A'S

ars and frustration. She just failed to lift the Alpha King's curse in the most embarra

he Princess finally comes to a stop and sits on the edge of her ornate bed.

seemed to notice my beauty!"

e great Alpha King's attention, but

my throat. "Your Highness, maybe if we try

ng I didn't try hard enough?" She turn

hness. That's not what I meant at

eed to find a way to lift this curse and prove my

t went wrong with the first ritual the kings might be will

k of as she listens to Julia's suggestion. She

y. Tell him I request an audience with the kings to ask for a

human instead?"

g during my first ritual," Princess Hellen explains and my eyes wi

listing down the things and steps to be followed for the ritual to lift the

he will inform the kings of Princess Hellen'

e decision . . .?" Princess Hellen starts to lament, bu

d hurry to open the door herself, and indeed

r coming," she says, tryin

e room. "My apologies, Princess Hellen. The kin

But I've found the flaws in the original ritual and d

ish to hear more about your new ritual before you proceed. I will send a maid to

er chance," she exclaims loudly, closing the d

. If her new ritual does not meet the kings' expectations, there won't be no mor

***

dinner with the kings. She has put on a sparkling red dress

ide the room to escort her to dine with the kings. I hand her the paper containing

different direction than the one we had taken earlier wit

len calls as we walk.

revious ritual to

According to the spellbook, numerous crucial elements were lack

e..." my words are cut short as the maids unlock two massive doors, grantin

table and magnificent seats. The three kings sit on one side of the table, wit

a facade that hides their ugliness within. No amount of

m. With what happened earlier today her confidence is certainly unmatch

or her. We promptly posit

your curse was... well, less than suc

er disinterested, their expre

incess. You set fire to our t

outfits from earlier so I

re made. But I assure you, I have learned from the missteps of my attempt and I am prepared to rectify

incess Hellen. "And what makes you so certain this time will

new ritual, addressing all the crucial elements I

you miss?" King Aleric inqu

he commands and I obediently retrieve the folded paper from her, carrying it around the table to present it to King Aleric. As he reaches out to take it, I can't

and, our fingers graze and some

and the pale skin begins to gain back i

ng at his hand in disbelief.The entire table falls s

King Kian asks astound

s. Her slender fingers reaches out to touch King A

abs my hand. He checks my palm. "

I did not..." I stammer.

ake effect. Spells can sometimes require ti

heir expressions shiftin

l lacked some really crucial elements," Kin

nce of certain elements does not necessarily negate the effects of a ri

he deception. The kings, however, seem convinced,

d to you, Princess Hellen. We will gratefully