He calmly folded the book, stacked it on top of the other, and put them both on the floor. “It’s okay, Cosette. You really don’t have to help me. This isn’t your mess.”
I picked the books up and put them on the small table next to me. “You’ve been so helpful to me that I want to try. Frankly, I don’t think it’s fair that you were cursed in the first place.”
A strange look crossed Rumpel’s face, but I didn’t know him well enough to place it. Just like had happened before, it was gone before I could be sure that I had seen it. He sat up straighter. “I appreciate you trying. But it’s too late for me, I’m afraid.”
A new idea came to mind, and I smiled at the brilliance of it. “Have you sought the sorceress out? The one who cast the curse?”
“Yes,” Rumpel admitted. “But I couldn’t find her. I couldn’t find anyone who could explain the curse to me.” He folded his legs up on the couch.
“I feel like someone has to have an idea,” I thought as I picked up my last tartlet. I bit into it as Rumpel watched. Suddenly I felt selfish. “I’m sorry, do you want some?” I extended it to him, but he backed up from it.
“No, I don’t eat anymore.”
My jaw dropped open, revealing a mouth full of food. “You don’t eat? Ever?”
Rumpel laughed at me. “I don’t need to anymore. I’m not human enough to need it.”
I lowered my eyebrows as I thought about that. “But you could, right? Just because food tastes good? You could eat, if you wanted?”
Rumpel thought for a second. “Yes, I could, I guess. But there’s no point to it.”
I shook my head at him, shoving the last of the apple tartlet into my mouth. “I don’t think you’ve had this cook’s food. He’s amazing. It’s his Gift, and it’s a good one.” I pretended to melt with the taste of my last bite, just for the extra effect, though it really was good. I never had food like this at home.
“You like living here, I can tell,” Rumpel said with a sly smile, pointing to my stomach. “You’re getting plump.”
I patted my belly, pleased with the observation. “Plump and happy.”
It’d hardly been three weeks, so I knew I hadn’t filled out yet, but it was coming if I kept eating like this. I wouldn’t mind. The other night the cook had made some bread with a cinnamon sauce, and I had practically melted on the spot.
“They’re treating you like a princess already.”
I stuck out my finger at him, warning him. I spoke in a stern voice. “There is nothing wrong with that. I’m giving them gold, well, you are, so they have every reason to treat me well. And I have every right to enjoy it.” My logic sounded straight to me, but Rumpel didn’t look so convinced.
Rumpel shrugged, tilting his head. He had on a deep blue shirt today, making his hair shine brighter in contrast. “You can enjoy it, but don’t forget who you are.”
I crossed my arms, upset that the last bite of tartlet was ruined by his reminder. How could I forget who I was? What was wrong with enjoying privileges when they were given to me?
“So, since I was born a poor girl in the village, I’m not allowed to enjoy nice things? Do you want me to dress in rags all day?”
Rumpel was shaking his head before I had finished. “I’m not saying that–”
“You are,” I cut him off. “You are saying that since I wasn’t born into money, I have to live my whole life that way. You think I’m a horrible person for enjoying the food and fine clothes and big bed while my family still has little.”
“No,” Rumpel stood up. “I’m saying that you’re letting this get to your head. You care so much about what others think, you’d be willing to do whatever the King asks in order to maintain their opinions of you. Including marry his son.”
I drew my chin in and clenched my fist. “And you’ve given up on yourself. Even though you have all this power, you’re too weak to fight for yourself. You’ll wait the last six months out and be cursed forever.”
Rumpel raised his eyebrows. “You don’t know how hard I’ve fought! I spent years and years trying to find the answer. I’ve given up everything to be free.”
“You’ve given up nothing!”
He stood closer, so he was looking down at me. “I gave up a life with my daughter to be rid of this curse. She grew old and died without me there.”
That should have quieted me, but my temper had few boundaries. “That doesn’t mean your life is over. You still have a chance if you break the curse. You don’t seem to care enough about yourself to try.”
