It is finally Autumn Gathering Day. Ylva has insisted that Gene wears a red dress of her choosing, even though she felt that the color didn't flatter her.
She finds out that there is a palette of colors that everyone wears on this day. Fall colors. So everywhere you look you can see red, orange, brown, and yellow.
After Veda finishes her last-minute touches, Gene walks down to the sitting room where everyone is waiting for the king.
"Good day," she greets the royal family with a bow.
"Siv, I told you that color would suit you," Ylva comments, proud of her choice.
'I guess it doesn't look as bad as I expected.'
Brandt strides to her with a grin. He takes her hand and kisses it, letting the warmth of his lips seep through her thin glove.
"You look gorgeous, my dear."
She smiles. "So do you."
He is wearing black pants and a brown high collar jacket, embroidered with black and gold. His hair is combed back, making the contrast between his light hazel eyes and his strong dark brows more visible.
Bodil and Ylva are wearing different shades of orange. They immediately start chirping about the celebration when Gene sits with them. Everyone is so lively and excited, except for Bjarte who is standing by the window, lost in his thoughts. He has refused to speak with his brother for the past few days.
'Maybe I should try to talk to him after the event.'
After King Ronald joins them, they all head to the palace's courtyard, where countless long tables have been laid and garnished with delicious foods. Most of the dishes were made by the palace's chefs and cooks, but people from the capital also brought their own dishes to share.
Gene feels awkward, greeting all the people along the royals. She reckons that everyone is probably thinking, 'who the hell is this girl and why is she here?'
Everyone sits to eat together. Everyone. There are probably about five hundred people in the courtyard. Gene has never seen anything like it. So much laughter and energy. The food is amazing too, it's like you can find every dish ever made in the country.
"I'm so excited," Bodil tells her behind Brandt's back. Gene has a feeling that he is starting to get annoyed, sitting between them. "The Dance will start soon, we should move to the garden."
"Calm down, Bodil." Brandt rolls his eyes at his sister. "We have to wait for father to announce the start of the dance."
Bodil pouts, making Gene giggle.
Watching everything around her makes her really happy. She truly thinks that this is a second chance at life that she has to take full advantage of. She thought she had gotten used to her old life, hanging alone at home every day with no interaction with people, no ambition, no future. It became a habit. She thought it couldn't get any better, so she accepted it. But this. This is a dream life and she is so grateful for it.
'Just look at this hottie sitting next to me. He is so sweet, loving, and kind. I really hit the jackpot.'
The king invites everyone to the garden, where a band is already playing music. The dancing area is filled with couples in a matter of seconds.
"My lady." Brandt offers her his hand.
"Unfortunately, Mrs Gustafson never taught me this dance."
"Just follow my lead, dear."
Gene slips her hand into his and allows him to swirl her around.
"So when is the announcement to be made?" she asks, finally wording what has been in the back of her mind all day.
"Nervous?"
"Excited." She winks at him and he smiles.
"Come, let's have some refreshments."
They leave the dancing area and a servant offers them drinks. Brandt takes a generous gulp as he guides Gene to a more secluded area of the garden.
"Your Highness, is it appropriate for us to be here, alone, unchaperoned?" She teases.
"My intent was for us to be here, alone, and unchaperoned."
Gene laughs. "Why is that?" She asks him, lifting her eyebrows suggestively.
"Well…" He takes a step toward her, backing her up against one of the columns. "I wanted to do this." He leans closer but then freezes.
Gene watches as his face pales. His glass slips between his fingers.
"Brandt? Are you alright?" He slaps her hand hard, making her drop her own glass.
"Did you drink it?" The words are barely audible.
Gene's mind is panicking.
"I didn't."
"Poins—" Brandt collapses.
Gene tries to catch him, but his heavy body sends them both to the ground.
"Brandt," she calls him in vain, he doesn't open his eyes. "Oh God, what should I do?" She tries desperately to shake him to wake him up, but nothing.
"Help!" she cries. "Somebody help. Please."
The music is too loud for anyone to hear her voice. Brandt's lips have gone completely white. Tears of helplessness start streaming down her cheeks.
"Don't you dare leave me, Brandt."
"Lady Siv, are you alright?" She looks up with blurry eyes and finds Colby.
"Oh my God, Colby. Help me please," she begs. "I don't know what is wrong with Brandt." Colby examines him.
"Help me take him to his room," he instructs.
On the way there, Gene sees two servants walking. She sends one to inform the king and queen, and the other one rushes to get the royal healer.
"It is a curse poison," Colby says when they hide in one of the hallways before any of the royals could see him.
"What?"
'Was that intended for me? Oh no, was he targeted by accident because of me?'
"I am not sure what the curse is, we will only find out about that when His Highness wakes up," he continues. "But he will be fine."
"How is he going to be fine if he is cursed and poisoned?"
"Trust me, my lady, I made sure it wasn't life threatening."
Gene remains silent for a long time, even after Colby leaves. She just walks in the dimly lit hallways with thoughts racing through her head. All she knows is that Brandt is like that because of her.
A few hours pass before she finds the courage to go to his room. When she enters, she finds his bed empty but before she panics, she sees him standing by the window. Her heart leaps with happiness at the sight.
'Oh, thank God.'
"You're awake," she rushes toward him to take him in her arms.
"Who are you?" He stares at her, addled.
"How can you joke at a time like this, Brandt?"
"Brandt?" His confused expression doesn't falter.
Her feet stop. "Do you, seriously... not know who I am?" she utters.
"Well, you do not look like one of the servants, not that a servant would use my first name," he starts. "I also cannot think of a close relationship between us that would allow you to call me 'Brandt', since I don't even know who you are."
'If he is kidding then he gets the Oscar for best actor. There is not even a hint of a joke.'
Gene just stands there, frozen. Her brain refuses to entertain the idea that Brandt might have forgotten who she was. Just the thought of the possibility breaks her heart into a million pieces.
'Was the curse to make him forget about me?'
"So, are you going to tell me who you are?"
"My name is Siv Holmen and I am your fiancée," she says. "Well technically, His Majesty was going to announce our engagement officially at the celebration."
Brandt surprises her by laughing. For a split second she has hope that he is going to tell her that this whole memory loss ordeal is just a charade. Alas, she is not that lucky.
"How dare you?" His cold voice sends a chill down her spine. "Are you saying that something is wrong with me, that I can't even remember my own fiancée?" His once warm hazels are now cold and distant. "Get out before I call the guards to throw you in the dungeon. Defaming a member of the royal family is considered treason."
'Treason?'
Gene stares at Brandt for a moment, not even recognizing the man standing in front of her. She thinks of how cruel the person who cursed him is.
She stumbles to the door and leaves the room before her knees finally buckle. Every time she thinks she found happiness, the world has to remind her that she doesn't deserve it.
'What a fool you are to believe that this is your second chance at a better life.
A fucking fool.'
*********
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