Princess Rumpelstiltskin | ONC 2024

Chapter Twelve

BANG!

The door to the spinning room bursts open. Knights flood inside and form two lines along the walls. They are followed by Captain Kieran and the captains of the Rose and Lily companies, (the first and second companies of the Royal Guard).

They stare at the two kneeling in the room, eyes taking in the tear tracks on Rumpelstiltskin's cheeks before they move, levelling their spears at Rosa. The knights surrounding them follow suit.

"Release the princess!" Captain Kieran barks.

"Where's my daughter!" The booming voice of the king precedes the arrival of both King Gabriel and Queen Agnes. The two royals stop short at the sight before them.

A tense silence descends upon the room.

Rumpelstiltskin and Rosa kneel before each other, hands clasped, as if frozen in time.

Some of the king's bluster appears to drain away, as the queen grips his arm tighter.

They exchange bewildered glances.

Rosa's mother is the first to break the silence, her voice trembling with shock and disbelief. "Rosa? What is the meaning of this?"

The startled pair exchange a hard stare.

"We'll have to tell them anyway." Rosa whispers.

"Are you sure?" Rumpelstiltskin replies.

"They're my parents." Rosa hisses back.

"Rosa?"

At the queen's questioning, Rumpelstiltskin rises to their feet, their voice steady despite the turmoil swirling within. "Your Majesties, this will be a shock. Rosa and I have switched bodies. I am Rumpelstiltskin." She bows.

Rosa jumps to their feet, pupils narrowing to slits. "It was an accident. I touched the wheel. Please don't get angry."

Gasps fill the room as the gravity of the situation sinks in. Some of the knights half-lower their spears, unsure who they should target.

Rosa's mother's eyes widen in realization, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. "Oh, my. Transmigration."

Kin Gabriel's expression darkens with anger and concern. "This is unacceptable! You, sorcerer," he points to Rosa, then Rumpelstiltskin, then Rosa again, "you will give my daughter back her body immediately."

Rosa steps back, breath shaky. A hand entwines with his and he looks down to see Rumpelstiltskin's hand squeeze his comfortingly.

"I apologise for the inconvenience your majesty." The golden-haired woman's voice is steady and calm. A complete contrast to the confession from earlier. "But, the princess has already ordered me to refrain from doing so, and I don't cast spells on anyone without their express permission."

The king's face contorts, and he looks to Rosa, his voice booming through the room. "Rosa. I don't know what this is but rescind that order immediately. You are the princess of this kingdom, and it is your duty to fulfil your obligations." Rosa's father steps forward, hand twitching as if he wants to make a grab for Rosa.

"What obligations." The warmth of Rumpelstiltskin's hand in theirs fills Rosa with a powerful feeling. I am stronger now.

"Are you talking about the duties of the crown heir? Those obligations you never let me fulfil because they were too dangerous." He snarls, eyes flashing with defiance. "I refuse to go back to being a precious little flower, father."

A gentle squeeze of their hand encourages Rosa further. "I've always wanted to learn to ride. But it took being in another body for me to even be allowed within ten feet of a horse. Do you not realise how frustrating that is?"