Common Ch2

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Chapter 2
The Decision

Lucette: I don’t see why this is necessary.

Delora: Of course this is necessary, princess. You work to show you can be useful.

Lucette: …

For the last half hour Parfait and Delora have been debating what chores they want to give me.

Lucette: *I cannot believe they are seriously going to make me work. Like a commoner.*

Delora: No freeloaders at the Marchen, remember? And you can’t pull the princess card anymore now that you’re a homeless peasant.

Lucette: Being demoted to a homeless peasant is not my fault.

Delora: If you really think about it, it was kind of me to demote you.

Lucette: …

Parfait: Stop teasing her, Delora. Lucette has had a lot thrown at her already.

Delora: I’m only speaking the truth. Besides, working to live is the commoner’s way of life, but at least it’s rewarding.

Lucette: …

Delora: But if you do nothing, you get nothing. No food, no clothes, no bed.

Delora: You are no longer a princess, Lucette. Life here at the Marchen is comfortable and you need to work for comfort. Remember that.

Lucette: …

Delora: What you do is your choice, princess.

Lucette: Do I even have a choice?

Delora: Not really, no.

Parfait: Let’s see…

Parfait: How about cooking duties?

Delora: No way. She’d burn a salad.

Lucette: …

Parfait: She could be a receptionist?

Delora: Then we’d lose all of our customers.

Parfait: That’s… probably true.

Lucette: I am right here, you know.

Delora: …

Parfait: ...Sorry

Delora: Do you have any useful skills at all?

Lucette: …

As a princess, I had servants who did everything for me. They cleaned my room, helped me dress…

How am I expected to possess skills for things I have never done?

Parfait: Aha!

Delora: Hmm?

Parfait: I have found the perfect job for our Cinderella!

Parfait: Ta-dah!

Parfait: Lucette will be in charge of sweeping the Marchen floors.

Lucette: What?

Delora: Perfect. Even she should be able to do that.

Delora: Could you, princess?

Lucette: I refuse.

Parfait: But look! I even put a cute little ribbon on the broom just for you. It’s your very own, special broom.

Lucette: A princess does not clean.

Delora: Hard-headed as ever. Don’t worry, I have a fix for this.

Lucettes: !!!

Suddenly the broom flies into my hands. I am pulled helplessly along as the thing begins to sweep the floors.

I try to pull my hands away, but they may as well be glued to the broom. They do not budge.

Lucette: What have you done?

Delora: You should be thanking me. I’m helping you with your duties.

Parfait: Delora, isn't this a little too much?

Delora: Oh, nonsense. The princess is learning useful new skills. Mr. Broom will teach her everything she needs to know.

Delora: If the floor is dirty, Mr. Broom will come to life and start sweeping. And it will not stop until the floors are spotless.

Lucette: What?

Delora: Come on, Parfait. We’ve got time for a cup of tea.

Parfait: But…

Delora: She’ll be fine. A little sweeping never killed anyone.

Parfait: …

Lucette: You are dreadful!

Delora: Enjoy your time with Mr. Broom.

Lucette: Wait!

Lucette: Did they really just leave?

Lucette: !!!

Lucette: Hey, s-slow down!

The broom begins to sweep faster.

Despite my protests, I am still forced, like a puppet, to sweep the floors with grudging tenacity.

Lucette: … I can barely… catch my breath… after that.

Karma: Princess, Parfait sent me to check-

Karma: !!!

Karma: How lovely! It’s so clean I can see my reflection on the floorboards. I’m impressed.

Lucette: Do not even think about stepping into this room with your dirty shoes!

Karma: Goodness, I didn’t know princesses could be such terrifying creatures.

Karma: You are aware that the Marchen is opening soon, yes? The floor isn’t going to stay clean forever.

Lucette: Then do not open the Marchen.

Karma: …

Karma: I do sympathize with you, princess. It’s difficult adjusting to the commoner’s life.

