Ep. 12: Duke confronts his curse and family while Alice confesses her love

12

Duke visits his mother, who postpones their conversation until morning. Viola reveals Gerbera’s positive mood and shows Duke the garden where a witch cursed him to remain unloved. She expresses jealousy toward Duke for living away from their mother’s control. At dinner, Gerbera announces their father’s terminal illness and demands a decision on the heir, giving Duke until spring to break his curse or ceding the title to Walter. Duke passionately declares his love for Alice, but Gerbera refuses to allow him to marry a maid. He accuses her of treating her children as possessions and storms out, though Gerbera privately admires his defiance. Duke returns home with Alice, reaffirming his desire to marry her despite the opposition. Alice waits for him to sleep before confessing that she loves him as well.