Chapter 68

“Oh!” Inspiration abruptly struck Tinasha, and her head snapped up. Surely this feeling is the final piece to undoing the curse. The desire to leave something behind. That was what the curse placed on Oscar had desired all along. Inside the spell woven by the Witch of Silence’s own distinct language, there was a further coded portion, the definition name. Even if the curse were broken, that portion would remain. In the curse Tinasha had examined four centuries ago, that bit hadn’t been negated. The final piece of the spell had to exist to ensure the definition name remained. “Which means…” Tinasha looked at Oscar, still asleep with his head in her lap. She wanted to test out her theory right away, but he was resting. If possible, she would prefer to let him relax to make up for his hectic daily schedule. After thinking for a moment, Tinasha spread her arms wide. A fluffy white blanket appeared between them, and she placed it over the king. Then she closed her eyes and began to contemplate the curse. How long had he been asleep? Judging by the sun’s position, not even an hour had passed. Oscar craned his neck to look at the girl whose lap he’d been napping on, only to discover that she had nodded off, too. Tinasha’s head was lolling to one side. He’d anticipated that she’d rouse him, yet the young woman had abandoned her post. Oscar noticed the white blanket laid over him and huffed. “We’re in the castle, but it’s still dangerous if neither of us keeps watch.” Anything could’ve happened while they were both unawares. However, one of them would have probably awoken had there been trouble. Oscar spent some time watching Tinasha’s face as she slept, but he couldn’t do that forever. He sat up, placed the blanket over her, and took the girl in his arms. Even that didn’t wake her. Gently, he hugged her more closely. “Go on and sleep. You are free as long as you’re in Farsas.” If Tinasha wished it, she could live like a commoner in town. But Oscar knew she’d never do that. The pair had both been raised for something more. That was why the rare moments of freedom like this one were so precious. With Tinasha in his arms, Oscar returned to his day. He didn’t want to count how many days like this she had left.