A Golden Princess

By Anna del C. Dye

Small for her age, Princess Nyala is determined to be noticed and someday rule with fairness and valor in Kaloma. All changes when she looks upon the stars and they predict her accident. After she awakens to a broken body, her father takes to his goblet and she steps into power in her kingdom at sixteen.
Her father said that no man would choose a half-broken princess. Is that how Prince Nicolao sees her after the accident? Her heart is unsure and out of fear she keeps him away to avoid a broken heart.
As soon the other kingdoms in the land determine the predicament of the Royal House of Kaloma, they too will prey on her vulnerability to steal her kingdom. She will have to confront new foes or lose it all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna del C. Dye
• Release date: Feb 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370507191

Anna del C. Dye

Anna was born in the extreme South along some famous beaches. She grew up with four other siblings being placed in the middle. Her mother died when she was six and she found a new mother in her husband’s mother and loves her dearly. She accredits her mother-in-law with teaching her many things in life.The green eyed, brown haired author moved north to marry her husband Rodney and has resided in Utah since then. Her husband, a native of Idaho, met her in her hometown. They fell in love and she came to Utah on Christmas Eve to be married two weeks later. They are the parents of three princes and a princess.Early on in her life she showed an affinity for sewing and took classes that rewarded her with the opportunities of doing costuming for the cast of four musicals, which she enjoyed immensely. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and understands some Portuguese.Some of Anna’s writing recognitions:She received the Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry and had her article entitled A New American Mother published by Desert Saints Magazine. Her short story entitled Amerine—Fairy Princess wan an award in the Oquirrh chapter contest and was published by Kalkion Magazine. Other articles about family and relationship have been published frequently in the MOMS CLUB® of Salt Lake Valley-West.

Book preview

A Golden Princess

Anna del C. Dye

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described here are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher.

A Golden Princess

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2017 Anna del C. Dye

Version 1.0

Cover by Mikey Brooks

Illustrations by Kevin Mura

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

www.annadelc.com

ISBN 13: 978-1542881579

ISBN 10: 1542881579

All Rights Reserved USA

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Other books by Anna del C. Dye:

The Silent Warrior Trilogy:

The Elf and the Princess

Trouble in the Elf City

Elfs in a Conquered Realm

Curse of the Elfs

A Royal Elf of Abalon

Shahira & the Flying Elfs

The Roilden Stones of Elf Mountain

Once Upon Two Kingdoms

Kingdom by the Sea

And available only as an e-book:

Emerine’s Nightmare

Small for her age, Princess Nyala is determined to be noticed and someday rule with fairness and valor in Kaloma. All changes when she looks upon the stars and they predict her accident. After she awakens to a broken body, her father takes to his goblet and she steps into power in her kingdom at sixteen.

Her father said that no man would choose a half-broken princess. Is that how Prince Nicolao sees her after the accident? Her heart is unsure and out of fear she keeps him away to avoid a broken heart.

As soon the other kingdoms in the land determine the predicament of the Royal House of Kaloma, they too will prey on her vulnerability to steal her kingdom. She will have to confront new foes or lose it all.

Chapter One

The Prediction

The princess of Kaloma is four years younger than you, My Prince, the slim chancellor in front of Nicolao said.

Oh no, do you want me to play dolls with her?

I ask nothing, My Prince…

I know. My father wants me to entertain … what is her name?

Princess Nyala, the chancellor answered.

Well, all of the other princesses have been older than me so far. I suppose this will be different.

The two sat across each other, though the prince stood and paced every so often during their conversation.

No one can say that I don’t sacrifice for my kingdom, Nicolao sighed.

No, Sire. Our kingdom respects you and would follow you anywhere, the chancellor answered.

Sire, Chancellor Rowin. A page entered the room and waited at the threshold. The caravan approaches our gates, he announced.

Let’s get it over with, then, Nicolao said and strode out of the study.

His father joined him in the silver hall, and together they exited the front mahogany doors.