Lucette: What would you know about that?

Karma: More than you think.

Lucette: What?

Karma: Oh, did I let that slip? That was my mistake.

Karma just smiles at me, his eyes gleaming with playful mischief.

Lucette: …

Lucette: *He is definitely hiding something…*

My hands are red and sore from all of the sweeping I have done today.

I remember the salve Annice offered me when I first woke up in my room. Surely that will help somewhat.

I apply it to my hands and find, to my surprise, that it is very effective.

Most of the redness quickly fades, along with the pain.

Lucette: Is this what my life will be like if I do not break the curse? Forced to work day in and day out?

Lucette: I cannot let things stay as they are.

Lucette: I must act.

I lay down to rest.

Tiredness falls upon me like a heavy, suffocating blanket. I close my eyes and feel myself shift into the darkness of sleep.

Despite having slept for hours, I am still tired when I wake.

I glance back at my hands and remember the salve’s effectiveness.

Lucette: Whatever Annice gave me really works. I should ask her to make me more.

Lucette: I feel like this is not the last time I will need it.

Lucette: *I must act quickly. The sooner I break the curse, the better.*

Lucette: *The people who offered to help me are all here.*

Lucette: Whom should I ask for help?

Waltz (+2 Waltz)

Karma (+2 Karma)

Rumpel (+2 Rumpel)

Rod (+2 Rod)

...I can break the curse on my own. (+2 Fritz)

Lucette: He was just here earlier. Maybe he went back inside.

Lucette: !!!

I stop and stare at the small orbs of light floating around the room.

Lucette: What is going on?

Waltz: Ah… No, this isn’t it.

I watch in awe as Waltz snaps his fingers and all the orbs disappear with a pop.

Waltz: Oh! Princess!

Lucette: What are you doing?

Waltz: Practicing my next magic trick. I still haven’t perfected it.

Lucette: How come you are able to use magic? Are you a witch? A fairy?

Waltz: A good magician never reveals his secrets.

Lucette: …Right.

Waltz: Did you need anything?

I take a deep breath.

Lucette: Can you…

Lucette: Can you teach me about goodness?

Waltz: Huh?

Lucette: Why do you look so surprised?

Waltz: Well it’s just that… I didn’t think you’d come to me for help.

Lucette: If you don’t want to-

Waltz: No! No, that’s not it at all.

Waltz: I’m happy you asked me.

Waltz: What would you like to know about goodness?

Lucette: How do you do a good deed?

Waltz: ...That is a very broad question. I don’t think i can give you a specific example…

Lucette: Then how do I do good?

Waltz: …

Waltz: The easiest way to do good is to make someone happy.

Lucette: …

Lucette: So a good deed would involve making someone happy…

Lucette: How do I do that?

I find Karma sitting quietly at the bar.
Lucette: *I thought he was the picture of elegance when I saw him at the toy shop, but he’s really just conceited.*

I walk over to where he is.

Karma: Oh, Princess Lucette! You look stunning as always in your… work clothing.

Lucette: *He must be mocking me. But it does not matter.*

Lucette: I am here because I want you to teach me about goodness.

Karma: Not even a compliment in return? I’m rather offended.

Lucette: …

Karma: Relax, princess, I’m just teasing you.

Lucette: I noticed. Now can you answer my question?

Karma: Princess, you do so wound me.

Lucette: *This is going nowhere. Maybe I should ask someone else.*

Karma: Princess, wait. You made the right decision in coming to me for help, I assure you.

Lucette: …

Karma: The best people, princess, look beautiful. The way you look outside has to match what you have inside.

Lucette: How is that supposed to help me?

Lucette: Are you implying that I am not beautiful?

Karma: Of course not!

Karma: I only suggest that you smile more often.

Lucette: Smiling will not help me accomplish a good deed.

Lucette: And smiling has nothing to do with beauty.

