As a child, Duke was cursed by a witch to "take the life of anything he touches". As a result, he was forced to live in solitude, away from his family. His maid, Alice, harasses him every single day.
Duke's butler, Rob, who was taking a break from an injured back, returns to the mansion. Witnessing Rob take on his duties briskly, the duke is relieved - until he finds out that there's another problem..
Duke loses a billiard match against Alice and the two end up heading to town together. Despite having dressed up in a thick costume to avoid touching anyone, the duke is overwhelmed by the atmosphere and crowd in town.
Duke feels slightly awkward after refusing to kiss Alice and he senses some sort of distance between them - Few days later, it begins to snow as everyone decide to play outside the manor.
A cat steals Alice's gown while she showers, forcing her to wear Duke's coat and allowing ample opportunities to tease him. Cuff and Zain take Duke and Alice to the Sabbath disguised as witches.
Cuff asks Duke to teach her to read and write to impress Zain. During a snowstorm Alice reminisces about her first time at the mansion when Duke was younger.
Alice dreams about her mother, Sharon, maid to Duke's mother when Duke was young. Alice is troubled Duke may be forced to choose between her or his family one day.
Duke sees his mother but she says it's late so they will speak tomorrow. At dinner The Duke's mother explains that with their father terminally ill they must decide on the family heir and gives Duke until spring to break his curse.