Well, King Nicolas, it is so good to see you again, Nicolao’s father’s friend greeted him.

It’s a great surprise, my friend. Come let’s get out of the sun and remove the dust from your travel clothes.

So good of you to mention it. It’s great to see you Prince Nicolao. Indeed, it’s a great treat to find you well.

King Ixidor, welcome to Burahm. We wish you a pleasant stay, he answered.

To see you, my boy, does me good and is all I need to make it a memorable visit to your good land.

In the many years I have known Ixidor, he has been most attentive to me, Nicolao thought and wondered why.

That thought had him anywhere but present until the visiting king said, May I present to you my daughter, Princess Nyala?

When he laid his eyes on her, Nicolao’s thoughts flew wild and his mouth almost embarrassed him as it hung open. Where have you hidden until now? I know not. But now, I can’t let my eyes wander from you. No one bothered telling me that you look like a doll made of gold. A bit small for your age. Though your head is full of curls and you have eyes made of gold. I feel threatened. My pale face, flaxen hair and blue eyes must seem colorless compared to your beauty.

Before he could murmur a greeting, Nyala and her attendant, Lady Misty, were whisked away and he saw them no more that day. It bothered him not to be able to be with her at dinner and he made up his mind to let his father know. He walked to his father’s study after King Ixidor had retired and complained, How am I to entertain the princess when I am not able to be with her?

I thought you would be pleased not to have to deal with her.

She is most beautiful and I wish to get to know her better, the prince tried to play it down, but his heart beat a bit faster and he wondered if his father heard it.

I will send a message to her father and make sure it doesn’t happen again, he assured his son.

Thank you, Father. His heart felt light and he knew not why.

The next morning, after breakfast, he rehearsed for Lady Isabella, Nyala’s governess, Lady Misty and the princess the plans for that day.

My ladies, this is Asher and Briton, my best friends, he introduced his companions. They will accompany us today.

A pleasure, My Ladies, Asher bowed low. He took Lady Misty’s hand, and then moved with Briton to give the royalty some space. The young men had talked the night before about the princess but didn’t think it wise to let her know that they were dying to meet her.

Asher is sixteen and already towers over me by a head, the prince said. He felt tongue-tied, but wasn’t sure what to say to her or how to act in the princess’ presence.

I have never seen anyone with moss-green-colored eyes before, she answered.

Nicolao thought, Amazing, she noticed the color of Asher’s eyes, different but nice.

Asher smiled and appeared grateful that she didn’t mention that his wavy dark hair was much longer than the prince’s. Perhaps she didn’t care one way or the other.

How old is Briton? she asked.

He shares my height and your age, My Princess, Nicolao replied. At the moment, his brown hair cascaded over his shoulders and once again the prince wished that his coloring was closer to Asher’s. His coloring never bothered him before, but next to the princess, he looked like a ghost.

They strolled to the stables where their horses awaited them. The smell of clean hay met them at the barn door.

He has mischievous hazel eyes, doesn’t he? Princess Nyala turned to glance at him.

Nicolao said, I am sure you’ll find out sooner or later, My Princess … he does. I hoped you don’t mind. He is a great person and never causes mischief to a lady. It just happens between us friends. They are like brothers to me.

His friends joined them while he helped her on her horse. He hoped to impress her with the beauty of the castle’s grounds, so he set their party toward the gardens with the bright sun at their backs.

What are those bushes called? she asked, as soon as she spotted the colorful shrubbery about the garden gates.

That is when his heart sank. Which ones? he asked, the white or the red ones?

Both, she answered.

He had to ask the head gardener, and felt foolish at his lack of knowledge about the plants.

They are both rhododendrons, Sire, the gardener explained. They are just different colors.

They are pretty. She seemed pleased.

Should we go to the forest yonder for a break from the sun? Asher suggested after the party crossed the garden.

It was hard to know what a fourteen-year-old princess would like to do, so Nicolao went for something he knew would work with children and adults alike.

