“We’re almost to the castle, Eory!” Kori said as the carriage wound around another bend in the rocky road. They had been on the road for about three days with their entourage, and Eory had been taking in the sights with few evil, dark, or perverse thoughts coursing through his mind. He was fairly proud of himself, even though it was hard for him to be proud of himself.

The woman—Taylor--was in his mind, however, always mocking him and tempting him to do evil things. We’re no good. There’s no way you’ll succeed at the ball.

Eory slouched in the seat, biting his lip. Shut up. This is our chance.

She wouldn’t leave him alone. She put self-doubting thoughts in his mind, thoughts that made him doubt he was a good person, or that he deserved freedom.

While they camped at night during the three remaining days to the castle, Kori continued to coach Eory on proper manners around a bright fire.

“When you meet the king and the queen at the ball, you must bow lowly to them, kiss the queen’s hand, and then wait for them to tell you to rise. Let’s practice, then.” Kori suggested excitedly when night had fallen.

Eory gracefully did a sweeping bow, kissed Kori’s hand, and stayed on one knee until Kori told him to rise.

“Beautiful. You have better manners than most people at Court!” Kori clapped her hands together cheerfully, the firelight casting her face in a warm, orange glow.

Kori looked at him proudly for a long moment and then sniffled, looking away.

Eory knelt down next to her and asked, “what’s wrong? Have I upset you?”

Kori shook her head as Eory took her hands from her eyes. “I’m just so proud of you, and I feel so guilty about everything…”

“About what?” Eory asked as he cocked his head to the side.

“I didn’t have enough faith in you—I didn’t have enough faith in anyone involved in this situation. The king had made it so clear to me so many times that he had no intention of freeing you, and yet he’s giving you a chance.” Kori said through bittersweet tears.

It was Eory’s turn to feel guilty as snow got caught in his blonde eyelashes and pointed nose. He had thought so little of her that he assumed her saying, I can’t ever free you, was her being needlessly cruel. But, now he remembered.

She was in tears and apologetic when she whispered that to him as he fell asleep. She was not taunting him at all.

I just wanted to believe she was taunting me because I’m no good…

Eory stroked his surrogate mother’s hair. “Please don’t cry, I’m the one who should apologize, deep down I’m…”

Kori looked up at him furiously. “Don’t you dare say that like you used to all the time! You are not no good! You’re very good! You’re kinder than almost anyone I know!”

Eory said nothing, not wanting to upset her further.

Who are you kidding? You had such cruel intentions toward her earlier. You wanted to bite her and rip her skin off! Said the woman in his head.

Shut up! I’m a good person—you’re just a bitch!

And Eory chastised himself for even thinking that nasty word again.

He and Kori practiced dancing, and Kori was surprised at how quickly Eory picked up the skill. She only had to lead for Eory’s first attempt. After that, Eory was able to lead easily. His body just seemed to know what to do.

“Eory, you’re a brilliant dancer!” Kori praised him cheerfully.

“Thank you, Kori. I learned a little bit when I was little.” Eory explained.

Kori shook her head in disbelief. “That may be so, but that can’t possibly explain such natural talent. You’re a brilliant dancer, Eory!”

Eory blushed, twiddling his fingers. He paused before quietly repeating, “Thank you.”

“Now, how about we practice some conversational skills? When in doubt, keep to the weather and a person’s health, alright?” Kori giggled. “Let’s start.”

Eory’s conversational skills were far more lacking than his skills in dancing. He didn’t seem to know how to continue a conversation very well after initial greetings and inquiries about health and the weather. By the time it was time for bed, Eory had gotten better at it, but Kori would have to be sure to practice with him more before they arrived.

Eory knew he hadn’t done well at conversation, but he was just grateful that Kori was willing to help him like she always was. 

When he went to sleep that night, he rested in peaceful memories of Kori’s kindness/

__

When Eory was ten-years-old and beginning to understand just how awful the things his family had done were, he had been even quieter than he usually was. Kori knew something was wrong and she asked him. “What’s wrong Eory? You’re so quiet lately…”

They were sitting on the sofa in his tower, and he told her his worst fears, “I’m no good. I’ll end up just like my family. I don’t know why you’re taking this time to help me…”

Kori’s heart was torn to shreds at his words. She had done this to him. She had accidentally convinced him he could not be saved because she had to disparage his family so often. “No, no, darling. You are nothing but sweetness and kindness. You could never do the things that your family did.”

There was a long silence, and then he said truthfully, “but I think about doing evil things… I think about hurting you--hurting the people who hurt my family.”

Kori was about to protest, but she stopped when Eory suddenly pulled out a beautiful, stark, black-and-white drawing he had drawn of his caretaker and showed it to her. “I made it for you since you’re so hard at work at saving my soul.”

Kori burst into tears and kissed his forehead. “No one who could make something so thoughtful and beautiful could be evil.”