Pretend Princess: Concordia, #1

By Mary Mager

In the mountain Kingdom of Concordia, how can King Bartholomew ease the loneliness of young Queen Gabrielle, who longs for a child of her own? Borrow one, of course! A young girl named Olive becomes the Queen's companion, growing up with one foot in a palace and the other in a cottage. But what happens to a Pretend Princess when the King and Queen have a child of their own?

 

With humor and a vivid cast of characters, "Pretend Princess" turns the fairy tale on its head in this engaging story, the first book in the Concordia series.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Mager
• Release date: May 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393728009

Mary Mager

Mary Mager is a Nevada – raised writer and songwriter.  She has been a registered nurse, a business owner, substitute teacher, and stay-at-home mom, which; she considers her most rewarding occupation.  Mary has always been a storyteller, and since retirement from the business world she has had the time to work on projects inspired by the special joy of having a grandchild on her lap. She has been a church musician for many years, and that experience led her to compose her own songs, culminating in release in 2014 of an album, “On Grandma’s Lap,” a collection of bedtime songs and lullabies.  At the same time, she has continued to imagine and write stories both long and short for her grandchildren. “Pretend Princess” is the first book in the Concordia series for middle-grade readers. "Under the Summer Sun" is the second in this engaging series. Mary has a Facebook page, On Grandma’s Lap, and a website:  http://www.ongrandmaslap.com. She is delighted to hear from her readers at [e-mail].

Book preview

Chapter 1 – Concordia

ONCE THERE WAS a comfortable little kingdom called Concordia, a fortunate land having just the right amount of everything. Not too much snow in the winter, sufficient rain in the summer, enough good land and pasture for farms and flocks, and peaceful relations with neighboring kingdoms. The castle overlooked the town of Concordia and it, too, was just the right size. Its white walls sparkled in the sun during the day and glowed in the moonlight, making people happy to look at it. Tall mountains surrounded Concordia, making it somewhat isolated, but its people felt secure and protected there, proud of their kingdom and its young king and queen.

High up in the castle, King Bartholomew looked out his window from his massive desk, its surface covered with piles of papers and important-looking documents, and sighed. His stomach rumbled, as he had again forgotten to eat lunch, but that was not what was bothering him. He was thinking of his wife, Queen Gabrielle, and wondering what she was doing just then.

Probably in her garden, again, he thought, with the fond smile that image of her always brought. But then his smile faded a bit. Not for the first time, Bartholomew wished his wife would spend more time consulting with him on the running of the kingdom, or at least being nearby instead of in her private little garden, He knew she felt overwhelmed by her responsibilities as queen and he was inclined to give her time to herself, even though more than a year had passed since she had become his wife and queen. Bartholomew expected that eventually she would help him as his mother had helped his father, but so far Queen Gabrielle had not involved herself in the running of the kingdom.

She is not used to Concordia yet, and she misses her home, he decided. She’ll come to love it in time. Putting aside his pen, Bartholomew made up his mind to stretch his long legs and go look for her.

There was a lovely garden within the walls of the castle and this is where Gabrielle

spent most of her time puttering about with plants and potting soil. She loved to see things grow and bloom, and it was the one place in the palace she felt at home. In this quiet refuge she could forget her cares. She had a parakeet named Chipper, her one friend from her old life, who kept her company while she watered and weeded among the pots. The bird was flapping around in his cage while Gabrielle put in fresh water.

Biscuits! Biscuits! screeched the parakeet. This was the only thing he knew how to say. No one knew how he learned that word, but he used it for everything, apparently hoping someone would give him one. He fluffed his green feathers dejectedly when no one did.

Bartholomew quietly entered the garden with the idea of surprising his wife with a kiss. As always, the sight of her filled him with tenderness. He thought her the loveliest woman he had ever met, slender and graceful, with hair the color of chestnuts and a gentle smile. He took a step, but stopped when he heard her talking to Chipper.

It’s so lonely here, Chipper, she was saying. How I wish we had a child!

Bartholomew wanted to give her a hug then, as they had been hoping to start a family. But so far that had not happened which was a cause of sorrow to them both. The King had even stopped having events for children at the palace, as he thought it would make Gabrielle sad to see others’ children while they had none of their own. Evidently, he was mistaken.

I wish there were girls and boys around to keep me company. We could play games and sing, and read stories, as I used to at home. Gabrielle continued fussing with the cage. There had always been nieces and nephews around where she grew up. Gabrielle turned away from her pet and saw her husband, who pretended he had not heard. Her face lit with happiness to see him.

Gabby, I needed a break, and just wanted to see what you were up to, he smiled. Will you have tea with me? Just then his stomach gave a loud rumble.

Gabrielle went to him and threw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. With one hand she brushed aside the wavy brown curl that was always drooping over his forehead.

Have you eaten anything? You must take better care of yourself, she scolded.

Gabrielle knew how hard her husband worked to make Concordia prosper, and felt herself lacking because she was not helping him govern. When his parents were killed in an accident shortly after the young couple wed, Bartholomew threw himself into his new role as reigning monarch, while Gabrielle was timid and unsure of herself. The people of Concordia treated her with formal courtesy, but she felt somehow unwelcome, stepping into the role of their beloved queen as she did. Although she wanted to help her husband, she did not know how to begin.