Prologue
It was nice and sunny outside and mom told me that a royal family would be visiting us. My nanny showed me and my sister several dresses to wear for the occasion as we are having a formal dinner with them in the evening. I picked a simple white dress with a gold bow at the back which matched the lace on my hair.
"Remember what your mom said. You have to behave and don't make trouble, Casta."
I pouted. "I never make trouble. Trouble finds me." The last three words were a whisper, but I guess my nanny heard it because she laughed. "What is so funny?" She was braiding my hair because we would play outside later, and she didn't want my hair sticking on my wet face from perspiration. I have to look neat at all times.
"When you're older, you're going to be a handful to your prince."
"What prince?"
"Your prince charming. Like your father to your mother— he was a prince before he became king, remember?"
"But don't they have to turn frogs first before they become prince charming?" I asked her innocently. That's what I read in one of the fairy tale books.
My nanny chuckled. "It was just a story. But when a prince is a troublemaker, he turns into a frog. You are right."
I giggled. I knew it!
"You think the princes that were coming today are nice?" I asked her.
"I think so. Why? I think the youngest was just a few years older than you. Both are handsome, according to your mother."
"And if they are nasty, then they will turn into frogs." I laughed, and my nanny gave me a look before bursting out in laughter too. She shook her head.
"Oh, Casta. You're in for the biggest adventure of your life."
***
The royal family arrived after lunch and after an exchange of pleasantries, they were shown to their room and given refreshments and snacks. The boys looked behaved, and I couldn't wait to play with them.
But since they had a long journey, they were tired and needed to rest first.
I spent my time in the garden and decided to do a puzzle while my sister went back to her bedroom to watch television. She doesn't like spending time outdoors because she finds it too hot.
I was halfway doing my puzzle when I heard footsteps towards my spot and when I turned my head, I saw the little boy. His name is Jacobo. His older brother is Jacinto.
"Hi!" I greeted him, but he didn't return my smile and didn't say anything either. However, he looked at what I was doing. I thought maybe he was not the talkative type since we had just met. "Would you like to do this puzzle with me?"
"No."
"Okay."
"You should do an active activity instead of sitting around, so you don't gain more weight."
I gasped. "W-What did you say?" I thought maybe I didn't hear him right.
"You heard me. You should run and lose weight. No one wants to play with a fat and ugly princess." He smirked at me.
I don't understand why he is being mean to me. I know his mom just died, but that is not an excuse to be mean to people or me, for that matter.
"If I'm fat and ugly, you're going to turn into a slimy, stinky frog! I don't like to play with a prince of hell like you either!" I didn't finish my puzzle and run away from him. I really hope I never see him again.
