The Next Generation: A Disney Princess Novel

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Melody

          My mother ran her hands through my hair as she placed the tiara on my head.

          “Which gown will you wear, Melody?” she asked looking at the closet.

          “I’m not sure…I love my new yellow one,” I whispered putting on the jewelry from my music box.

          “Queen Ariel,” the servant Tomas said from the door. I quickly turned around and smiled at him. He smoothed his sandy hair back as he looked at me. My mother bowed to him.

          “Yes?” she said quietly.

          “The carriage is ready to go to the festival, your highness,” he said looking at me once more. I waved slowly and smiled.

          “Thank you, Tomas!” She said dismissing him. She looked back at me. Was I really blushing that much that she gave me a strange look? I turned back around in my chair hoping she wouldn’t see my face.

          “Get in your dress, darling. Be downstairs in ten minutes!” She smiled leaving the room slowly. I nodded and walked to my closet. I pulled out the yellow dress that my nursemaid made me. I slipped it on and looked at myself in the mirror. Suddenly a knock at the door.

          “Princess Melody?” I turned around to see Tomas. I jumped and walked to him, a little more eager then I intended.

          “Hello, Tomas,” I whispered.

          “You look beautiful,” he said grabbing my hand and kissing it. I had met Tomas when he was sixteen. He came to the castle seeking work. I had a crush on him, but I knew it would never happen between the both of us. He was a commoner. His father was the village baker and his mother the step-sister to a princess. I believe her name is Cinderella. Which could make him royalty…but not by blood.  

          My mother told me I can’t be with anyone who isn’t a royal. There are plenty of neighboring kingdoms but I don’t want to be with anyone else but Tomas.

          Tomas held out his arm and escorted me downstairs to the carriage. He helped me get in, bowed his head slightly, and shut the door quietly. I sighed and leaned back.

          “What is it, Melody?” My father asked. I looked out the window of the carriage hoping he would follow my gaze. And he did.

          “Ah, well, my dear, I’m sorry,” he said grabbing my hands. My father understood my feelings. He didn’t care who I ended up with as long as I was happy. My mother and I got along but not as much as my father and I.

          “We’ll figure out something,” he whispered winking at me. I giggled and fell back in my seat.

          Suddenly the door opened, my mother. Her light pink gown puffed up as she climbed into the carriage. She leaned over and kissed my father and the carriage began to move.

          “What is this festival for?” I asked leaning my head against the window.

          “All the kingdoms across the land are coming,” she leaned over, swatting her arms to make me sit upright, “We want our children to be introduced!”

          “Wonderful,” I huffed.

          “You must marry a royal, Melody…Now is your chance to choose who you like and who you don’t! We will be there for two weeks. You’ll have plenty of time!”

          “Two weeks? How am I to find a husband in two weeks?” I asked looking at my dad. He shook his head, telling me to give up. He was right. I was never to win this argument with my mom. Nothing would convince her otherwise.

          “Where will we stay?” I asked changing the subject.

          “My dear friend, Princess Belle is hosting the wonderful celebration. Their daughter, Rose, is your age. I hope you two get along,” she sighed leaning her head on my father’s shoulders.

          I never got along with girls. Whenever the girls wanted to read and sew, I was playing down in the ocean with the boys. Girls cried too much. I could never deal with their whining.

          “How long is it?”

          “It’s only an hour south,” she said closing her eyes, “taking a nap if you wish.” And for once, I took my mom’s advice and slowly closed my eyes.