An Attempt to Win a Heart

As I devoured my toast with butter, I paused at moments to mimic the melodies of the birds that sat on the windowsill.

I sighed a soft cloud of air after sipping my bitter coffee.

I don’t want to go to hell. Not even the hottest devil can entice me now, not after Cassius. I already feel like my eyes are burning with bleach after crying for hours. How can I possibly tolerate hell? I’m pretty sure that Cassius’s soul would simply abandon me in hell and move back into the utopian castle!

“Thank you,” I said to the maid.

I stood up as another maid trotted in and said, “Ms. Drexel, Princess Amelia calls for you.”

She panted and stepped back.

“Oh?! Alright.”

What will she say? Maybe Cassius told her how I ran away. I suppose this is how I’ll get kicked out. I guess I’ll ask for a place to stay until I can find work and pay my own rent.

I walked out of the dining hall with legs that moved like uncooked spaghetti.

After I knocked on the door once, a lady-in-waiting slammed the door open.

Princess Amelia sat on an ornate chair, decorated with carved cherubs, painted in gold.

“Janessa, my dear! Come in, come in. We must measure your ring size. After that, we can select from the various fabric samples and rough artwork some of our seamstresses have prepared,” said Princess Amelia.

Umm… It’s only been a day, and they’ve already started preparing for the wedding?! I don’t want to go to hell! Spending my life with Cassius would be fun, though, I suppose.

“Umm, sounds splendid.”

“Now, you do not seem… very interested. Did you have a fight with my brother? I am certain it can be resolved.”

“It might not be…”

I mumbled to myself, “I’m so afraid of hell.”

Amelia’s eyes lowered to the hem of her dress that matched her hair color. Her hands lay on her lap as her hair was tied neatly in a bun.

“Oh. Cassius, that imbecile…” whispered Amelia to herself.

He was being honest. I must thank him for that.

My lips stretched into a smile.

“I suppose I could give him a chance,” I blurted.

“Oh? Is that so?”

She clasped her hands together, beamed softly with deer eyes, and stood up at once.

Amelia stood up and hugged me at once, like a fragile object in bubble wrap, and I was unable to breathe.

“You will make a darling sister-in-law, I can sense it.”

“T-thank you,” I said, as she let go.

I exhaled at once and coughed a little, but soon smiled.

“We shall get to planning, in that case.”

She raised her skirt and walked toward the door.

“Please, Your Highness. Give us some time together,” I said.

“Hmm? Alright, then.”

She looked back at me and then turned. Her neutral face turned to a smile once again.

“Oh, I know precisely what will be best! There is a private river cruise that both of you will surely enjoy. Mary, please book at once!”

“River Cruise?! Your Highness, I can’t swim!” I blurted.

“Oh, no matter. There will be plenty of guards who will rescue you at once. Mary, ensure that there is a trained lifeguard.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” said Mary, curtsying.

I swallowed, and my rock-hard throat could barely produce sound.

This isn’t sabotage, is it? Are they planning to murder me?!

“You may go to your room. I will inform you of the date and time.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” I said, curtsying.

I raised my pink skirt and skipped toward my room.

There was Cassius in front of it, perched on a chair. Although his back was upright and his black and silver clothes were crisp, there was no expression on his face. He was his statue for a moment before looking down and placing his hand on his chin.

I should apologize. I should also hatch an escape plan in case the marble version of him chases me throughout the castle. A large hammer ought to do the trick.

“Prince Cassius!” I cried.

“My dear Janessa.”

He stood up and walked with loud, yet sparse steps.

“Sorry,” we said in unison.

“What are you sorry for, my love?” he asked.

“I shouldn’t have run away. If only I were honest.”

“Janessa, the fault is mine. I should not have endangered you. I have decided that I shall send you to a costume design school where you may hone your skills and find work. Moreover, you will find new company and you might even love… love… someone…”

“Prince Cassius…”

“After all, you do not love me.”

“Cass!”

“What is it?”

I can’t say it. It won’t come out of my mouth. Those three cursed words. I had already said them to another in my past life, and look how that ended up. Still, right now, I would take all of you. Even the fragments of your soul that would drag me to hell. But why?

“Janessa? What is it? Tell me. I will not mind it. You can tell me that you wish the worst for me…”

“I don’t wish the worst for you. If anything, I wish the best for you.”

A single teardrop welled up on the side of my face.

“Oh…” he said, getting his handkerchief from his pocket.

He wiped it away at once.

“I have always wished for this curse to leave me, but I have never wished so exceedingly until now.”

“If the curse wasn’t there, I’d have no problem in expressing how much…”

Ah, why am I confessing my love?! This is the opposite of what I should be doing.

Cassius’s eyes glittered like dewdrops as he clenched his handkerchief tightly. He looked into mine before looking at the ground again.

His hand shook as he placed it on my cheek. But he withdrew his hand at once. I took it and squeezed it.

“Where are the guards?” I asked, looking around.

“Oh, I sent them away for an hour…” said Cassius.

“Good.”

“Good?”

I pushed him gently toward the wall.

“What are you…”

“Do you want me to stop?” I asked.

“No.”

I placed both of my hands on his face and touched his lips with mine. His hot breath fused with mine. Letting go, he pulled me back and placed his hands on my waist. We kissed once again.

As soon as he let go, my face heated like an oven.

“At least you are attracted to me,” he said.

“Seriously, Cass?”

He looked around me and said, “Hmm, no sign of that rascal statue. Still, be on guard. If he ever draws near, I will give you a signal. Please escape at that time.”

“Deal.”

"Deal."