Rhine dusted off his cloak, now soiled with dirt, and slowly stepped behind the King.
Though this was a tale he had heard countless times, experiencing it firsthand, witnessing the joys and sorrows of everyone involved, brought a different kind of melancholy to his heart.
Compared to the more widely known version of Sleeping Beauty, the curse placed by the Black Witch here was far more cruel. It wouldnât just take the Little Princessâs life but would also doom the entire kingdom to destruction.
The spindle pricking the Little Princessâs finger, leading to her tragic death, was merely the harbinger of the curseâs fulfillmentâa prelude to the grand catastrophe.
In hindsight, such a devastating curse seemed more fitting for its purpose.
According to the original story, the 12th witch used her final blessing to weaken the curse, changing "death" into "sleep."
Even after the curse was weakened, when the Little Princess pricked her finger on the spindle, its power still plunged the entire kingdom into slumber.
The kingdom, then overgrown with malicious thorns, brambles, and vines, became a cursed land no traveler dared approach.
Only a hundred years later did the destined prince cut through the thorns, enter the cursed kingdom, and break the spell with a kiss for the Sleeping Beauty.
If a weakened curse could make an entire kingdom sleep for a hundred years, then the original curseâs full force would undoubtedly annihilate the entire kingdom!
Is this the power of magic?
A powerful magician can, on a whim, bring shame to monarchs and collapse mighty kingdoms.
Will I someday wield such immense power too?
Rhineâs thoughts were heavy.
He had done everything in his power just moments ago, yet had posed no real threat to the Black Witch. Even when attempting to cast spells on the Black Dragon, his efforts had been entirely ineffective.
And that was when the Black Witch, Maleficent, was nearly drained of magic after unleashing her overwhelming curse!
If she had been at her peak, wiping out all of them might have taken her only a few seconds...
The Black Witch Maleficent was far beyond Rhineâs current capabilities. He didnât know how long she had lived, but the gap between them was certainly not one that helping two or three Children of Destiny could close. Rhine sighed quietly. ÈðÉ´ðï¼¢ÄṤ
The old King seemed to age ten years in an instant. His face was ashen and devoid of any color.
He forced himself to stand, turning toward the twelve witches who now appeared just as battered. His voice trembled with desperation:
âSave my daughter and this kingdom!
âThere are so many of you, and youâre all powerful witches!
âThere must be something you can do!
âYou must be able to break this curse, right?â
The twelve witches exchanged helpless glances, unsure of what to say.
âThe Black Witchâs power is far too strong. Her curse... itâs beyond what we can break,â one witch stammered, her voice growing quieter until it faded into silence.
Silence.
A deathly silence hung over the ruined palace, filled with dust and debris.
Neither the nationâs ruler nor the powerful witches could find the courage to raise their heads or utter a word.
Suddenly, the Violet Fairy, leader of the twelve witches, broke the silence!
âNo, thereâs still hope! Thereâs one more thing we can try!â
The Violet Fairy turned to the silver-haired magician in a pristine white cloak, whose appearance seemed far too young:
âWe still have Lord Rhine!
âThe Sage of the Kingdom, the Court MageâLord Rhine has not yet given the Little Princess his blessing.â
The King looked confused, as though he hadnât understood her words.
At a time like this, why were they talking about blessings?
Princess Aurora wouldnât even live past the age of fifteen!
But the Violet Fairy grew more excited as she spoke:
âThe curse is bound to Princess Aurora. When she pricks her finger on the spindle and loses her life, it will set the kingdomâs disaster in motion!
âWe can have Lord Rhine bless the Little Princess and counteract the curseâs magic!â
The other eleven witches froze upon hearing her words, their gazes suddenly filled with hope.
They understood the miraculous power of blessings far better than the King did!
âOf course, thatâs an option!â
âI almost forgotâLord Rhine is a remarkable magician too.â
âWe twelve have already bestowed our blessings, but Lord Rhine hasnât yet.â
The despairing atmosphere lifted slightly.
The once hopeless expressions on the faces of the witches and the King began to show glimmers of optimism.
All eyes turned to Rhine.
The old Kingâs eyes shone brightly, as though he had found a lifeline. He hurriedly asked the Violet Fairy:
âSo, if Lord Rhine gives Princess Aurora a blessing to âbreak the curse,â the Black Witchâs curse will disappear, right?â
At the same time, he fixed his gaze intently on Rhine, who stood nearby, deep in thought.
The boyâs small figure, leaning against the wall, cast a long shadow under the flickering light.
Just minutes ago, this seemingly delicate child had turned the tide and saved everyone.
Now, once again, he had become their final hope.
The Violet Fairy shook her head regretfully:
âUnfortunately, Your Majesty...
âEven the power of blessings cannot completely remove the Black Witchâs formidable curse.
âEvery powerful curse has a specific method of being lifted.
âThis one can only be broken by killing the Black Witch herself. And none of us here have the strength to challenge Maleficentâs power.â
The old Kingâs face fell, despair once again overtaking his aged features.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
The Violet Fairy quickly added:
âBut Lord Rhineâs blessing can weaken the curse! If we can modify some of the curseâs terms, we could turn the inevitable disaster into a crisis that we might resolve!â
After a long silence, Rhine finally spoke:
âYes. I still have one chance to give the Princess a blessing.
âFairy, what kind of blessing do you think I should bestow to counter this dark curse?â