Magnolia's Choice

By Anna del C. Dye

Princess Magnolia refuses to be tied to her kingdom, Bellavista, at her father’s decree. One night, she took charge and escaped to Grayville, a neighboring kingdom. However, it’s one frightful escapade to the next until she met Robin, the knight in shining armor, and the kingdom which stole her heart years ago.

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Robin, the prince of Grayville, cannot forget the enchanting, yet distressed, girl who fell into his arms two years ago. He was disguised and exploring the city with his two best friends and she knew him not. Who is she and where did she go? Some say time makes everything better, but the hole in his heart grows ever painfully empty. Dare he dream of having her back in his arms?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna del C. Dye
• Release date: Mar 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463318485

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

Prologue

How lonely you have left me, My Queen. I miss your laugh and the glint in your eyes. I, King Atchelon, stared through my window at the majestic magnolia trees that reminded me of her.

My King, an urgent message from Greenvalley to Her Highness, Queen Hortensia, the captain of my guards interrupted my soliloquy.

What is the meaning of this? My brow furrowed, as perturbed as my captain’s worried face. My wife should have arrived at their court six days ago.

Queen Andria is worried that something might have happened or that Queen Hortensia changed her mind, Captain Romero explained. I interrogated the messenger. However, his answer is that she has not been seen in their kingdom, My Lord.

I don’t understand, she left twelve days ago. I shook my head from one side to the other. It can’t be that she met with foul play.

We will start our search for her immediately, Sire, the royal captain assured. We’ll retrace the queen’s route until we find her.

What has happened to you, My Queen? I mumbled, while Romero motioned for a group of royal guards to follow him.

Send word as soon as you find them, Captain, I instructed. My only comfort came from my faith in the competent twenty-five-year-old royal captain, whose experience and trustworthiness had been well proven. He will find my beloved … he has to.

You have never enjoyed all the pompous ways of the palace, and for the first time I gave in to you, my dearest, I murmured my regret. I should have insisted that more guards accompany you. Will I have to regret this decision for the rest of my life?

I sat heavily in one of the plush magenta chairs in my study.

Two nights later, the royal captain came back and his return caused much commotion amongst the courtiers in the palace.

Did he locate My Queen? I queried, as soon as I heard he had returned. Without waiting for an answer, I ran toward the courtyard. I threw open the massive doors before the guard posted there could. Then, I stopped when my eyes met the silhouette of Romero carrying the remains of what appeared to be my queen in a blanket.

I closed my eyes and fell to my knees. The pain tore my heart asunder as my shoulders shook with sobs.

NOOOO, my cries were heard as far as the other side of the palace and I cared not.

The captain knelt by my side and I took the corpse of my wife to cradle her to my bosom.

Continually clearing his own throat, the captain gave his report. Queen Hortensia made it to the forest at the far side of Greenvalley, Sire.

I sobbed on the floor, surrounded by the courtiers.

Her carriage must have been overrun and assaulted, by the look of things, Romero told me. In the coachman’s haste to save the queen, the carriage overturned.

Any … survivors? I murmured, my voice muffled by the queen’s blanket and my own sobs.

The rest of her party lay killed, I suspect by robbers, Sire.... Our Queen seems to be the only one who had no visible wounds.

How did she die then?

Her neck is broken, My King…. I am so sorry, Sire.

All fell silent at once, except for my renewed sobs.

And the rest … how did they … die? I hiccupped after a moment.

By knife wounds, My King. Mostly to their throats, the captain responded. There is nothing left of their belongings. Even the horse’s flesh was stripped from the carcasses. By knives, no wild animals did this.

When the chancellors heard the horrible tale they too mourned the fallen queen. These wise men took turns bringing my little girl, Princess Magnolia, to my presence, as a reminder that I still had someone to live for.

Why are you sad, Daddy? the little child ventured, as she climbed to my knees on the day of her mother’s funeral.

I took her in my arms and cried, cuddling her until I could calm myself.

Mommy is asleep, my little one, I sobbed. She will never wake up again.

Oh, she replied, though she didn’t understand what I meant.

Daddy will see that you never need to cry, my baby. Nothing will hurt you; I will make sure of that.

Yes, Daddy, she responded.

I and the other chancellors, wary of our king’s state of heart, kept a close eye on him.

In his grief, the king has made a foolish vow, I, as the head chancellor, murmured to the members of the council. I do not know what that will mean to the rest of our kingdom.

It is his sorrow talking, a chancellor murmured back.

I know him well, I insisted. He will keep this vow, whatever it is, to the end of his days.

Life has a way of teaching us that no matter how we want to keep ourselves and others from pain, we have not the ability to do so, an older chancellor reminded us.

Not only that, a third chancellor added, without pain we would not know happiness. Even the saddest things in our lives are for our own good.

It is because of the difficulties in my life that I was ready to become a chancellor, when the time came, a fourth chancellor commented.

We could be wrong about the plans of our king, the third chancellor mentioned.

We all nodded, although we glanced at each other with worried eyes.

We will have to wait and hope for the best, I advised them. I just don’t like the feeling I get from his promise.

No more than three weeks after the sad loss of my queen, I made a proclamation. I had it read in the council that morning. All the chancellors, servants and a few courtiers sat around my ornate throne.

By my order, the Kingdom of Sunnyside will close its borders to almost all comers from the lands outside from this day forward.

Many murmurs were audible in the room and all eyes went straight to me, King Atchelon.

What exactly does this mean, Sire? queried my head chancellor.

We will learn to use our resources and make sure we make everything we need, I responded.

More murmurs where heard.

If we cannot make it so, Sire? wondered an older chancellor.

