I Love You, My Cursed Prince

A few days before the Capital Season was about to happen, Muriel was allowed to visit her family. She arrived in one of the gowns that had been ordered for her. It was one of the plainer outfits, but it was much finer than anything she had worn in the last few years.

Her father cheered when he saw her. Then he hugged her, kissed her hair, and held her hands for a long time. She was wearing gloves, but she still felt his warmth.

"Oh Muriel, your face is bright and full! You must have been taking good care of yourself."

"My mistress has been very kind to me," Muriel told him. Then she went to hug her sisters. After all, she did love them. She had even missed them a little while she had been away. They were in mostly sour moods, but they complimented and congratulated her.

Muriel soon learned of wonderful news. Evelyn was engaged to marry a lower sort of baron. Why Evelyn was still bitter was a little mystery to Muriel at first. She later figured out that Evelyn was upset because her betrothed's most recent gift didn't match her ideal concept of a gift. As for Sarana, she was upset because her little sister would be married first.

Muriel was looking forward to seeing her sisters on a dance floor somewhere.

She gave her family the sweetest goodbyes that day.

Then spring came, and so did the Capital Season. Muriel rode with her mistress inside a big carriage. Her skirts were nearly as wide as the princess'. The extra space was required. They had to sit across from each other.

And soon, they were riding in the capital, Padulan. It was the largest city in Norantha, very worthy of being the capital. The buildings were a mixture of old and new. The residential district Muriel and Princess Arya went to was mostly made of fairly new buildings. The townhouse the carriage parked at was big and pale yellow with many windows and a blue roof.

Muriel asked the princess, "Does your son own this building?"

"Certainly," replied the princess. "I depend on him."

"He must love you dearly."

With a short nod and a smile, the princess said, "He's a good boy."