Would you like to play hide-and-seek? Nicolao asked. She couldn’t be better than him at that game, and he needed to impress her. They dismounted and played near the stream for a good while.

I am not sure it is fair for you to find us all the time, Lady Misty whined.

I am sorry, My Lady, Asher apologized for some reason.

We know this area well, Briton explained. We played here many times when we were children.

The prince should have known that his friends would tell on him.

After that, they walked along the stream for a while and let the horses follow them. The murmurs of its waters seemed to quiet them, but Nicolao was dying to find out what absorbed Nyala in her private reflections. Right at noon, a horse carriage came with a basket full of food.

Is everyone ready for lunch, My Prince? the servant asked.

I am starving, Briton said.

You are always hungry, both Asher and the prince chimed in.

The girls’ giggles sounded soft and feminine, but true, not like the coy ways other girls tried to get Nicolao’s attention.

Nyala and Lady Misty helped the maid spread the blanket and the food, it pleased him to no end. Nyala was not at all like those other girls who expected their servants to do everything for them.

Lunch proved to be delicious.

Please pass the corn, said Briton, when he discovered one last cob on the plate after all had had their share.

That is your third one, Asher bantered.

I am a growing boy… man, he corrected himself.

Lady Misty asked, May I please have more salad?

Asher took it right from Nicolao’s hand and he knew he had lost his friend to the lady-in-waiting. Until then, they had never picked a particular girl and this new possibility felt odd.

The bread with meat is delicious, Nyala said quickly.

She had noticed Asher’s hasty move and tried to keep the prince from reacting to his insolence. She probably thought that it could cause problems between the three friends and didn’t want her companion to be the cause of a rift. Either way, Nicolao admired her perception and how attentive she seemed at her age.

Should we go for a stroll? Briton invited.

Nicolao sent him a panicked glance and hoped Nyala would stay alone with him.

There is a family of ducks on the other side, Briton added.

That would be fun, agreed Lady Misty. And her cheeks became pink when Asher helped her to her feet.

I’ll stay for a while longer, Nyala answered and Nicolao’s heart leapt to his throat.

After a silent moment, while they watched the others leave, it became quiet and Nicolao missed her voice. What would you like to do tomorrow, My Lady? We could go to the lake and row in a canoe. Or we could stay at the palace and I could show you some games we like in our kingdom. They are fun and not hard at all, you would learn them easily. We could also visit the city marketplace.

We should just stay in the castle only when it rains, she suggested. The days are perfect to be outside now.

Nicolao loved the opportunity to be with her. She was so different from other princesses and he wanted to discover to what extent. She turned to stare at the blue sky overhead and grinned.

May I know what that expression means? he asked.

The color of the blue sky and your eyes are exactly the same shade, she answered.

It pleased him that she found his eyes nice, and that took away a little of his concern about his coloring. Perhaps his looks didn’t bother her after all. Silence came again between them. She looked at the sky and he looked at her. How delicate and beautiful she was.

You ride quite well, My Lady, he commented.

I began at five or six years old, she confessed.

Actually? I had to wait until I turned ten before my mother would let me ride. Horses scared my mother.

I see. My mother died in childbirth, she replied. My nurses let me ride when I wanted. My father did not interfere with my upbringing.

Do you miss your mother? the prince asked.

Not really. I do not know what it is to have a mother, so I do not have anything to compare it to.

I do, he countered. It surprised him how easily he could talk with her. Not even Asher or Briton knew how much he missed his mother.

At twelve, she wanted to go with me up the creek and I wanted to ride my horse. I convinced her to mount a small animal and she risked it for me. Just after a few steps, her horse got spooked; she fell on some rocks and died from the fall.

I am so sorry, she said.

It surprised him how sorrowful she sounded and even more that she reached for his hand. He felt the warmth of it in his heart. Somehow she healed him in a small way.

Silence came between them again, but her hand in his felt like it belonged there and he cherished the small moment.