We will have minimum dealings with Grayville, I reassured them. Yet, our citizens will be discouraged from venturing outside the kingdom.

How can this be done, Sire? They are many things we need from outside our kingdom.

You will have a few months to find alternatives here in our kingdom, I explained. After that, all visitors will be asked to leave.

Chapter One

The Princess’ Plea

Once upon a time, there lived a motherless princess named Magnolia in the secluded kingdom of Sunnyside. But, as is with all that it is prohibited, somehow humans find it most appealing to find out why.

Why must we be alone in the land?

That is the hundredth time you have asked this question, Princess Magnolia, my page observed on his way out of my chamber.

With all the flowers and your friends here, who needs another place to be happy, My Princess? My lady-in-waiting, Margarete, roused her brown head from a drawer in my bureau.

Happy birthday, Princess, my other companion, Lady Jasmine, quipped from the door. How does it feel to be sixteen?

I didn’t see you there, Jasmine. I don’t know yet, I told her. If Father grants me my wish, it will be wonderful.

And if he doesn’t? The levelheaded Margarete stared at me.

Then it will only be another day in my life. Come, help me get dressed. I can’t wait to ask Father.

With my blue eyes full of expectation, I smiled as the two ladies-in-waiting complied with my request.

I would have run to the breakfast room, but a sixteen-year-old princess does not. So, I painfully walked through the halls for what seemed like hours before I saw my father.

Good morning, Daddy. Do you know what day today is?

My father sat at a dark wood table enjoying his scrambled eggs and sausage, which dangled from a silver fork.

How could I forget, my child? Happy birthday to you. Have you planned how to celebrate?

He put the morsel in his mouth and chewed, his lips tight.

Yes, I would like to go on an excursion outside the kingdom.

He choked on his food, and after a fit of coughing, I handed him a cup of water.

It is not safe out there for you, my girl, he responded, after regaining his composure. He purposely avoided my disappointed eyes by raising his goblet for more ale.

I so want to see what is out there, Father…. Could you not let the guards take me? Just a short visit is all I need. I needed to make him see how much this meant to me.

My golden hair sported curls and ribbons that matched my sky-blue dress, all my father’s favorites. The king however, didn’t make eye contact with me, which made me more resolute in my petition.

It is too unpredictable for a princess to visit safely and you may end up hurt, he responded. It would break my heart to see you hurt.

Why does he behave like this? Doesn’t he know I get more curious every time he refuses my request?

Is it that horrible out there, Father? It is so peaceful and beautiful in our kingdom, I can’t imagine other places not to be so.

I finally sat down across from him and the servants brought me a plate with toast and fruit preserves, my favorites.

I don’t travel anywhere outside our territory for the same reasons I don’t let anyone else, my father explained. It is too dangerous out there.

That is what you keep telling me…. But couldn’t I go just for a little gallop and see for myself?

You need to follow my example…. You do not want me sad, do you?

No, Father, I would not want you to ever be sad again.

Good girl…. Now let me be and … go play with your friends.

Today, I celebrate my sixteenth birthday, Daddy. I haven’t played with my friends for a long time. I left the room without touching my breakfast.

How did it go, My Princess? Margarete awaited in my chambers. She probably already knew my answer.

My wish won’t be granted today, though it didn’t hurt to ask. I fell more than sat on my bed.

You persist in asking your father to go out of our kingdom, My Lady, and your father always says no. Jasmine brought me a toast, ready to eat.

I am not hungry, Jasmine. I turned the other way to avoid my friend’s judgement.

If I can’t make them understand my desire to be free, how can I get through to my father? I pondered.

It’s a sunny day and the birds await your presence in the gardens, Princess, Margarete said. Let’s not ruin your birthday by feeling sad. Let’s be happy for all the things you do have.

I would like freedom, and that is denied me.

I heard that the ladies of the court arranged for a surprise to celebrate your day, Jasmine chirped.

They hired a jester and musicians for lunch, I told them.

How would you know? It is a surprise, Margarete of twenty-three-summers asked.

I overheard two pages talking about it the other day. I shouldn’t have said anything. My only excuse is that I am not myself right now, and I didn’t realize my outburst could hurt their feelings.

Please, My Princess, there are other things to make this a happy day, Margarete urged.

Don’t let this little setback ruin it for you and those who want to make you happy, said Jasmine.

How can they say that…? There isn’t anything that will make me happy other than going out of this kingdom. Oh, they are right. I can’t be selfish. That won’t do to portray a grown-up princess.

That night, I lay in my bed trying to make myself sleep. My mind had not slowed down all day, although I had pretended to be happy for the benefit of the women of the court. The surprise had gone well and was enchanting, though it lacked freedom, the freedom I would only find in another place far away from here.

Why must I stay here always? I wondered for the tenth time that day.

I stared at the curtains surrounding my bed. The calypso material hung from cords and were usually closed at night. Though, with tonight’s warm weather, they remained open to help the breeze from my window.

Why did I grow up with that question in my heart? What lies outside our kingdom? And why can I not see it?

I turned on my side to stare at the small table, placed by the white double doors that led to my chambers, which housed my hairbrushes and ribbons in their drawers.

Never can I obtain a suitable answer, not even from my closest friends. What are they all keeping from me?

My ladies-in-waiting, the courtesans nor the servants have ever given me real answers. The relentless ways they try to get my mind away from my queries is tiring. I wonder if it is a requirement for their stations?

I rolled to the other side of the bed and finally got up. Then I strolled to one of my long windows.

I can’t believe the places outside our kingdom are bad, I stifled a yawn. "I should find a way to venture for myself and