Her Prince Charming

By Anna del C. Dye

A future worth rescuing, a love worth waiting for, and a dream worth sharing

Danger lurks in the court as Stanislav, the high chancellor, seizes an opportunity to take the crown and the princess for himself.
Caught between duty and freedom, Princess Alexandra has to chose to be free to find a happy ever after or marry Stanislav as he demands and let him take the crown from her.
When Prince Christoffer offers a solution by marrying her...wouldn’t that mean another marriage without love? However, if she accepts his proposal, she will sentence him to death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna del C. Dye
• Release date: Feb 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463407530

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.

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Her_Prince_CharmingRod D.Rod D.200126292020-02-17T15:43:00Z2020-01-22T22:15:00Z2020-02-17T15:44:00Z31974519424764Hewlett-Packard353999649828716.0000

Chapter One

I Loved Your Father

I tell you, Alexandra, you are turning seventeen and your father, the king, will send me away for good. Natasha moved from her dresser to the traveling bag that lay open on her bed and deposited her belongings there. The sweet smell of a mix of recently cut herbs of all kinds came with the breeze she created by moving about.

Father knows I love you, the princess said. You are the only mother I have known. Why would he send you away?

He has been waiting for this day with pleasure for ten years.

What do you mean, with pleasure? Natasha’s red hair whisked like fire in a forest of dried trees when she turned to look directly at Alexandra. Her moss green pants under a loose mustard top followed her a second later.

That your father disapproves of my upbringing a prin­cess.

Why would he say that? Besides, if he doesn’t like it, why wait for ten years to send you away?

Natasha, stared at the princess, had she taught her to be this naïve?

Alexandra placed the book in her hands back in the pile and pulled her midnight-colored hair from the ribbon that kept it in check. It bounced over her slim shoulders and dropped to her waist.

Because he has a box where he wants all the women in his kingdom to fit…. You don’t and neither do I. She tied the bag she had just filled with twine and set it on the growing pile by the door. Then, Natasha resumed her packing. This time she brought some old books from a shelf on the wall and placed them in another bag.

Our frequent spats make more sense now. The princess picked up one book and blew on it. Is this the reason father wants me witless?

The smell of clean soap and oils mixed as Natasha took a basket from under her bed and then stuffed it with all manner of bottles. She separated them and carefully tucked a shawl around to keep them away from each other.

It is not only your father, Alex. Most men want their women to not think for themselves. That way the woman doesn’t know better, nor would she question their treat­ment of them. Natasha grabbed more bottles from the other shelf to set on top of those in the basket.

I have noticed that before, yet ... Natasha, may I know why my father hates you so?

She stopped in the middle of folding another shawl and set it next to the basket. She looked into the princess’ brown eyes and then gave a loud sigh. You are old enough to know the truth, Princess. On my twelfth birthday I met your father. He became my first love. He was ten years my senior and a prince himself, gallant and handsome. To my excitement, he returned my love.

I don’t understand? If he loved you, why didn’t he mar­ry you instead of my mother?

Alexandra went and joined her on the soft, red and black feather comforter.

Me, the daughter of a farmer? His father would permit only a princess to be his bride. Though, he kept me as his mistress for many years.

Even after he married my mother? Alexandra’s black brows rose, disappearing under her equally dark hairline.

Yes, Alex, even then, Natasha answered. When you were born, he brought me to the palace to care for you and … to have me closer to him. With the death of your mother a few years later, I thought he would take me for a wife. He broke my heart when he told me that he would never marry me. That is when my love for him changed, though he didn’t notice.

You stopped loving him…. Why did you stay?

By then, I knew many things to bring headaches to your father and our kingdom, if I were to use them. So, he let me stay, even after I refused him openly. She stood and picked up more bottles to add to the basket. I didn’t stop loving him all the way. If he wanted me, he could have convinced me. He chose to trust others instead of me. That is when I lost my love and respect for him.

A thin orange bottle escaped from her hand and rolled on her bed, but Alexandra caught it before it spilled its contents on the cold stone floor.

Weren’t you worried? You blackmailed my father…, the king? He could have sent men to kill you and no one would have been the wiser.

He couldn’t. I told him that I had everything written and sent to different people, with instructions to be opened the day I disappeared.

