Princess Rumpelstiltskin | ONC 2024

Chapter One

The horizon bleeds iridescent patches of black, red, blue, pink, and purple, chased by a fiery sun. The light travels fast, a wave of awareness sweeping over city and dale.

Notes of birdsong rise to meet the soft green rays of light beginning to fall on the nests of robins and skylarks.

Below in the shade, dormice crawl into and curl up in their nests.

Farmhands rouse themselves from slumber to guide herds of docile sheep to pasture.

Bakers uncover bowls of fluffy dough and begin to shape loaves for the heat of an oven.

Night-guards tap their spears against their early rising comrades' weapons in a show of solidarity before trading places.

The Rose Kingdom awakens and prepares for a new day.

"Good morning, Your Highness." Two maids pull back the heavy curtains of the balcony window before they each leave through a door on either side of the bedroom.

Sunlight streams into the room. One beam falls directly onto the sleeping figure beneath the covers of a grand four-poster canopy bed. The golden hair of Princess Rosa gleams as it spills out across the silk pillows. She stirs, hiding her face in the shade of the covers and wriggling towards the darker side of the bed.

One of the maids returns. "Your bath has been prepared, my lady." The sound of running water comes from the door behind her, battling with the birdsong streaming through the window.

Rosa's eyes pop open and she twists, peeking out at the maid. She glances around the room with a small frown, taking in the wide space and distant rooftops through the window. Her view isn't obscured by a sea of treetops. Finally, she looks back at the maid; not her nanny, one of her new personal maids. Irma, Rosa corrects herself.

Her frown suddenly transforms, and she beams as she sits up and practically sings, "good morning!"

The princess's joy is infectious, and Irma grins as she helps Rosa prepare for the day.

The other maid, Wilhemina, returns just in time to help with dressing Rosa after her bath, bringing with her the tray carrying the princess's morning meal.

Breakfast is served in the alcove by the window. Platters of warm fluffy bagels, succulent slices of fruit, and creamy yoghurt. The tantalising scents of pomegranate and rose emanate from the shimmering clear tea served in a shining silver tea set.

Rosa only eats half her usual breakfast; full of giddy excitement, she can hardly concentrate on her table etiquette.

When the last of the platters are cleared back onto the tray and wheeled to the door, Rosa jumps to her feet.

"I think I'll take a walk." After announcing her plans for the day, she begins to walk with grace (not skipping) to the doors.

"Oh, wait! Your Highness!"

Rosa doesn't acknowledge Wilhemina's alarmed shout as she throws the doors open. Only to stop at the sight of four knights standing in the corridor beyond. Two on the opposite side, and the two stood on either side of the doors who turn to face Princess Rosa.

"Good morning, Your Highness." The knight on the right steps closer to the door and salutes. The princess notes the familiar eyes through the slit in his helmet and the badge of rank on his pauldron. He is Captain Kieran of Iris Company, the third company of the Royal Guard.

The other three salute as well but remain at their posts.

"Good morning, Sir Kieran." Rosa smiles and nods. "I'm going to take a walk in the garden. I could use an escort."