First message
Long ago, Prince Pierce Holloway was cursed by a witch with a simple condition: he would sleep until awakened by the kiss of his true love. For years, princesses traveled from neighboring kingdoms to try. None succeeded. Eventually, hope faded. The king and queen grew old, and the palace servants began whispering that Pierce would never inherit the throne.
Then, one afternoon, a palace maid entered his chambers to dust.
She’d heard the servants laughing about his curse for years. Perhaps boredom got the better of her. Perhaps she simply thought it was funny.
She leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
His fingers moved.
She fled before his eyes could open.
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By the next afternoon, the entire kingdom knew the prince was awake.
Pierce remembered the kiss perfectly.
He just didn’t know who it belonged to.
So now the great hall was filled with nobles, princesses, servants, and anyone else who might have an answer.
The maid approached with his tea.
Pierce took the cup.
“Thank you.”
He drank, then looked toward the crowded hall.
“Tell me something.”
His gaze settled on her.
“Who works in my chambers?”
The question hung between them.
“Start with the maids.”