Page 108 of The Frog Prince

Alwin blinked sluggishly as feet filled up his vision, blocking Otto from view.

“Hello again, Prince.”

“You’re…wasting…your…time,” Alwin managed to croak out.

“Not even a hello back. I suppose I can’t expect anything different from a dirty creature such as you.”

Alwin did not reply, knowing his lack of attention would needle Henne more than any words he could possibly say, goading him into concentrating on him and not Otto. The smack from the cane around his face was exactly what he expected, and Otto cried out for him. It loosened some of the fog, but not the hurt.

“Very well. Let’s cut to the chase then,” Henne snapped. “You know what I want.”

“You have…my answer.”

Henne’s cane poked under Alwin’s chin and lifted his head.

“Make the deal,” he hissed.

“Never,” Alwin said through the blood in his mouth.

Henne backhanded him this time, making his vision go fuzzy and his ears ring. Otto’s shouts sounded as if they came from underwater.

“DO AS I SAY, MONSTER!” Henne shouted, hitting him again.

“He’s not the monster!” Otto shouted through his tears. “You are!”

The village rumbled around them as people began to arrive, drawn by the commotion and shocked by the sight of Gisela and Otto being restrained. And then they saw Alwin and recoiled at first glance.

It still hurt that their first reaction was fear and disgust. Alwin had gotten so used to kindness. To acceptance. He’d forgotten for a moment what it felt like to be hated.

“Monster or not,” Alwin said, coughing. The blood was pouring from his mouth now, down to the floor to pool around his knees. He looked up at Henne, straight into his eyes. “I’ll go to my grave…happy to have denied someone so unworthy. My soul…will be at peace.”

Henne snarled at his defiance. “Beat him.”

“HENNE, NO!” Otto screamed as fists and feet descended on Alwin.

His delicate skin was no match for hard knuckles and leather boots. It split and bled almost immediately, making him cry out in agony. He tried to curl inward to protect himself, but it was no use. Bone snapped, and he suddenly found it hard to breathe, wheezing croaks emitting from his throat.

“You’re killing him! Stop! Please stop!” Otto begged, his voice going hoarse.

Above the pain, Alwin felt sorrier that he was causing Otto such despair. He wanted to reassure him that it was okay. That he’d tried his best. That he had shown him the meaning of compassion and goodness.

He hoped his little Farwin and grumpy Jurgen wouldn’t be too saddened by his passing. At least he could meet their namesakes again and properly apologize.

Lastly, he wished he could have seen his parents and Lorenz one more time, even like this. He thought maybe Lorenz wouldn’t have minded, even though he couldn’t tell them who he was.

“Wait.” Someone spoke up shakily from the crowd, clearly disturbed by the display.

Those around him seemed to share his sentiment but were wary of stepping forward, unsure what to do and cowed by the violence.

“It’s a monster! Can’t you see?” Henne told them. “I’m protecting you. This is the cause of all the illness and disease in the town.”

Murmurs began to stir as Henne whipped up the crowd. Fear was powerful, especially when people were desperate and scared.

“LIAR!” Otto shouted. “You’re responsible for all of this. All Alwin has done is help me find a cure for you all. Please, believe me. Henne is the evil here. He’s the illness in this village.”

“Don’t listen to him. He wants the Frog Prince’s powers all to himself. He cured his sister and left everyone else to rot. How do you think she recovered so miraculously? He’s been hiding him ever since, making sure no one else could ask a boon. Gunther died because of him,” Henne threw back.

“No, no!” Otto said. “I did seek out a deal for my sister, but I’ve always wanted to save everyone! I went to the forest to find a cure. I saved Brigit! Please, someone go check her house! Ask her daughter to come.”