Karma: Oh dear, I’m afraid that’s not true at all. People who are beautiful smile all the time.

Karma: Like myself.

Lucette: *He’s not helping at all.*

Karma: Don’t give me that look, darling. A real smile lifts the heart and takes stress off the mind.

Lucette: And?

Karma: Well, in order to do good you must first change yourself. Make yourself more beautiful on the outside and the inside.

Lucette: *I really don’t know why I came to him for advice.*

Lucette: *But what did I expect from such a flamboyant man?*

Lucette: *He is as shallow as a puddle of water.*

Lucette: *I suppose I can ask Rumpel. Enough girls seem to like him, so he might have sound advice.*
I find Rumpel in between his orders and pull him aside. He looks oddly relieved.

Rumpel: Ah princess, you’ve saved me.

Lucette: Saved you?

Rumpel: From a heinous overload of work!

Lucette: *I am pretty sure Rumpel does less around here than me. At least I finish the work I am given. Unlike Rumpel who gets distracted by every single thing.*

Rumpel: Dear Lucette, if you’ve called me here, then you must want to confess something to me.

Lucette: What?

Rumpel: Perhaps you’ll confess your undying love for me?

I scowl at him and cross my arms.

Lucette: I came to ask you for advice but perhaps I’ll go ask someone else.

Rumpel: ...You came to ask my advice?

Rumpel stares at me, clearly shocked. I guess it is because out of all the people I would ask, he probably seems the least likely.

Rumpel: Then I will assist, my sweet princess!

Rumpel: What kind of advice are you looking for? Perhaps you’d like to learn how to make a man swoon, or how to stroke the embers of the heart?

Lucette: *Is flirting the only thing that is ever on his mind?*

Lucette: I came because I want you to teach me about goodness.

Rumpel: Goodness? But my sweet, all of the advice that I just suggested would teach you just that.

Lucette: Being romantic will not teach me how to do good.

Rumpel dramatically places his hand over his heart.

Rumpel: But being romantic is good!

Rumpel: Don’t you see the smiles on the lovely ladies’ faces when I speak with them?

Lucette: *I cannot imagine why they smile like that. Rumpel’s persistence is annoying.*

Rumpel: To be romantic and loving… that is the epitome of goodness. Show someone affection and they will return it twofold.

I can only stare at Rumpel as I wonder why I even decided to ask him.

Rumpel: Or you could just be kind. Everyone is kind in their own way, princess. So what do you say?

Rumpel: Perhaps you would like to practice on me? I’m sure your smile would brighten up my week. No, I’m certain of it!

Lucette: ...I have work.

I quickly turn and leave before Rumpel can continue.

Lucette: If I have to be romantic to earn a good deed, I’d rather be cursed like this forever.

Rod came to the Marchen today to discuss something with Parfait. This is just the third time he has visited the tavern since I have been here.
Lucette: *I wonder what he discusses with Parfait.*

Rod’s eyebrows furrow as soon as he sees me enter the room.

Parfait: Oh. It seems like the princess has something she would like to speak with you about, Prince Rod.

Lucette: *She probably already knows why I am here.*

Parfait: Thank you, Prince Rod, for telling me about this. I shall leave you with the princess now.

Rod’s expression turns grim. He clearly disapproves of me even just being in the same room as him. As soon as Parfait leaves, he shoots a glare in my direction.

Rod: What do you want?

Lucette: *All I have done is enter the room and he is already angry.*

Lucette: *I am still not used to being treated like this by him.*

Lucette: I am here to ask you about goodness.

Rod: You are asking the wrong person, Lucette.

Lucette: *Did I make the right choice in choosing to come to him?*

Rod: I do not intend to help you break your curse, no matter what Lady Parfait says.

Lucette: Pardon?

Rod: Emelaigne and my mother have tried to be kind to you many times, but you only ever respond with disrespect and cruelty.

Lucette: Cruelty?

Lucette: You think I have been cruel to them?