She broke their silence after a moment. At least you have memories with her. I, on the other hand, have no memories with mine—none at all.

It dawned on him how lucky he had been. She withdrew her hand from his and it felt cold in the middle of a hot spring day. At that moment, the wind brought the voices of their friends coming back.

You should have come, My Lady, Misty exclaimed.

Her lady-in-waiting seemed exuberant, and he felt pleased.

The ducks were eating out of our hands, commented Briton. It is quite ticklish to let them do so.

Of course, they preferred Lady Misty’s hand to mine, laughed Asher.

What about riding to the top of that mountain before supper, Nicolao suggested.

He helped Nyala to her mount and they led off, this time with their friends behind.

This trail is well-used, commented Asher, as the group turned right off the road.

The trees are ancient, they gave way to this path many years ago, offered Briton in a wise, manly voice.

Nyala giggled and Nicolao chuckled at his interesting use of words.

Shall we stop on this rim? he suggested. They soon walked to the edge, and he pointed toward the valley below.

How beautiful, the girls murmured in unison.

The different shades of green are placed like squares on a blanket, the princess observed of the newly planted fields.

It portrays a patchwork quilt, agreed Lady Misty.

Yet, Nicolao had never made that connection before.

Is that your castle? Nyala asked.

At the southeast edge of the scene sat his castle, inviting and familiar to him.

Yes and over there is the lake we will visit tomorrow, he answered.

The lake looks so blue from here, she said.

You have a thing for blue, My Princess, but I don’t mind.

Are you going to go to the lake tomorrow? asked Asher.

Yes, the ladies and I are, Nicolao announced. Will you two join us?

I promised my father I would spend the day with him, Asher sadly confessed. He wants to take me to the Stables at Ralien to buy me a horse.

He sounded so mournful that Nicolao had to wonder about the mood his best friend displayed so suddenly.

That sounds exciting, he exclaimed to lighten the mood.

Where is Ralien? Nyala asked.

It is about two hours from here, answered Briton, and is the place where the royal horses are bred.

The young men helped the princess and Misty mount their horses. They continued their conversation while they rode.

Which one are you going to choose? asked Briton.

I think I will go for the Black Arabian, Asher answered.

That is a grand horse, cried Briton.

He is the youngest one there, too, Nicolao added.

You have always wanted to be Nicolao’s knight. And you want to have as good of a horse as he does, offered Briton.

I think that is a great idea, Lady Misty spoke, and Nicolao knew then he had lost his friend forever.

See, My Lady approves. Asher winked at Lady Misty, which made her cheeks pink.

They liked each, who would have guessed? It made Nicolao happy for Asher, and he hoped Nyala didn’t mind.

Near the top, they discovered a meadow full of flowers that reached as far as the eye could see.

Please, let us stop to pick some, Nyala cried.

Of course.

The gents stayed by the horses to talk quietly.

I cannot believe that it is so easy to be with them, Asher murmured.

I feel the same, Nicolao replied. She is so small, yet so grown-up at the same time.

I think she is so pretty. Asher murmured, his eyes glued on Misty.

Briton and Nicolao exchanged mischievous glances.

They are both cute, Nicolao agreed. I favor the golden princess myself.

She is a bit young for you, isn’t she? Briton teased him.

Yes, I agree, he admitted. But, she is not going to be young forever, is she?

His two friends quietly gazed at each other.

Well, I think that leaves me alone, no matter how I look at it, sighed Briton. It is just you and I, girl. He petted his horse’s nose. In the meantime, it is too bad you will not be here tomorrow, Asher. But, I will do my best to keep your lady happy for you.

What are you saying? Asher’s worried brows met together in the middle of his forehead.

Do not worry, Asher. Nicolao calmed him with a slap on the back. I’ll keep him in line.

Nicolao had to smile at the effect that Briton’s tease had on his future knight. Briton laughed so loud that his horse backed a few steps away from him.

What is so funny? the princess asked.

