The winter ball of the year started off with a bang.

A trusted man named Henrik brought ornaments and gadgets from far away, and presented them to the King of Belle, King Etienne Kohl the first. One of the gadgets he claimed, could light up the sky.

"Your Highnesses, allow me to present what I shall call, fireworks!"

Lights in colour burst all over the sky to signal the start of the winter ball. The theme was masquerade, and everyone entered wearing masks of all kinds. There were lace and feather masks, with the most gorgeous gowns of the season. 

All this, to impress the son of King Etienne, for this year he was to find and announce his bride at the end of the ball. Prince Erick gazed at all the people from his high throne. He slouched and threw his head back against the back of the throne. He played with the tips of his jewel-encrusted crown, his cold countenance intimidating all who dared to steal a glance.   

How boring, all of these ladies trying to impress him but they all looked and sounded the same...except for one. 

She was not like the rest. Her hair was a fabulous bright red, falling in perfect curls around her shoulders. It was custom for ladies to wear long puffy ball gowns, but this fair maiden was wearing something that fit her figure so he could see all the parts that made him twitch. Her generous bosom, and her tight buttocks were on display in her sparkly green dress.

She dared to come here dressed like that, and alone? Prince Erick wondered who let her in dressed like that. She had a gorgeous mask on, a light cream feathered lace mask. The mask covered her whole face so he could only see red lips and dark enchanting eyes. She looked straight at Prince Erick too, which broke another of the kingdom's laws.

The king and queen didn't even seem to notice this woman. When the prince tried to make eye contact with his parents they were talking to each other. So the prince got up and went to the woman standing by the refreshments table. The crowd parted for him, everyone curious as to where the prince was going but trying not to be obvious. Ladies nudged each other giggling, while others looked in jealousy to the girl at the table.  

"And to whom do I owe the pleasure of beheading?" Prince Erick kissed the hand extended to him.

"Lady Merryn, of Fairfield." gods, even her voice drew him closer. 

"Why am I being beheaded?" She asked, tilting her head to the side, her cleavage showing.

Prince Erick tried his best to not stare at her body, and looked into her eyes.

They swirled with a sort of mischief instead of fear, and Prince Erick was, for once, stunned.

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"You jest. You know why." Prince Erick said, but a smile formed on his lips. She was a dead woman, and she had the nerve to be playing with him. So he accepted the challenge, to be the cat chasing the mouse tonight. 

She laughed, her laughter was holy to him.

"Dance with me." Prince Erick's eyes smouldered as he gazed upon Merryn's eyes.

They danced, and danced, and danced. By the third dance, Merryn was laughing with abandon, and Erick held her closer than was appropriate.

"Lady Merryn, would you do me the honour of joining me later tonight by the balcony?" Prince Erick asked.

Merryn was about to take his hand, when a force shoved Merryn from the back. Merryn stumbled forward and tripped, falling to the ground. Her mask loosened and fell on the floor. There were gasps from every corner. 

Lady Merryn had scars and pock marks all over the sides of her face. There was a gash on the side of her upper cheek that looked quite fresh. Her violet eyes opened wide as she looked around the room to everyone shrinking away from her.

Even Prince Erick stepped back instead of helping her.  

"An abomination," Prince Erick whispered.

"You fooled me," Prince Erick said.

"Guards!" the king called. 

People shunned physical imperfections in the Belle Kingdom, especially in the royal castle. Whoever had scars and marks were seen as less, and even imprisoned if the king wished it so. The guards came to get Merryn.

Merryn thought, she was different. She thought Prince Erick would see beyond the imperfection. But he was just like the others. He would receive no mercy, just as he gave none.

On the floor, Merryn laughed, but her laugh was different. Deeper, more sinister, manic.

Merryn stood, and increased in size by double. Screams resounded around the ballroom as she welded icy blue lightning in her hands.

"You humans are all the same. This kingdom be damned." She declared. 

“In the name of Hecate, I curse thee, Erick Kohl. I curse you for ten winters. You and your household will all be under the curse. If someone has not fallen in love with you by the last drop of snow on the tenth winter, you and all your household will perish.” 

“No, please, I’ll do anything!” Erick went down on his knees. 

“Lies.”  The witch’s eyes blackened. 

She had seen enough. Erick’s heart was tainted by lust and selfishness. He would not bat an eye at evil or make space for someone he deemed unworthy. It would be a miracle if someone fell in love with him. Especially after the Lore curse. 

Her hair flew back with the static surrounding, as Witch Merryn waved her hands twice. Her dress melted and turned into an emerald cloak and the scars and pock marks disappeared. She was indeed, a beautiful woman. A woman most would desire, were she not a witch. Were she not the witch who was the curse bringer.    

Everybody who remained at the ball froze as soon as her hands moved. Ice covered every particle in the room aside from the witch. Once the ice dissipated, this castle would become the Lore castle. 

With one last look at all that remained, Witch Merryn whipped her cloak and left without looking back.