I Love You, My Cursed Prince

The next few days were fairly tedious. Muriel only left her room to follow Princess Arya somewhere, and while there were many beautiful things to look at, not much happened. Soon, it was time to return to the excitement of the Capital Season.

More delightful activities ensued, of course. They rode horses in a park in the spring and summer instead of on Prince Vidar's estate during winter and autumn. They watched concerts and plays. They danced and ate and had nice times. Muriel even saw her sisters at one small party. She also met the baron Evelyn was supposed to marry. He seemed civil enough.

When autumn was close, the women left Padulan. Inside the carriage, Princess Arya told Muriel, "You've done well, very well. You've behaved elegantly and looked much the same as you did so."

Muriel took the compliment quickly and coldly. "Thank you, Your Highness."

When they arrived at the Vantrim Castle, it was close to lunchtime. Most of the servants greeted the princess in the foyer with curtsies and bows.

The women changed into more casual clothing and took a meal of harvest soup in a baked half of a small pumpkin shell instead of a typical bowl. When the meal was done, the butler approached with two small wooden boxes in his hands, and he said, "His Highness has pined for you, Madam. He sent a man to the city to purchase a gift for you."

But ... Muriel couldn't help but notice that there were two boxes.

"Such a good boy," Princess Arya said as her fingers daintily tapped the dining table. "Put it here."

The butler put a box before the princess ... but he did the same with Muriel.

Muriel's nose wiggled as she wondered why this was so. Then, as the princess was tilting her lid back, Muriel asked the butler, "Is this box before me also for Her Highness?"

The butler shook his head back and forth. "No, Miss. His Highness decided you should also have a gift."

"But ... but Sir." Muriel's fingers nervously flew to her bosom. "I've never met the prince. He has no reason to give me anything."

"Hush, hush," the princess crooned as she took her gift out of its container. "Accept the thing, whatever it might be."

Princess Arya's gift was a small figurine of porcelain. It was shaped like a mother sow and her little suckling piglets on a bed of straw. Just the right amount of pink had been painted on the tiny creatures.

"Ohhhhhhh, it's a tender little thing!" the princess said as she held the figurine in her fingers. "I adore it! I'll keep it in my bedchamber." She put the figurine back into her box and turned to Muriel with a placid look. "Won't you reveal your gift?"

With hot cheeks and dubious eyes, Muriel opened her box.

Her feet, legs, thɨġhs, and hands all chilled.

"This ... this is a mistake," Muriel said as panic pricked at her brain. "My gift was switched with my mistress'."

"No, Miss." The butler shook his head again. "His Highness was specific. The gemstone is for you."

Muriel folded her arms against herself. "I've never even seen him. I swear, I never meant for this to happen."

The princess's hand lightly tapped her shoulder.

Muriel stared up at her. She looked very pleased.