The Cursed Prince's Strange Bride

"I learned that the murderer has regained consciousness," Benedicta announced as the maids attending to their family served them tea after they were done having dinner in their chamber.

Since the incident happened, all the families within the palace had been eating alone in their chambers, especially as the king was ill and there was no need for the general royal meals.

"You shouldn't refer to her in such a manner when she hasn't been tried yet," Harvey scolded with a glare as he looked at his sister.

"We all know that the trial is just for show. She is guilty. The maid who witnessed it already gave her testimony. So we know truly that she did it. I heard she doesn't get along with Beth," Benedicta said matter-of-factly before turning to her father.

"Father, I hope you all will make sure that she is sentenced to death immediately. She deserves to die for doing that to Beth and Princess Tyra. Beth's father is so saddened by the loss of his daughter, and so is the Queen by her daughter's injury," Benedicta said, and her mother looked at her with disapproval.

"Why do you seem to have so much to say concerning this matter?" Her mother asked, and she shook her head as she placed a hand on her chest.

"I feel terrible because I would have married a man who is married to such a scary woman. And I feel very sorry for the Queen, who lost her first son in the hands of Prince Harold, and now her daughter is battling for her life thanks to Prince Harold's bride. Not to forget Beth's father, who lost his wife trying to protect the queen from Prince Harold's evil caretaker, and now he has lost his daughter to Prince Harold's evil wife. Prince Harold and everyone close to him is evil. It's no wonder he is so fond of her. They fit so well together. Now I'm glad I never married him.

She should be executed before Prince Harold regains consciousness!" Benedicta said with disdain, and both her parents and Harvey watched her in surprise as they wondered what happened to make her feel that way.

"Watch what you say or else you're going to get into trouble. I don't want to hear a word concerning this from you anymore," her father warned, making her pout.

When the first bell rang, Harvey rose from his seat and said, "It has been a long day, father. I will excuse myself now and return to my chamber." Harvey said with a bow to his parents, and he eyed his sister with displeasure before walking away.

"Be careful," his mother called out to him, but he was long gone.

Like everyone else in the palace, Harvey was both curious and confused over what had happened that night, but unlike everyone else, apart from Harold, who was unconscious, there wasn't a single doubt in Harvey's mind that Alicia was innocent.

His trust in her wasn't simply because he had been friends with Princess Amber or because he had shared tea together with Alicia and Harold and exchanged secrets with them, but after his brief discussion with her the other day, he felt like he knew her well enough to know that she wasn't capable of such evil. Neither was Amber.

He didn't need anyone to tell him that something was going on and if he didn't act fast, Alicia was going to lose her head. Princess Amber's head.

He had thought long and hard about the best way to go about it without drawing attention to himself or causing more trouble for Alicia since no one knew about his close friendship with Princess Amber, and it would be considered odd if he showed more interest in the case than was necessary.

After much thought, he had decided to find allies. People who, like him, believed in Alicia's innocence and were willing to work with him to prove it. For now, he knew of only two people who were close to her apart from her maid and Harold, and those were Princess Tyra and Lady Susan. Unfortunately, princess Tyra was not only unconscious but she was also one of the people she had been accused of harming. That left lady Susan and possibly Harold's guard, who he had learned had refused to leave Harold's bedside.

Instead of going to his chamber, he went outside instead. This was a risk, but there was nothing else he could do. He didn't have much time.

He raised his head and looked up at a window he knew to be Lady Susan's bedroom. He had scouted the area earlier today to get the exact place. Now, he decided to pay her a visit to find out what she thought and if she was willing to stick by Alicia.

He looked around to make sure no one was looking before climbing up the wall that led to Susan's bedroom. Just as he got to the windowsill and prepared to heave himself up, he heard voices inside her bedroom and paused as he listened to her and William's conversation. Thankfully, he had been sure to use the scent mask he always carried with him.

Not wanting Williams to catch him sneaking into his twin sister's chamber, Harvey stayed still and waited until Williams left. Their conversation greatly interested him since he confirmed that they were truly on her side. But hearing Susan mention Alicia didn't know what had happened made him even more worried than he already was.

Just as Williams left, and he started to climb up again, Susan hurried out of the chamber, and he sighed as he climbed into her chamber, deciding to wait for her while hoping that he wouldn't have to wait for too long.

Thankfully, not long after, Susan returned to the chamber, and he was quick to clasp a hand over her mouth before she could scream, "It's me."

Once he felt that she was calm enough and wouldn't scream, he let his hands drop to his side as he looked at her, "What have you learnt so far?" He asked, going straight to the point since he needed to leave soon if he didn't want to be caught.

"What... have I learnt so far? About what?" Susan asked in confusion, wondering if he was referring to the training she received at the palace, or if he was asking because he wanted to know if she would make a good bride.

"About Princess Amber's case," Harvey said, and her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at him.

He sneaked into her chamber to ask her about Princess Amber's case? Why? She would have been suspicious of him had she not taken note of him almost all through the hunt until they left when they saw what had happened to Harold and also heard the ruckus happening in the palace.

Did her parents or the queen send him to find out if she was going around looking for trouble? If they had done so, he wouldn't be sneaking into her chamber, would he?

"Princess Amber's case? Why are you asking me about that?" She asked, looking at him with a slight frown.

"I know she is your friend, and I know you don't believe she did it. Have you seen her? Have you spoken with her yet?" Harvey asked despite knowing the answer already, but Susan continued to eye him with suspicion.

"What do you want? Why are you asking me these questions?"

"Because... I want to... help," Harvey said, and Susan raised a brow.

"Why?"

Why? What reason could he possibly give her? There was no way he could tell her that he was close to Princess Amber.

"Because she is your friend, and I also believe that she could not have hurt a werewolf as strong as Beth. And it doesn't make sense that Prince Harold was hurt at the same time," he said, and Susan clapped her hand suddenly.

"Right? There is no way she could have done that! Why is no one else seeing that she is innocent?" Susan asked, momentarily forgetting her suspicion.

"So will you answer my question and tell me what you have learnt so far? Perhaps that way I'll know how to help," Harvey offered, and Susan looked at him for a moment, unsure whether she should trust him.

"How do I know the queen or my parents didn't send you to spy on me and know what I'm up to?" She asked, and Harvey paused as he thought of the best response he could give her.

"I have no reason to work for either your parents or the Queen. And unfortunately, there is no way I can prove that to you if you don't give me the chance. You can either take my word for it and trust me or try to save your friend by yourself. But you should know that whatever you decide, she will be tried tomorrow and could be executed if we are unable to prove her innocence," Harvey said, and Susan looked at him hesitantly as she tried to make up her mind.

"If... you are trying to deceive me, I will make you watch me skin your sister alive before I do the same to you and the rest of your family," she threatened, trying to sound as intimidating as Alvin had sounded, but Harvey merely stared at her.

"Tell me everything you know," he said seriously.

Choosing to trust him, Susan did just that and gave him a rundown of everything, hoping that together they would all find a way to save Princess Amber.