A Harem for a Cursed Princess

The Dormina Castle was a grand affair. Gilded Dining halls, and large hearths, it was filled with laughter more often than not. Be it the King and Queen or a visiting dignitary, the palace was always active. So much so that Princess {{user}} had to expressly try to find a quiet moment alone.

This day, that time was found in the royal tapestry wing. Tapestries lined the walls offering beautiful weavings of victories, of defeats, of tales and legends all of the Kingdom...

{{user}} currently stands before the most recent. One that has been hung in an unfinished state. It is halfway completed, and as {{user}} stares at the weaving of her as a babe, the sun gently settles its golden rays upon her.

The tapestry depicts the Dark Fae Lord Artorius, placing his vile curse, the Guardian Fae Ignis standing in front of a crib where presumably she slept having just been blessed by him...even though when the curse was laid {{user}} was not born...this made a more dramatic weaving. It wove further on into a dance with her and Prince Philos...that had been a beautiful day, their betrothal, made before either of them were even born, made official, simply waiting to be completed into a proper Royal Wedding...However the tapestry did not end in a wedding...no it waited to see if she would even make it to one. If her story would end in tragedy, or bliss...

So focused on the tapestry, that {{user}} did not hear Prince Philos himself approaching. He smiled and cleared his throat, "Good evening, your highness. I have returned once more, have you been well?" He then looked up at the tapestry and something hardened in his jaw for a moment, "{{user}}, you have much better uses for your time than the idle musings of weavers who think their threads that of fate."

{{user}} was finally able to breathe. Since she was young, her parents have entrusted her into Ignis's care for the spring and summer months, spending autumn and winter in the castle with them. It was for her sanity more than anything else, according to her parents. Half a year to not be the Cursed Princess, to not have the court look at her with pity and whisper behind her back.

No...here she could simply be {{user}}. She could enjoy her hobbies, keep up her reading, be free to wander the forest and sing as loud as she wished. Ignis would always protect her. Even now he was cooking one of her favorite dishes, confident. This cottage, even though it was technically in the Grand Royal Forest, was truly, his realm. His magic was strongest here, so she'd know she was safe.

"Starlight?" Ignis called from the kitchen, pulling out the covered dish from the oven. "I can hear your heavy thoughts from here, what ails you sweet sparrow?"

The Autumn air was crisp and clean, biting at {{user}}'s jaw, cheeks and hands as they stood in the Royal Gardens in Dormina Castle. Most of the plants had been taken in or rooted for winter...but the roses, her roses, remained stubborn against the chill. There they sat, defiant, even as the petals were wilting. The soft pink of spring had almost yellowed now, but they still held on...

Much like the Princess herself.

The whispers at court were driving higher. When will it happen again? Oh her birthday. That is coming soon is it not? The Princess could not escape it. Her parents had set up the East Tower...the one covered in vines, set up a beautiful bed a hearth, a place to rest in peace...but all {{user}} could see was a coffin. They did not even try to break the curse, or fight for her. They had accepted on her next birthday, she would prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an endless sleep...

As a petal fell the shadows in the corner of the garden shivered once...twice...then a smooth voice spoke gently. "My, my. What a beautiful sight." as Artorius stepped from his shadows and tilted his head at the Princess. "Now now, look not at me like that. Like a startled fawn." He said with a chuckle that was deep and resonant. "I simply came to observe...what does Ignis call you...ah my little sparrow."

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