He ran his hands through his hair and turned in a circle. My arms were crossed as I watched him. Shaky breaths came from his lungs as he turned back to face me.
“Is this what you think of me?” His voice was low and flat. “That I’m weak? That I don’t care to live?” His body was still as he looked me over.
“I don’t see you fighting very hard.”
He crossed his arms. “I don’t see you fighting the King. At all.”
I laughed humorlessly. “Because I value my life! And for the record, I wouldn’t marry Conrad if he asked.”
My breathing had slowed back down as my anger subsided. Rumpel still looked unnerved as his eyes narrowed.
“You’ll miss the castle when you’re gone. You won’t want to go back to your old life after this.”
He turned around again and placed a hand over his chest. I could hear him taking deep breaths. I waited to see what he would do next, suddenly feeling guilty for getting so angry. I didn’t mean to provoke him.
He turned back around, and while there was still anger in his eyes, his shoulders had relaxed. He let his arms hang by his sides. “In six months, when my curse is final, I don’t know how much of me will be left to help you. I’ll try to keep spinning gold for you, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to.” He took a step back. “But if you keep angering me, I’m not going to save you from the King. I’ll leave you on your own.”
This was my chance to apologize. What did I know about being cursed? What did I know about Rumpel and how hard he’d fought to be free? I couldn’t claim to know him, and I shouldn’t be mad at him for seeing through me. My pride kept my mouth shut for longer than I was proud of. Just when I was ready to apologize, Rumpel cocked his head to the side.
“Ah,” he whispered. He turned his nose up. “Your prince is coming.”
Before I could say anything, his image shimmered. Just like that, Rumpel was gone, leaving me facing an empty couch and an empty feeling in my heart.
Chapter Sixteen
“Is something wrong? Is the tea not right?”
Conrad and I were walking in the gardens together. The rain from last night left a fresh smell in the air and small puddles on the ground, but nothing that couldn’t be avoided if we watched our step.
Conrad was telling me all about growing up as the crown prince, including a funny story from a diplomat’s visit. My ears were open, but my mind was not. I tried to stay focused, but I was distracted by my argument with Rumpel. Poor Conrad had mistaken my distraction for displeasure, so I plastered a smile to my face and ordered myself to forget Rumpel. I had a perfectly nice man by my side who wanted to make pleasant conversation, and I was being a poor companion.
“The tea is perfect, thank you.” I raised the cup toward him before taking a sip. We had stopped by the kitchens before heading to the garden for our walk, which was becoming a biweekly thing for us. Conrad had made me the tea himself, while I stood and watched in wonder, trying to wrap my head around the fact that the prince had rolled up his sleeves to make tea for me, a common girl.
“I want to know more about your family,” Conrad said. The question almost stopped me in my place, but I forced my feet to keep going.
“My family?” What could I say about my family to amuse the prince? “Well, I have a sister. She’s younger, but she’s more outspoken than I am. She has no filter, truly. But everyone loves her anyway. It’s hard not to.”
Conrad smiled as he bobbed his head.
“I wish I had a brother or sister. It’s like a built-in playmate.”
He walked closely next to me, listening intently as if I was telling a story as riveting as one of my father’s. “We aren’t anything alike, but I guess we are close in our own way.”
“And your parents?”
“My mama is hardworking. She hardly ever takes a break. She expects everyone to be as motivated as her, which leads to me disappointing her constantly.”
Conrad laughed, as if that was funny. “How could you disappoint her? You spin gold!”
I got a strange feeling in my stomach. Guilt. Though filled with good intentions, I was lying to Conrad while he was being so nice to me. My fingers couldn’t spin gold; they could hardly spin cloth.
I tried to move past the pit in my stomach. “Gold can’t clean the counters or sweep the floors.”
“True,” Conrad said, laughing again. It was easy to get a laugh out of him. I’d assumed that being in his shoes would be stressful, but either it wasn’t as trying as I had thought to be a prince, or he handled it very well. He had such a bubbly personality and lively laugh. I was jealous. I had no doubt been dealt much less pressure in my life then he had, and I didn’t exhibit half the joy that he did.
