The Curse Is Not Over - Chapter 3

Carnephelia Helsdante. The second imperial daughter of the imperial family and the only one who did not receive the blessing. A princess with black hair, an ill omen as opposed to the golden color borne by the rest of her bloodline. Purple eyes inherited from her mother, whose origin was unclear.

Even the name her father, the emperor, gave her was the name of a poisonous flower that humans did not recklessly touch.

In a way, she herself was a bringer of tragedy.

No one stayed beside her except for the nanny because she feared that misfortune would spread, so the older woman became like family to her. Someone she could trust and rely on.

That’s what she had thought…

It was all revealed to be false, in the end.

*** 

Five days passed since she woke up as an eight-year-old.

In the meantime, Carnephelia was taking care of her body as she pretended to have the mind of a child. Lying in bed and groaning was likely sufficient.

“This too, please.”

She checked her food by feeding it to the nanny first.

“Hmmm. It’s delicious, Princess. Go ahead and try it,” the nanny said with a sly look.

“Alright.”

Carnephelia knew that this much wouldn’t make her condition worse. As always, when she avoided ingesting the poison and recovered to some extent, she’d eventually have to take it again. All of this served as entertainment for the person who controlled everything.

‘You don’t have to reveal your doubts so early.’

This was but a small experiment to test the nanny’s tolerance.

Sitting at a table filled with adult-sized silverware, she slowly tasted the soup with a too-large spoon.

There was no distinct taste, whether sweet, spicy, bitter, or salty.

“It’s delicious, right? I’ll prepare something even better when you get healthier.”

She emptied the bowl of tasteless soup as she listened to the encouraging words with one ear.

“Should we read a book after eating today?”

Tak.

Carnephelia put down the spoon, tilting her head slightly. “I want to say thank you.”

“Thank you? To whom—?”

“Nanny,” she interrupted and smiled gently. “You told me that many people sent me medicine hoping for my recovery.”

“Oh, that is…” The nanny had to pause, inevitably, because that was a lie.

Carnephelia wiped her mouth with a napkin, and then the dishes after. “Thank you for the delicious meal.”

“But Princess, you haven’t completely recovered yet. You might faint again if you go outside for no important reason.”

Of course, a subject change by bringing up concerns.

Carnephelia nodded. “You’re right.”

“Later, I’ll visit you separately.”

“So I’m only going to greet one person today.”

“…What?”

Turning away from the flustered nanny, Carnephelia calmly descended from the chair and headed to the bathroom without hesitation. “I’ll wash up by myself, so you can clean up the table.”

The door closed, leaving the nanny speechless.

*** 

After deliberately filling the tub with cold water, she stripped off her nightgown and plunged. The cold stung and settled into her bones.

“…”

It was a thrilling sensation, a shock that reminded her to stay alert.

She stayed in the water for a long time until it felt like the chill would finally seep into her heart. Carnephelia smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

Upon your soul, a curse shall be engraved.

It was a warning against those who plotted against the Helsdantes, who had God’s blessing.

“It’s not even funny.”

She’d always been the source of her loved ones’ suffering even when she hadn’t been cursed yet.

“It’s really not funny.”

But perhaps… the misfortune caused by the actual curse would be different?

*** 

Carnephelia left the secluded Second Palace.

“Oh my, that hair color…”

“Shhh! Don’t make eye contact. Haven’t you heard the rumor?”

“Why did she go all the way to the main palace?”

The whispers turned into murmurs. Compared to the Second Palace, where there were no people, many visited the Central Palace.

She continued to walk, ignoring the surrounding area. Her shoes were uncomfortable and her legs were weak from unuse. Her lips were blue from the cold bath as well.

“Princess, if you’re having a hard time, why don’t we go back now?” the nanny suggested.

Carnephelia stayed silent. To be exact, she had no energy to answer.

“That dress is…”

“Hey…!”

“Such disrespect—”

Despite the constant criticism, she arrived in front of the Central Palace relatively unharmed.

Just in time, an attendant standing in front blocked her entry. “His Majesty is currently in his office.”

‘So I’m meant to just turn back?’

Carnephelia caught her breath for a brief moment, but the nanny did not come forward to either dissuade her or explain the situation to the servant.

‘Well, I didn’t expect anything from her.’

“Attendant.”

“…!”

She had always been a timid, fearful princess who avoided eye contact with people. A princess who had a good grasp of her position. However, the young woman now was calm and composed, almost unnaturally so for an eight-year-old child.

“How may I be of service?”

“Announce my visit to His Majesty,” Carnephelia said with perfect pronunciation.

Was this really the princess they knew? The attendant nodded without realizing it. It was not so difficult to do that, at least.”

“Then, please wait.” He bowed slightly and went inside.

When the door closed, the nanny stepped closer to Carnephelia. “Princess, you’d better go back. His Majesty may get angry and scold you.” She grabbed a skinny arm. “Let us return quickly. If you avoid His Majesty, you won’t get upset.”

“It’s fine,” Carnephelia said, looking unperturbed even with such a strong grip. “Nanny will protect me if I get scolded.”

“…!”

She stared at the silent woman, who would usually respond with empty words of agreement. Recognizing that there were eyes from all sides, the nanny bit her lips, a crack on her mask seemingly appearing.

Swing

The hardwood door opened and the attendant walked out.

“Hmmm.”

The nanny hurriedly dropped her hand and stepped backward. Carnephelia looked up at the attendant, smoothing her wrinkled sleeve.

“Come on in, Princess.”

“That…!”

Carnephelia looked blandly at the surprised expression on her nanny’s face. “This is it.”

“Oh, never mind. Princess, I…”

“I can’t let my nanny get scolded in my place, though. I’ll go in alone.” Leaving her behind, she went ahead into the Central Palace.

As soon as the door closed, Carnephelia’s legs buckled.

“Princess?” The attendant reached out but was rejected with a wave.

“I can do it alone.”

“But your legs…”

They were shaking so obviously.

Carnephelia could see the pity in his eyes.

“It’s not a shame to ask for help.”

She bit her lips.

Seemingly holding back tears, the attendant recalled the environment the princess faced. He asked for permission before cradling the small body. It was surprisingly cold—he couldn’t help but flinch. However, she looked more comfortable, so he refrained from speaking.

Step. Step.

“We will arrive at His Majesty’s office soon. Even if it’s awkward, please bear with me a little longer.”

The attendant was now an entirely different person from their initial encounter when he didn’t even greet her properly. Carnephelia nodded, bowing her head to hide her silent laughter.

In front of the emperor’s office, she scrambled from the attendant’s arms and checked her clothes. When she was satisfied, the door was opened for her.

Squeak.

Bright sunlight poured in from the large window, making the blonde man in front of it even more dazzling.

“It’s my first time seeing the princess.”

[It’s my first time seeing the princess.]

That hadn’t changed at all.

“Say hello, Princess.”

Carnephelia knew that she had to be careful about every step, blink, and breath she took in the imperial palace. She objectively grasped her situation, having experienced lifelong regret from her foolishness.

“I greet the eternal sun of the Helsdante Empire.” She was no longer the poor, abandoned princess who had no power—with her curse as her weapon, she had nothing to be afraid of. “I am Carnephelia Helsdante, His Majesty the Emperor.”

Wasn’t she the best at spreading misfortune, after all?