The curse of ones blood .1

One day had come to an end and surprisingly so did many more as a few days had gone past since Erika and Mira had been taken to the castle and made to stay by the prince's orders as they considered his request to cure his curse.

Despite this stay being a forced one and initially there being a lot of worry about getting back to their home to sort our chores they had, both Erika and Mira had somewhat adjusted to their life in the palace.

Over time, Erika had come to learn a few things. One was that the maids that would serve her were rather friendly; she had quickly started to befriend both Christie and Terri who were more than happy to teach her things about the palace and stories about the royal family that those outside the castle walls wouldn't hear too often.

"You know, they said that the great king before Astar had two mistresses! One he was open to the public about having and another he kept truly secret... they say that she was in fact some kind of prophet sent down from the goddesses, so the family kept her hidden away for her own safety... though the first mistress wasn't so fond of her!" Terri rambled to Erika and Christie who dutifully brushed Erika's hair for her, Erika holding a anxious expression on her face to such news. It seemed as though the former kings certainly had a lot of damage.

"Really? I heard she was actually a goddess reborn... though I guess a prophet may be a bit more believable" Christie answered casually.

"Hmm, maybe the story gets more sensationalised the older it gets... I do hear that she was quite the beauty though, maybe she was a goddess" Terri mentioned whimsically with a chuckle.

"What do you think Erika?" Christie leaned over to her as Erika stiffened up momentarily after being put on the spot, before thinking about it more.

"I think... maybe it'd be nice to believe she was a goddess. Though she probably was just a prophet..." Erika responded half heartedly, Christie nodding in response to this.

"Hmm, yeah I guess with days as ordinary as ours, that its more fun to believe the far fetched versions of stories huh?" Christie answered as Terri gave a simple expression to this.

"As you both grow older, you will come to learn that even ordinary rumours can be interesting on their own..." Terri pointed out reflectively before tilting her head at Erika. "For example, there are stories of Miss Erika being his highnesses romantic interest..." she pointed out as Erika jumped at this, her cheeks bushing in embarrassment.

"Ah- huh? No, it's nothing like that I assure you!" Erika corrected her as Christie seemed to be quite humoured by this response.

"Hmm, I did hear his highness seemed kind of close to you! Plus he does call you to his office most days!" Christie beamed as Erika shook her head, panicking between them.

"It really isn't that way I swear!!" She proclaimed as Mira silently watched from their ned, lazily opening one eye to them.

'Seems as though Erika is too easy to tease, even without me being here...' she noted feeling a little bit sorry for the other girl.

The other thing that Erika had come to learn was now the prince had truly realised that he could now truly touch Erika, that he would take most opportunities to touch her in some way in a platonic sense.

"Miss Hartell! You accepted my invitation to visit again!" Leon walked over to greet her sunnily, grabbing her hand to shake it.

"Ah, yes, I have!" She replied as Mira looked up at him from Erika's arms.

"Back up a little prince boy, she only just got through the door!" Mira scolded him firmly as Leon gave a awkward laugh in response to this.

"Sorry, but I can't help myself. When I touch Miss Hartell I feel as though I can take on the day!" Leon mentioned, appearing to be full of energy that morning, Erika as always not knowing how to really respond to such a thing.

"You know if it weren't for your circumstances, you'd be listed as a pervert for saying such things..." Mira pointed out blandly, unable to outwardly criticise the prince for his actions.

Erika looked to her hand, a curious look on her face. She didn't really mind the prince taking opportunities to touch her... rather she understood that actually being able to touch another human without hurting them was probably rather comforting for him. Though she had to admit it did make her feel a little flustered from time to time. She didn't know if Leon was very conscious of it, but he was still a boy and a good looking one at that. Even if they were only really acquaintances at this moment, having someone like him cling onto someone as ordinary as her would make her heart stir quite a bit. Maybe this is what one would being charmed by ones beauty? She had come to realise herself that whilst she was at the cottage, she didn't really have much human contact either, so she couldn't say she was that adjusted to outgoing and pretty types like Leon.

"I was wondering actually Miss Hartell, I finished my duties pretty early today, so I was wondering if you would like to join me on a walk around the palace today?" Leon mentioned energetically, stretching his arms.

"I wouldn't mind at all... but are you sure we are allowed?" Erika double checked as Leon gave a small laugh to this.

