. We first met at the ball, where we danced all evening, but… she’s changed. I don’t know what it is. She claimed not to know I was the prince that night, but she still wished to dance with me.” He shakes his head. “That can’t be true, can it? Sheknew. She knew.”

A layer of sweat covers my shaking hands. That is what I told him during our first dance, wasn’t it? And it was truewhen I said it. I didn’t know he was the prince, not until he told me.

What are the chances Minetta said it as well? Could she have overheard us and stolen my words to charm him? My throat tightens, making it impossible to get the words out.

“She claimed not to enjoy crowds.” He chuckles. “Now, she continues to throw these extravagant parties. I don’t understand. It would be presumptuous to think she lied to me…”

But she has.

I want to scream it in his face. She lied because those are the words I spoke. How could I have been so foolish? The one he will marry is pretending to beme, and I can’t fathom why she would do such a thing.

I must tell him, but the words don’t come out. What am I to do? Would the truth change his circumstances or give him another thing to worry about?

A prince can’t marry a maid. His parents would never allow it.

“She… may have been trying to put another foot forward,” I blurt out. “Or perhaps she’s attempting to change now. Your position does require one to be quite forward-facing.”

“I suppose that’s true.” He sighs and turns his attention back to me, smiling softly. “Regardless, thank you for listening to the rambles of a sad man. I’ve no choice but to go on with the wedding.”

His admission makes my decision for me. Emyr is right; he has no choice in the matter. What good does telling him the truth do? His parents are set on the wedding. It’s out of his control.

Perhaps they will find love regardless of the circumstances. The curse can still be broken, but it can’t be by me—a dreaded halfling.

“I… will do what I can to be a good friend to you during this time,” I murmur. “And I will support you.”

Even if that means lying to his face.

“You’re a new friend, but you’ve already become dear to me.” His smile makes me warm and cold at the same time. “Thank you, Ophelia.”

He shouldn’t thank me for a single thing, for I am a terrible friend. Friends don’t keep secrets, and I return to my room with a secret so big that I cannot tell the prince. I cannot even tell Helena.

The prince and his betrothed aren’t in love, and that princess is not who she appears to be. But if I tell him the truth, I will become the ruinous halfling the prophecy spoke of.

I will destroy the marriage that may save this kingdom.

I can’t do that.

EMYR

I return to my bedchamber to find Tibalt waiting for me, but there’s no time to spend with my old friend. I’ve less than two moons to break this curse, or spend a thousand years married to someone I don’t love…

And to suffer under this curse for another generation.