Chapter 58: Chapter 58

KAMORA

Kamora walked through the garden with her son, holding his hands gently.

“Mother, what type of Fae are you?” he asked, swinging his and his mother’s hands together.

“I am only part Fae, dear,” she replied, hoping that her son didn’t have the inbuilt prejudice toward witches as his ancestors did.

“I am also part witch.” She glanced down at her son.

“Really?” he exclaimed, his eyes wide.

“So you can, like, make curses?”

“Yeah,” Kamora smiled, nodding.

Jarosh was silent for a while, his face scrunched up as if he were contemplating.

“What is it?”

“Since you are a witch, then perhaps you can break the Maroke’s curse? I don’t want to be affected.”

“You know of the curse?” Kamora asked softly, worry evident on her face.

“I might look like a child, Mother, but I am not one,” he said, his haughty nature back.

“I do fear that I’d one day end up like how Father was, before he remembered you.”

If Kamora wasn’t pressured to help break the Maroke curse before, she was then. If not for anything but her son, she would not let him go through the pain her husband was going through.

“I’ll do everything in my power to break the curse,” she said. She squeezed his hand gently.

“I swear it.”

They made their way back into the manor, all smiles, when suddenly, they bumped into Petal.

“Kamo—My lady!” Petal exclaimed with a small bow.

Kamora didn’t respond with words. She pulled Petal into a fierce embrace, holding her like she never wanted to let go.

Tears threatened to spill as emotion swelled in her chest.

It was the first time she had seen her friend since her memories returned, and every time she thought of what Petal had endured because of her, her heart twisted with guilt.

“We are still friends,” she whispered into her friend’s ear, and then eased away.

“Nothing between us has changed.”

Petal’s eyes searched hers, wide with surprise.

“You remember?”

Kamora’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening as realization dawned.

“You knew?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“Since when? How long have you known?”

“Yes,” Petal answered, tears streaming down her face.

“I was so happy when I saw you looking for a job at that building. You didn’t seem to remember me, and I didn’t want to shock you by telling you that I knew you.”

She held both of Kamora’s hands, squeezing them gently.

“I had also lost my memories, and I gained them a few days before we met at that work center. I never even expected to find you there. I was hoping to get a job in the Maroke Manor to look for you.”

“Thank you!” Kamora said, gratefulness abundant in her eyes.

“I wouldn’t have met my son without you, or my husband.”

They both sniffed and hugged each other once again, crying tears of relief.

Finally, they eased away from each other and began to walk down the halls. Jarosh walked next to Kamora.

“Now tell me—what exactly is going on?” Petal asked, frustration laced in her voice.

“No one seems to remember you. And the ones who do remember me… It’s like I’m a ghost in their heads. Fleeting images. Nothing solid. Most of them have even left the manor.”

Kamora’s brow furrowed.

“You’ve been trying to find out what caused the incident?”

“Of course I have!” Petal’s voice cracked.

“It didn’t just affect you, remember? I lost my memories for eight years. Eight long years.”

Kamora lowered her gaze. Guilt flickered across her face.

“I’m trying too. I just… I don’t even know where to start.”

Petal exhaled sharply and ran a hand through her hair.

“And then there’s that maid—the one who told us about Lord Maroke’s accident. No one seems to know who she is. Not even Claudia.”

Kamora’s eyes snapped to her.

“You asked Claudia?”

“I did. And maybe it’s just me, but…something about her feels off. Like she’s pretending to be who she’s not.”

“How so?”

“I can’t put it into words exactly. But I’ve been watching her. Waiting. One day she’ll slip. I know it.”

Kamora stepped closer, her voice soft but firm.

“If you notice anything strange about her—anything at all—tell me. Please. Maybe together, we can piece this all together.”

Petal nodded. She shot a purposeful glance toward Kamora’s unoccupied hand and asked, “Have you been practicing?”

Knowing what she meant, Kamora nodded.

“Yes, but only little curses so far.”

“It’s about time I teach you how to be offensive with them. You can’t let your enemies think you are weak.”

“I have you to teach me that, fortunately,” Kamora said, smiling.

They exchanged their goodbyes. Petal returned to her chores, but not before promising Kamora she would share any news if she discovered something.

She and Jarosh silently made their way back to the room she shared with Lord Maroke.

“Jarosh?” she called out, noticing he was strangely quiet. “Is something wrong?”

“Do you think I’d also have witch powers?”

“Perhaps,” Kamora said, shrugging. “We just need to wait till you hit puberty.”

“You and Father suspect someone is trying to harm our family? Perhaps the princess?”

“Yes, but don’t bother yourself thinking about it.” She ruffled his head. “Your parents will teach whoever they are a very good lesson.”

Jarosh went off to his room once they reached the master’s bedroom.

Kamora walked in to find her husband still on the bed, neatly arranging some documents by holding them on his lap.

“How was your walk?” he asked, glancing at her.

Kamora laughed and walked over to him.

“It was okay. Our son—it hurts me just how mature he is.”

“I can’t help but feel guilty at times when I see him,” Lord Maroke confessed, his face etched with guilt.

“I blame myself for abandoning him during his first years.” Sighing, he dropped the documents next to him on the bed and faced her, suddenly serious.

“I have news. The princess actually invited me to the ball—the one where she hopes to find a suitor.”

Kamora smiled maliciously.

“That’s perfect then. It’s time I give her a taste of her own medicine.”