Enchanted in Time (Enchanted After Thirty #1)

Chapter 13

13

A long, long time ago

A nd so King Ludwig von Lichtenberg arranged for another ball, which he invited the maidens of the land to so that his son, Prince Gustav von Lichtenberg, might choose a spouse. There were more candles than at the previous ball, and the number of servants attending to the guests’ well-being was increased. The wine and the food that was served were more exquisite than the last time. The king wished at all costs to prevent the embarrassing incident of the previous ball from taking root in people’s minds. The memory had to be trumped by greater pomp and splendor, more dancing and more merriment, so that no one would ever remember that ugly affair.

Prince Gustav would have preferred to remain in the background, but his father had taken him to task even before the ball had begun. “My son, so that our guests may no longer think of those most unfortunate events of the past month, it is imperative that you mingle with them. Lead the ladies onto the ballroom floor, laugh, jest, show your most winning side. Be generous and noble, and honor the reputation of our royal house with your gallant ways and charming smile.”

Prince Gustav agreed to mingle with the ladies, and soon there was no one left who still spoke of the unfortunate events of the previous ball. He blossomed under the admiring gazes of the young women, leading one after the other onto the ballroom floor. The mood got better and better, with the gentlemen jesting and the ladies giggling and casting alluring glances from behind their fans... when all of a sudden, a powerful storm broke out.

The doors and windows flew open, and the raging wind extinguished all the candles. The ladies screamed and hid behind the men, who stared as if spellbound at the dark being that burst through the balcony door. It was misty and black, and no one could distinguish a face or any other feature. Was it a human being? Something was blowing around the apparition—whether it was long hair or a wide cloak, it was impossible to tell. With a few menacing moves, it approached the prince and lifted its hands.

The prince was forced to step back from the grim figure, who now raised its voice. It was raspy and dark, ominous and menacing, so much so that it struck terror into the guests’ hearts.

“You dared to offend Mirabelle von Taustein simply because you found her insufficiently beautiful. I therefore curse you, Prince Gustav von Lichtenberg, so that you and your arrogant family shall never again dare to reject a woman! The moment your father dies and you ascend to the throne, you shall be changed into a bear and your entire kingdom consigned to oblivion!

“None shall remember your royal house. None shall recall the name von Lichtenberg, and your magnificent castle shall turn into a crumbling ruin. Thorny vines shall cover it, and not one single person shall know which lordly royal house once inhabited these walls and brought them distinction! Only a woman by your side can save you from my curse. But should you ascend the throne unaccompanied by a spouse, my curse shall be fulfilled!”

“How dare you! Who are you?” King Ludwig von Lichtenberg rose from his throne and came striding down the steps, dragging the fur trim of his red mantle behind him across the floor.

But before he could reach it, the nebulous being raised its hands. “Why wait? I myself wish to witness your humiliating transformation!” And with these words, the mist changed so that it seemed to point at the king. In the next instant, a beam of red light struck him in the middle of his chest, and he lurched backwards and fell to his knees. Holding his hand to his heart, he groaned.

“What are you? What have you done? Guards, seize this... thing!” Prince Gustav yelled, but the being simply let out a hideous laugh and rose to the top of the high ceiling. The guards rushed over to the prince and his father and looked up at the flying magical being, uncertain of what to do other than draw their swords and shield the royal family.

“The moment your father breathes his last, we shall all watch as you turn into a wild beast! For as I see,” the apparition added, indicating the prince’s hand, which still bore no ring, “as of yet, no woman has been good enough!”

The prince felt a jolt from within, as if the transformation had already begun even as his father still gasped for air. He was seized by panic. “Call the house chaplain!” he screamed. He surveyed the young ladies, who were fearfully hiding behind the men, and his eyes rested upon the prettiest one. With four long strides, he was by her side, and he grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward. “This is the one I shall marry!”

“Me?” the young woman cried in surprise, then anxiously turned to her parents. “Father...” But her father merely nodded in encouragement.

The royal chaplain pushed his way through the guests to the prince, closely followed by the king’s physician, who immediately bent down to examine the gasping old man.

“You sent for me, Prince Gustav?” the chaplain asked as he looked at the king, who lay doubled up on the floor, barely able to breathe. The doctor placed a hand on his chest, and a look of regret came over his face. He slowly shook his head. There was nothing more he could do for the king. The priest bent down toward the ruler of the land, for it seemed clear to him that he had been called to the dying man’s side to perform his duty as pastor.

“You can take care of him later. First you need to marry me to this young lady!” the prince demanded as the priest was raising his hands and preparing to give the dying man his last rites.

The chaplain looked up, astonished. His gaze fell on the dark being that was hovering in the air and that the guests were looking at fearfully. “What is going on here? What diabolical being has entered this peaceful?—”

“Quickly!” the prince ordered. “It must be done at once!”

The chaplain pointed to the king. “But your father, he needs?—”

“I command you, wed us at once!”

Uncertain, the chaplain looked at the king, who already was turning blue. He would have to obey the prince’s command. If he made haste, he would still be able to hear the king’s final confession so that his soul could find eternal rest. But just as he started to pronounce the words, the prince doubled over and held his hand to his chest.

“What’s the matter with you?” the chaplain cried.

“Quick, marry us! At once!”

The priest murmured an Our Father and took hold of the cross that hung on a chain about his neck and dangled above his heart. He turned to the spellbound guests, who were standing around in a circle and watching the spectacle with open mouths. “We need two witnesses. You and you!” He randomly beckoned two men in the front row, who immediately came up alongside the prince and his unexpected bride.

“We come together before God to enter into the sacred bond of marriage. The sacred bond of marriage shall?—”

“Faster!” the prince said, groaning.

The magical being laughed its hideous laugh as the heir to the throne screamed loudly and doubled over again.

The chaplain responded immediately. “Will you, Prince Gustav von Lichtenberg, take this... standing here before you.” He laid his hand on the frightened young woman’s trembling hands. “What is your name, my child?”

“Helena Angelika von Steinberg,” the young bride replied in her high, quivering voice.

“Do you, Prince Gustav von Lichtenberg, take Helena Angelika von Steinberg, who stands here before you, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to honor until death do you part?”

“Yes, in God’s name—make haste.” The prince clutched his head, which felt like it was about to split. Once more, the jeering laughter of the ominous being thundered throughout the hall.

“Do you, Helena Angelika von Steinberg, take Prince Gustav von Lichtenberg, who stands here before you, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to honor until death do you part?”

The young woman’s voice failed her as she silently wiped a tear from her cheek. Still anxious, she glanced back at her father, who once more nodded in encouragement. Her reply was barely audible: “Yes, I do.”

“I hereby pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride!”

But in place of a wedding kiss, what followed was the king’s last gasp. Shortly afterwards, his body turned rigid. He’d breathed his last and was dead.

Prince Gustav stared at his lifeless father. Then he felt his own form and examined his hands, which were still human. He looked at the misty apparition, who was already whirling back toward the balcony door. “Ha!” he cried. “It failed! The curse was not fulfilled!”

“Then it will pass to your child!”

The being spoke these final words so softly that hardly anyone heard them. Nor did they hear the eerie contentment and calm in its voice—almost as if this being had all the time in the world to await its revenge.