You did not! Alexandra’s eyes showed a mix between excitement and awe. Did you? Alexandra’s eyes grew double their size at the possibility. Her hands fled to her silk covered heart as she waited for an answer.

I did not, but he didn’t know for sure. I hurt so much when he refused me that I wanted him to pay for it. Natasha’s shoulders stooped and Alexandra ran to hug her.

I am so sorry. I would have liked you as my step­mother. It would have been good to call you mother. After a long silence, That explains how he treats you, but explain to me, why he doesn’t like me?

She moved away from the girl’s touch and gave her one more shawl to place over the layered bottles. By doing so, a mix of sassafras and oregano inundated the room.

Your father wanted a stripling boy, not a witless girl, to take his place at the head of his kingdom.

I’m not witless.

But you are a girl. He only sees you as a way to get something he wants, and he wants a stripling man to leave to rule Karelie when he dies.

I see. And how is he going to get this stripling man you speak of? And have I met him?

He will give your hand away to Stanislav, she waived her right hand through the air in a dismissive way. The head chancellor has been grooming your father for many years to get that wish fulfilled.

He is nice, but I do not love him and he is double my age. I would like a husband that is a bit closer to my age and I wouldn’t mind if he is handsome too.

Natasha turned again toward the princess and her usually peaceful countenance changed to a serious one.

Alexandra, you have to learn something about life. Stanislav is a conniving, ruthless man. He gets what he wants no matter the cost…, and he wants you.

Alexandra opened the last bottle, before she set it with the rest. The smell of skunk oil assaulted her nose, and she closed it fast before sneezing.

The other thing you need to know is that you are a pawn in your father’s game, not a person. Your feelings will not be considered and you will have to do as you are told.

I will not marry if I can’t care for him, she set the bottle in the basket. How can I let a man touch me with­out love, why it would be like … like…

Like your father gave him permission to rape you when he pleases?

Alexandra slumped back on the bed, tilting the basket. That is too cruel of a fate … does he hate me so? Why would he wish this for his only daughter?

Natasha moved the basket to the door. He wants a great man to take over the kingdom, and Stanislav has blinded him to what his real purpose is. He has shown to your father that he cares for you. However, behind the king’s back, all that Stanislav wants is our kingdom.

I suppose that marrying me will give him that possibility.

To his good fortune, you are not the right gender. So, he will make your father give you to him, thus the kingdom.

Alexandra took the pillow in her hands and smelled it. I will not stand for it, I can’t.

The pillow she had held a moment before flew in a rage toward the head of the bed where it bounced and then lay on the cream-colored floor rug.

A low rumble came from the herbalist’s throat, and the princess joined with a giggle.

Their happy interchange stopped when a young man knocked on their open door.

Princess Alexandra, he bowed, the king wishes for you to join him in his private study.

The halls between the princess’ chambers and her father’s study had been decorated with many paintings from other lands. They depicted luscious scenes of every­day living in the high classes of those faraway places. All were gifts from kingdoms far and wide. Alexandra and Natasha’s dainty steps were drowned in the thick maroon carpet that covered the floor.

A couple of floors down and past three other halls, the page knocked on a door and they waited.

Come in, the deep voice of the king came solemnly, although echoed by a cough.

You sent for me, Father? Alexandra entered.

Natasha looked past the girl to see the king with a goblet in his hand. The smell of hot lemon and honey permeated the room and by the sound of his cough, she guessed that the cup must contain a serum to heal it. She followed the princess as she rubbed her hands with aromatic oil from her pocket to avoid looking in the king’s eyes. Mint tended to make her skin itch and today wasn’t an exception, but it should avert his sickness, whatever it was. The mint aroma soothed her head into a peaceful place. The itchy skin, however, turned pink and burned her hands.

Yes. I want to tell you that Sir Stanislav has asked for your hand in marriage and I have accept…

What do you mean, you have accepted? she cut him off. You answered him without consulting with me first?

Alexandra’s face turned a pale shade of pink, which meant her blood had concentrated in her feet. So many times Natasha had reminded her to count until ten and breathe before she said anything to her father.

This is not a debate, Alexandra. You will do your duty as you should.

Not the right thing to say to her, either, Natasha thought. Vladimir would never learn that pushing was not how his daughter cooperated.

I most certainly will not. Alexandra’s face was now red and her chest heaved with each breath. I would have considered it, maybe, if you had the courtesy to ask my opinion. But you are ordering me to do it and I won’t stand for it.