Rod: How else would you describe your behavior?

Lucette: *Why am I suddenly the one at fault? Their coming to the palace made my life miserable. I am the victim here, not them.*

Rod: The others may think you’re capable of goodness, but I severely doubt it.

Rod: I do not wish to work with you, do not come to me for help.

Rod: Excuse me.

He turns around me and begins to walk away, leaving me to stand alone in the room, even angrier than I was before.

Lucette: *How dare he treat me like this!*

I grab his arm and pull him around so that he is facing me.

I refuse to let him belittle me like this, especially when I am making a conscious effort to change.

Lucette: What if I help you break your curse? Will you help me then?

Rod fixes me with an icy stare as he pulls away.

Rod: I don’t intend to break my curse.

Lucette: What?

Rod shoots me one last glare before he leaves the Marchen, leaving me to stand there, confused.

Lucette: *If he does not intend to break his curse, then why is he even here?*

Lucette: *They offered to help, but that could have been because they felt pressured to.*

Lucette: *This curse is my problem and my burden.*

Lucette: *I will break it on my own.*

Lucette: *Perhaps doing my duties will be considered a good deed if I do them willingly.*

Lucette: *So if I sweep without the broom having to drag me around the room…*

I walk up to the broom.

Lucette: *I cannot believe I am about to do this.*

Lucette: …

Lucette: *The floors aren’t that dirty but I heard Annice once say that there is no such thing as ‘too clean’.*

Annice: …

Delora: …

Delora: Do my eyes deceive me?

Annice: Isn’t it the… magic?

Delora: Definitely not. The enchantment I put on the broom hasn’t activated yet.

Annice: Does that mean the princess is actually-

Lucette: If you are to stand around, could you not do so in the center of the room?

Lucette: I am sweeping.

Annice: …

Delora: There’s no magic here.

Delora: This is the most pathetic sweeping I’ve ever seen.

Delora: She hasn’t swept anything. She’s just moved the dirt around the floor. It’s in a perfectly even layer all over.

Annice: Well, she’s, um, trying very hard! That should count.

I can hear Delora and Annice talking about me in the corner of the room, but I make a point of ignoring their words.

I set the broom back and wait. I do not know what signals the completion of a good deed, but I should know it when I see it.

Lucette: *Will there be a flash of light? Will the piece of slipper appear in my hands or on my necklace?*

Lucette: …

Lucette: *Whatever it is, it should have happened by now.*

Delora: You weren’t expecting to have completed one of your deeds through sweeping, were you?

Lucette: …

Delora: Doing what’s expected of you doesn’t make you ‘good’.

Delora: It just makes you normal.

Annice: That’s still a good thing!

Lucette: …

Lucette: *This is going to be harder than I expected.*

I stare in horror at the floor.

Gravel and sand are embedded between the floorboards. The wood beneath my feet is covered in a thick muck.

Lucette: …

Mr. Broom: [happy]

Lucette: …Oh no.

Lucette: S-stop!

Parfait: I never thought I’d see this. The princess is actually sweeping.

Jurien: I’d say it’s more like the broom is sweeping and the princess is just along for the ride.

Garlan: Lady Parfait, your orders have arrived. Where should I put them?

Parfait: At the back, please. Thank you.

I glare at Garlan as he begins to move.

Lucette: You!

Garlan: !!!

Lucette: You are dirtying the floor!

Garlan: Sorry!

Garlan dashes across the floor with long steps in an attempt to leave as few footprints as possible.

Jurien: This was Delora’s doing wasn’t it?

Parfait: Is it obvious?

Jurien: This has ‘witch-having-fun’ written all over it.

Lucette: I need… water…

Parfait: Wow. Completely spotless!

Lucette: You are the worst.

Mr. Broom: [sad]

Parfait: Don’t be mad at the broom, princess. It is only trying to help

Lucette: It is doing nothing but making my life miserable.

