Day after day passed, but not without Daniel meeting his new friend, Emma, in his home. They found out about each other's interests and abilities, and both of them thought that the other was really cool. Daniel was careful enough not to ask about Emma's veil just in case it was too personal, but soon he found that her couldn't control his curiosity any longer. On the last day of the week, after about an hour of chatting with Emma, Daniel decided to pop to question.
"Excuse me, Emma, but why do you keep wearing that veil all the time?" asked Daniel, bracing himself just in case Emma decided to slap him as she was very strong. Fortunately for him, Emma didn't even feel angry, but she did sound sightly sad.
"Sigh...it's really not something you'll want to know..." moaned Emma.
"But I do want to know!" rebutted Daniel. "If I don't, I'll be left with this feeling in my heart that longs for an answer! Trust me, I've felt that since that day we first met!" Daniel's pleas managed to soften Emma's tounge and she decided to tell the prince everything.
"My parents held a party to celebrate my birth since I was their first-born," Emma started to explain. "Everyone who arrived went 'ooh' and 'aah' over how beautiful they thought I was. Suddenly, from out of the blue, this wicked witch appeared. She always wanted to look young but never succeeded in doing so, so when she saw me she was jealous. The witch then placed a spell on me saying that I will wear a veil over my face for eternity, and no one is able to take it away...not even myself..." Daniel could see tears falling from Emma's face onto her arms. He felt guilty for asking, but he knew that he must hear the whole truth.
"But surely it has to be removed SOMEHOW!" said Daniel. He couldn't believe that NO ONE was able to remove it.
"You are right there," replied Emma. "Before she left, the witch told every one of us that the only person who could remove my veil and still survive was someone who would love me for ME, not my money or my looks. So far, though, no one has succeeded..."
"But why?" asked Daniel, concerned. It isn't fair for a princess to be treated like this! he thought, angrily.
"Many people have tried, only to freeze to death at the mere sight of my face," answered Emma. "Some are even worse - they die trying to remove my veil..." Daniel was shocked. This veil was deadly!
"Do you know who could remove this veil?" asked Daniel. Emma shook her head in disappointment. Just then she heard her father calling, and knew it was time to go. Daniel stood in sadness as Emma walked away towards her carriage. Darren noticed his son and asked him what was wrong.
"Oh, nothing, father," said Daniel, although he knew he was lying. "But father, will we be seeing them anymore?"
"Why, son?" asked Darren, before a thought entered his head. "It's not because of the princess, is it?"
"Well..." stuttered Daniel shyly, while making small sweeping motions on the floor with his feet. "She is intelligent...and friendly..."
"Hmm...why don't you invite her to next week's dance?" suggested Darren kindly. "I'm sure she would like to come!"
"You sure she would?" asked Daniel, excited. "Oh yes! I'll love to!"
"Well then, that settles it," said Darren. "I'm going to send a message to the King of QuoiJinn asking him to let his daughter come to the dance with you. Is that okay?"
"Oh yes! Thank you father!" answered Daniel, not able to contain his excitement. In fact, he was virtually skating across the room. Darren couldn't help but smile.
"Calm down already!" said the king, almost giggling, before going to the message room. Daniel was all smiles that day.
