Chapter 3 The Fail

• ELLA'S POV
• "Their mate will be the luckiest woman in the world. I'd trade anything to be in her shoes," Julia says as she straightens princess Hellen's gown.
• The Princess gives derisive snort. "Only the woman they select to marry will truly be lucky."
• Their words feels like a direct stab to my heart. Yesterday I met one of the kings and he was rude and unkind to me, but I can't deny the strange pull I felt towards him. Despite his rude nature he had stirred emotions I never knew I had.
• "Do you actually believe they are as goodlooking as people say?" Julia curiously asks.
• "I have heard that they suffer a terrible affliction on their skins when they set foot outside during daylight," Asher says thoughtfully.
• "That's merely a baseless rumor," Julia counters. "I may have never laid eyes on them in person, but their renowned beauty is the talk of every unmated woman. It wouldn't be so if they have rashes."
• "They use rare herbs, perhaps sourced from skilled witches like me, to remedy any such condition," princess Hellen remark as she hands me a hefty bronze pot adorned with mysterious arcane symbols. "Handle this with care, human," she cautions.
• Though I doubt anything would happen if it fell, I clutch it tightly to my chest, just to avoid her wrath.
• "I gathered the herbs, your Highness," Asher announces, presenting a handful of peculiar plants to Princess Hellen. They are unlike anything I'd ever seen before.
• "Fetch my spellbook before the kings grow weary of waiting," Hellen commands and I rush back to her chambers and retrieve the book. When I return, she is already striding toward the door, and I hasten to keep up my heart rate increasing. I am going to meet the king from yesterday again!
• He had such attractive features that I couldn't stop thinking about, but unfortunately, he was the rudest of all the kings I've encountered. I cannot seem to get his face off my mind though.
• We descend the staircase to the ground floor where we find Sir William awaiting us. He takes charge of leading the way after exchanging pleasanties with our mistress.
• "Are you planning to perform the ritual indoors, Your Highness?" Julia asks, curiosity evident in her expression as sir William guides us through a grand entrance adorned with two huge golden wolf statues.
• "The kings are unable to go outdoors, remember. They were cursed to never again see the light of day," Princess Hellen explains, her tone dismissive.
• We approach another large entrance with two guards at either side.
• Sir William nods to the guards, who promptly open the massive ornate doors, allowing us to enter.
• My stomach churns as I take steps into the spacious chamber behind everyone else.The room exudes opulence, a breathtaking display of wealth and power. Gold and silver accents adore every surface, catching the light and casting a radiant, almost ethereal glow. The floor beneath our feet feels cool and smooth.
• At the far front of the chamber, a raised stage holds three imposing golden thrones occupied by the most striking men. None of them has a skin rush as Asher claimed, infact their skin so clear and pale.
• What I didn't know is that they are identical brothers. Each one of them bears an uncanny resemblance to the handsome but rude king I encountered in the library yesterday. The man that insulted me for no reason.How will I even tell which one of them I met yesterday?
• They look like they were plucked from the same mold and stamped with identical handsome features.
• "Who stands before us? introduce yourself." One of them, who sits on the left, with longer dark hair than the other two orders in a rough voice and I feel a chill run down my back. Princess Hellen takes a step forward undeterred.
• "Salutation great king Reagan," She gracefully bows her head, and we all instinctively follow suit. "Behold your anointed savior Princess Hellen of Silverdale, herself in all her majesty, enchanter above all enchanters, before me is none other, no charm can defy my power. Ready to be of service your majesties."
• As I lift my gaze, I find the piercing eyes of the two of the king's fixed upon me, causing my heart to momentarily stop. Why are they looking at me? Shouldn't they be staring at princess Hellen instead? She is the one with all the graceful introductions.
• The one at the center leans in and murmurs something to the one in the dark coat on the right, who nods with pursed lips, keeping his eyes locked on me. It's evident they are discussing me, likely regarding the incident at the library.
• Since it's s clear it's one of them I encountered yesterday, I sincerely hope he chooses not to say anything, as my mistress would not hesitate to fire me.
• Princess Hellen approaches the thrones with grace, her eyes fixed on the kings. And their attention shifts from me as the one in a dark coat inclines his head slightly, king Reagan nods in acknowledgment, the one at the center, simply gazes at her with intense scrutiny.
• "Your majesty King Regan, King Aleric and King Kian, I would like to begin set up the items I need to cast the spell." She announces.
• If the one at the center is King Aleric and the one on the left with longer hair is king Reagan, then the one on the right, in a dark coat must be king Kian the one I met yesterday!
• "Before you proceed, is the ugly human your servant?" Alpha Aleric inquires and my mouth falls open as everyone's eyes turn toward me. What did I ever do to them?
• "I only keep her for my own entertainment, your majesty. But if her uglyness that is a bother, I can have her removed," Princess Hellen says.
• I feel tears gather in my eyes. The dress I am wearing may be a little old and not as beautiful as the gown she is wearing or the dresses my fellow servants have on, but it's immaculately clean.
• "No need," the king Kian says, leaning towards King Aleric. "After the curse is lifted, we won't have to concern ourselves with her," he murmurs, and King Aleric nods. What are they talking about? What could I possibly have to do with a curse?
• "Please proceed," the same king urges Princess Hellen, who then signals to me to bring forth the ornate pot. I place it before the kings, then step back a respectful distance. She then takes the bundle of rare plants from Asher and deftly begin to create a mixture from their delicate leaves and flowers. She then adds the resulting mixture to the pot, the room is filled with a hushed anticipation as all eyes remain fixed upon her every movement.
• "I'm all now set to begin." The princess addresses the kings grinning confidently. "I have studied this for years and consulted with the wisest of sorcerers. Everything is going according to plan and the curse will be lifted in no time." She assures before glancing in our direction.
• "My servants will recite these chants throughout the seance," she commands.
• Asher, Julia, and I, draw closer and she chants the words for us to hear.
• "Let thy smoke from this pot carry away thy afflictions. May thy blood of thy willing deliverer absolve thee guilt. May thy strength be fully restored, and may thy influence be multiplied, reminiscent of thy former days." As she chants, the mixture in the pot begins to emit thick, billowing smoke, causing us to cough and wave our hands in front of our faces.
• Hesitantly we start the incantations, our voices shaking as we try to keep up with her. The fumes from the pot thicken, shrouding the entire room in a misty haze that obscures everyone's vision. Some of us start to stumble over the words, causing a few awkward pauses in the chant.
• Just then, the air in the chamber turns pungent, and the pot emits a series of loud popping sounds. We all exchange alarmed looks.
• "That doesn't look quite right, your highness." King Aleric mutters coughing between breaths. "It is not supposed to bring good fortune, not turn into a foul smelling mess?"
• "Worry not, your majesty. The potion is coming along splendidly!" Princess Hellen reassures before continuing with the chant.
• Her portion doesn't look promising at all. I take a few steps back
• As Princess Hellen speaks, the bubbling mixture in the pot begins to overflow, spilling onto the floor. Princess Hellen takes a step back, her eyes widening.
• "Oh dear... perhaps we should, uh, stand back a bit." She says as the pot suddenly starts to shake violently.
• Before anyone can react, the Princess lets out a piercing scream. "Run for your lives!"
• The pot suddenly explodes, sending a shower of potion and debris in all directions. We all dive for cover as the chamber fills with thick smoke.