Witch: Lady Parfait, I must speak with you.

I look up at the witch that has just entered.

She is a regular at the Marchen, and according to Parfait and Delora, a good witch.

She orders tea here from time to time.

Lucette: *She has mud on her shoes!*

Witch: Why is she glaring at me like that?

Parfait: I believe it’s because of your shoes, dear.

Lucette: I have just cleaned the floor.

Witch: Oh! I am sorry, I will clean up after myself right away.

Lucette: Good.

Jurien: …

Garlan: …

Jurien: The princess is something else. I’ve never seen a witch so frightened of someone before.

Garlan: Yeah.

The witch hurriedly cleans up the tracks she’d made coming in before going to speak with Parfait.

Lucette: *Even though Parfait says that Delora and this witch is good, I do not trust her judgement.*

Especially not when she considers Delora, who ruined my life, a good person.

I put the broom back in its resting place before double-checking my work.

Lucette: *Now that I am done, I can continue to work on breaking my curse.*

Lucette: Whom should I ask for help today?

Waltz (+2 Waltz)

Karma (+2 Karma)

Rumpel (+2 Rumpel)

Rod (+2 Rod)

...No, I do not need any help. (+2 Fritz)

I find Waltz sitting in the corner of the tavern reading a book.

Lucette: You didn’t strike me as the kind of person that would read books.

Waltz: I’m… going to take that as a compliment.

Waltz: Though to be honest, I wouldn’t be reading this if I wasn’t preparing for one of my shows.

Lucette: Shows?

Waltz: I don’t just do magic shows. I perform puppet shows as well. I have to be familiar with several bedtime stories for those.

Waltz: You should come with me sometime. The children are always so happy at the shows.

Waltz. You might get one of your good deeds helping out.

Lucette: I have never been around children for extended amounts of time.

Waltz: You’ve got to be patient too. Children can be difficult to handle.

Lucette: You speak as if you aren’t a child yourself.

Waltz: That’s because I’m not a child.

Lucette: *Waltz hates it when he’s treated like a child.*

Lucette: *Especially when Karma teases him about it.*

Waltz: Besides, patience isn’t just for children. It’s necessary in a lot of situations.

Waltz: …I would guess you might need to work on that.

Lucette: Excuse me?

Waltz shrugs and with an awkward smile, returns to his book.

I find Karma sitting at one of the tables, looking out a window.

Lucette: You’re being quiet today? What a rare sight.

Karma: Oh, princess!

Lucette: Why would you be so surprised to see me?

Karma: Because it is an honor every time you visit me.

Karma: Have you come for my advice?

Lucette: I want you to tell me how to do a good deed.

Karma: My, my, so straightforward.

Lucette: *What is he talking about?*

Karma: It’s really simple. You just do something without strings attached.

Lucette: No strings attached?

Karma: Yes. You do something for someone without asking them to pay you back.

Lucette: *It is hard to wrap my head around doing such a thing. Why would I do something without needing to?*

Lucette: Have you done such a thing for someone before?

Karma: …

Karma: Of course I have, princess.

Lucette: That was a long pause.

Karma: It was only a thoughtful one.

Lucette: …Right.

Lucette: Is that all?

Karma: I believe so. That tidbit of wisdom ought to serve you well.

I find Rumpel taking a break at one of the tables. Surprisingly, he is by himself, and not surrounded by the usual blushing ladies.

Lucette: You are not surrounded by a flock of ladies? You must have done something to offend them.

Rumpel looks at me, the surprise apparent on his face.

Rumpel: Princess, have you come to mend my broken heart?

Lucette: Excuse me?

Rumpel: I was speaking with a lady here only hours ago when she told me that she was betrothed to someone else.

Lucette: That happened hours ago and you are still sitting here?

Rumpel places his chin on the palm of his hand, looking very tired.

Rumpel: In mourning! The heart is a fragile thing, princess.

Rumpel: Won’t you help heal my shattered heart?

