Peace Offering To The Cursed Prince

Ellen step into the bathtub and had her bath. She had refused the maid's help because she felt uncomfortable having a stranger helping her with her bath.

After which, she dressed up herself. She was combing her hair to style it when she heard the maid call out to her. "Your Highness," she seeks permission to come into the tenth.

"Enter, " princess Ellen answered as she continues to style her hair. The maid walked in and dropped the food on the table.

"His highness asked me to bring this. He said to remind you that we would be leaving soon," Biel informed.

Ellen paused before nodding her head. "You are looking so beautiful your highness," Biel said.

"Thank you," Princess Ellen replied.

"Let me help with your hair, your highness, Biel offered

"No, there is no point putting on a beautiful style. The wind will mess it up on our way, " Ellen reply dropping the comb, then walked over to the table. Biel helped her uncover the food.

Ellen picked up her spoon and lifted the food to her lips. Just before the food made contact with her mouth she smelled something unpleasant in the food. 

Princess Ellen dropped back her spoon. She felt hungry since she had not eaten since the previous morning but she could not bring herself to eat the food.

"you made this?" princess Ellen asked.

"Yes, your highness, " the maid bowed.

"Then eat it, I don't like it. It would be sure a waste if it is thrown away," princess Ellen said. A small smile played on her face as she spoke. She did not sound upset.

"But your highness, you did not even have a taste of it. How can you tell that you don't like it?" Biel inquired.

"Because I know what meal I don't like. This soup ranks first. Ellen lied. I thought I could force myself but my stomach aches at the sight of the food," Prince Ellen explained.

"I am sorry, I should have asked what your highness would like to it. Sir Jeffery instructed me to make this," the maid replied.

"Jeffery brought you here?" princess Ellen raised her brow.

'No, your highness, I came with another sir last night," the maid replied and princess Ellen nodded her head.

Her face had no changes but the beating of her heart has increased. Last night she chose not to eat what One had brought back. She had known for a long time now that someone was trying to kill her. Now she has a clue. 

She must act carefully if she wanted to expose him. "But why would he want me dead? " she asked herself.

"Alright, you can eat the food,"  Ellen started looking at the maid.

"But your highness, I  can't"... The maid was trying to make an excuse but Ellen raised her hand to stop her.

"Eat?" She ordered. She was not certain if what she perceives was poison but she was sure something was added to the soup. Something she should not consume since its smell was unpleasant. While she knew that she might be overthinking things, the Princess did not want to take any chances.

Biel sat on the floor while Ellen served herself some tea. "I would die of hunger instead of poison," she mused.

On the other hand, the maid eats the meal without complaint.

Meanwhile, the prince had just finished his ritual that morning. "Do you think I will find the cure for the curse in the sea of truth?" He asked Jeffrey who was standing a few feet away from him.

"I don't know your highness. The sea of truth is said to have all the answers but no one knows where it is located," Jeffery replied.

He also hated to see the prince at his worst every morning. The beast in him was slowly eating him up. To ensure that he survived and stay alive, the prince needed to feed it first thing in the morning. 

This was a secret known only by three people. The prince, his mother and Jeffery.

"I want you to gather every clue there is. I need to find it. I want to be cured, and I want to be normal again," prince Sébastien said.

"But your highness why are have you changed your mind. I thought you saw the beast as part of you. You said it was your demon. The one you accepted freely," Jeffery said.

He still remembered when he first asked the prince about finding a solution. The prince had given him that answer. The curse he said has become a part of me.

Prince Sébastien ignored his question. "Gather the information I need. No questions, "

"Should we find the answer you seek do you plan to leave the princess behind. The journey to the river of truth would be dangerous and leaving her behind will be same, " Jeffrey said.

" and what makes you think I care about what happens to the princess. The only reason I am keeping her safe now is that I don't want rumors going around that I killed my wife," prince Sébastien lied. He did not want to open up about his feelings to anyone.

He could not afford to put her in danger when they realized she was his soft spot. 

" I understand your highness," Jeffery bowed his head. "After spending a night with the princess you suddenly decided to seek for the cure and take a dangerous journey to the river of truth yet you care nothing about her," Jeffery said the other half in his mind.

He could not voice that out, who knows if the prince would cut his tongue for being a smart mouth. Prince Sébastien nodded his head. He knew that Jeffery did not believe a word he just said.

" is it that obvious? " he asked.

"Forgive me your highness but I do not understand your question.," Jeffery replied.

" The princess, " prince Sébastien answered.

" you mean the fact that you care for her? "Jeffery asked. He did not want to assume and irritated the prince. Seeing that the prince gave no reaction he knew his assumption was right. 

"No, your highness. But I know you better than anyone. I saw the way you looked at her this morning. It was that obvious to me. Besides why else would you suddenly want a cure?" Jeffery replied.

"Does that mean I should kill you to keep my secret safe?" the prince asked in a serious voice.

"You can do as you please your highness but who else would you trust to keep her safe when you go in search of the cure,? " Jeffrey asked. He knew the prince was only joking about killing him. After all, he was the only, person the prince trusted.

Arrange for a meeting with mother when we return to the Royal Palace.