I started. “What prince?!”

“Why are there never any knives or forks? How am I supposed to eat this?” Sioni looked down at the roasted breast of chicken on her plate, taking care not to meet my eyes.

“Don’t change the subject, Sioni! Answer me: what prince?”

Sioni peeled off a strip of roast chicken and popped it in her mouth. “Mfphe’s lkjhust hithfis mhsguy,” she replied.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full, I can’t understand anything you’re saying.”

She took her time chewing the piece of chicken in her mouth and swallowing it. Finally, she said, “He’s just this guy who has been visiting for about a month. He likes to come on his horse and sing to me. It’s no big deal.”

“No big deal?! Why is this the first time I’ve heard of this?”

My husband’s voice called up from below: “Are you girls all right? Should I come up?”

Sioni and I called back in unison, “NO!”

I glared at my daughter. She glared right back. Of course, she didn’t know about the curse. For the first time, I contemplated telling her.