The Cursed Prince's Strange Bride

Harold used the window and entered Alicia's chamber immediately after the third bell rang. The lights in the room were already off, with only the burning torches from outside and the moon illuminating the room dimly. He stood by the window, deliberating on whether to approach her or not, as he looked down at her sleeping figure.

He knew it was a risk to do this. Sneaking into her chamber when he was supposed to be out and making the rest of the aristocrats believe he was still suffering from that curse, but how could he return to living like that? How could he do that after feeling what it was like to have a good sleep? To sleep beside her? And not think about anything. Maybe it was best that they all knew he was no longer suffering from the curse. But then, wouldn't they begin to wonder why and probably trace it to Alicia?

He had too many fears now.

"I probably should seal the door and just let everyone keep using the window," Alicia said without moving, making him realize that she was awake.

She turned to face him, sleeping on her side and using her hand to prop up her head.

He just stared at her, wondering whether it was okay to join her in bed. When he spent the night here, it had been an accident, and also, she was unconscious. Now that she was fully awake, he wasn't sure what to do, and leaving now was probably not safe for him.

Fortunately, Alicia adjusted a pillow and patted the side beside her as she said, "You should sleep."

He looked at her with a mixture of relief and surprise. He hadn't expected her to even allow him anywhere near her bed. The gesture almost made him smile. Slowly, he went to the bed and sat down carefully as he began to pull his boots.

"The moon is unusually bright tonight." She said, looking out the window as Harold lay down with his back on the bed while he faced up.

"It's going to be even brighter tomorrow. It's the full moon." Harold said.

"Really? How are you so sure about that?" She asked curiously.

"It's that time of the year. The banquet is held at this same time every year," Harold said, and Alicia paused her lips thoughtfully.

"This same time? On a full moon? That sounds like a werewolf gathering," she said with an amused smile, sure that he wouldn't know what she was talking about.

"Werewolf?" Harold asked with a curious frown as he turned on his side to face her, while wondering how she knew about them. Was this something Harvey might have revealed to Princess Amber? And it was stuck in her subconscious?

"They are mythical creatures often written about. There are movies about them too. Werewolves are humans that transform every full moon into wild animals. Don't worry. It doesn't really exist," Alicia assured him with a smile when she noticed the seriousness in his eyes.

Harold was surprised to know she had an idea about it. Was it possible that there were other werewolves in her world but she doesn't know about them just like humans didn't know much about them here?

Also, he wasn't sure any werewolf would like the sound of that. "Humans that transform into wild animals". They were not humans. And they were not wild animals. They were simply just werewolves.

"They don't exist?" Harold asked, and she bobbed her head.

"Of course, they don't! How would you believe that creatures like that exist? I don't believe in witches, vampires, or dragons. Those are all mythical creatures," Alicia said with a yawn.

"So, what do you believe in?" Harold asked curiously.

"I believe in science," Alicia said without hesitation.

"Does this science explain why you are here and not in your own world?" Harold asked, and Alicia pursed her lips.

"Well... there is time travel..." She paused when she remembered that would require a machine, and she didn't have one.

"And is that what you did?" Harold asked, and she scowled.

"Why are you asking so many questions? Don't tell me you believe in witches," she said, suspiciously, and Harold wondered how she would react if he told her he was a werewolf. And yes, he did believe in witches. But that was another story.

"Tell me more about those creatures that transform," Harold said instead, and seeing his curiosity, Alicia smiled as she started to tell him about vampires and werewolves.

"Do you prefer vampires?" He asked gently.

"Nah! They live on blood. I find that repulsive. I can't deal," she said with disgust.

"So you prefer the werewolves?" He asked, and she shrugged.

"They are always made to look so hot and powerful, so it's hard not to prefer them," she said with a wide smile.

Harold chose to ignore that.

"They don't repulse you?" He asked, sticking to the topic.

"I feel sorry for them. The shifting process looks painful in the movies. Imagine breaking all your bones and turning into an animal. It's a good thing they don't exist. I don't want to imagine a world with such creatures," she said with a shudder while Harold pursued his lips, not sure whether to be relieved or not at her answer.

"Let's stop talking about scary subjects. Why did you come to my room?" she asked, changing the subject.

"You... were nice tonight," he praised her. Before she could say ask if that was what he came to tell her, he added, "And your snacks were... different."

"Good different?" She asked, smiling a little.

He simply shrugged without giving her an answer, but she could read his gestures and tell that he had enjoyed them.

"I could tell from the faces of the aristocrats that they loved the snacks even if they didn't want to. And I think Sir Gregory was impressed too."

"Susan and Tyra said I needed to make him like me if I wanted the other aristocrats to be on my side and in extension, be on your side. I think he approved of me, don't you?" Alicia asked excitedly.

Did she really think it was that easy?

"What is your plan for getting close to Sir Gregory?" He asked curiously.

"You already know my plan." She said calmly.

"I don't want you to get involved."

Alicia didn't comment immediately, but when she said, she nodded and said, "Okay," which made him raise an eyebrow.

"Okay?" He asked in confusion. Wasn't she going to argue with him?

"You just said you didn't want me to get involved." She reminded him.

"And you just said okay?" He asked again and looked at her closely. There had to be something wrong with her. Otherwise, why would she just agree?

"I don't want to try to change things anymore. I want to cause less trouble to myself and... to you too." She said earnestly.

"I spoke with Harvey," he informed her after a moment of quietness.

"Really? What did he say?" She asked, becoming alert immediately, which made him slightly pissed that he seemed excited to hear about another man.

"What did he say?" She repeated when he didn't answer immediately.

"I could not get much information since he had to return to his chamber before the second bell rang. But it's just as you said. He knew her."

"Is there a possibility that she learned how to fight from him?" Alicia asked curiously.

Harold nodded as he answered. "There is. He knows more. However, he doesn't want to share."

Alicia felt so too. Harvey knew a lot. He was probably her key to understanding everything that was happening.

"I will meet with him."

"No." Harold disagreed immediately.

"I need to get information from him."

"What for?"

"Because I need to know more about Amber."

"Or... you could just forget about it?" He asked hesitantly.

"Harold. I don't even know where my body is. Or Amber's soul. Even though I have no way of changing things, I want to at least know about Amber and Queen Anne. It will give me more clues." She said calmly, hoping he would understand what she was saying.

He just kept staring at her face intensely, leaving her to wonder what he was thinking. "Be Mine," Harold said out of nowhere, and her heart lurched.

"What?"

"Be mine." He repeated calmly with his gaze not leaving her face.

"I heard you the first time. Why... are you... saying that?" Alicia asked in confusion as butterflies fluttered in her belly.

"You didn't come here by choice. But now... I want you to give your heart to me, Alicia." Harold said, and Alicia blinked at him, speechlessly.

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