Page 75 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

I shake my head in disbelief. “If he ever does this again, you need to tell me right away. I need to mentally prepare for this. You know how he can be.”

“I’m sorry. If there is a next time I will make sure that I tell you right away.”

“No need to be sorry. I’m just on edge with everything,” I mumble. Does he know that we are so close to breaking the curse? “Let me get my jacket.”

“You do not need it. It’s warm outside.”

But it makes me feel better when I wear it. Like it covers my body so Prince Archie can’t see anything.

“We need to get going or else we are going to be late,” Henry says, rushing me. “You are going to gain attention if you wear the jacket.”

“Okay,” I reply, and we start walking.

Maybe it would be better if I gained a little attention in the town rather than being uncomfortable with Prince Archie. But it’s too late now to go and get it and I won’t be able to borrow one either.

Can you meet with me right now? Kieran asks. We found out how to break the curse.

My eyes go wide and I grip onto Henry’s arm. “Shit. Do we have to go to the palace right now?” I ask.

Henry nods. “Yes, we do. Prince Archie is waiting for you and you do not want to get on his bad side.”

I can’t meet with you right now. Prince Archie is expecting me, I reply. But once we are done I will come to you right away.

Stay safe, Kieran replies.

Why did they have to find out how to break the curse right when I’m needed somewhere else? Why couldn’t it have been a couple hours earlier or even a couple of hours after I met with Prince Archie?

Can you tell me through here? I ask Kieran as Henry and I start walking again.

I would rather not. There is a lot that I need to explain and I don’t want you going into the meeting with Prince Archie with a distracted or worried mindset, he replies. We will wait for you here, don’t worry. Nothing is going to happen until after I talk to you.

It eases my worries slightly, but I can’t help but wonder how they are going to break the curse. What does it entail?

I promise I won’t be long, I say. I’ll come back as soon as I can.

Don’t do anything irrational and make him suspicious.

I won’t, I promise. But he shouldn’t want that much from me right now. It’s nine months until the wedding and most of it has already been planned.

Now I don’t have to worry about the wedding either. Unless breaking the curse is going to take nine months.

Will it take a long time? I ask.

For what?

To break the curse. Will it take a long time or is it a simple thing and we will be done?

Please let it be something easy and quick.

It is something simple but at the same time it’s not simple or easy, he replies, his voice full of so many different emotions.

What do you mean?

“Adeline, is everything okay?” Henry asks. “We are almost there.”

“Everything is okay,” I mumble.

We will talk about it when you are done with Prince Archie. Think happy thoughts while you are there and don’t be distracted, Kieran finally says.