Princess Daphne and the Child Stone

By Dave Kirk

Good King Tobias regretted indulging his daughter's every whim. Now, Princess Daphne resisted every adult responsibility placed before her. She was very childish ...spoiled. That is why he agreed to let a small child be her personal body servant on her trip to wed Prince Adam of Galt. The child Sonya's limitations would force her to be less demanding, more considerate, and caring. Sonya's needs would also force Daphne to be responsible in a mother child relationship.
At first, Sonya seemed the perfect servant, far beyond her tender years. Do anything, for her mistress, before she was even asked, like magic. Then, one morning, Sonya and Daphne did a dance by the light of a magic stone and everything changed.
Now they do have a mother child relationship, with Daphne as the child! Now, she is to be seem but not heard. Scolded for telling fairy tales of magic stones. Will the child servant Daphne be able to stop Princess Sanyo's wedding? Or is she doomed to grow up watching the enslavement of Galt? Why can't anyone believe her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dave Kirk
• Release date: Mar 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301848959

Dave Kirk

Canadian, as much as possible, for the time being. Worked in computers and manufacturing. Downsized, terminated, and had several employers go bankrupt, on me (including myself). Lifetime commitment to books, current events and trivia. Politicians are the real soap opera. I like fantasy and sci fi and will write that. My golden retriever uses all of my spare time.

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Princess Daphne and the Child Stone.

by Dave Kirk

Princess Daphne and the Child Stone.

Copyright © 2012 by Dave Kirkpatrick

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be printed by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book (the author). Thank-you for respecting the hard work involved in the production of this publication.

This is a work of fiction. All the events, locations, and characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental.

Copyright Dave Kirk-2012

Smashwords Edition License Notes:

This free ebook may be copied, distributed, re-posted, and shared, provided it appears in its entirety without alteration, and the reader is not charged to access it.

Chapter 01: The end?

Once upon a time there was a Royal alliance by marriage between the Tobermoor valley and the kingdom of Galt. All the hopes and dreams of both kingdoms were focused on the event. None were more satisfied at this than the bride. Nothing made her happier on her wedding day than the fact that her little servant would witness it. All knew they shared a 'special' relationship. Truly magical. Thinking of this, she touched her stone on its thong.

Little one adjusted her flower girl gown then frowned at her reflection. Her flower-girl gown had been cunningly tailored to emphasize her toddler appearance. She hated it. Suddenly, she was running, her ‘mistress' had silently summoned her. How she hated that stone!

Mistress pulled little one into her lap to confide quietly. Little one, you won't hold any flowers today. It wasn't easy, but I have arranged to have you and you alone to hold my wedding train. It's thick and heavy but you'll manage. You will follow ten feet behind me on this day of days, ‘in the tall shadow of your great lady', as the court scribe will record.

She cuddled her little one happily at this choice bit of joy then continued. My lit-tle ‘servant' has the best view in the church. You WILL stand silent and calmly watch the wedding, until you follow me and my prince out into our new life.

The stone glowed softly on its thong between mistress's breasts, so little one knew this would be so. She sighed sadly in resignation.

Her mistress smiled. For the rest of both our whole lives, we will recall, that moment. The moment you truly begin your new life. A very long life, of service, as lowly handmaiden to the next great queen of Galt. Ever servile, nameless and unnoticed. Never out of my shadow. Never beyond of my reach. She chuckled cruelly at little one's sour reaction. Now enough frowns, smile often today. Hair now! She clapped, startling the child who jumped onto a chair to obey.

To work little one. You will tidy my hair, it must be perfect... As the orders poured forth from her mistress, little one had to smile and obey. How she hated that stone.

Little one thought about how it had all gone wrong. All she had wanted, was to go swimming on a hot day. If only...

Chapter 02: Little Sonya.

Seven weeks earlier, the marriage broker brought news of success. There would be an alliance by marriage between the house of Tobermoor and the kingdom of Galt. The dowry was indeed a princely sum but the trade and political ties would be well worth the price. It saddened good King Tobias that Galt was a distance, two weeks by coach. He could not visit often.