Vladimir’s hands bunched up and hit the desk in front of him. Alexandra, I am the king, and I order you to marry Stanislav.

Boy, this is getting better by the moment, Natasha stared at the girl, who refused to look at her. I should have stayed in her room and not be caught in this scene.

The king you may be. But, I am your daughter, not a subject that you can bend to your capricious tyranny.

This is entirely your fault, Natasha. The king moved around Alexandra to face her as she became pulled into this dispute, like it or not.

Do you mean that she will not be bullied by her own father—you are right, it is my fault. You wouldn’t have liked it if I taught her to be submissive and let anyone else walk all over her, would you? That would never do for a princess.

You will leave this castle this instant. His finger went up and wiggled in front of her face. I should have never let you stay this long. You have poisoned her against me.

I am afraid you didn’t need my help for that. After all, you are the one who doesn’t want a daughter.

If she goes, I will go with her, Father. Then who will marry Stanislav for you?

Oh, oh, now you gave him a token to play against you, my girl. She wished she had remembered her last promise to herself; to bring oleo essence when visiting the king. It was too late now and she would have to have some after this meeting to ward off any negative essence that might want to return home with the two of them.

If I let her stay, will you marry him, then? Vladimir’s face lit up like a little child promised a candy.

Natasha blanched.

No. I will never consider him, just because you are blackmailing me to do it.

Good job, girl. I worried there for a moment.

You are just a woman, and you will do as I say, Vladimir growled.

Just a woman, Father? What exactly do you mean by that?

A woman, princess or not, does as she is told.

You will condemn me to a life without love?

There is no such a thing as love between royals, child, only compromise. The king sat heavily on the red chair behind a wooden desk. We get what we need and you should be thankful that you can give it to us.

Sugar and honey in his voice, I hope Alexandra doesn’t buy it.

What about me, Father. Who is looking out for me and my future? Certainly not you.

The king sputtered a few indescribable sounds. Though Natasha couldn’t decipher them, she could guess what they were.

Alexandra turned to leave and, on her way out she spat, I refuse to be your pawn in a game in which I have no say. At this moment, I have a hard time believing that you could be called my father.

With that Alexandra left, slamming the door behind her and left Natasha alone with Vladimir. Before she could be delighted with Alexandra’s decision, the king grabbed her arm and swung her against one of the marble pillars abundant in the room. A few black stars crossed the inside of her black eyes and they shut of their own accord.

She felt warm tears threatening to fall; she forbade them to do so. She wouldn’t let him have the pleasure of seeing her cry.

You will convince her to marry or else, he spat in her face.

I can’t. With one pull Natasha freed herself from his tight grasp. You just fired me.

On Alexandra’s green-carpeted floor, small feet paced first one way and then the other. Her long silk dress sang from the contact with the carpet as the princess’ mind raced to find a solution to her dilemma. What was she to do with her father’s demand?

The warm creamy colors of the wall did nothing to bring comfort to the cold hand that gripped her heart.

Natasha, she ran to the nursemaid when she cleared her portal. What am I to do?

A light hint of sage and sassafras clung to the princess’ clothes and hair. Good she has learned that to find inner peace those oils are the best.

Whatever you feel is right, child. Think of all the aspects of the proposition, like I taught you. You will never go wrong if you study it out in your head and heart before you take a path.

Won’t you tell me what I should do?

Natasha placed her at arm’s length and looked into her eyes. No, she answered. You know better than to ask. It is your decision, not mine.

You refuse to help me?

I refuse to baby you. You are of age and need to take your responsibilities seriously. If you expect others to tell you what to do, you will become slave to their de­sires, not yours.  Besides, I am almost packed and I will be gone by tonight.

How can you leave me here like this?

You are old enough to find your life’s path and I have trained you to do so. Now, use the learning I gave you and find an answer that will work for everyone. It was better not to give in to Alexandra’s small drama scene.

Where will you go?

There is a place in the outskirts of Mount Ranalee called Betseba.

That is hours from here. What if I need you? I could be dead by the time you come to help me.

I will probably never come back now…. Alex, you have never acted like this before, why now?

Like what? I don’t know what you mean.

You act like a three-year-old and sound like a whiney child. You ought to be ashamed.

