The Devil’s Cursed Witch

“The decision has been made. Gregor, you will go with my knights this very instant and leave your daughter there.”

“Father, I won’t—”

“I am giving you the chance to see her for the last time. Regardless if it is you or even the servants, I do not care as long as that cursed child is left on that mountain.”

Just as he was about to dismiss his son, he recalled something.

“By my name as the King of Valor, I decree that after leaving that cursed child in the haunted mountain, you are to immediately report back to me and will not be allowed to set foot on that mountain ever again.”

Gregor knew he had to listen to his father. Like a puppet with its strings pulled, he stood up carrying the little princess in his arms. He could only hope that another miracle would occur—since she was not meant to die now, then she would continue to survive till the end.

The King then ordered his loyal men to escort the Crown Prince and make sure he accomplished the duty assigned to him. Gregor’s way out was led by the knights, leaving Shanel free to withdraw from the throne hall as well.

‘There is only one thing I can do.’

Shanel knew she could not openly defy the King’s order but she could do something to protect the princess. It was something she had already thought about as soon as the princess was born.

‘I must hide the child away from the King’s eyes.’

As she walked out of the throne hall, she happened to see her husband’s guardian knight, Taylor, who was waiting outside as he was not allowed to accompany the Crown Prince. As if he understood something from Shanel’s gaze, he let her leave first and went the other way.

Shanel’s lady-in-waiting was relieved to see the Crown Princess safe and sound, and she hurried to her side. As they walked away, Shanel talked to her in a low voice, “Have you done what I had asked you to?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Due to the chaotic situation here, no one paid attention when I sent our servant there.”

“Where is she?”

“Waiting for you. Please let me lead the way.”

The lady-in-waiting took her to an unfamiliar path within the palace walls, inevitably ending inside one room seemingly forgotten by time. The room was dark and filled with old stuff lining the shelves, and if not for the small lamp held by her companion, it was impossible to see anything amidst the darkness.

Behind one of the wooden shelves stood a woman wearing a long dark robe with a hood to hide her face. The moment Shanel reached her, the woman bowed and pulled the hood up.

It was a woman in her early thirties who had a number of scars on her skin which looked freshly healed. She even had a small brand on her right cheek which was left behind by a hot iron. If an outsider were to see that brand, they would have been scared— that was the mark left behind by the authorities of the kingdom on those suspected of  practicing witchcraft, which was a serious offense punishable by death.

“Gaia,” Shanel called out towards the branded woman, “you say I am your benefactor because I have saved your life. I believe you will keep your words of paying me back for that debt of gratitude.”

“Your Highness, you can trust me.”

“I will entrust the sole princess of this kingdom to you,” she said with a small smile. “This poor child, she will be abandoned on the haunted mountain south of the capital in the next few hours. Save her.

“Know that despite her being the daughter of Gregor and his second wife, I love her like she is my own. You have to take care of her and raise her like your own child. You have to protect her. Make sure…make sure to hide her well. I think not letting her know her past will ensure her safety as well…”

“I understand, Your Highness. I will raise the little princess well.”

Shannel then looked at her servant who handed her a small wooden box. She offered it to Gaia. “This box is her mother’s memento. It was a gift personally by her mother before her birth. You need to keep it with her, the token of her identity. Maybe in the future, I am not sure, but maybe this token will be of great help to her in the future…”

Gaia accepted the box and heard Shanel continue, “You had lost your child a few days back. I believe you will give that warmth to the princess and raise her like your own.”

“I give you my words, Your Highness.”

“Whatever you will need, I will find a way to provide it to you secretly.” Shanel then looked at her lady-in-waiting. “Is everything ready for her to leave?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then take Gaia immediately out of the palace. My husband has already left for the mountain and will leave the princess there. Problems might occur if she is left on her own for a duration of time. Hurry!”

The Crown Princess’s lady-in-waiting hurried out of the room, bringing along Gaia with her to evade the routes taken by the royal guards patrolling the hallways. Just as they reached outside, they spotted the brigade of knights stationed outside, moving in pairs at intervals as they secured the security of the area.

‘Or to prevent anyone from sneaking out.’

Gaia had the witch brand on her cheek and her identity could not be hidden upon seeing her face—they would know at once she was a fugitive.

The lady-in-waiting hesitated, thinking of an alternative path when—

“Follow me.”

The two women nearly jumped upon hearing the quiet voice from behind them, and the lady-in-waiting gave a sigh of relief upon recognizing the man.

“Sir Taylor.”

“This way.”

The women followed the knight of the Crown Prince who made them leave through a secret tunnel known to him.

The lady-in-waiting was quite relieved when they managed to successfully get Gaia out of the palace walls and into a hidden shed with strong horses waiting inside. In fact, she was quite overwhelmed; after all, the knight helped them despite Gaia’s identity.

Gaia was a person who was hiding inside the palace with the help of Shanel. The Crown Princess had taken pity on the poor woman who had lost her child after getting captured by the authorities and saved her before her scheduled day of execution. Shanel was a righteous woman who could not see the unjust, and thanks to her kindness, Gaia in turn became an instrument to save the royal family’s little princess.