I Love You, My Cursed Prince

"Only the good doctor and I know the uncompromising truth of this matter, and I'm about to give the truth to you. It's a secret, a secret that needs to be kept for now. If you tell this secret, then you'll have betrayed us, and you won't live well."

Muriel nodded. "I understand."

"I believe you do. Now, listen. Listen with the kindest ears. My son is not ill, not strictly. He does not, as far as I know, spend most of his days in bed. Instead, he goes to one of his rooms to enjoy his diversions, or he spies on everyone else in the castle."

Muriel's lips shrunk and pressed together as she wondered why anyone would behave that way.

But she didn't wonder for long.

"My poor Vidar has been cursed by a villainous fairy. He was once handsome, but now he's far too grotesque. He's ashamed of himself, and he hides from almost everyone. He won't even leave the estate. He never goes out to the public. He's a wretched thing."

Muriel's fingers, jaw, and eyelids all loosened a bit. Even her spine lost some tension.

Honestly? He was ugly? He was mortified by his appearance and so he hid? But there were plenty of ugly people in the world and they tended to live normally. If all this was true, then the prince was being melodramatic and childish, or that's what Muriel assumed.

None of that meant he was a bad person, though.

"That's our secret, Muriel. That's why you are being watched, why everyone is being watched. When one is isolated with minimal social interaction, one finds delight even in watching a maid carelessly break a vase while dusting."

Muriel chose that moment to respond. Some of her composure had been regained. "If His Highness prefers to keep his appearance a secret, then I have no choice but to do the same."

The princess nodded. "If you ever suspect that my son is watching you, try to ignore the feeling. The servants don't know of his surveillance, and if they did then they might learn the crux of the secret."

"Yes, Madam. I understand."

Princess Arya looked down towards her oil lamp. "Again, I believe you do. No go on to your chamber and sleep well. I know you're craving a night's sweet rest."

After a short curtsy, Muriel took her candle and left the room. She saw the outline of Doctor Bergson near the doorway. She felt awkward and she didn't want to exchange any knowing gestures or glances. She quietly ignored the man and hurried on to her room. She really was tired.