The Dog Princess: A Tom Holland Fairy Tale

The Maze

A dim sunrise crept over the hills as Tom swung her onto his horse, and suddenly they were galloping—

"Rosemary!"

Not now Zendaya, I'm dreaming. Ah yes...they were galloping! The wind was rushing through their hair and as they ripped through the early morning mists—

"Rosemary! Rosemary I'm coming in!"

No no no! "No..." Rosemary's eyelids slowly and begrudgingly lifted, revealing a conflicted Zendaya lingering in her doorway, grasping a dainty envelope with the unmistakable seal of the prince.

"I apologize...I thought you'd be awake. But look you must see this!" Zendaya hastily trotted over to the bed and knelt beside it, anxious to see what it contained. "I swiped it off a platter by your door before the other girls could see."

"What? What is it?" Rosemary yawned and stretched, but stopped short seeing the royal sealed envelope Zendaya held out to her. "Oh dear, what now?"

"Open it! Don't leave me in suspense!" Zendaya sat on the bed, shaking the envelope in Rosemary's sleepy direction.

Rosemary plucked the letter from Zendaya's altogether too excited grasp, begrudgingly popping the wax seal and sliding the card out. She began to read. "My dear Rosemary, I was saddened by your absence at the picnic yesterday and desire your company this afternoon. Please join me if you will for a private stroll in the gardens after lunch. Yours, Timothée—oh dear God—"

"Ooo Cassandra is not going to be happy! The entanglements you're in are simply riveting I must say—" Zendaya squealed, relishing the drama of it all. Rosemary wasn't nearly as elated.

"Well I'm glad!" Rosemary smacked her forehead with the note, unable to come up with more of a response.

"Chin up, it's just a stroll, what could come of it? So long as no one commands you...although that may be a blessing in disguise, hm?" Zendaya said with a knowing grin.

Taking the note from her face she shot Zendaya a playful look. "As much as I dread transforming at any given moment, I feel safe to admit that I have found an upside."

"I could hardly contain myself! When he rubbed your belly—" Zendaya burst into whispering laughter.

"Oh and you wouldn't believe the night I had!" Rosemary started, but the clock seemed to always ruin their fun as servants came to rush them out to lunch. Rosemary chuckled at Zendaya's burning expression, tortured by the unknown tales yet to be told.

The girls were sat outside in the gardens, led to a beautifully bright table spread gleaming with crystal glasses and gold plates. A bowl of bright red strawberries shined as the sun's rays danced above. After being seated, servants brought out wine for their cups and Zendaya took a swift look around, sipping from her cup. Rosemary took note of her expression, knowing they were both thinking the same thing: Cassandra, for the first time, was somehow missing. They both looked to Katherine, who gave the most subtle, delicate shrug, plucking a strawberry from the bowl and nibbling on the end.

Finally the prince joined them, and servants poured more wine and brought out their main dishes. Timothée smiled brightly as he sat down, taking in the spread before him before his eyes rested softly on Rosemary. His gaze was cut short when a servant got his attention, whispering in his ear. He laughed dryly, taking a large sip from his glass. "Is this the part where I pretend to care or can we all just be honest about how we feel?" He replied out loud, peaking the girls' interests.

The servant just nodded, nervously backing away before scurrying off. Rosemary watched for him to go before speaking up. "What's the matter?"

"It's none of our business, I'm sure." Katherine said, nibbling on the end of another strawberry.