Tales of the Peculiar (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #0.5) - Ransom Riggs Page 0,6

kitchen, fried it in truffle oil with a pinch of salt, and ate it. Then he took all the money he’d promised Bettelheim, gave it to Bettelheim’s servants, and dismissed them. Limbless, tongueless, and very angry, Bettelheim grunted and wiggled around on the floor. Héctor picked him up, carried him outside, and tied him to a stake in a shady part of the back garden. He watered and fed Bettelheim twice a day, and like a fruiting vine Bettelheim grew limbs for Héctor to eat. Héctor felt a little bad about it, but not too bad. Eventually he married a nice cannibal girl and together they raised a cannibal family, all fed by the peculiar man in the back garden.

Such was the fate of all the villagers—all but Farmer Hayworth, who kept his limbs and lived in his little house and farmed his swamp like he always had. He didn’t bother his new neighbors, and they didn’t bother him. He had everything he needed, and so did they.

And they lived happily ever after.

The Fork-Tongued Princess

In the ancient kingdom of Frankenbourg there was a princess who had a peculiar secret: in her mouth hid a long, forked tongue and across her back lay shimmering, diamond-patterned scales. Because she had developed these serpentine characteristics during her teenage years and rarely opened her mouth for fear of being found out, she had been able to keep them secret from everyone but her handmaiden. Not even her father, the king, knew.

It was a lonely life for the princess, as she rarely spoke to anyone for fear they’d catch a glimpse of her forked tongue. But her real trouble was this: she was to be married to a prince from Galatia. 4 They’d never seen each other, but her beauty was so renowned that he’d agreed to the match anyway, and they were to meet for the first time on their wedding day, which was fast approaching. Their union would cement relations between Frankenbourg and Galatia, ensure prosperity for both regions, and create a pact of defense against their hated mutual enemy, the warlike principality of Frisia. The princess knew the marriage was politically necessary, but she was terrified the prince would reject her once he discovered her secret.

“Don’t worry,” counseled her handmaiden. “He’ll see your beautiful face, come to know your beautiful heart, and forgive the rest.”

“And if he doesn’t?” the princess replied. “Our best hope for peace will be ruined, and I’ll live the rest of my days a spinster!”

The kingdom prepared for a royal wedding. The palace was hung with golden silks, and chefs from across the land came to prepare a lavish feast. Finally, the prince arrived with his royal entourage. He climbed out of his carriage and greeted the king warmly.

“And where is my bride-to-be?” he asked.

He was shown into a reception hall where the princess was waiting.

“Princess!” cried the prince. “You’re even lovelier than your reputation had me believe.”

The princess smiled and bowed, but would not open her mouth to speak.

“What’s the matter?” said the prince. “Have I struck you dumb with my good looks?”

The princess blushed and shook her head.

“Ah,” the prince replied, “then you don’t find me handsome, is that it?”

Alarmed, the princess shook her head again—that wasn’t what she’d meant at all!—but she could see she was only making things worse.

“Say something, girl, this is no time to be tongue-tied!” hissed the king.

“Pardon me, sire,” said the handmaiden, “but perhaps the princess would be more comfortable speaking with the prince for the first time in private.”

The princess nodded gratefully.

“It isn’t proper,” the king grumbled, “but I suppose under the circumstances . . .”

His guards showed the prince and princess to a room where they could be alone.

“Well?” said the prince once the guards had gone. “What do you think of me?”

Covering her mouth with her hand, the princess said, “I think you’re very handsome.”

“Why do you hide your mouth when you speak?” the prince asked.

“It’s my habit,” the princess replied. “I’m sorry if you find it strange.”

“You are strange. But I could learn to live with it, given your beauty!”

The princess’s heart soared, but then crashed back to earth just as quickly. It would only be a matter of time before the prince discovered her secret. Though she could have waited until they married to reveal it, she knew it wasn’t right to deceive him.

“I have something to confess,” she said, still speaking with her mouth covered, “and I’m afraid that when you learn what it