A family cursed for eternity

Her eyes roamed the average size room, noticing a few modern technologies sparingly located on selected spots. Other than that, everything seemed to be in the old, outdated style or slightly worn down.

At that moment, she sat on a rocking chair by the window, gazing at the people passing by outside. Opting to sit down since her back could not tolerate another minute of lying on the bed.

A few minutes later, her ears picked up a faint sound. As she scanned the room, she detected a slight movement. "Hi," Avana immediately greeted the boy, noticing him standing outside the door.

Her strength had slowly returned after eating a considerable amount of bread, soup, and those delicious fruits. Luckily, it was nothing like the fruit she had eaten in the forest.

"I thought you were dead." The boy uttered, innocence visible in his eyes as he timidly hid behind the door, watching her.

Fear probably overwhelmed him when he discovered her unconscious body by the water. The doctor informed her that this boy was the first one who found her lying on the big rock.

Still, she wondered how she ended up near a creek. She vaguely recalled not hearing any flowing water nearby where she had eaten the purple fruits. As far as she could remember, she was still on top of the mountains without any village or body of water in sight.

"Thanks to you, I am not." She raised her hands and waved to the boy who had saved her life to come nearer. "Don't be afraid." She added when he still hesitated.

Still, she doubted he was the one who had carried her in his arms during those times when she was in a delirious state. Could it be the doctor? But his scent was different, and his voice also had a distinct tone, as per her recollection.

Still, her mind might be too distraught that she had mixed fantasy and reality. It could have been Doctor Jace who had cradled her body in his arms and carried her to his clinic.

"I am not afraid of you. You are not dead, and you certainly are too pretty to be a monster." The boy wittily answered, striding to her with his chin high and square shoulders until he stood just a meter away. "But, Dad said not to bother you."

His eyes were wide as he studied her with curiosity. She could certainly not read any signs of alarm in them. This boy seemed to be more courageous than she initially thought.

"Oh!" She was not expecting that from the adorable boy whose eyes were as big as a saucer and as brown as his hair. But she certainly felt fluttered that he would think she was pretty.

She never had much experience with young boys, although she suddenly missed her younger sister. She never even had the chance to say goodbye to her.

Her parents had to send her away in fear that something might go wrong. She was too young to be a part of their problem. She could not even defend herself.

"Most of the people who had eaten those berries never survived." The boy moved a step closer as if he was studying her. "As far as I know, no one yet lived to tell the tale."

His curiosity was quite evident in how his pupils dilated as he observed her every moment. He certainly was his father's son, concluding that this boy was the doctor's son.

Her laughter echoed in the small room from what he said. Suddenly she remembered a pirate movie, hearing something with those lines. "What is your name?" Her hand stretched in front of him. "I'm Avana."

The boy only looked at her hand, tilting his head at the side as if thinking deeply, his hands entwined at his back. With his lips narrowed thinly, he just kept staring at her.

Then, his eyes lit up like it was suddenly his birthday and he had just received his first present. "I think I like to call you Ava." Proudly speaking up, taking her hand, gripping it as firmly as his little hands could manage. "I am Kiev."

Her smile shone on her face at his little gesture, liking how he had branded her with a nickname. She believed she had just made a new friend.

"That is a nice name, Kiev. I like it very much." Letting go of his hand and gesturing for him to sit down on the chair across from her. "Do you mind joining me? It is too quiet here by myself."

She suddenly wondered where the boy's mother was. She had been conscious for almost half the day. Yet, she had not seen her anywhere, letting her eyes move around to check on her.

Although she did obscurely remember a woman had bathed her yesterday and changed her into these clothes. Looking down at the dress she was wearing that fit her like it was hers.

"Sure, I think I like talking to you." His tiny frame positioned himself across from her, sitting on the big seat that almost swallowed his size.

A chuckle escaped her lips again, enjoying the company of this young man. "I also think I like you." She responded with a wide grin on her lips. "Would you like to have some lemonade?"

She certainly had not met a young man like him, not only adorable looking but had quite a charming personality. She guaranteed to miss him once she was strong enough to leave this place.

"Kiev, what are you doing?" An attractive young woman stood by the door, catching her attention. "You should not be bothering her." She continued in her hush tone, not wanting to be loud.

"I am sorry about Kiev. He could be nosy sometimes." The woman turned to her with an apologetic smile.

"I am not bothering her. Ava called me." Kiev responded, defending himself. "Anyway, I am not nosy, just curious." The boy added. "Dad said that there is nothing wrong with being curious and asking questions." He continued, his face contorted to a frown.

"That is ok. Kiev here is just keeping me company." Not wanting the boy to end up in trouble. "He had been sweet and helpful." Ruffling the boy's hair with her fingers.

"Still, Jace said you should be resting, and Kiev here needs his bath." The woman gave the boy a pointed look that she meant it.

"Fine." The boy responded with a heavy breath, dropping his hands to the side. "I have to leave, but can I come back, Ava." He looked at her with those brown, expressive eyes.

"Of course." Her heart went to the boy. "I will see you again later." Watch the boy reluctantly walk away until she could not see him anymore.

She could not help but wonder if this woman was his mother and the doctor's wife, suddenly imagining them as a happy family with a home full of laughter and love. With a very young handsome son, too wise for his age.

She wanted something like that. But that would not happen if fate kept pushing her to take a horrible Prince as a husband. She would not want to bear a child that would end up just like his father, a monster, or her, a victim.

A family cursed for eternity.