At the first streak of dawn, everyone who witnessed the witches burn gathered in the throne room. The dowager queen had ordered them to meet there as Charles would return with Erasmus shortly.
Erasmus was the man who had an eye to see the future. Who knew a language by which to make the witches listen to him. A man who was believed to speak the truth about the destiny of Heavengate. He was their only chance to get out of their terrible circumstances. They were all eagerly waiting for him.
Queen Amanda did not sleep at all. When she was summoned by the dowager queen, she had reluctantly moved away from her children for they were to find the solution to the curse. She had kissed their foreheads and ordered her most trusted guards to watch over them. Under no cicumstances were they to leave her children's side.
"I have a book written on the witches of our kingdom. I"ll have to fetch it myself at once. I can't let a maid see that". The dowager queen said and started to move towards the door.
"Let me get it then, mother", queen Amanda suggested.
"It's hidden. You probably won't be able to find it. It's alright. I'll go". She disappeared out the door.
King Arnold slowly came to stand in front of the queen. "Amanda, let me apologise-"
"I want to hear no words from you". The queen said before he could even finish his sentence. Not once did she look at his face.
"Please, Amanda. Look at me". He touched her arm. The queen yanked her hand away. "Get away from me! That witch was right. I really should have slapped you before". Her eyes gleamed with angry tears.
The king was suprised and angry to hear those words from her mouth. Still, he persisted. "You know how much I love Aaron. Had I known she would curse him, then I wouldn't-"
"You shouldn't have touched any woman ever against her will", the queen screamed with disgust. "You have so many courtesans and mistresses to satisfy your needs but you always want more. You have no regard for a woman's wish. I hate that my children have a father like you". Tears pooled in her eyes.
Her husband, for once in her life looked ashamed. She should never have let him stray. She would now have to protect her son from the sins of his father. From the sins of her husband.
"I am never going to let you near them ever again". There was vehemance and determination in the queen's eyes. She would not let her children stay even under the shadow of their cruel father.
Before her husband could argue, her mother-in-law came back in the throne room with a book clutched in her hand. Charles trailed behind her with a man who queen Amanda thought was the tallest and broadest man in the kingdom. As soon as he entered the room he emitted an aura unlike any other person. He wore a crown though not as grand as the king, but one that showed he was a man of great importance. His blond hair were past his shoulders, his long white cloak made of a fashion that was of the olden times. He too, clutched a book in his hand. He eyed the king and the queen. Bowing, he introduced himself.
"Accept my greetings, Your Majesties. This is Erasmus, at your service". They nodded.
"Erasmus, there had been an incident in the palace that has left us shaken". The dowager queen kept her book aside and looked at Erasmus with a grim face.
He eyed the walls of the throne room as if searching for something, but his eyes were as blank as that of a statue. "A witch has been involved". He stated it as a fact.
How he would've guessed it was beyond queen Amanda's mind. But that gave her a flicker of hope. A man so wise could surely help her save her son's life.
"Yes". The dowager queen said unsurprisingly as if she expected him to have guessed it. "My grandson's life is in danger." She explained everything that had happened last night precisely moment by moment.
Erasmus listened to her with the same blank look he had carried since he entered the throne room. After listening to everything, he closed his eyes. Everyone in the throne room waited for him to say something. To do something. To suggest something. Seconds passed before he opened his eyes and gave away the same blank look.
"The curse is very strong. It can't be broken. It has been imparted on a full moon night. I can't do anything". He shook his head.
Queen Amanda walked few steps to stand before him. "I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Erasmus. When mother asked to fetch you, it gave me such hope. Or else, I was just as dead as the witch herself. You have broken many curses before. You have saved many lives. Please, help us too. Save my son. We are ready to give you anything for it".
Erasmus bowed down his head. "I do not want anything, Your Majesty. But pardon me for I cannot do anything regarding this curse. The witch has sacrificed her life to make certain the curse take place. Many witches trades their magic, their beauty, their eyesight, their youth. Some even trade their afterlives. But this witch has ended her life. She traded her very existence. That made the curse immensely strong. I am afraid I have no power to uplift it".
The queen looked at him astonished. This can't be happening. Just yesterday her son was laughing in her lap and now he was cursed and their last hope, the most wise man in the kingdom too, declared it impossible to help them.
Her husband too, requested Erasmus to find any way that could free his son from the curse but his response remained unchanged.
The dowager queen had her head in her book and found a paragraph that suggested a way. "It's written here that if curse involves death, then the life can be traded, as any life is a sacrifice".
The queen looked at Erasmus with a hopeful gaze.
Erasmus with his blank look shook his head. "There would have been a chance of that but the death of the witch has erased every alternative to the curse. It was a holy sacrifice on the full moon. And a selfless one too, for she made it for her dead daughter. I'm afraid I can't be of any use here".
Queen Amanda covered her mouth with her hands. She sobbed with such pain that every person in the room was moved. The dowager queen too, sagged her body in a gesture of helplessness. The king hit a pillar with his fist, angry for being unable to do anything. Charles too was on the verge of tears.
Queen Amanda requested Erasmus again in a tearful voice. "Please, tell us something. Anything even barely close to saving my son can help it, can't it?"
Erasmus bowed his head indicating his helplessness.
"Mama."
Queen Amanda turned her head hearing the sleepy voice of her son. He stood there at the entrance of the room, yawning and rubbing his eye.
The guard behind him bowed his head. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. His Highness was fussing for you since waking up. I tried but couldn't stop him".
"It's alright". The dowager queen nodded at him. "Stay guard at the door". He bowed and left.
Aaron ran towards her mother and hugged her legs. She haunched on her knees and cluthed her son in her arms.
"Why weren't you there when I got up, mama?"
"I'm sorry, darling. Mama had some important business here. I was just about to come back to you". She caressed his head.
Little Aaron moved back and observed his mother's face. "Are you crying, mama?"
"No, darling. I'm just upset I wasn't there when you needed me". She tried not to show her tears but failed miserably.
Her son wiped her tears with his small hands. "Do not worry, mama. I am a grown up boy now".
"Oh!" The queen hugged him again.
The dowager queen, unable to contain her love rushed towards her grandson. "Go and have your bath, my grown up boy".
Little Aaron moved in his grandmother's arms. "Isn't it your day to bath me, granny?"
"Oh yes! My old age me forget that totally". She smiled at him. "Pardon me for that,Your Highness. But can you please wait for me in your chamber?"
"No. Come with me and bath me. I want to go and play". He clutched his grandmother's fingers with his tiny fists.
"I'll be there shortly, my love." She caressed his thick black hair which moved back.
Erasmus saw that and his eyes widened and he haunched before little Aaron. "There is a mark on His Highness's forehead".
The dowager queen moved his hair back again and saw a faint brown mark near his hairline. "Is it a scar?"
Queen Amanda put a hand on his son's shoulder. "No, it was there since his birth. Is it of any consequence?"
"Yes, it is! His Highness is going to change the fate of this kingdom".
Little Aaron smiled at his mother proudly, hearing those words. "He knows I am going to be a mighty king, mama."