Who Could Have Loved the Monster Princess? - Chapter 57

I hesitated, unsure how to respond to Sean’s confession. It was something I’d heard often before, and in the past, I’d just replied with a simple “I know.”

‘But today, it feels heavier, somehow…’

Maybe it was because I heard the confession while talking about my curse.

‘Could it be… that Sean means he loves me as a woman?’

There was no way that was true. If it really were, he wouldn’t have sworn by the name of Onra in this situation.

‘Sean must know that I don’t believe in Onra.’

Of course, I understood that Onra was an omnipotent being to Sean. His divine power was proof of that greatness.

But I did not believe in Onra as the Creator God. Onra’s power manifested through the priests, but I always doubted whether a god who blinded the eyes of loving creations when they faced him was truly our Creator.

‘A god who harms his creations while showing himself, no matter how much power he grants them, can hardly be considered perfect. Far from omniscient and omnipotent.’

A love sworn by such a being… As I thought this, Sean said:

“Darling, I want you to reconsider your curse.”

“Do you want my curse to be lifted?”

Sean hesitated for a moment at my question, then nodded. While Sean spoke, Ken, who had been silently stirring the stew, brought the stew completed with the hero’s magic.

When our eyes met, Ken also nodded. It seemed like he too hoped my curse would be lifted.

I felt a little hurt. I had thought both of them liked me just the way I am now.

“The curse makes Darling doubt the love you receive.”

“I don’t doubt your love.”

Sean hesitated for a moment. It felt as if I was doubting his feelings.

‘Could it be that I don’t trust Sean’s heart… because of the curse?’

Without giving me a chance to sink deeper into my thoughts, Sean spoke firmly.

“I know. But it makes me suspicious.”

That made sense somehow.

‘So that’s the reason.’

They didn’t dislike how I look. It was that my curse seemed to belittle their feelings as lies. Sean’s love, my parents’ love, Mir’s praise — all of it must be genuine, yet I am still a monster.

“I see.”

I no longer want to think about the curse. But if it causes the people I cherish to believe that the reason I’m still cursed is because their love for me isn’t enough, then that’s a different story.

‘They must have felt like they were pouring water into a bottomless jar, the more love they tried to give me.’

If those two were under a curse that could only be broken by being loved, and it hadn’t lifted in twenty years, I think I’d feel utterly devastated.

“Alright. I’ll think about it.”

I didn’t know how I should think about it, but still.

We began eating in thoughtful silence.

The stew Ken had made, with Sean’s help, was delicious. The rich, savory flavor of the smoked meat had soaked deeply into the potatoes and cabbage, spreading warmly in my mouth.

Ken and Sean said nothing more, perhaps to give me time to think.

Or maybe they were just savoring the stew that reminded us of our childhood.

‘Delicious.’

I feel like I’m loved by so many people, so why hasn’t the curse lifted?

Was it because my love is lacking? But I love them all, too.

‘If I keep thinking this way, letting doubts about love deepen, I’ll only get farther from breaking the curse…’

Suddenly, it occurred to me that maybe “love” was just an excuse meant to keep me from falling into despair. Maybe the curse simply can’t be broken at all.