Page 76 of The Frog Prince

“Before,” he said, and realization dawned on Otto’s face.

“Before I decided not to uphold my end of the deal,” Otto said flatly, clearly still ashamed.

“Yes, well… It’s all right.”

No, a frog croaked from behind the well, hopping onto the edge of it and glaring at Otto.

It lifted one tiny leg and shook it in the air, pointing at a deep scrape on the bottom of its foot.

Hurt moving stone, it said to Alwin, who leaned over to inspect it closer. It was hardly an injury at all, but he also recognized the little spadefoot as one of the more…dramatic frogs he had lingering around.

“I am very sorry you got hurt, but it was an accident,” Alwin said softly, trying to keep his voice down so Otto didn’t hear.

The frog extended his injured leg higher into the air, refusing to let go.

“I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

The frog glared for a moment before putting the foot down and waddling away agonizingly slowly, as if Alwin hadn’t seen it hop around just seconds ago.

“What was that about?” Otto asked.

“It has a flair for theatrics,” he said. “Nothing to worry about.”

“I saw the scrape on its leg. Does it need help?”

“That will be healed by morning, Otto.” Alwin’s heart expanded three times at the thought that Otto cared enough about one of his frogs to even offer to help. “Like I said, melodrama is rampant around here sometimes.”

“I wonder who they got that from,” Otto said slyly.

“Well I never.”

He led the way out of the room in the wake of Otto’s laughter, and up the half-visible stairs poking from the mud between what remained of the once beautiful structure.

He wished he could have seen it with Otto’s eyes for the first time. As part of an adventure. Unburdened by becoming something he didn’t think should exist.

He would have found it beautiful.

It seemed Otto did too, if his hitched breath and round, glimmering eyes were anything to go by when they entered.

The rubble from the half-collapsed wall and roof had been cleared out, leaving only a gaping opening into the forest and the still water of the glen beyond. Tree branches had made themselves welcome guests over time, hugging the rough walls and slithering over them like curious fingers. Water sloshed against the outer wall a few inches below the broken floor, filling the air with a natural sort of white noise that made one feel like they were floating.

And the flora of the space…oh, that was the best part. Countless bioluminescent mushrooms and flowers in every imaginable color littered the floors, the walls, and the grass leading into the water. They made the space sparkle and glitter. A glimpse at the true magic of the castle.

Opposite that natural beauty, under what remained of the roof and between the still-standing walls, lay the bed Alwin had made for Otto.

It wasn’t too high off the floor, but was raised enough to be noticeable, constructed from the softest grass Alwin and his frogs could find and covered in the largest lily pads like bedding. It was large and soft looking and Alwin was proud. Proud of what he was able to accomplish and provide.

He watched Otto, waiting on tenterhooks as he took in the offerings. As he walked around the room with careful steps and peered outside, touching the walls and then the bed.

“It’s beautiful,” Otto said, glancing over his shoulder at Alwin.

The relief that flooded him made him realize just how nervous he had been about showing Otto this. It was humble, unlike thegifts Alwin had given years ago. No gold. No jewels. No riches. But still everything he had.

“Thank you,” Alwin said, looking into Otto’s eyes and seeing glittering reflections tempting him to dive in. He forced himself to step back. “Get some rest. It was a long journey.”

He turned to leave, but Otto’s voice stopped him.

“Where do you sleep?”