"Sure we are, though I told Lord Ivor a white lie about bringing guards with us, I just wanted it to be the two of us!" Leon answered capriciously, Erika feeling a little worried about what the stern advisors reaction would be if he found out such a thing. The other thing Erika had come to learn was that though Leon was rather responsible for his age, he could also be very cheeky and mischievous too. He seemed to love opportunities to be distracted from his tasks if they arose.

"And if we get ambushed?" Mira brought up as Leon shrugged a little this.

"To be honest, I think you'd have to be a little foolish to try ambush me with the way I am..." Leon rose up his hand awkwardly as Mira returned a defeated expression.

"Well yeah, in all bluntness, theres no denying that demonic aura around you, it'd send any ordinary person running for the hills..." she answered flatly, unable to really dispute his words as she stared at the menacing aura that came off him.

Leon nodded before then grabbing Erika's hand, dragging her off along with him.

"Well, before the advisor gets back with the guards, lets go Miss Hartell!" He gave a small chuckle as the two ran out the office room, leaving Erika rather dazed momentarily.... Before she clenched the hand of the arm that kept Mira to her chest... and other thing she had come to learn... was that prince Leon had a smile that radiated as brightly and warmly as the sun...

"I wonder, have you been to the royal gardens before?" Leon questioned as they walked down the large halls of the palace as Erika nodded faintly in response.

"The ones out the front you mean?" She replied as Leon gave a rather wry grin her way.

"Well they do look nice, but those weren't the ones I was talking about..." he mentioned, catching both the attention of both Erika and Mira.

"Wow..." were Erika's words as they now found themselves in a large open plan greenhouse located within the central castle grounds, the whole area being covered with a wide variety of shrubbery, trees and flowers in an array of different colours. Though the outside gardens, it was easy to see how this garden was considered the eye candy of them all, from the large oak tree that seemed to be held at its centre, to the small wildflowers growing amidst the more fancy looking planets. There even appeared to be a small pond that ran around the scale of the area to keep up the humidity in the area. The room as a whole seemed to hold an overgrown feeling whilst also appearing to be well maintained.

"Theres some pretty rare flowers in here that would fetch a good price on a market..." Mira was quick to evaluate, looking a little impressed as Erika turned Leon.

"This place is truly very pretty! I didn't realise that such an area could exist outside of forest areas!" Erika told Leon with a rather mystified expression as Leon appeared to become quite meek at this.

"Yeah, truth be told, you wouldn't see this outside the palace. Rather this area is only strictly for the royal family and those they consider close..." Leon explained as it was to this that Erika jolted.

"A-Ah, should I really be here then?!" She exclaimed in a panic as Leon bobbed his tongue out cheekily, resting his arms behind his head.

"I mean if they don't catch, there is no issue at all!" He responded laid-backley, his word only making Erika worry more when then continued. "Besides, I'd consider you a close confidant anyway Erika! I wanted to bring you here..." he went on more assuringly as Erika fell silent to this. She had only been staying here for a few days as of now, and yet the prince was more than willing to place his full faith in her. In some ways it did help ease her nerves... on the other she couldn't help but feel a little intrigued on as to why? She appreciated his trust but she still couldn't see what she had done to deserve such a high favour.

"I'm surprised though you highness. you have interest in plants?" Erika brought up, her eyes drifting to the many flowers and shrubs around them, somewhat impressed by how well kept everything had been.

"Ah, well I definitely think they look nice, but unfortunately due my my predicament, I don't really have the opportunity to raise them or really appreciate them beyond looking at them- anything I touch will just wither away in my hands..." Leon responded a rather tepid look on his face as Erika nodded, taking more of a look around.

"Ah, I see... I guess that makes sense..." She responded as Leon appeared to be quite amused with her interest to the area around them.

"Do you like plants Miss Hartell?" He inquired as Erika snapped out of her trance looking at the plants, agreeing a little embarrassed.

"Y-Yes, I do! Rather I guess a lot of witches who work with potion magic do! Back at home I had a garden to attend to! It wasn't as luxurious as this, but being able to see a plant grow strong and healthy for ingredients was pretty rewarding! I guess I got that trait from my grandmother..." she started to explain, but her words gradually drifted off along with the glimmer in her eyes as such thoughts of her grandmother made her think back to her home... That was right, her grandmother loved the little garden outside their cottage, she'd spend most her time out there attending to it. By now, some of the flowers were probably starting to wither, she knew some weeds would definitely be starting to grow there too... her grandmothers grave was now most likely covered in leaves too... Her expression became troubled... When she thought about her responsibilities back at home, her chest became somewhat heavy.