Lucette: …

Rumpel stares at me when i do not answer.

Rumpel: That would count as a good deed, you know.

Lucette: Helping you would count as a good deed?

Rumpel: Doing things out of the kindness of your heart is a good deed, princess.

Lucette: The kindness of my heart? Why would I want to help you when you’ve done nothing for me?

Rumpel: Kindness isn’t a thing that needs to necessarily be returned, princess. Single instances of affection can make a heart lighter.

Lucette: *Why does he always go through the trouble of making his words sound so much fancier?*

Lucette: I will not help you mend your broken heart because that would be an act of stupidity, not kindness.

Rumpel’s shoulders slump as he frowns.

Rumpel: Ah, now my heart is even more fragmented…

Lucette: You suffer from a broken heart every day you are rejected.

Rumpel: Of course! Because to pour your heart out to someone only to be rejected is a cruel fate, princess.

Lucette: You probably deserved rejection, what with the way you flirt with everyone. So no, I am not going to help you. Deal with your own broken heart.

I turn around and walk away.

Lucette: *The acts Rumpel puts on are annoying.*

I glance over at Rod as he enters the tavern.

Lucette: *That was almost perfect timing.*

Lucette: …

Lucette: *He told me that he does not intend to break his curse, yet here he is again.*

Rod must sense my eyes on him because the minute he walks in he turns to look at me.

His expression is as cold and unmoving as always. He pointedly leaves the tavern area and enters the reception.

I follow after him.

Rod: I told you to find someone else.

Lucette: What can I do to make you stop hating me?

Rod: What?

Lucette: You said whatever I had done to you or your family was bad.

Lucette: So if I reverse that, I might get a good deed.

Rod: You truly don’t understand how goodness works, do you?

Lucette: I would not be asking you if I did.

Rod closes his eyes and rubs the back of his neck. He looks thoughtful, but also irritated.

Lucette: I intend to break my curse as soon as possible and I will do whatever it takes.

Lucette: And it seems to me that the easiest way to achieve a good deed is to fix the supposedly bad things I have already done.

Lucette: So are you going to help me or not?

Rod: …

Rod: Tell Lady Parfait I will see her another time.

He leaves the room without answering my question.

I ball my hands into fists.

Lucette: *And he calls me the cruel one?*

I head towards the dining area to get some water.
The people sitting in the Marchen are talking and laughing with one another.

Lucette: *Everyone is included. Everyone has someone to talk to.*

Lucette: *Is this what friendship is meant to look like?*

Delora: You’re making a funny face, Lucette. Are you trying to comprehend the wonders of friendship?

Lucette: …

Lucette: These people are so friendly with one another, despite their differences…

Delora: Doesn’t it warm your frozen heart?

Lucette: …Until you consider that they’re doing it only because they want something.

Delora: …

Lucette: All of them want to break their curses. They’re all here because they hope to find clues.

Lucette: They come to the Marchen simply to use other people for their own convenience.

Lucette: Is that goodness? Is this what I am meant to do?

Delora: There’s a difference between using people and them offering to help you, princess. There’s a big, important difference.

Lucette: …

Lucette: I don’t understand.

Delora: I didn’t think you would.

Lucette: …

Delora: What you say is true, but it’s not the whole truth.

Delora: Everyone is here to break their curses, sure, but most are here for the camaraderie too. The understanding. It’s why they keep coming back.

Delora: What do you see, princess?

Lucette: …

Lucette: People talking. Eating together. Laughing.

Delora: Don’t you see the happiness here?

Lucette: …

Delora: Being cursed is pretty terrible. You’d assume the cursed would be constantly sobbing and bemoaning their bad luck, right?

Delora: But there’s none of that here. This is what being surrounded by good, kind people does.

Delora: It can make a terrible situation bearable. It can make a person feel lighter.

Lucette: But what is goodness, then? Why are these people good when I am not?

