"I really think that my theory was wrong." Siv says, her eyes lost in the clear starry sky.
"What do you mean?"
"The curse was definitely targeting Brandt from the start, Colby." She puts her forehead against the cool window glass. "I thought I was the target and he drank it by mistake. But the curse is specifically making him forget me, and every time I am too close to him, he gets a terrible migraine." She sighs. "You need to figure out how to get rid of it." She looks at him for the first time since he appeared in the room. Her nose and her eyes' rims are red. "Please."
Colby closes his eyes. He really wants to help her, to find who did this and probably annihilate them. But he has no lead, nothing. The only speculation that Siv had about the princess of Vanta being responsible was proven wrong after discovering that they have no sorcerers in that kingdom. And after having her watched for the past week, Colby came to the conclusion that she is not behind the curse.
A crazy idea has been simmering at the back of his mind for a while now, but he hasn't had the chance to explore it. It is so outrageous that he is scared to pursue it and find it true. Colby decides to keep it to himself, though, until he has concrete information.
"Lady Siv, I need you to do something for me." He has her full attention now. "I need you to get me a lock of the prince's hair."
"Are you out of your mind? I just told you that every time I am close to him, he gets a headache. How am I supposed to do that?" Siv paces in front of Colby. "Wouldn't it be easier for you to just teleport, or whatever you do, inside his room and do it?"
"If I am discovered, the prince will have my head, my lady." Colby lies. "But if he finds you, I think he will be more lenient."
"Think again. Do you want to send me to my execution?" Siv is still pacing. "Why do you need it anyway?"
"Hair is a very important ingredient in magical spells. It provides a strong and personal link. It also represents a person's strength. I will use His Highness' hair to cast a spell that will give him the power to fight the curse. It is temporary, of course, but it will help with the migraines." Colby withholds the part where, in order for this to work, the person's lover is the one who has to do the plucking. He just concluded that the information is irrelevant.
"Fine." Siv agrees reluctantly. "But if I get caught and shit hits the fan, I need you to save me."
"I don't quite get what you just said, my lady, but I will save you whatever the situation might be."
"Good."
"Great, I will take my leave then, my lady." Colby's body starts to vanish. "Oh, I almost forgot. The lock has to be plucked directly, fallen hair from his pillow or clothes won't work. Good luck."
"What?" Colby is gone before she can protest. "This is going to be the end of me." She collapses on the bed and blows a hair off of her face.
Colby left hours ago and Siv has been waiting for everyone in the palace to go to sleep, especially Brandt. He usually works in his study until late so she has to wait until she is sure he's in bed. She paces around the room for another hour before she decides to check.
'Oh baby Jesus, please protect me for I might die tonight.'
She makes her way to the prince's room and stops in front of his door.
'This is totally a Déjà vu.'
She half expected for two options to appear in front of her:
1- Enter the prince's room?
2- Go back to your room?
Her hands are sweating and her heart is hammering in her chest so loud that she can hear it in the dead silent night. Siv pushes her ear against the door in hope to hear any movement inside the room, but there is no sound. She twists the doorknob and slowly opens the door.
'Please be asleep, please be asleep'
She prays with every step she takes. Thankfully, the fire in the fireplace hasn't died yet, so the room is not completely dark. She closes the door behind her and advances silently toward the bed.
'I can't believe I am doing this.'
When she reaches the covered lump on the bed, she sighs in relief that the prince is sleeping. Her right hand reaches for his hair, but instead of extracting the lock, she caresses it.
'Oh, I have missed running my hand through his thick and soft hair.'
She enjoys the feeling for a few seconds before coming back to her senses.
'God Damn it, focus… Focus.'
She tries to single out one lock, then in a swift pull, she plucks it. She closes her eyes anticipating Brandt to feel it and wake up. But he doesn't.
'Ok, let's get out of here.'
"Siv." Brandt calls which makes her freeze in place.
'Oh God, I'm dead. That's it, I'm dead. So much for that damn training that I won't get to use.'
"Siv." The prince mumbles again. "My love."
'Huh?'
She turns around and finds the prince still sound asleep.
"Siv."
'Awww, he's dreaming about me. That's so cute. I just want to kiss him.'
She ponders the thought for a moment before her reason takes over.
'No, let's just get out of here.'
She silently sneaks out and safely closes the door after looking toward the prince's bed one last time. She sighs in relief with a wide grin splitting her face in two.
"Lady Holmen?" Siv's blood freezes in her veins. She feels like an ice cold bucket was just dumped on her. "What are you doing here?" She slowly turns.
'F*ck, f*ck, f*ck, f*ck.'
"Your Highness, Prince Bjarte." Her voice cracks.
'F*ck.'