Leon appeared to notice the change in Erika's mood as it was then that he decided to change the topic somewhat.

"Actually, this garden was made this luxurious by my mother... I can't really look after any of the plant life here, however I made it an important note for the staff to take good care of this place in my mothers stead..." Leon explained with a small smile as he watched a butterfly flutter between the vines and stems of the nature surrounding them.

"Your... mother..." Erika brought up a little intrigued as Leon nodded.

"Royalty can't really leave the palace that often and my mother apparently seemed to love getting chances to stroll through woodland. So she dedicated a good portion of her adult life to reforming the family garden into what it is now" he clarified as it was to this that Mira gave a small chuckle.

"Your mother certainly has good taste...though I wonder what she'd think of you wondering off alone like this..." Mira noted jovially in an attempt to tease the prince as Leon gave a stiff laugh.

"Well... she probably would tell me off... I don't really know, my mother died whilst I was born..." Leon answered distantly as Mira jolted at this.

"Huh? I didn't know that!" Mira exclaimed, retracting into Erika's arms more to hide herself as Erika scolded her.

"Mira! You should be more mindful of your words! Sorry your highness... we didn't really have any idea..." Erika explained for her cats stead as Leon shook his head.

"Don't be, though my mothers passing is rather well known, the manner in which she passed is less so..." he replied with a smile that was perhaps a bit more solemn as usual. "In any case, I heard my mother was a very beautiful person, I apparently took after her quite a bit compared to my father... I guess I like to see this garden as a bit of my mother remaining around..." Leon mentioned as he marvelled the scenery before them, his words leaving Erika somewhat torn. If Leon had the curse since he was born, then there was a very real chance that the reason his mother passed away was...

She shook her head, rather disconcerted at the thought... Even in that case, it wasn't the prince's fault... though she wondered if by any chance Leon would blame himself for such a thing... he appeared to think highly of his mother despite her absence...

"I... also lost my parents pretty young as well... and more recently my grandmother... so in a way I understand how it feels to feel as though your loved ones through the objects around you..." Erika mentioned as she thought back to the little cottage her grandmother owned. Both Mira and the cottage were Erika evidence that her grandmother still existed... despite Erika's attempts to comfort Leon however, his face became a little torn at her words...

"I appreciate it, though I don't think I deserve your comfort Miss Hartell in this case..." he answered with a rather distant honesty as Erika didn't quite understand what it was he meant. Undeserving...

It was before Erika could think on it more that Leon shook his head as he then walked a little further into the garden.

"In any case, I'm glad to hear you like plants and this kind of thing Miss Hartell... you know, tending to and designing the inner garden was always a power given to the queen of the country, so each lady of the castle has has put their own spin on it..." Leon began to explain as Erika absent mindedly nodded at first in passing to Leon's explanation as she followed him. "It's something that even you can do too as a fiance of royalty whilst you are here..." he added as it was to this that Erika then paused, realising where the conversation was going...

"Your highness..." Erika uttered as Mira popped up from her arms.

"Aha! I knew you were up to something! You are trying to bribe our interest in this you sly prince! We aren't that shallow!!" Mira pointed out, lecturing Leon who gave a somewhat guilty laugh...

"Ah- I guess I was caught out huh?" He noted as Mira only scowled at him.

"You think a garden will be worth us putting our lives on the line? You are cheap!" Mira argued as Leon tilted his head.

"Would money be better then Miss Mira?"

"... well... money isn't that bad... no WAIT! No! I won't be tricked!!" Mira continued to battle with herself and her love for treasure as Erika looked down to her side a little unsettled. So that's how it was huh? This was an attempt to convince her to heal with curse... She probably should have guessed to an extent, it was the whole reason she was here to begin with...

"I'll be honest, I would like Miss Hartell to stay... and I was hoping maybe showing you this place may make a part in helping you make your mind... though I'm not a fool either; I don't think Miss Hartell is as easy to be swayed by such a thing" Leon went on casually, catching Erika off guard. Her cheeks flustered faintly as he smiled in her direction- why did he always speak so assured about her? She certainly wasn't the saint he was making her out to be; at least not in her head. "Though, have you by any chance made up your mind Miss Hartell?" Leon brought up as Erika looked down uncomfortably... that...

