Page 23 of The Frog Prince

It was a type of healing Otto couldn’t provide for her.

When they sat down, it was to a modest meal, but as he watched Gisela eat, Otto felt like it was a feast worthy of royalty.

The thought sent shivers down his spine.

Royalty.

The prince he had left behind. He closed his eyes against the vision of the monster grinning at him. Beckoning him to uphold his end of the bargain. Tomorrow. The time for Otto to leave was tomorrow. He shook his head.

“Otto?” Gisela called, and he snapped back to reality.

“Hm?”

She nudged him with her elbow. “You’re exhausted still. We should head home.” She turned to Liesel. “I will stop by for a visit in a day or two. Don’t think you will be rid of me so easily.”

“Oh, darling girl,” Liesel said, cupping her cheek again, “I never wish to be rid of either of you. You make my solitary days brighter. Especially now when you are back on your feet and healthy. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

“And how are you feeling?” Otto asked. “Is there anything I can do for you? Have the dizzy spells worn off?”

“The smelling salts you gave me help with all that.” She waved him off. “There isn’t much you can do for an old lady. You already don’t charge me enough, you rascal.”

Otto smiled sheepishly as his ears flushed red. He hadn’t thought she’d noticed. He’d been garnishing his own meagrewages from Henne to help her. It was the least he could do. She had no family left to make an income alongside her weaving, and she was growing slower with age and starvation. She’d refused all other attempts he’d made to help her, including his offer for her to come live with them to ease the burden from her shoulders.

She walked them out, and after countless hugs and kisses on both their cheeks, Otto and Gisela were on their way.

They walked home slowly, arm in arm, Otto ready to intervene at any moment.

“You don’t have to watch me like a hawk, Otto,” she said. “My legs are weak from being infirm for so long, but I can walk this short distance.”

“I’m still your doctor as well as your brother. That’s double the need to be worried.”

“Quite so. But the weight of too many eyes is surely set to send me toppling over, so be merciful, would you?”

Otto paused in his tracks, a pang of fear ringing in his stomach. “What?”

“Hm?” She tilted her head curiously.

“You said too many eyes,” he said, beginning to panic and look around them. “Where are they?”

“Liesel is still watching us from her door there.” She indicated behind them before frowning at him. “And her neighbors are rather nosy. Who did you think I meant?”

Otto glanced back and saw Liesel was indeed watching their every step. She waved to him and he squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to catch his breath and still his pounding heart.

Gisela squeezed his forearm. “Brother, what’s wrong? You’ve not been yourself ever since you returned… What did you see in that forest?”

“Nothing,” he replied quickly, opening his eyes and giving her a smile. “Nothing at all. I’m simply tired and miss home. Let’s move a little quicker if you can, so you don’t catch a chill.”

Gisela continued to frown, but she allowed him to lead her on until they reached the small gate to their property.

He pushed it open and nearly toppled over when he heard a quiet croak. He crouched down, looking everywhere, but the ground was void of anything living or…croaking.

“Otto!” Gisela exclaimed as she watched him.

“I am sorry,” he said. “I thought I heard…”

He shook his head, standing up and running a tired hand over his face.

“Right, off to bed with you.” She pushed him toward their house, letting him unlock the door then ushering him inside.