any brownies, hobs, or house-elves around the palace. They were usually commonplace, even more so in royal families, but since arriving, I hadn’t seen brown hide or furry tail. I would have to see if I could lay out some milk and attract one. With eight women under one roof, we relied heavily on smaller fey's deft fingers to work through the knots of our hair and braids.
Mother was once a lady of nobility from the highest of courts and privately taught by the brightest of tutors. She learned the languages and customs of the known kingdoms, their history, and everything a future monarch would need. Not to mention one of her tutors, Lorn, was an elusive fey of the north. Lady Eville was born and bred to become a queen, but heartache and betrayal befell her, and her family lost her fortune and cast her aside into poverty. Even her true love didn’t save her. Heartbroken, she vowed to never love again.
Seeking solace in a lone tower in the town of Nihill, she continued her studies and planned her revenge. Until one fateful night during a storm, Lady Eville left the tower alone and returned three days later with me. I, Rosalie, became the first of her adopted daughters. Over the years, each of my adopted sisters came to our home in various ways. I didn’t know my real family or where I came from. Lady Eville said we were the only family each of us would ever need.
I still do not know how my mother could force the hand of King Gerald to break the betrothal to Yasmin. What magic did my mother do? Who did she poison or torture to get this outcome?
Either way, I was here.
This was not how a princess should be treated. The beautifully carved wardrobe was filled with dresses too short for my tall and lithe body. My carefully brushed hair now fell in black waves around my shoulders. I fumed as once again I struggled into one of my own dresses from my trunk.
I placed my walking shoes on my feet and threw open my door, letting it slam against the wall. The loud thud brought a smile to my lips, but not to the line of girls cowering outside my door, who shrieked in surprise when they saw me.
“What is going on?” I snapped in irritation. Three of them who appeared not much older than my younger sister Aura were holding on to each other and shaking.
Confused, I stepped into the hall and looked right and left, but I could see no such troll or ogre that would send them into such a fright. The one nearest me pulled back, and I realized I was the creature she feared.
“W-We have brought you breakfast,” the one with the honey-brown braid said, her voice barely above a whisper.
My stomach growled, and so did I. “Finally.”
The short one cried out, and she might have fainted if the third girl hadn’t held her up.
Rolling my eyes, I gestured to the tray in the first girl’s hand and said, “Bring it in.”
They didn’t move. Sighing, I stepped far away from the door as they rushed in like mice, tripping over each other to set out the breakfast, make the bed, and tidy the room. In record time, they completed their tasks and headed back toward the door, except I now blocked their hasty exit.
“Names,” I snapped, knowing my face was stony. I was irritated, hungry, and still anxious from last night. It couldn’t be helped.
“Prudence, but everyone calls me Pru,” the girl with the honey braid replied, her eyes glued to her worn shoes.
“Herez,” said the second, her hand on the third’s elbow.
“Tillie,” squeaked the one who almost fainted. She looked ready to do it again.
“Why is my breakfast cold?” It was the first thing I checked after the tray was dropped off. “Is my room that far from the kitchen? Does the prince eat his food cold as well?”
Three heads shook fearfully, their eyes terrified like a young doe’s. Answers would not be coming from them.
“Well?” I asked again and stepped forward.
Tillie was in the midst of pouring me tea, and the teacup slipped through her fingers to shatter on the floor. “Please don’t turn me into a frog!” She dropped to her knees dramatically.
“W-What?” I stopped short, surprised by her display. “Where on earth did you—”
“We heard you turn the servants who displease you into frogs and then boil and eat their legs for