The Dog Princess: A Tom Holland Fairy Tale

Tessa

"I can't believe what we just watched. I mean—after all that and she didn't even kiss him! At least there's finally some quality entertainment around here, eh?" Harrison elbowed Tom as they finally approached the stables, both of them still flabbergasted by the scheme they pulled off as well as the unexpected twist in the end.

"I wonder why she ran off. Isn't that why they're all here? To be lovey with the prince?" Tom wondered out loud, secretly wishing he could've had something to do with why Rosemary ran away from the prince.

"That's the real mystery. I just hope nothing happens to her." Harrison replied.

"Oh no." Tom's head started reeling. "You don't think something bad could happen—"

"I'm not sure. She is a princess, so there may be some restrictions. But I wouldn't put it past him. She publicly humiliated him after all. He looked like he actually wanted to kiss her. It gave me hope for a second."

"Why would that give you hope?" Tom snarled. He couldn't stand the slimy bastard's tentacles all over her.

"Are you daft? Hope for a queen finally! He almost looked as if he had his mind made up. Especially since he made us rig the contest!"

Suddenly they heard a high pitched yelp coming from the back of the stable. It was dark, so Tom raised up his lantern and went in. It didn't take him long to discover a gorgeous blue staffy, huddled in a corner and staring up at him with pleading eyes. "Hey." Tom said softly.

Harrison popped up behind him. "A dog? Really? Where did you find this one?"

"I've never seen it before, Haz." Tom slowly approached her, crouching down to her level with an outstretched hand. "Don't be scared, come here."

Oh, God. Thought Rosemary. The two servants would never know it was her, but the thought made her shrivel up inside. Great, first the contest was rigged and now this? This can't get any worse. Just remember Rosie, it's only temporary—

Her thoughts were interrupted by Tom gently petting her back. He held out his other hand, presumably for her to sniff, but she just bonked her head into it. Might as well cut to the chase and show them she was friendly. "Good girl!" He laughed as she came closer. She wagged her tail and showed him she was happy to see him. "She's wonderful! Don't you agree?"

"Yeah, there's no denying that. But where did she come from?" Harrison smiled, leaning down to greet her as well.

"It's a miracle a stray made it all the way to the palace grounds. Maybe she was lost in all the confusion." He rubbed behind her ears, his eyes ablaze with love.

"Oh no. You wanna keep her don't you?" Harrison sighed.

"Come on, don't be like that. Look at that face." Tom mimicked a sad puppy dog face toward Harrison, fluttering his eyelashes.

"Which one?" Harrison snorted. "I don't care as long as she keeps out of trouble. Maybe she could be a horse dog...if that's a thing. What're you gonna call her?"

Tom looked at her, and Rosemary gave him her best dog smile. This wasn't ideal, as she'd be gone in the morning, but she wondered what name he'd pick out. "Hm...how about..."

"Oooo what about Killer! Or Spike?" Harrison suggested with the dumbest grin spread across his face like jam on bread.

Anything but that. Rosemary frowned, giving a little huff.

"See? You've offended her." Tom scratched her head again, before moving down to rub her belly. She begrudgingly rolled over, trying to ignore how weird it was. She scarcely met anyone who actually thought she was a real dog, being locked away for so long. "I was thinking something pretty like a flower. See? She's a pretty flower—yes she is!"

"You think that's a pretty flower type of dog?" Harrison replied with a scrunched up expression.

"Yeah like a...like a rose..." He said dreamily, before snapping out of the thought. "Doesn't have to be a flower but something nice—like Bella—or Tessa—"

She liked that name. She got up from the ground and barked in approval.

"Oh, I thinks she likes that one." Harrison raised a brow, surprised at the dog's reaction. It was strange the creature seemed to know what they were saying. Chalking it up to dogs being man's best friend, he slowly left to finish off some chores while Tom played with his new pet.

"Do you like that, girl? Tessa? Is that your name, Tessa?" Tom smiled at her, giving her even more scritches. Rosemary jumped up and down as he stood up from the ground where he was. He leaned over and loved on her some more, from pets and rubs and even some little kisses on the head. "Alright, Tessa. It's so good to meet you! Are gonna be my girl? Yes! That's my girl!"

His girl. I could get used to this. But I can't! I'm not a dog, I'm a princess! And I'm here for the prince. But why does he have to be so precious? And so handsome...and kind...and gentle. Rosemary felt her heart take off as he laid in the dirt on his stomach right in front of her, seeing her eye to eye.

"You're such an angel, Tessa. I'd feel bad if anyone lost you. A great loss that would be."
Rosemary suddenly felt sad. She could feel his loneliness, or maybe it was her own, but he couldn't keep her. She had to disappear. But, why not have fun while you can? She mischievously slipped her tongue out and got him in the nose, catching him unawares. "Oh—Tessa!" He wiped his face with his sleeve, rolling onto his back. She climbed onto his chest, looking into his loving eyes once more. "Well hello there, princess." He smiled at her.

She yelped and jumped off of his chest, terrified. She backed away from him, defensive. Princess? Wait, does he know? How could he? There's no way he could tell—right?

He quickly got up, the dirty cap he was wearing fell into the dirt. His shining curls spilled out over his head, leaving Rosemary in awe. "Woah, Tess, what's the matter?" He knelt down close to her, looking into her eyes again. "Don't be afraid of me. I will never hurt you."

She relaxed, as it was clearly just a pet name. He was so kind to her, she couldn't help herself. She nuzzled into his hand, and then snuggled fully into his arms. For once there's someone that makes me hate this curse less. If only you'd been around my entire dog life. She felt as though she could cry human tears, but all that came out was a little dog whimper.

"Come on, Tessa. Let's get to bed now. We have to be up by first light." Tom said sweetly to her as he got up and called for her to follow. She obeyed, of course, and he led her to the edge of the palace near the stables. Through a rusty wooden door was a short flight of stairs. They went up into a tiny room with only one little window. There was short, straw mattress with a quilt by the window and another, in which Harrison was already sleeping, on the other side of the room. By each mattress was a trunk, and on a small table nearby were about three candles all melted together.

"Home sweet home, Tessa." He sat down on his bed and opened his trunk. He patted a spot next to him on the bed. She jumped, hearing a slight crunch as she laid down next to him. He stripped off his shirt, revealing his toned, muscular frame complete with a protective layer of dirt. Next he peeled off his trousers, and Rosemary tried her best to look away. He got up, still baring it all, and rinsed himself off with a basin of water in the corner, while Rosemary buried her head underneath a the thin, musty quilt on his bed. He laughed quietly, looking her way.

"What are you doing, Tess?" He whispered. "Afraid of the dark or something? Me too, that's why I have the bed by the window. Gets the most light." He chuckled to himself as he pulled on a fresh nightshirt. He folded up his other clothes and put them away in the trunk before climbing into bed. He got under the quilt, careful not to disturb the little angel at his feet.

He patted the bed up by his face. "Come here."

Rosemary slowly got up from her first spot and up toward Tom. She laid down next to him, unsure. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close. The air in the room was sticky and unpleasant, but she hardly noticed anymore. She relaxed into his touch, letting her eyes fall. They drifted into a peaceful sleep, much needed after the day they both had.