The Cursed Prince's Strange Bride

Alicia didn't know how long she had been conscious there. Probably only an hour had passed, but it felt like days. It was safe to say that this was the worst time of her life.

Her brain was still foggy, and she was not only weak, but her throat felt parched. Seeing how Paulina was struggling to breathe, she could guess the girl was faring even worse. Plus, it looked like she had been seriously beaten.

Alicia didn't bother to ask her about that for fear that she would remember something awful and start crying again. She had to leave here first before she would settle that. But how to leave was the problem. She had no idea where Harold was. She had no idea where anyone was.

Paulina had said no one had come here to visit. Not even to give them food or water. A guard only came to check if she was awake. Paulina didn't know the exact time of the day the guard arrived here because it was always very dark inside the dungeon. There were no windows either. But Paulina assured her that it was only going to be a while longer before he arrived again.

As much as she wanted the time to run so he could come and see her and so they could quickly get out of here, she also didn't want to spend another second here.

When the guard eventually came to check on her, she had asked for them to be released after he confirmed that she was awake, but he rudely turned around and left, not even giving her a chance to ask about Harold. And for the next couple of hours, no one else showed up.

The worst part was that Paulina had explained to her that the guard would take an even longer time before he would arrive again, or maybe not since she was conscious now and there was no reason to check. Since she was already awake, shouldn't they release her? The wait was frustrating.

"Hang in there," she said in a dry voice to Paulina, who looked like she was going to lose consciousness at any moment.

"I'm... fine, Milady," Paulina said quietly from where she was lying on the cold hard floor.

"I... don't know how to... get... you any food." Paulina said with regret.

"Is that even important right now?!" Alicia snapped angrily at her. She looked like she was dying, but she was regretting not knowing how to get her mistress something to eat?

"B-But-"

"Shut up and save your energy. I want you to be conscious when we leave this place. I am going to get us out of here no matter what it—"

Alicia stopped talking when she heard a sound like someone was approaching and quickly looked out the cell gates hopefully.

Paulina tried to stand up to join her, but she could not move her body at all.

They saw a dim lantern first before the face came into view, "You are really awake!" Susan whispered, her eyes lighting up.

Alicia almost cried for joy when she finally saw a familiar face.

Susan got closer and dropped the lantern on the floor before taking out a small bottle from inside the sleeve of her dress.

"I could only bring this with me to avoid suspicion. It's water." Susan whispered when she noticed how Alicia was looking at the bottle skeptically.

"Water?" Alicia whispered back as if she had just seen an oasis in a desert.

As soon as Susan nodded, Alicia reached for it and staggered to where Paulina was. The bottle was very small and she doubted one could get two full gulps out of it. But at least it was something. She removed the cork and fed the water to a stubborn Paulina, who tried to fight her off so she would drink it herself. But Alicia wouldn't hear of it. She forced Paulina to drink everything and sighed in relief when she saw how relaxed Paulina was after drinking the water, even though she still looked guilty and was trying to fight back tears.

Susan watched the scene in confusion. How many people would do this for their maids?

"Thank you," Alicia said to Susan as she handed the bottle back to her.

"What about you? Why didn't you share?"

Alicia shook her head. "I can manage. But Paulina can not. When can we get out of here? Where is Harold? What exactly happened?" Alicia asked impatiently.

"Keep your voice down," Susan whispered and looked behind her.

"I am not supposed to be here. If I get caught, I will be severely punished."

"Why am I here? I didn't do any of those things I was accused of. Where is Harold?" Alicia asked, but this time, her voice was hushed.

"A lot has happened in the past few days. Prince Harold is... unconscious," Susan said, making Alicia's heart skip a beat.

"What?" Alicia asked her alarm.

"An accident happened. He... was shot with an arrow. I can't explain further, but we are still waiting for him to wake up."

Alicia's legs could no longer support her and she fell to the ground while Paulina slowly began to cry.

Susan crouched in front of her and looked at her with pity.

"What happened? Did... you really kill Beth and stab Tyra?"

"How... how is he unconscious? Harold is stronger than that. A mere arrow wouldn't make him like that. What... what happened to him?" Alicia asked as she broke down in sobs, ignoring Susan's questions.

Susan could not explain to her the nature of the injury. She didn't know how it had happened, but he had been shot during the hunt. Of course, it would have been a simple accident if it hadn't been for the three silver arrows with wolfsbane coating the heads that had been used to shoot him. It was no accident.

No one knew who had shot him. And no one knew why he was still finding it difficult to recover up till now.

"I need to know what happened to know how to help you. Because I believe you didn't do that. It would have been fine if it was just Beth, but you have no reason to hurt Princess Tyra."

"I didn't... do it. But I... can't remember anything. Oh God! What is going to happen? Is it that serious?"