I see. Alexandra sat heavily on her soft rose bed and the little pommels of rose petals Natasha had given her released their soft aroma.

Betseba is three days from here, to be exact, and is where all the persecuted people in our kingdom live. My skills in healing can be put to good use amongst those who need it most and can’t afford it. I have saved my salary for several years and I have enough to live on. The rest I will use for herbs and the things that may help me bring relief to the persecuted.

You are really leaving me? How can you?

You are to marry and do not need a nurse any more. On the other hand, those people need me desperately.

Yes, of course. I didn’t mean it the selfish way it sounded. I am just surprised. I never thought of you in any other place than at my side in this castle.

Life is taking us to separate paths and we need to be strong and see what is there waiting for us.

I don’t feel strong enough to take on my father and Stanislav alone. Marriage? I am not ready for that either.

Alex, listen to me. Do not rush into anything. If you do, you will only have headaches later in your life. Think, what is it that you really want to do with your life to make it meaningful to you? And also, consider the possi­bilities of how you might help others to do the same.

What do you mean?

I mean that you are not the only one in this realm who isn’t free to be what she wants. You can bring many good changes to our kingdom, if you choose your way carefully.

Alexandra took a walk among the blue rhododendrons in the palace’s gardens after Natasha left her in her room. The perfume from the flowers soared with the breeze, but her mind was elsewhere.

What would she do with her future? It was not an option to be married to a man like Stanislav. How could she stop her father from imposing his will upon her? Without Natasha to help her, she surely would give in to a marriage she didn’t want or deserve.

Following the rock path, she turned by a rose bush dotted in pink and heard, Princess Alexandra.

The deep voice called out from the other side of a rose arch as a tall slim figure came away from the pillar that had obscured him just a moment before. Long, clean and shined boots under dark pants, moved closer to her.

Why, Lord Stanislav, I didn’t expect to see you here … after all this is my private garden. How dare he intrude on my solitude?

A thousand pardons, Princess Alexandra, but now that we are betrothed I thought…

Betrothed…?

The king hasn’t told you, My Lady? Please forgive me; I shouldn’t have brought it up.

He bowed deeply and his graying, long hair cascaded over his shoulders. His weaselly dark eyes, however, stared at her, amusement written all over them. She had never had a reason to look into his eyes before and now she wished she hadn’t.

So sure, are you, that I will agree to this wedding?

Is there any other answer but yes, My Lady?

Why you pompous, rude…

I see that I will have a great time taming you, after we marry, My Lady.

Oh, how would she like to slap that smile off of his face.

How dare you speak in such a tone to me? I am not your possession, nor will I marry any man who thinks I am. Leave this instant.

As you wish, My Lady. But things will change after we marry, and your tone with me will have to go. You may as well start now.

Leave, I said. She tried to slap him, but he stopped her hand easily enough. Guards … Guards!

Do not be naïve, Princess; the guards are loyal to me and they won’t cross me.

She succeeded in freeing her hand from his tight grasp and had to suppress a moan as she rubbed the painful spot he left on her wrist.

I will speak to my father this instant and he will oppose this arrangement as soon as he knows how you have treated me.

We will see about that, Princess, he said. After all, your father gave me his word. I suggest you get ready for our wedding because I will have you with or without your father’s permission.

Her_Prince_CharmingRod D.Rod D.200126292020-02-17T15:43:00Z2020-01-22T22:15:00Z2020-02-17T15:44:00Z31974519424764Hewlett-Packard353999649828716.0000

Chapter Two

The Spy

Maskin, follow me.

Yes, Chancellor Stanislav.

As soon as he closed the door of his private chamber, Stanislav sat behind his desk.

Colonel, I may need you to keep an eye on the prin­cess. See if you can get her chambermaids to tell you what she says about our nuptials.

Congratulations, Sire.

Not yet, Colonel. Stanislav went to his side table and picked up a half-empty bottle with red liquid in it. It looks like the princess feels different about it and may cause me grief if I don’t do something to persuade her.

Why would she do that, Sire? After all, who could she marry if not you?

Stanislav drank the drink in one shot and savored the taste left in his mouth for a moment.

That is a good question, Colonel, he finally said. Why don’t you ask about the castle and see if she has caught anyone’s eyes? He returned to the black desk. Don’t forget to see if she has found someone she might like better than me.