It was contagious, and I found Rumpel shrinking from my mind.
“That just leaves Papa.”
“Yes, the great storyteller!” Conrad raised his cup as if toasting.
I smiled. “Yes, his stories are incredible. They come alive when he tells them. Besides that, he’s kind and, I don’t know the right word for it. Soft, I guess. He’s easy to be around, relaxed. He evens Mama out in that way.”
Conrad smiled bigger. “They sound great. I bet you miss them.”
He couldn’t know how true his words were. My heart ached at the thought of them. The adventures of the castle were enough to distract my mind, but I wasn’t able to shake the feeling of loneliness that came with being separated from them for so long.
“I’ve missed them so much since your father practically dragged me away from them and won’t let me leave.”
My muscles stiffened. I hadn’t expected it to sound so harsh, especially while speaking to the prince. There must have been some leftover anger from my argument with Rumpel, and I’d let it bleed into my words. I cringed as I waited for Conrad’s reaction.
The prince had stopped walking and looked at me with his eyebrows raised.
My hands flew to my face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that to sound so ungrateful.”
“No, I understand your frustration,” he said. He played with his empty cup in his hands. He had finished his tea in four big gulps while I was still nursing mine. “I wish I could change Father’s mind, but I’m afraid he doesn’t listen to me.”
A thin man came around the bushes with garden clippers in his hands. He smiled when he saw us and waved a dirty hand. Conrad called out to him, by name, greeting him warmly. I smiled timidly and waited for him to pass us by. When he was gone, I leaned in toward Conrad.
“I have to admit, I’m not a fan of your father.”
Conrad smiled at me and leaned in as well. “Neither am I.” He looked both ways, his eyes lingering on the gardener. After a pause, he gestured me over to a bench. I set my cup down next as I faced Conrad. He had a sparkle in his eye as he stayed close to me. “Do you want to hear a secret?”
I was intrigued. What secrets did the prince of Westfallen hold?
I nodded eagerly, and Conrad leaned in even closer so that a few pieces of his wild, red curls brushed my forehead. I turned my head so he could whisper in my ear.
“I’m forming a coup against my father.”
My eyes grew wide and I gasped. I turned my head quickly to look at him, almost banging my forehead against his.
“Are you serious?” I whispered loudly.
He motioned for me to settle down as he nodded. “He used to be a great king, but when my mother died she took all his softness with her, leaving behind a bitter old man. He doesn’t have a bright vision for the future like I do. I’m supposed to take over in six years, but I’m ready now. And most of the advisors agree with me.”
I soaked up the royal drama. “How does a coup even work?”
Conrad settled back on the bench as he explained it to me. “A peaceful one? All the advisors come together, and we explain to the King that we no longer support him, and strongly encourage him to resign early. No public spectacle made, and he resigns with dignity. That’s our hope. It can get violent if he pushes back, or if not all of the diplomats are on board.”
I was surprised. “You’d get violent with your own father?” I didn’t care for the King, but I supposed that if he were my father, I would have some compassion toward him.
Conrad shook his head. “It won’t come to that.” He didn’t say no, though. In fact, he looked elated as he put his cup down and started talking with his hands. “I have so many ideas for Westfallen. I’m going to make this country the best in the world. The people will be happier, our army will be stronger, our land will be richer. Oh, Cosette, I have so many plans for my reign!”
He looked giddy, squirming in his seat as his hands waved around wildly. I laughed at his excitement. Pleased, he reached down and grabbed my hands. “It’s going to be the best years of Westfallen. With all the tools I possess, I’m going to lead this country to greatness.”
My hands tingled in his. Were they another tool that he spoke of? Uncomfortable, I slid them away. He was too delighted with his aspirations to notice.
Rumpel’s warning flashed back through my mind. Conrad is not to be trusted.
