Barbie Meets Rumpelstiltskin

The First Night

That night, Isla was led to a room in the tallest tower of the castle; it was so high that the entire kingdom could be seen from up there. When the Lieutenant opened the door, a bale of straw and a spinning wheel was already waiting for her. She looked back at the Lieutenant with a nervous look.

"Remember what the Duchess said, missy. Spin the straw, or else." He said before shoving her into the room. He gave her a smirk. "Just knock when you're all done." And with that, he slammed the door shut and locked it before making his leave.

Isla looked at the straw, then at the spinning wheel. She groaned in frustration and facepalmed. "Ugh, I can't believe this. I told Papa his bragging would get us into trouble! But what about me? I actually covered for him, and look where that landed me! What was I thinking?" She reluctantly picked up a handful of straw and sighed.

In another part of the castle, King Alexander told his son what had transpired with Isla and her father and Phillip was not happy with the explanation he received.

"Son, calm down! I know how this looks, but I assure you it's not what you think." The King said.

"Not what I think?" Phillip shouted. "Father, you had an innocent girl locked up in a tower and decided to make her spin straw into gold?! Just because her father said she could?!"

"Carmilla made that decision, not me! She was talking so quickly, I could hardly even get a word in!" The King paused and sighed. "...But I should've made more of an effort to stop her."

Phillip's face softened and he put a hand on his father's shoulder. "It's okay, father. Carmilla is always doing things like this."

"I know. And to think, I'd know how to handle her shenanigans by now." He let out a chuckle. "But still. She's been my most trusted advisor for years. She must know what she's doing... right?"

The Prince winced in annoyance. "You don't sound sure."

"Of course I know what I'm doing, Your Majesty!" Duchess Carmilla exclaimed as she burst into the room; her daughter was right behind her.

"Have you been eavesdropping again, Carmilla?" Phillip asked.

The Duchess ignored the Prince and quickly wrapped an arm around the King's shoulder. "You know you can trust me." She gave the Prince a disapproving glare. "You should learn to trust me too, Your Highness."

Eve cleared her throat and said, "Sire? I've just been informed that the girl's locked up. No one can get in or out."

"I see. Thank you." The King turned back to Phillip before prying himself out of Carmilla's grip. "Son, please..."

"It's... getting late. I should probably get to bed. I'll see you in the morning, father." Phillip said before making his leave.

The King sighed and sat down on the edge of his bed. "Whatever am I going to do with him?"

"Come on, Sire. The Prince is only a child, he doesn't know any better." Carmilla said.

"He may be young, but he does have a point." The King retorted. "Maybe I should apologize to Isla and the Miller."

The Duchess gasped dramatically. "Apologize? To commoners? Have you lost it? Apologizing is for the weak and wrong. You're not weak and wrong, are you?"

"I... I just need to think. Please leave, Carmilla. I'd like to be alone."

She grimaced, but said, "As you wish."

She turned on her heel and walked out of the room before Eve closed the door. The King then took off his crown and ran a hand through his hair before turning to look at the portrait hanging on the wall; it was of a beautiful woman with platinum blonde hair and emerald green eyes and wearing a golden tiara. "If only you were here."