Once I do, what would you like me to do, Sire?

Make them disappear, suddenly and permanently.

It will be done, Sire.

He confronted me in my private garden and I felt so afraid of him. Alexandra ran into Natasha’s arms as soon as she cleared the threshold of her room. You were right. He is horrible and doesn’t even wish to win my heart.

While Natasha hugged the frightened girl, she looked over the quarters that had housed her for ten happy and sad years. Her room, usually full of rows of bottles and colorful powders in different states of consumption, now showed empty shelves everywhere. She felt empty too. All those years she had loved the king and all for what, so she could leave him and the child that should have been hers? She regretted giving her heart and soul to someone who didn’t reciprocate in the end. But Alexandra … no she would have never let her marry that bully if she was her child.

Are you all right? She looked the princess over, trying to see any mark on her that hadn’t been there before. Nata­sha’s hatred of the man doubled at that moment.

I think so. Alexandra showed her wrist and Natasha looked for a bottle in her basket to put some greenish liquid on it.

He wants the crown and you just happen to hold it, my child, Natasha’s voice betrayed her decision to leave and never come back.

Still, if Stanislav took power, she and a lot of wonder­ful people would lose their livelihoods or their lives and she didn’t want to be the first if she stayed.

The smell of lavender and rosemary tickled her nose in a pleasant rush. Natasha needed to calm her nerves before she ran to the chancellor and killed him with her bare hands. The soothing aroma seemed to work to accomplish this.

Natasha, may I go with you?

That was most unexpected and she wished she could say yes. Alexandra’s eyes show fear and determination at the same time. Which of the two she felt most, Natasha couldn’t tell.

Your father would kill me if he knew I took you, child. Besides, you will be in my way in Betseba and that is not a place for a princess. No, I can’t put your life, that of the people of Betseba, nor mine in danger like that.

You will desert me to this grim fate? I don’t quite understand you. She sat on the bed with her back toward Natasha.

Natasha’s tears started to fall. Although she would never admit it to anyone, it broke her heart to leave Alex­andra alone. What else she could do? The princess needed to make many decisions and she needed to make them on her own.

I am ready to go, Alex, she murmured, so the girl couldn’t tell the sudden change in her voice. This room is empty, my satchels piled by the door and even my handmade floor rug is in one of them. I can’t wait any longer, nor do I want to. She hugged the princess one last time and bent to retrieve the bundle at her feet.

I wonder, if I disappear for a while, will my father re-think his demands of me?

Interesting idea, Natasha stopped. The guards would discover you before you get to the castle’s door, wouldn’t they?

Natasha abandoned the bundle on her bed. Even if you made it out of here, everyone knows you and will give the alarm that you left. They will send the troops to stop you and take whoever is with you to the dungeon. All for what child? So you don’t have to make decisions on your own?

There must be another way. I just need more time to think things over and peace to do so, that is all.

Good, she is not thinking of running away from her troubles. She wants time to sort them out, that is a good sign.

What if I hide?

Where, in my handcart? Once I add these bundles, it will be full and I couldn’t pull you and my things if you were in it.

Natasha’s eyes smiled in pride at the girl’s desire to not give up.

I think I have it…. What if you cut my hair to my shoulders and I dress as a peasant boy … no one would believe I am the princess.

That is only half of it, Alexandra. I taught you better than that. Look at all the possibilities and then choose the best.

What didn’t I think of? the girl asked.

She turned the princess around to look into her eyes.

What will you do there?

I can help you with the people there. You have said it yourself, I am not half bad with herbs. I will do my best to stay out of the way, I promise.

The people in Betseba are poor and will know that you don’t belong among them. You talk and walk different from them.

Different? I don’t understand, aren’t they from our kingdom? What language do they speak?

The language of the poor and uneducated, Natasha sighed.

I will keep my mouth shut and I won’t say a word until I learn to speak the way they do, she begged.

You are going to get us both killed, child. Natasha lips cracked to show her consent. Now sit still. I can’t cut your hair when you wriggle so.

Natasha couldn’t help but feel proud of her; she had come up with a plausible solution all on her own ... well mostly.  No, it wasn’t safe, but it would give her more time to teach Alexandra how to help not only herself, but all the citizens in Karelie and get Stanislav out of their lives permanently, without telling her how to do it.

Ron?

"Yes,