Why?
Was there something that I was missing? What did Rumpel see that I couldn’t? The man before me was committed to his role as ruler, eager to take charge, and driven to provide a better life for the people. I didn’t see selfish motivations or a lazy attitude.
I had heard nothing but great things from the people in the village, and even coming in with high expectations, I had been blown away. He knew the gardener by name. That was not the mark of a distant prince. He wasn’t removed from the people or drunk on power. He was a kind, educated man.
A kind, educated, handsome man.
Conrad sighed, looking up at the sky then back at me. “We should get going to dinner. Will you accompany me?”
With some hesitation, I put my arm in his. I could feel the muscle underneath his suit. Confident, Conrad led me out of the gardens and back into the castle, where I prayed Rumpel wasn’t lurking to spy on us.
Conrad led me to my room so I could change into something more presentable for dinner. Before he left me, he asked, “Would you stand with me? In the coup?”
Confused, I pulled my lips into a thin line. My opinion held no importance in the matter. “Why would you need me?”
Conrad smiled gently. “It would just mean a lot to have you on my side.”
Anna opened the door behind us, looking surprised to see the prince. She curtsied quickly, stepping back to give us space.
I turned back to Conrad, who was waiting for my answer. Not seeing the harm, I nodded.
He looked relieved. “Thank you, Cosette. And thank you for the lovely evening. I look forward to seeing you tonight.”
In front of Anna, he shamelessly lifted my hand and kissed it. I watched the way his curls bounced as he raised his head again. He gave me one last deep smile before heading back down the hall, leaving my hand floating in the air in his wake.
In a daze, I turned to Anna, who had an amused look on her face.
“I really do think he fancies you,” she said as she ushered me in.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I’m beginning to fear so.”
Chapter Seventeen
Anna dressed me extra well tonight. My dress was flowing, with bell sleeves and lace trim. Wearing it made me feel angelic. Anna braided a ribbon into my hair, blue to match my eyes, and put a silver necklace around my neck.
I hardly recognized my own refl
ection.
Rumpel had been right, my face looked fuller now. Not much, but I could tell the difference. My cheeks had rounded out a little, making my face look less skeletal. No one from here would notice, but I was sure my family would be able to tell the difference when I saw them next.
Whenever that would be.
After dinner, I changed from the nice dress into a plain one before going to the straw room. My hands started to let my hair down, but I decided to leave it in the braid. I wanted to feel pretty for a bit longer.
Rumpel was, once again, hard at work when I arrived. The guards had long ago stopped walking me to the room, so there was little danger of him getting caught. I wondered what would happen if he was caught. Would he vanish on sight, or would he stay to explain? Tell the guards that I had been telling the truth my first night, and that I couldn’t spin straw into gold? That I couldn’t do anything, in fact.
I hoped we would never get caught, but if we were, I hoped Rumpel would stick around to help me out. I wasn’t sure I deserved it, though, after how I had yelled at him earlier.
Expecting the air between us to be tense, I entered the room nervously. Surprisingly, Rumpel looked up from his wheel and smiled at me. Smiles from Rumpel were rare, I’d found, so to get one then confused me.
Timidly, I offered one in return, and a moment later he turned back to the wheel as his hands spun on. There was something different about the room. The table and chairs, which were never used, had been pushed closer to the window, leaving more room under the low loft roof near the staircase. In their place, someone had brought in a small bed. It wasn’t much, but it had a blanket and a pillow, and that’s all I was used to back home anyway.
Every night I came to the straw room after dinner, helped spin the gold, then was often too tired to go back to my room. Instead, I’d curl up on one of the chairs with a pillow and blanket. The castle was dark at night, with foreign shadows and eerie sounds, so it wasn’t uncommon for Rumpel and I to finish so late that I had to spend my nights here, not heading back to my own bed until the morning brought its first light. It wasn’t bad, but it had taken its toll on my back, which was another reason why I spent the days in the comfort of the library couches.
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