chapter 5

“So I'm just supposed to give in to the curse for SEVEN months?” Travis asked.

“I don't see any other way,” Maria said. “I will help you to the best of my ability. It wont be that bad, I promise.”

“That's great, but how am I going to do this for seven months? I need to work. In case you forgot, I work in a kitchen,” Travis said.

“I know that,” Maria said. “Please don't be angry, I know this is going to be hard but I will make sure everything is okay. I think you'll feel better after talking to my brother. Please, trust me.”

Travis felt the tension building up inside him fall away so suddenly. He didn't need to take this out on Maria, it wasn't her fault. He just felt so helpless. What could he do but submit?

“I'm going to leave you to get changed. I'll come and get you in a little while. Please try to relax.”

“I will,” Travis said. “Maria, I'm sorry. I just don't know what to do.”

“It'll be okay,” Maria said. “We'll get through this together.”

With that, Maria left. Travis really had to count himself lucky. Without Maria around in his corner, he'd definitely have less options. She had unlimited wealth and the privilege of nobody except her brother even being able to question a word she said.

Travis looked over the clothes that were set out for him on the bed. Simple, black trousers with a matching jacket. Both had elegant stitching and silver buttons. A white shirt for underneath. Very simple, nothing flashy. Travis wondered if he had the seamstress' taste to thank or Maria's.

The trousers were a little more snug than Travis would have liked but he was sure once he'd digested the food he'd eaten, they'd be a perfect fit. Travis was surprised, though. As with the last times, his digestion definitely seemed to be faster than normal. He was still full, sure. His belly was swollen and tender, but it didn't hurt. He could move with ease. He didn't feel like he was about to fall asleep.

He tried to make himself as presentable as possible. His hair was never going to cooperate, but he could try.

When Maria's knock came a while later, Travis wished he could do anything but open that door. Prince Bartholomew was more than intimidating. If he ordered it, Travis would be dead by sundown. Of course, Maria had said he was pleased with Travis but he had never liked them before. Even as children, he'd been mean to the staff of the castle and even meaner to the little boy that worked in the kitchens that had seemed to befriend his sister.

Still, he had to go. He had worse things to face than an arrogant man. Travis opened the door and stepped out into the hall. He smiled at Maria. He was ready.

“Not bad at all,” Maria said with a smile as she looked him up and down.

Travis looked at his feet. Compliments were not something he was used to accepting.

“Thank you,” he said quietly and followed Maria down the hallway.

They climbed staircase after staircase, with each hallway becoming more lavish than the last. Travis saw portraits that he had never seen before; he had never once ventured so high into the castle. They passed two large doors that he knew must lead to the great hall. He'd heard tales from servants that had taken food there of the sheer number of guests it could hold.

Just past there was a smaller door and that was the one Maria knocked gently on.

“Enter,” came a deep, booming voice from inside.

Maria opened the door and Travis followed her inside. Prince Bartholomew smiled widely when he saw them.

“Wonderful, wonderful,” he said. “My dear sister and the man that avenged my father's death. Travis, you have done well and will be rewarded.”

Travis frowned and looked at Maria. He had not killed the witch for a reward or glory.

“My sister has requested that you become her personal guard and I think that's a fantastic idea, don't you?” he asked.

Bartholomew paused in his flamboyant, exaggerated display and looked at Travis for a response.

“Uh... yes. Yes, Your Royal Highness,” Travis said.

“Good. I am glad we are all in agreement, then,” Bartholomew said. “Maria will need someone to protect her of course, especially once I take the throne. You will be required to be available for her at a moment's notice, do you understand?”

“Of course, Your Royal Highness,” Travis responded. “I will do whatever she needs me to do.”

“Wonderful,” Bartholomew said. “Of course, it wont all be work for you. You did something great and as such, will be rewarded. You are released from your servitude in our kitchens and will be free to make use of our library and gardens at your leisure. I'm sure my dearest sister will show you around and let you know where you can and cannot go.”

“I will,” Maria said.

Travis was a little confused. So he no longer had to work, but he was expected to be in the castle, with Maria, at all times? It seemed strange as a reward for killing a witch. He'd half expected to be handed a small amount of gold and ushered on his way. He didn't trust the prince but he hadn't expected this. He felt like it was his way of keeping an eye on him for some reason. It didn't make sense.

“Thank you for this opportunity, Your Royal Highness,” Travis said. “I look forward to seeing your coronation.”

“Of course,” Bartholomew said. “It will be the event of the century. Now Maria, you are taking care of yourself, aren't you? I missed you at dinner. It was just me and Mother.”

“Yes, I just had a late lunch,” Maria said. “I will be eating later, do not worry.”

There was a little more back and forth that Travis could barely pay attention to. Every word between Maria and Bartholomew was brimming with tension. There was no sincerity between them at all and Travis didn't want to be a part of it.