The young men were startled to hear her voice so close. For a minute, they had forgotten that she was there picking flowers.

Oh, just a jest, the prince replied quickly. Are you done?

Yes, we have plenty, sang Lady Misty from behind them.

Asher and Nicolao took the flowers from the girls and gave them to Briton. He made an odd face as his nose wrinkled at the scent. They helped the maidens mount their horses. Briton gladly gave the flowers back to them, accompanied by a few sneezes. They were soon on their way back to the palace and Nyala was at Nicolao’s side.

You look quite lovely with all those flowers in your hands, My Lady, Asher said.

Oh yes. You are a vision of spring and rainbows, added Briton.

Could you find someone else to compliment? cried Asher.

There is no one else, he complained.

What about your horse? Asher insisted.

Nicolao laughed until Nyala asked, May I know what that is all about?

Briton enjoys teasing Asher, and today he’s found something new to torture him about, the prince admitted.

May I ask what it is?

Asher thinks that your lady-in-waiting is most pretty.

Nyala turned to see her friend between the boys but said nothing.

Do you mind that my friend has been smitten by yours?

I like your friend.

How much? Nicolao queried, too fast to take it back. He felt heat rise in his cheeks and didn’t like that odd feeling.

He seems to be a good young man and his head is in the right place, she continued, unaware of his plight. He is polite and educated, for Misty, I mean.

Yes, of course. Nicolao knew that. He had to stare straight forward to make sure he didn’t flash red. Still, it felt good to know she meant for Misty not herself.

At the palace, Isabella greeted the group by the door. I was worried you wouldn’t arrive in time for supper.

You need not worry, Lady Isabella, Nicolao said. They are most safe in our company, and the servants will wait until we get back to serve us.

We stopped to pick flowers and forgot the hour, Nyala apologized.

I shall not worry again, Isabella curtsied. I didn’t know your kingdom’s customs and didn’t want the girls to be in trouble.

Nicolao hurried to get ready for dinner and hoped Nyala had had enough time to change when he knocked on her door. Isabella opened it and he stared at Nyala. Her dark brown gown brought out the gold in her hair. The crown of flowers on her long curly hair didn’t escape his eyes either. She took his breath away and knew it not.

At that moment, Asher came in and stopped near him. He glanced at Lady Misty, entranced in her appearance. Nicolao had to tear his eyes from Nyala to look at her. The blue and white flowers on her dress accentuated her sun-kissed skin, while her dark half-bun sat almost lost between the flowers that covered it. He looked at his friend, whose mouth stood agape. It was most unbecoming for a prince’s knight, but Lady Misty seemed in heaven and in two steps his now unfrozen friend went to her side.

Shall we go? Nicolao asked and waited for Nyala’s hand in his.

My Lady is most beautiful, Asher murmured and sent a worried glance at her mother.

I meant every word I said. He half-bowed to Isabella.

She nodded in silence.

He grinned broadly and took hold of Misty’s hand to follow.

Briton awaited outside the door and came along, bringing up the rear.

The servants have set dinner in the terrace for us, the prince stated.

That will be different, the princess replied. But it is a wonderful night.

I think it is the company that makes it more beautiful, Briton said. He didn’t want to be left out, and Nicolao felt for him, just a little bit.

Never before had he noticed how long the hall seemed or the brilliant lights that hung from the rafters. That night the path echoed with their joyous voices and their steps. He pointed to the paintings of his forefathers and she commented on their clothes and strange hairdos.

I would love to see your kingdom someday, he mentioned. He wanted to stay close and see where his admiration for her would take him in the next few years. He vowed to let his heart decide the matter.

Oh, this is enchanting, Prince Nicolao, she sighed and brought him back to the moment.

The servants opened two glass doors and the group stepped onto the terrace.

Could you please call me just Nicolao? he asked.

Did you see the lanterns hanging from the vines? she asked, ignoring him and he wondered why? ... Did she do it on purpose?

They seem like stars suspended in the air. Misty turned