The Princess of Waterfall Castle

By Pamela Causey Stanforth

Not your ordinary royal princess! Angeletta of Waterfall Castle has coarse, greenish-brown hair, her body seemingly marred by a disfiguring hump. Yet, Prince Benroy finds this odd girl as intriguing and captivating as her lovely, fiery red-haired cousin, Serafina. But, were they responsible for the deaths of his parents, the king and queen of Wisteria? Will the prince find the mystical lagoon and refreshing place? Will Prince Benroy be forced to choose a wife from among the ladies invited to the Introductory Ball? If he fails to choose by midnight on his 19th birthday, will his cousin Alastor, or his Uncle Nerezza take his throne, forcing him to abdicate? Will there ever be another Bequeathal Ceremony? Relationships are messy but we find encouragement within these pages—that God really does answer prayer, that life does bring heartache, but God is faithful to His promise. He will never leave or forsake us, even when all looks hopeless. A thread of love, hope and faith runs through this story of: giants and wars, prince and princess, drama and surprises, lies and deceit, love and betrayal, and through it all, we find our heart is touched, senses sparked, as we are drawn into a tender, suspenseful journey where we just might see our own struggles and victories within the pages of The Princess of Waterfall Castle!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781973684411

Pamela Causey Stanforth

Mother, grandmother, aunt of multiple young teenage darlings influenced by the Princess, Prince on the white horse, fairytale storylines of our times, hoping to present a steal your heart fairytale with all the drama and dreams that girls have, while holding to biblical moral integrity and age appropriate content. Pam has been Community newspaper feature writer with multiple front page lead stories, having interviewed a plethora of folks and written real-life love stories. She is a fine artist and motivational speaker, evangelist and Christian School teacher recognizing the call of God, bidding her to walk a little further, share a little more and maybe help another find sure footing upon this narrow path.

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Copyright © 2020 Pamela Causey Stanforth.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-9736-8442-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-8440-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-8441-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020901155

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/30/2020

To my dear friends—thank

you for your time, your truth, tears and prayers. And to my granddaughters—You are each heart of my heart, my very own Princesses and together, we are His daughters! LUGLUM!

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Prologue

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I t was said that the guards would escort the king and queen near but not to the actual place of their stay. This was done to maintain the secrecy of the royal hideaway. The guards would leave the queen’s carriage parked at an agreed place. The queen and king would go by horse the rest of the distance. The guards would go back to the castle and wait for the seventh day, when they would return to the place of the carriage to escort the king and queen back to the castle.

This event, according to library records, was one repeated by every king and queen for the past 150 years. The refreshing time was a coveted time that allowed reigning kings and queens a chance to renew their commitments to each other, away from the demands of their positions. It gave them opportunity to focus only on each other, to rekindle attractions, and to celebrate all of God’s loving intent within their marriage.

The actual month of the event was not listed in the records, the randomness providing protection for the royals. Nerezza, however, knew—according to reports received; specifically, gossip within the castle by ladies who waited on the queen—that she was packing items that alluded to, as in times past, the royals’ secret refreshing time being at hand.

Nerezza knew their comings and goings well. He had several informants keeping daily logs of routines for both the king and queen. The time was now to make his move. After all, the prince was too close to succession age, and whatever chance he had of his plan working must be taken soon. He received notice from one of Draco’s informants. Both the king and queen are secretly giving instructions to their castle staffs and have canceled a number of events. They have assigned overseers for province interactions and placed the prince under the charge of the king’s knight. It was a clear indication that the refreshing time was near. It also meant the couple would be traveling with a limited number of guards.

Nerezza notified Draco to ready his men. Draco was his lifelong friend, oldest son of Lord Chades of the Mountain Region, beyond the borders of Wisteria. Although Lord Chades was not a subject of Wisteria, he was a loyal ally against any foreign threats. Draco and Nerezza had become fast friends from a very young age, having been pitted against each other during festival games. As young men, they soon discovered the merit of theatrical performances, displaying their sparing skills, sometimes faking injury to gain female attention. A time or two, Draco went so far as to cut himself, just so it looked real.

Draco was a formidable foe with the sword, archery, and at hand-to-hand combat, and his mere presence commanded attention, as he stood a head taller than the average man. His hair fell in long black curls that he tied at the nape of his neck. His face was mostly obscured by a froth of curls that he consistently attempted to push behind his ears. His eyes were as black as his hair, but curiously, his skin was porcelain in appearance, seeming more so against the mass of dark hair. His forearms and chest were thickly muscled, and his voice was deep and sultry, belying the waiting danger that lurked just below the surface. Nerezza appreciated and relied on all of Draco’s skills, especially his unemotional, apathetic approach to tax collection from the less inclined to pay.

Draco, take the men and follow the king and queen. Your men can sometimes be rowdy, so be sure they understand they must keep a discreet distance. Nerezza was feeling empowered; after all, this was his first big decision made without input from his brother, the king.

