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In a tower nowhere, there was a cursed princess. Or so the rumors said. A young maiden on top of a high place, so high that you can't see the end for sure. Perhaps the girl was already a ghost, the only proof of her existence being her sweet voice. A pinnacle with no preview of the result. A staircase, of course, exists inside. No long, silky hair here, just a spiral staircase in a poorly lit, mossy location.
A young man with good intentions climbs the stairs, or crawls in some direction. Hoping to find a magical fairy to make his life easier. Stairs and more stairs, and no magic there, just a humid and greenish atmosphere. An abandonment. It was to be expected, perhaps it could be avoided with an elevator made of golden hair. As golden as the riches that awaited him in his mind. Yes, it was certainly the fault of the lack of gold. That green is a pain for the eyes. It's green and alcoholic, like absinthe, but without the magic fairy that creates illusions. No fairies here, or gold, or light.
Oh, another handsome and wonderful gentleman stalks the endless tower. It's size is almost intimidating, as if mocking him. Cold, old green stones, and a melodic sound from the top. Sweet flowers here and there, vibrant, flesh-eating flowers. Giant and tiny flowers. Humidity and pollen, maybe the place didn't want noses to work here. It must be made of the curse. What was the curse again? It's not relevant, what matters is the young maiden waiting for her martyr. Another abandonment. They say third time's the best, right?
Oh, another adorable fool, how amusing. This one manages to get to the top, I think he negotiated with the steps to make them shrink. Or maybe the green fairy of mercy helped him, or the magic fairy of flesh flowers. Maybe some pact with beautiful sacrifices, some virgins and candles and the prize is all yours, they said.
"My noble princess, I have come to take you out of your endless suffering and bring you to my kingdom! It's wonderful, isn't it? A castle and some expensive dresses and some royal balls, all will be yours in exchange for your freedom, of course. It's fair, and it's certainly better than your damp, green tower. Who needs man-eating plants when you have jewels and glory? Come with me, my lovely princess, let me give you my pure love."
She walks gracefully towards him, touching his face gently. "Noble gentleman, what courage and perseverance you had to get this far! I congratulate you, dear! You must be proud of yourself, certainly. That deserves a tea cup!" A cup appears in the boy's hand, its liquid warm and reddish smells like hibiscus and something metallic.
The maiden then goes to the window, the only light in that fort. Her steps almost floated across the floor, as if her feet couldn't touch something profane. "However, you must be aware of my curse, correct?"
"Of course, pitiful girl. Come to my kingdom and your curse will be broken. A golden happily ever after, not even a witch's curse can compete with that!", he says as he offers his hand to her dramatically.
A smile appears on her beautiful face. A warm, pearly smile as sharp as a razor. No, razors are not for respectable ladies. Shiny and pointy as needle seems more appropriate.
"Oh dear... Don't you understand? There's no witch. I'm where I belong, by my own choice. There's no curse. This is my favourite place in the world, my personal paradise", she says excitedly. "You see, however, that's part of the charm. No one blames the helpless maiden, and I can be exactly who I am without no one to blame me. For that same reason I can't let you leave alive, naturally. Don't take it personally, dear, it's just how the nature works. You are not the first on the top, of course, not even the first to drink my blood. You were attracted to the colors, but the fantasy lies in the mystery. Don't worry, you will have a good reputation to your name. What more could a fool like you want? Think of it as...a parting gift. A warm and shiny and viscous and deep red gift."