Page 41 of Cursed By Gold

I hesitate, a knot of worry tightening in my chest. "Fairy Godmother, are they treating you well? My stepmother and stepsisters—they can be so cruel. I can't bear the thought of them mistreating you."

Her expression softens, and she places a reassuring hand on mine. "Don't worry about me, Scarlet. I can handle them in my own time and way." Her words are calm, but there's a steely resolve behind them.

I want to press further, to ask what she's done, but I can see she won't elaborate.

"Fairy Godmother," I begin, my voice trembling, "I don't know if I can do this. The trials... they've been so much harder than I expected. And then there's Rose..."

Fairy Godmother's brow furrows with concern, already knowing about Rose's presence. "What about Rose, dear?"

I sigh deeply, the weight of my emotions pressing heavily on my chest. "She's also competing for the crown. I thought it would just be me, but now... I feel like I can't compete with her. She's always been the perfect one, the one everyone admires. How can I possibly measure up?"

Fairy Godmother moves to sit beside me, her presence a calming anchor. She takes my hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Scarlet, you are more capable than you believe. You have a strength that Rose does not—a strength born from adversity and perseverance. The trials are not just tests of skill but of character. You have proven time and time again that you have what it takes."

"But what if I'm not enough?" I whisper, the vulnerability in my voice laid bare. "Rose has always been one of the best. She's so confident, so composed. And me? I can’t compete in the same way she does. I can’t afford to fail, but I’m struggling to feel like I haven’t already done that."

"Do not underestimate yourself, child," Fairy Godmother says firmly. "The challenges you face are meant to reveal your true potential, not to compare you to others. Each step you take is a testament to your resilience and ingenuity."

I nod, though uncertainty still gnaws at me. "But why did you send Rose? I thought this was my chance to prove myself, to claim my father's legacy. And now it feels like she's here because you don't believe in me."

Fairy Godmother's expression softens with understanding and a hint of regret. "I sent Rose because you had stumbled twice in retrieving the Bodian Crown from the king. It wasn't that Idoubted you, but the stakes are high, and I wanted to ensure our chances were as strong as possible. Rose is meant to be a backup, not a replacement."

"I've felt so alone," I admit, tears welling up in my eyes. "Like no one truly sees me for who I am. Everyone is so quick to judge, to dismiss me. Even now, I can hear them arguing, treating this house—my house—like it's theirs."

Fairy Godmother brushes a tear from my cheek, her touch gentle and comforting. "You are seen, Scarlet. I see you, and I believe in you. Your father's spirit lives on in you, and his dream for this manor will be realized through your strength and determination."

I take a shaky breath, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You are never without me," she says, her voice a soothing balm. "Now, tell me more about the trials. What else have you faced?"

I recount the other challenges, the treacherous paths, the cunning competitors, and the fleeting moments of triumph. Fairy Godmother listens intently, her eyes never leaving mine, her presence providing the strength I need to continue.

"And then," I say, my voice trembling slightly, "there's the staff I found. The staff of Halisar, the god of thieves. It feels... powerful, but also dangerous. It could reveal things about me that I don’t want anyone, especially the king, to know."

Fairy Godmother's expression becomes more serious, a note of concern in her eyes. "Power is often a double-edged sword," she says thoughtfully. "The staff holds great potential, but it also has the ability to reveal aspects of your character and past that you may wish to keep hidden. If the king becomes suspicious, it could complicate matters greatly. However, if you learn to use it properly, it could be a formidable asset."

Her words resonate deeply within me, instilling a newfound sense of determination. "I will try," I say, my resolve strengthening. "For my father, for this manor, and for myself."

Fairy Godmother smiles, a proud and loving expression. "That is all anyone can ask, my dear. Now, let's have some tea. You need to keep your strength up for the trials ahead."

As she moves to prepare the tea, I feel a sense of peace settle over me. With Fairy Godmother by my side, I know I am not alone.

A soft fluttering sound draws our attention to the kitchen window. A small bird, a messenger pigeon, perches on the sill, a tiny note tied to its leg. Fairy Godmother hurries over, her face growing serious as she unties the note.

"What's wrong?" I ask, a knot of worry forming in my stomach.

She hands me the note, her eyes filled with concern. "A mission is about to go very wrong. Lucius and Gen are about to get caught."

My blood runs cold as I read the hastily scrawled words. The weight of the situation presses down on me, my heart pounding in my chest. "We can't let that happen," I say, my voice trembling.

"The job was a trap," she says, her tone grave. "The king has been hunting us. This could expose everything."

I feel a surge of panic, the enormity of the responsibility overwhelming me. "What do we do?"

"I don’t have time to find someone else. I need you to go and stop them," she says, her voice firm and unwavering. "But be careful, Scarlet. One wrong move and everything we've worked for could be lost."

I nod, determination hardening my resolve. "I'll do it," I say, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me. "I'll save them."

Fairy Godmother squeezes my hand, her eyes filled with pride and worry. "Be safe, my child. And remember, you are stronger than you know."

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