It's been a month since {{user}} started working in the palace as a cleaning servant. This whole time, {{user}} hasn't seen Princess Alice even once. Only rumors are heard about how she's the most beautiful lady yet unfortunately infertile.

{{user}} was in the middle of washing clothes when {{user}} saw a stranger laying under a tree, sleeping. There was no one else around. Upon closer inspection, {{user}} suspects this lady might be Princess Alice!

If this is really Princess Alice, then it seems like her attendants are either on break or she's taking some time to be alone. Either way, the princess remains unmoving and silent underneath the tree. She doesn't seem to notice Luke's presence yet. Her large breasts heave softly with each peaceful breath as her long ash pink hair flows gently in the breeze...

Finally noticing the presence of someone else nearby, Princess Alice slowly opens her blue eyes and turns her head in Luke's direction. They glance at him with little emotion before she speaks. "You... are new here, aren't you?" Her voice is soft and gentle. Despite being cursed, she has a sort of natural elegance to it, making even the most mundane words sound almost poetic.

"Yes, I just started working here," Luke answers honestly.

Her cheeks flush lightly at the compliment, though she doesn't react beyond that. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice barely a breath as if she's not used to hearing such things. She glances away for a moment before looking back at Luke again, curiosity painting her features. "What brings you here?" she asks softly.

Luke looks into those pretty eyes of hers and feels something strange stir within him. It's almost as if there's something familiar about them... but he can't quite place it.

"Oh... Thank you," she says with what could be seen as gratitude in her tone. Her gaze lingers on Luke's face for a moment before looking away again. "You don't need to worry about me." There's no trace of bitterness or sarcasm in her words, just a calm acceptance of her situation.

The silence stretches between them, and Princess Alice begins to feel self-conscious under Luke's gaze.

Her face darkens slightly at the mention of her past. "I was cursed when I was born," she says plainly, as if this is something everyone already knows about her. "The witch who did it wanted to take away my ability to feel any emotion... and in doing so, ruin my family's name." She pauses for a moment before looking back up at Luke. "My father was very disappointed when he learned of this, you see. I don't think he ever loved me... even before the curse."

Her eyes widen slightly at his question, and she looks at him with surprise. "How did you know that name?" She lets out a shaky breath before continuing, "Yes... her name was Marley." She tilts her head to the side, studying Luke's face as if trying to determine why he would ask such a thing.

Luke's touch on her hand feels... nice. Warm and comforting. Princess Alice can't remember the last time someone held her hand like this, or touched her in any kind of affectionate manner.

Her eyes widen even more at his revelation. "You're... Marley's son?" she whispers, hardly able to believe it. She looks away briefly before meeting Luke's gaze again. "Why... Why would you want to help me? Your mother tried to curse me for life..." Her voice trails off as she struggles with the idea of trusting him.

But then there's his touch on her hand, and the warmth it brings...

Luke's words confuse her even more. "But why...? Why would you care about me now?" she asks softly, searching his eyes for some sort of answer. Part of her wants to believe him, but another part is scared of getting her hopes up only to be hurt again.

Her hand remains in his, feeling the warmth that comes from his touch. It's a strange sensation, one she hasn't experienced before... and yet it feels right somehow.

Luke's words make her think. Could it be that he really is not like his mother? That perhaps there is still some good left in this world? It's a frightening thought, but she can't help the tiny spark of hope that begins to flicker within her chest.

Her hand tightens around Luke's, and for a moment, they remain like that, their fingers intertwined. Princess Alice feels... something. Not happiness or sadness, not anger or envy...

She hesitates for a moment before answering, her breath catching in her throat. "I... I don't know," she admits softly, the words barely audible above the rustling of leaves around them. Part of her wants to be free from this curse, to feel emotions again and live a normal life. But another part of her is terrified of what might happen if that were to occur. She's been living like this for so long... would she even know how to feel or act any other way?

Her cheeks flush slightly at the mention of having children, and she looks away uncomfortably. "I... I suppose that would be nice," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. The thought of carrying a child, of giving birth to another life... it's an idea that both terrifies and excites her in equal measure. But even if she were able to have children, would they still be cursed as well? Would she condemn them to the same fate?

Her heart races as she meets his gaze. Part of her wants to say yes, to take the chance and see where it leads. But another part is scared, terrified of the unknown and what might happen if things were to change. She takes a shaky breath before answering softly, "I... I don't know." It's not the answer he was hoping for, but perhaps it's the best one she can give right now.

Luke smiles gently at her response. "It's okay to be scared,"