Now, good King Tobias doted on his only daughter. A girl of surpassing loveliness, but selfish, childish....Spoiled. At times, the King ofttimes regretted indulging her every whim. It seemed he could never resist her demands, for she reminded him of his late queen. Sending her away would hurt, but it was time for her to marry. The marriage was a good one. It would greatly enlarge her rank and the rank of any grandchildren. For Galt was a rich vast domain and Tobermoor was but a mountain valley. Be a strong king for her. It's what you would ask of me. he sighed as he gazed at the queen's portrait. Just have to stay calm and weather the storm. For her.

Princess Daphne of Tobermoor soon learned she was betrothed. She accepted the news as all had expected. She smashed the crockery in her room. Her handmaiden sighed and, without being asked, began to hand Daphne delicate objects on shelves too high for the petite princess to easily reach.

Daphne laughed and calmed. I shall talk to father, then all will see, I am right.

Perhaps milady. Or, perhaps, today, his majesty, is your king, instead.

Huh! We'll see.

******.

King Tobias, rested his chin on his hand as he calmly watched his daughter stalk into his court. He hardly moved as her yelling become hoarse talking which dwindled to a sullen stare. He sighed, then negligently signalled his bailiff who commanded. Guard Captain Blake! Guards marched in from the walls to form a living box around Daphne. It was all done without a single command being made. Daphne realized father had planned this well in advance.

I am a princess! I won't wed a man I never met! She declared hotly.

In reply, King Tobias addressed the court. It is our will that these men shall escort LADY Daphne night and day for seven weeks, till the wedding, least harm befall her. He glowered at his child. Or, something ELSE cause her to stray en route to her DUTY to her Lord the King. You would have known all about your wedding daughter, if you had attended any of our privy councils. If only the ones when your future was discussed. As was our oft repeated request and also your royal DUTY! My patients has limits daughter!

Daphne's mouth worked but nothing came out. Demoted to a mere ladyship, the idea!

Into this silence, captain Blake stepped forward. He brought forth a very small child. Your majesty. May I present Sonya. For milady's personal body servant on her journey Sire.

An infant! What is the meaning of this! We... An outraged King began to reprimand captain Blake for this insult, but became silent as the child took a step forward.

The court bailiff also stepped forth to arrest them both. Little Sonya stopped him with a glance saying quietly. I speak now. The court fell strangely silent as if commanded.

Daphne gasped, the child seemed to briefly glow from inside, both times. The child's left hand was on her chest holding... something. She rose on tiptoes to view round her guards better.

The child inhaled nervously and seemed so agitated in nervous fidgeting that Daphne joked about the coloured sparks flying between her hands. Nearby guards looked puzzled at this remark. Unlike fireplace sparks, these faint sparks did not move randomly upward, but seemed purposeful somehow?

Sonya‘s high pitched voice piped. A great lady like Princess Daphne should have servant. I be good worker. Can cook clean, and sew. Her soft voice somehow penetrated to hold the rapt blank-faced attention of all present. I good child, make princess want to be good mommy an good queen. Be good help day and night. Take good care of her, promise! Cross me heart.

The court tittered in amusement as Sonya drew a deep breath. Start duty, ...this ...very ...NIGHT! The child's tightly clasped, imploring hands appeared to flare at that last and her face grimaced, shiny with sweat.

Princess Daphne gasped at the multicoloured flare, but her guards urged silence.

The king paused, blinked, then nodded. Well spoken child. This arrangement might well awaken my daughter's protective mothering side. Scribe! Prepare a royal writ. It is our will that Princess Daphne will take the sole role of guardianship. She and she alone will provide for the tyke out of her own purse. Sole taskmaster and disciplinarian. Only Lady Daphne may hit or even scold this little one. Lady Daphne alone, held responsible for the child's misbehaviour and care.

As if. Daphne sniffed audibly, already planning to have nothing to do with any nanny work. That flare... did anyone else... She sought, in vain, for other astounded faces.