I cannot help but think about the looks they gave me when I arrived.

Disdain, contempt and anger- none of those emotions were good.

Delora: Being good doesn’t require you to be selfless or kind every moment of the day.

Delora: Sure these people want to break their curses. But for a time, for a meal, they can put what they want to the side and listen to someone else for a change. That in itself is selfless.

Delora nudges me with her elbow.

Delora: …And that makes them good people.

I look down into my mug, my mind swirling with considerations.

Lucette: …

The instant I look up, Delora has disappeared.

A month has passed and I have yet to complete even one good deed. Not for any lack of trying, though.

I have been asking around for advice on how to be a good person and received various answers.

Flashback

Waltz: What makes someone good? I’d say being selfless.

Annice: I think it’s important that you consider another person’s feelings.

Rod: Patience.

Rumpel: The ability to soothe even the most broken of hearts!

Lucette: Forget I asked.

Jurien: Bravery

Garlan: Loyalty

Karma: You must be beautiful, both on the inside and out.

Lucette: …Right

Lucette: …

Lucette: Must I be all of those things in order to be ‘good’?

Lucette: According to Parfait, I cannot just pretend. It has to come from my heart.

I place my hand on my chest and consider the steady pulse of my heartbeat.

Lucette: That will not be easy.

I close my eyes, thinking of all the possible ways I might be able to break my curse, but in the end, my mind is blank.

Lucette: Mother, what am I supposed to do?

…A dream?

Dream Sequence

Mother: Your personal feelings are nothing but a weakness for others to exploit.

Mother: That is why you do not show them. You only show them that you are strong.

Young Lucette: Yes, Mother.

Mother: You must not let false kindness deceive you. People will use niceties to trick you into exploiting your weak emotions.

Mother: But you can trust me, Lucette. I will never hurt you. I will never lie to you. I am all you need.

Young Lucette: …

Mother: I love you, Lucette.

Young Lucette: …I love you too, Mother.

Delora: How are those lessons of yours going? I hope you’re not giving anyone a difficult time.

Lucette: I am the only one having a difficult time.

Parfait: Have you tried pairing up with someone?

Lucette: Pairing up?

Parfait: Some of the people in the tavern pair up to assist each other. Two heads are better than one, as they say.

Delora: It’s not a bad idea, but the problem is with her.

Delora: Who is going to volunteer to pair up with the Ice Princess?

Lucette: …

Lucette: *She has a point. People may not glare at me any more, but it does not escape me that I am still disliked.*

Parfait: Most of the boarders at the Marchen volunteered to help her, remember? And I haven’t heard any of them retract their offers.

Delora: It’s only a matter of time.

Lucette: …

Parfait: Stop it, Delora.

Parfait: It’s your choice, princess. Pairing up is only a suggestion.

Lucette: …

Lucette: *Would pairing up with someone really help me break my curse?*

Lucette: *What is they end up being an annoyance instead?*

Annice: Princess?

Lucette: …

Annice: Um, excuse me? Princess?

Lucette: !!!

Annice: I’m sorry for disturbing you but you’ve just been staring at your tray and… the customer is waiting for his order.

Lucette: Of course.

Delora has me helping Annice today.

The Marchen is unexpectedly busy and they cannot keep up with all the customers.

Delora: Stop daydreaming, Lucette. Food doesn’t deliver itself.

Lucette: I do not need you to tell me that.

Delora: …

I stretch out on my bed. The stiff mattress does little to soothe my aching muscles.

I was on my feet the entire day struggling to keep up with the steady stream of people that came into the Marchen.

Lucette: I have never seen the Marchen this busy.

I roll onto my stomach and bury my face into my pillow. My arms and leg protest the movement.

Lucette: *I refuse to live this type of life much longer.*

Lucette: *I need to break this curse as soon as possible.*

Parfait: Why don’t you pair up with someone?

Lucette: *Pairing up might not be such a bad idea...*

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