1. The Princess and the Wish


    Date: 11/5/2017, Categories: Fantasy & Sci-Fi, Author: TeenDiaries, Source: LushStories

    As a princess, sixteen-year-old Beatrice had been sent on a tour of surrounding kingdoms by her parents. Her life was not her own, it was her parents and their decision was that she would marry one of four princes in nearby kingdoms to strengthen the bond between the two. After meeting all four, she couldn't imagine a worse fate. Each prince was ugly, inside and out, and her existence would be to serve them for the rest of her life. She had recently grown to detest palace life and was missing joy in her life. Her carriage was on its way back to her castle and upon arrival, her father would ask her which of the princes she had chosen. But on the way back, one of the horses lost a shoe and the driver had to pull over at the next village to find a farrier. Tired from sitting in the carriage all day, she announced to her servants that she would be taking a walk. They each insisted that they accompany her, but she refused and stated that she must go alone. However, one of the royal guards named James refused to let the princess wander around a strange village without protection. James was the strong silent type, a handsome man whom Beatrice had been fond of for several years. While she protested his presence on her walk, she was secretly glad to have him near. While wandering through the village, she came across an old woman dressed in rags who was holding out a hat in hopes of some generosity. Beatrice never carried any money on her, but she did stop to talk to the woman after ...
    noticing how the villagers all ignored her. "Are you alright, ma'am? Is there anything I can do for you?" "Oh, my child. I am old and have no food or shelter." Her voice was raspy and dry and she broke Beatrice's heart. "Sweet woman, I am sorry that I have no money on me, but it would be my honor to bring you a cup of water." Beatrice went to the nearby well and grabbed one of the drinking cups that were laid out for any villager to drink from. She brought the cup back to the old woman who drank it quickly. "Oh thank you, sweet child. Now please, tell me what your heart desires." Nobody had ever asked Beatrice what she wanted, her path had always been laid out for her. She leaned in to make sure James couldn't overhear. "Well," she whispered, "I wish that I were free to chose who I could love." The old lady smiled a big toothless grin. "And who would you chose, my dear?" Beatrice motioned over to James. "Oh, he is a handsome fellow. My child, close your eyes, wish for him and let me have your tiara. If you do these three things, I can make that wish come true." "You can?" Beatrice asked with a laugh. She thought the woman was joking, but she played along. She closed her eyes and imagined herself alone with James deep in the woods. She removed her tiara and handed it to the old woman thinking that they would have a laugh. But when she opened her eyes, the old woman was gone. The whole village had vanished and she was in the middle of an empty wood. She turned around and there ...
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