Page 25 of Cursed By Gold

She smiles softly. "Go now. Make me proud."

I hug her tightly, feeling like a small child seeking comfort from a parent.

Lifting my small, worn trunk, I make my way downstairs. My stepmother and stepsisters stand by the door, watching me with equal parts disdain and curiosity.

I hold my head high as I look at them, refusing to show any weakness or doubt. Then I turn and walk out the door without a second glance, my boots crunching confidently against the gravel path.

As I glance back at the imposing manor one last time, I see Fairy Godmother standing in an upstairs window, her face alight with pride and encouragement. A smile spreads across my face and I face forward once more, walking determinedly toward my future and whatever challenges it may hold.

With Fairy Godmother watching over my home and my stepfamily in my absence, I am now free to focus solely on the tournament ahead—and on finding a way to finally free myself from the bindings of the past once and for all.

Rose

Scarlet

Istep out of the carriage and hand my invitation to the guard at the palace gate.

"Name?" he asks curtly.

"Scarlet Marheart," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.

The guard glances at the invitation, then at me. His eyes narrow. "Your business here?"

I tense, fearing he might recognize me from my previous attempts to infiltrate the palace. But I keep my expression neutral.

"I've been selected as a participant in the king's tournament," I say calmly.

The guard grunts, waving me through. "Go on then."

I breathe a sigh of relief as I enter the palace grounds. My trunk is unloaded, and a servant shows me to the living quarters for the competitors.

The last two times I have been in the palace, I've had guards chasing me out. I can't help the nervous flutter in my stomach as I walk the palace corridors. What if someone recognizes me?

I push those thoughts aside as I enter the room that will be mine for the duration of the tournament. My roommate stands up from her cot as I enter. My heart sinks as I recognize her—Rose, from the guild.

We make eye contact, acknowledging each other as guild members, yet remaining competitors.

Rose speaks first. "Fairy Godmother sent both of us. We should work together."

I eye her suspiciously. "To what end?"

Rose throws up her hands in a placating gesture. "No need to be hostile. I'm just saying two heads are better than one."

But I don't trust her. Rose would stop at nothing to ensure her success, even at my expense. I have no intention of allying with her until I have no other choice.

I study Rose carefully. I can see why Fairy Godmother has chosen her as a backup. We share similar hair color, eye color, and build.

But Rose is usually sent on seductive missions. An image of me kissing the king flashes in my mind. Alright, I admit that Rose might indeed be better suited for this job.

Yet I refuse to give up. I need this chance at freedom too desperately. I need to bring in enough money to fend off the marriage proposals my family insists on giving me. I have to prove myself useful without a grotesque man attached to me.

I speak calmly. "Let's work out sleeping arrangements first, then we'll discuss an alliance."

Rose eyes the cots warily. "I'll take this one." She claims the cot farther from the door.

We change into our tournament uniforms—simple leather pants and tunics. I see Rose's GGG mark on the back of herneck—chains and roses intertwined to create an elegant G. I instinctively touch my own mark on my upper thigh as I change—a G disguised as a woman sitting on the crescent moon.

Rose chuckles. "Different styles, same goal."

---