THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN EDITED AND EXPANDED.
It had been a year since they had been living in the forest. The governor had not sent any more girls, perhaps because no one had trespassed into the forest, or because he was certain Sarah would break the curse. He had even claimed credit for having sent Sarah to Rayan.
When the Emperor had first received the news of her residence at the mansion, he had written to Jasmin apologizing for the situation, and had offered to make amends. He said he would make arrangements for her to return to her cottage, but Jasmin had declined since she was better off here anyway, where she did not have to worry for money. The Emperor was grateful that she was taking care of his nephew and paying attention to his education, and he also expressed his hope that Sarah would break the curse.
Jasmin honestly did not know what breaking the curse entailed. Rayan did not have a clear recollection of the events of the curse and he had been too reckless to pay attention to the terms. The Emperor had revealed that his punishment had been more for the sins of his father, who had treated his wife and sisters rather ill. One of his sisters had appealed to the fairy for help. The fairy, who fancied herself a champion for women everywhere had been ready to punish Rayan's father, only to find he had passed away leaving behind a son who had tried to keep her prisoner. The Emperor then made some half-hearted attempts to help his nephew, but he wasn't incredibly invested. He had never had a good relationship with his late brother. He had been offered one ministry position after another, but he performed poorly at them all. Needless to say he hadn't been good to his family either and hadn't properly ensured his son's education. The Emperor didn't have high hopes of having Rayan returned to court.
As far as Jasmin was concerned, Rayan had improved significantly in his behavior over the past year, though there was room for improvement. However, she saw no evidence that there could blossom love between him and Sarah, and she had started to worry about Sarah's future – she would have none if she is stuck here for the rest of her life. She wrote to the Emperor telling him as much. She said she would remain with Rayan and look after him, if he would consider taking in Sarah as an attendant for the princess. At least then she would receive a proper education and have prospects for the future.
Sarah was amenable to the plan. She had been growing increasingly frustrated with being stuck in the mansion with only Kaiser being her connection to the outside world. She received letters from Shumi, but these were rare due to the infrequent nature of Kaiser's visits. She had also started to realize that she had no possibility of a meaningful life fi she was stuck here for the rest of it. But she was afraid that the Emperor would not see it that way. If he truly believed that she could break Rayan's curse, he wouldn't agree to take her away.
She was therefore, very surprised when the Emperor complied with her mother's request.
"I didn't think he would agree," she cried in wonder.
"Truthfully, dear, I don't think he ever had much hope of the curse breaking. He was only making a show of it. He never even bothered to see who was being sent here, and whether any of them ever had the potential to get through to Rayan."
"And you're sure, you will be fine without me?"
"Rayan and I will be just fine, Sarah."
And thus, Sarah began her new life at the royal palace.