"I still haven't quite decided..." Erika replied vaguely once more... She knew for sure that she wanted to go back to her cottage, she wanted to help the people in her home village out and continue her grandmothers legacy. She wanted to take care of her grandmothers grave and tell her where she had been all this time... she wanted to live her life normally as she always had...

And yet despite this, when it came to the prince asking her this, she for some reason could never bring herself to say that this was what she wanted? Was it fear that drove her to do this? No... she didn't necessarily fear the prince anymore. rather she wasn't quite sure what compelled her to keep herself in limbo like this. Deep down there was a biting feeling she couldn't shake that she couldn't just return home with things the way that they were. Leon gave an understanding nod to he response.

"That's alright, you are free to think on it as much as you need Miss Hartell! I'm sorry I won't try convincing you like this anymore if it upsets you" Leon replied as Erika didn't respond to this at first... it wasn't as though he was upsetting her either. Rather this whole ordeal left her feeling conflicted as always...

"I appreciate you showing me the garden your highness..." Erika brought up, shaking her head with a smile as Leon's eyes lit up for a moment... when he then walked over to her, grabbing her hand merrily.

"Well then, I can show you more interesting parts of the palace if you li-"

"So this is where you are your highness?" Leon's words and excitement were quickly interrupted by a stern voice from behind them, Lord Ivor looking out the window of one of the upper floors surrounding the garden with a firm frown, Leon releasing Erika's hand with a defeated expression.

"Looks like we were found out huh?" he uttered as Mira began to scold him once more.

"We? Where's the we in this, it was your idea to begin with!" Mira reminded Leon as Leon looked up to Lord Ivor with a passive smile.

"I'll be back upstairs shortly Lord Ivor, do you need me for anything?" Leon brought up as lord Ivor simply raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well, I'll have to scold you for one... but yes, there is some things we need to discuss..." the advisor responded firmly as Leon appeared to become a little more strained at his words. Though he bounced back to turn to Erika.

"I guess this is where we split for a bit Miss Hartell and Miss Mira, thank you for spending time with me again today! It was fun!" Leon waved to her as Erika lowered her head in response.

"Ah, no, thank you again for bringing us here! Good luck with your work for today!" Erika told him as Leon only became more tired looking at the thought.

"Well... I'll do my best to survive anyway... I can walk you back to your room if you like?" Leon replied as Mira answered in a bland manner.

"Trying to prolong your punishment I see..." she replied as Erika shook her head in response with a small smile.

"We'll be okay your highness, we wouldn't want to get you in more trouble..." Erika answered, Leon giving an awkward laugh in response.

"I guess that would be pushing my luck... then I will see you again soon Miss Hartell..." he answered, turning away to walk to where the advisor had called him to, Erika waving him off with a smile until he was no longer within her sight; her expression once again returning to one that was more disconcerted.

"You know, you can't keep saying I don't know forever right Erika, we have been here for a week now..." Mira mentioned laid-backly as Erika gave a deep sigh, nodding in response...

"I know... I just need a little more time to gather my thoughts..." Erika responded as Mira simply nodded in response.

"Well... I'm enjoying the fresh fish every evening, so don't rush on my account... I'm just worried they'll lose patience with you..." Mira noted as Erika thought a little on Mira's words, looking back to the window where the advisor was.

"I don't think his highness would... though I understand what you mean..." Erika answered, her eyes narrowing somewhat... "Say, Mira what is it you would do in this situation?" she confided as Mira gave a rather tense tone to the question.

"You are asking the wrong cat here... I am only obliged to you and my master, so I don't really feel as though we owe that prince anything, especially given his family history... but I can't say I don't pity him... curses such as that one are hard to dispel. Bloodline curses are rather unfair, I certainly wouldn't wish it on my own worst enemies... whoever cursed the family must have held quite the grudge..." Mira mentioned, trying to give her words some thought- though upon seeing it only made Erika more ambivalent she quickly changed the topic. "In any case! It doesn't matter what I think- I go wherever you go so it doesn't phase me! You need to think about how it effects you! Afterall, if we are talking bloodlines, his highnesses family was the one that killed most of yours remember! In any case..." Mira reminded Erika whose eyes widened as she recalled something...

