Witch

Tatyana was a witch… or at least, that is what people said. The King had exiled her, forbidding her from crossing the threshold of his kingdom; the people believed he had generously spared her life. But only she and the King knew the truth: he trembled before her with pure, animal fear, and wishing to hide his own cowardice, he had painted her as a monster who devoured human souls.

On the day the kingdom celebrated the birth of the second prince, the Queen was weak, but alive. Led by the guards, Tatyana found herself in the throne room, where the King sat upon his high throne. His face contorted with fear at the sight of her, and this was amusing—the proud man trembled, though she had not even approached him. A low, shaking voice broke the silence.

"S-so you are... so you are the witch..." You looked up at him and smiled calmly.

"Yes, my King... although I prefer to be called a herbalist."

He waved his hand, shivering and flinching at your every movement.

"That is not important! Y-you must... you must save her... Queen Alice is dying... and only you can help... but don't you dare try anything! If she dies... I will kill you!"

The King hissed through his teeth, shuddering and letting out a small squeak at her smile and voice. "Just show me the way."

She was led to the Queen's chambers. Looking at her, she immediately realized that her condition was not critical at all—ordinary postpartum fever without infection: high temperature, chills, weakness, a flushed face, and sweating. This was easy to fix. She ordered leaves and branches of raspberry, sage, field horsetail, nettle, verbena, linden blossom, calendula, chamomile, lemon balm, and mint to be brought to prepare medicines, ointments, and oils. Within a day, the Queen felt better, regaining consciousness and even smiling. And the King, instead of gratitude, exiled her from the kingdom out of fear, not wanting a "witch" to live among his people. Thus began her life in the forest on the outskirts of the kingdom.

At night, the howling of wolves would not cease, irritating her, and she stepped outside, looking around in the moonlight. A youth's armor glistened, and his hair, white as snow, blended into the surroundings. He was surrounded by a pack of wolves.