Bound by Curse

Cursed Princess

Rebecca’s POV

The palace guard did not even look at me.

"Princess Rebecca, His Highness those not wish to see you."

I grabbed the edge of my dress. My fingers were cold and shaking. "Please. Just one minute. I only want to see his face."

"I'm sorry, my lady." He stared at the wall behind me, as if I was something dirty. "The Prince gave a strict order. He does not want to see you. Not ever."

Not ever.

The words hit me harder than a slap. I looked towards the tall window of William’s room. I saw the curtain moved a little, then it went still. Was he standing there? Was he watching me beg?

"William!" My voice cracked. "William, please!"

Nothing.

The guard shifted his feet. "Please go home, Princess."

I turned and walked away, but my tears did not stop. They ran down my face in front of the whole courtyard. The servants whispered and I heard those words again and again.

“She is Cursed.”

***

By night, I was in my room with the door locked and my face in my pillow.

My mind would not let me rest. It took me back to that night, three weeks ago, in the palace garden.

William had pulled me behind the old stone wall, laughing softly. His warm hands on my waist, the moon light exposing his dark hair and the sharp line of his jaw.

"Rebecca." he said calmly, his voice low. "Do you know how long I have waited to be alone with you?”

"Someone will see us."

"Let them." He pressed me gently against the wall and leaned close. His breath touched my lips. "I am going to marry you. Who cares who sees?"

I could feel my heart beating so hard I thought he would hear it. Then he kissed me. Slow and deep. I held his coat tight, my knees went weak. His hands moved up my back, and I shivered. I wanted him closer. I wanted all of him.

Then fear crept in, cold and sudden. I pulled back.

He frowned. "What is wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Rebecca." He lifted my chin with two fingers. "Look at me. You went pale. Tell me."

I swallowed. "William, you know what they say about me."

He let out a tired breath. "Not this again."

"Two princes before you. Two! They both got sick after we were engaged. They almost died." My voice shook. "And when the engagements ended, they got better. Everyone says it's me. That I am cursed."

"It is nonsense."

"What if it is not?" I whispered. "What if you are next? I wont be able to bear it."

He took my face in both his hands. His eyes were serious and burning. "Listen to me. I am not afraid. Not of a curse, not of your father, and not of anyone."

"Everyone will tell you to leave me, William. If you get sick, you will leave me too."

"Never." He kissed me on my forehead, then he kissed my cheek, and the corner of my mouth. "Say it with me. I will not leave you."

"William..."

"Say it."

"You... will not leave me."

"Good." He smiled and pulled me into his arms. I instantly buried my face in his chest. He smelled like cedar and warm skin. "You will never lose me, Rebecca. I cannot imagine one day of my life without you. Do you understand?"

I nodded and cried quietly. He held me until my crying stopped.

He promised me.

***

A loud knock pulled me out of the memory.

I wiped my face with my sleeve. "Go away."

The door shook. Then it swung open.

I had locked it. I was sure I had locked it.

Isabella stood there, my stepsister, with a silver key in her hand and a smile like a cat's. Her golden hair was perfect. Her red dress was perfect. Everything about her was perfect, except her eyes. Her eyes were cold.

"Oh dear," she said sweetly. "Crying again?"

"Get out of my room."

"Mother kept a spare key, you know." She walked in slowly and closed the door behind her. "I wanted to see how our poor cursed princess was doing."

I stood up. My hands curled into fists. "I want to be alone, Isabella."

"Of course you do." She picked up my silver brush from the table and turned it in her fingers. "Everyone is talking about it. Prince William is lying in bed, so weak he cannot lift a cup. And the whole kingdom knows why."

"Stop."

"It is you, Rebecca." She said it softly, almost kindly. "You are slowly killing him. Just like the others."

My chest tightened. I breathed in through my nose. Do not react. Do not give her what she wants.

"I did not do anything," I said.

"Father lost three trade deals this month." She counted on her fingers. "Three! No kingdom wants a cursed girl in their family. You know what he said about you at dinner?"

I did not answer.

"He said he wishes you were never born."

That one hurt. I turned my face away so she would not see.

Isabella laughed, low and pleased. She stepped closer and put down the brush. "You know, I really tried to be kind. I was in love with William first. Everyone knew it. And then you came along, with your sad eyes and your sweet little smile, and he looked at you."

"I never took him from you."

"You did!" For one second, her mask cracked. Her face twisted with rage. Then it smoothed again, and that was worse. She leaned closer until her mouth was near my ear.

"Listen to me carefully, sister," she whispered. "Accept it. Even now, even with the engagement gone, William will never be yours. And he will never be mine, if I have to... wait."

"Isabella!”

She pulled back with a smile. "Do not cause a scene, Rebecca. If you scream, Father will come. And you know whose side he will take."

My whole body was trembling. I wanted to slap her hard. I wanted to tear that smile from her face. But she was right. Father would never believe me.

"Get. Out," I said through my teeth.

"Sleep well, cursed girl." She tapped my cheek gently but cruelly, then she left my room but the scent of her perfume stayed behind. thick and sweet like rotten flowers.

I dropped down to the floor and held my knees.

He left me, He promised, But he left me, he wouldn’t even look at me.

I cried my eyes out until there was no tears left.