' I don't think I deserve your comfort Miss Hartell in this case...'

So that's what he meant when he said that... she hadn't even really even processed that she was indeed now spending each day with the person whose own parents may have killed her own... though in that moment... she didn't put who the prince was into consideration at that time... ahh she knew it, she certainly needed more time to think on it all. Mira sighed at Erika's silence, padding her paw against the girls nose lightly.

"I know you are soft hearted Erika... which is why take your time. I won't judge you for your choice either way, you won't be in the wrong no matter what you choose..." Mira explained as Erika nodded, raising the cat up more to hug her.

"Thank you Mira... I promise, I'll sort out my feelings and make a choice soon..." She pointed out, Mira nodding.

"Well... as I said, I'm fine so long as I can enjoy fish meantime..." she answered as it was with these words that the two decided to head back to their room for the day, Erika giving only one more glance to the inner palace garden before leaving...

Meanwhile upstairs in the room that the advisor in, Leon was now thoroughly getting his ears chewed out by Lord Ivor.

"- honestly your highness, I know that you feel more spirited now the young witch is here, but you have to think about how dangerous it could be if anyone outside the royal guard were to see you loitering around!" Lord Ivor proceeded to rant as Leon simply nodded and accepted his advisors lectures, seemingly used to being told off at this point.

Yes, though only trusted guests are allowed to the inner gardens, so I figured it would be okay..." Leon pointed out casually as Lord Ivor coughed a little to the prince's logic.

"That's... besides the point, your highness its the principle of it all... there are plenty of bad actors who would take advantage to the gentle face you are showing to Miss Hartell..." Lord Ivor pointed out as Leon's expression became a little more serious to the fact.

"Well... that I can't really dance around... have there been any suspicious snooping around her lately?" Leon checked with a small sigh, taking a seat as Lord Ivor shook his head.

"Not in the palace as of late... but rumours are bound to spread the longer she is here without making a decision... your highness, I don't really understand, with your power you could force her to stay here you know..." Lord Ivor pointed with a tired sigh as Leon shook his head in response.

"Lord Ivor, in this case do you think it's fair for me to use my power that way?I think Miss Hartells been through enough due to royalty without us forcing a choice on her..." Leon noted, the advisor not being able to rebute Leons words as Leon leaned back in his chair thoughtfully.

"still though... rumours would be worrying... then again, so is her village situation... whatever Miss Hartell chooses is up to her but I guess timing is important here..." Leon tried to work out. "How is the village situation right now?"

"There are still witch hunters in the area... some have tried to investigate Miss Hartells house but the guard there has kept it mostly safe... seems as though none of the villagers have tipped her off either, she may be able to go home soon if she wishes..."

Leon's expression seemed a mix of comforted and distant upon hearing this as he gave a faint sigh in response.

"That's good then... it's unlikely they will investigate her village for quite a while then..." he answered, his voice starting to sound a little worn out as Lord Ivor exhaled.

"If you are expecting her to leave, I don't understand why you are choosing to invite her for lunch and showing your good side to her. To begin with, wouldn't it have been easier to act cold to her like you do most-"

The advisors words were however cut off by the sound of Leon very suddenly choking as he looked over to the prince shocked. There was a staggering presence hit the room in that moment. Leon leaned over in his chair, covering his face palely in shock as blood started to seep through the fingers that covered his mouth, his hair starting to grow darker in colour as Lord Ivor gave a harrowed expression to what was happening.

"Another fit huh? Guards, call for help immediately, we need help leading his highness to his room at once!"Lord Ivor yelled over as Leon staggered upwards, shakily getting to his feet and rushing to the door.

"Don't call anybody, I'll get there myself!" Leon ordered as his advisor went to argue.

"Your highness if you don't get help-"

"Lord Ivor, if you get call someone, people will die! Stay back and... don't let Miss Hartell know what's going on..." Leon advised, stopping Lord Ivor from getting any closer, the green in his eyes starting to change colour as his advisor could only haplessly watch from a distance as Leon rushed out the room to get to his room, a trail of darkening blood following the prince as he left. Lord Ivor looked to the light blood splatters with a ever growing look of concern...

"Your highness... if people don't die in your stead, you will die at one point you know..." he mentioned, understanding all too well why the prince went to leave on his own; the air remaining tainted with a nauseating miasma...