Black Rose: Married To The Psycho Prince

The trinket is near invincible, apparently.

Unless certain conditions are met, there are no chances of breaking it on a whim. For one, it can only break on a full moon, near a flowing body of water. Once a certain incantation is chanted, it will become fragile to stone and only stone.

Alloy's original form will return once the trinket is broken. It's an irreversible process, a sure cure to the curse. At least, that's what the witch told us.

It's a bit of an urgent matter, but it's second in my list of priorities. Especially now, while dinner is being served—Valerius at the head of the table and Florian across from me.

The timid prince is fidgeting, visibly discontent and nervous. Probably because I caught him transacting with a witch earlier today.

More than anything, he's worried I'll say something.

His fear is baseless. There's no reason for me to reveal his whereabouts to anyone. I'm no newscaster nor does it benefit me.

After all, I was there too, to purchase poison no less. And if tonight's attempt is successful, Florian might catch on to what I was there for. It's best we both keep quiet.

Valerius, if he notices anything off between his brother and his wife, doesn't comment on it. He simply grins as the food is served, uncannily chipper as always.

There are a dozen sinister thoughts running through that head, I'm sure.

I eye the plate placed in front of Valerius. There're a few drops of the potion on that thing, masterfully blended with the rest of the meal. Alloy did me a favor and snuck into the kitchen to tamper with Valerius' food—I trust the feline's competence.

"What?" My husband breaks the silence. "Don't tell me you two are conspiring against me. Trying to poison my food now, brother?"

I almost choke on the water I'm drinking. Fortunately, I manage to hold back. Did he catch on to our plan?

Florian's much less subtle. He almost jumps out of his seat at the call out, eyes wide and face red.

Talk about revealing your hand.

Valerius cackles, amused at his brother's antics. "Don't you think I'd be able to recognize poison? I'm a man with many enemies."

My heart drops. Is that true? Does that mean he's realized what's in his food?

That might not be the case because Valerius takes a bite of his food anyway. The week-long paralysis should take effective immediately. But it hasn't. The prince is sitting there conscious and well. Maybe Valerius' immune system is enduring through the supposed effects?

That doesn't make sense! The poison's made of magic, I think, so it shouldn't apply.

Fuck. I know too little about the magic system to make conclusions on my own. The visual novel never focused on the world building aspect. Understandable. It's a romance with seven love interests and barely enough content —seven.

All I know for sure is that my husband is eating and I should be eating as well, but I can't. I'm frozen on my seat, confused. Why isn't he knocked out cold on the ground?

Valerius grunts.

Is this it? Is he going to pass out? Am I finally going to be freed from this nightmarish man?

Then, he continues eating. Nothing happens for the rest of dinner. I've never felt frustration so intensely.

"I'm leaving," I excuse myself. Strangely enough, Valerius looks distraught.

"I am too." He says. Florian acknowledges both of us politely, mostly because he's forced to by the rules of proper etiquette.

My husband, on the other hand, has never cared for proper etiquette.

When I shoot him a questioning look, Valerius shrugs, "It wouldn't be right for me to leave my wife alone, would it?"

My heart drops at the sheer affection laced in his voice. The smile on his face has me on a chokehold, my feet glued to the ground.

It takes me a moment to gather my thoughts. Why does this man's charms still affect me? It's, honestly, beyond embarrassing.

"Fine," I frown. "But no funny business."

He stands from his seat, "Don't worry. I'll make sure to behave tonight."

Hardly believable. Since when was the cruel prince capable of behaving?

Since today, apparently, because Valerius hasn't made a single insensitive remark on our walk to the bedroom. What's worse is that he keeps sneaking glances at me, with a grin that refuses to go down.

"What?" I ask.

The prince reaches his hand toward me. Startled, I take a step back. It doesn't deter him, he moves his fingers near my head and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

The smile that follows is blinding.

"You look beautiful tonight," He says. "I never quite got to appreciate my wife's beauty."

First, the poison doesn't work as intended. Now, this. Is he toying with me, knowing that I tried to kill him and failed miserably?

Breathless, I turn away, "Alright? That's on you. I've always been beautiful."

"I suppose," Valerius hums as he opens the bedroom door. "I've been a neglectful husband."

Neglectful is an understatement. In the days we've been married, he's managed to threaten me, blackmail me into doing his bidding, and have me bleeding from my shoulder for his help. It's been nothing short of insane.

"You're saying this now because?" I ask.

He raises a brow. "What do you mean?"

"It's clear you need something from me," There's no other explanation for his strange behavior. "That, or you're trying to get a reaction from me. I advise you to be straightforward about it instead."

He grins. "Am I not allowed to acknowledge my faults as a husband?"

"Alright, then. Faults acknowledged. You've been a neglectful husband. You can drop the act now." I insist, unsettled. Whatever prank he's trying to pull, it's effective.

Valerius enters the bedroom and I follow suit. He's unbuttoning his jacket when he picks up the conversation, "Whatever can I do to make up for it?"

I scan his face for deception, for an inkling of ill intention. I can't read him, not right now when he's being weird and dodgy.

I sigh. "You can start by giving me space."

"Is that really what you want?" He asks.

"I'm sure." I answer. "Nothing else comes to mind right now."

"Alright."