Then another, before she added.
"Just like you". She added softly, daring to meet the void of his mask. "You were cast away too. But you're not what they say you are."
The prince went utterly still but she continued, her pulse roaring in her ears. She knew this was a dangerous ground. But something in her, something reckless and bruised pushed her forward.
"You're not the monster you've been painted to be to the people ". She whispered not noticing that even the temperature of the room had plummeted . "They say the mask hides your face so vile it kills to look upon it. That you're a demon guarding the border, loyal only to bloodshed but I refuse to believe that".
"I refuse to believe that ". Her heart hammered against her ribs as she continued . "Because I've seen your letters. Because no monster kneels in the snow for love. Because monsters don't collect poetry". She said, nodding to the shelves around them. "Or keep their libraries this clean and organized ."