No worries. I will make sure our plans go well. I have as much invested to our success as do you, Draco replied.

Nerezza stared at Draco, trying to read his thoughts, and then, with a little more force than he had intended, he responded, No, Draco, you do not. This is my family, my heritage, my throne!

Draco never blinked or changed expression. Yes, Nerezza, and you are my chosen family and lifelong friend, and I know my place. I also know it is my life, not yours, that will be taken if this plan falls through! Why not allow my men to take the pair as soon as we find them? Why must we wait?

I have decided I will allow them to have their last, precious refreshing time. Perhaps it will make them less guarded, easier to overpower. Besides, I have a personal score to settle with the so-called king. I want to be present; I want him to understand that it is I who holds his fate. It is I who will declare judgment. I want to see the face of my arrogant, self-righteous, so-called brother, to witness when he realizes the rightful king is in control.

Nerezza had grown up watching what he considered favoritism shown to Ayre by their father, King Ayre I. Each time he thought he saw differences, his jealousy against Ayre grew. He remembered the day Ayre approached their father, asking for the king’s blessing upon his choice of Ariella as his wife. Their father was pleased, but for some reason, Nerezza felt a cold anger growing. He knew how Ayre felt about Ariella. Still, something drove him to try to win her. She was lovely, but more than her looks, it was that their father considered her father a close friend. Although Nerezza knew Ayre’s intentions, he hurriedly approached Ariella’s family and asked for her hand. He believed this would put him in a better position with his father.

Lord Malcolm, I am King Ayre’s firstborn, and I am ready to be betrothed. I have chosen Ariella, if you will give your permission. He remembered the startled look on her father’s face, and he seemed to struggle to find words.

This is a serious request. I was unaware that you and Ariella were interested in each other. Of course, I will need to speak with my daughter before giving my blessing. I feel the choice belongs to her.

Nerezza remembered feeling angry with the man. After all, he was the king’s eldest son. He decided another approach. Sir, a father can influence his daughter when he knows what is in her best interest. You know if she marries me, she will be given the title of princess and will become queen when I take the throne.

Yes, I am aware of what comes with marrying into royalty, but my daughter’s happiness is of utmost importance to me. I am sure you understand. I will speak with her and allow her to make this decision. I do not hold to arranged marriages.

Although Nerezza pressed the issue, Ariella was firm in her refusal. However, because Nerezza was first to declare his intentions publicly toward the girl, Ayre and Ariella then had to delay making public their intentions. Nerezza was furious that Ariella refused and even more so that his father was supportive of Ayre. However, he felt somewhat mollified that the gossip would be that Ayre was taking his brother’s seconds; at least, that is how he and Draco managed to spin the gossip.

In his anger, Nerezza made a terrible mistake by then proposing to Lady Gilda. She accepted, and the two made plans to be married immediately. Nerezza recalled his conversation with his father. For reasons he did not fully comprehend, Nerezza relished the thought of making his father angry. Maybe he wanted him to feel as he did, or maybe he just wanted to get back at him because of his love for Ayre, who was not even of his real bloodline.

His father owned Castle Doros, located at the outer edge of the kingdom of Wisteria, and Nerezza petitioned him to give it to him as a wedding gift, when he told the king he had proposed marriage to the Lady Gilda. Of course, as Nerezza had anticipated, when he asked his father’s blessing, his father was furious.

Nerezza, you are heir apparent to my throne. Lady Gilda is not appropriate to be the future queen. You know her reputation. She has never been discreet in her affections. Your mother and I have introduced you to several young ladies of proper background. Surely, you might choose someone from among these.

Nerezza could see the disappointment in his father’s face, and it made him angrier. I do not wish to have a wife chosen for me! You and mother are supportive of Ayre’s marrying Ariella. You did not choose her for him. He saw a look in his father’s eyes and wanted to ask him about it, but he was afraid of what the king might say, so he pushed on. I will marry Lady Gilda, with or without your blessing, and if you are not happy with my choice, then it is a good decision to give me Castle Doros, and we shall live there. He expected his father to beg him not to go; he expected his father to change his mind and give his blessing. After all, Nerezza would be the future king. It was that moment that it came to him to make one last threat. I have no desire to be king. Let Ayre, the adopted son, become king. I wish to remove myself as heir apparent. I will marry Gilda, and we will live at Castle Doros.

His father had not said a word as he continued to give him that look. Nerezza wished he would strike him, scream in anger—something. Instead, he shook his head and turned from him, his shoulders dropping. He looked suddenly quite old, and his voice came out as one who was totally defeated. Nerezza had never heard that tone in his father’s voice.

As you wish, son. I will arrange for your abdication if you are determined to marry Gilda. You may have Castle Doros, but she will not hold the title of princess.

At that moment, Nerezza’s heart became cold, and he felt like an outsider in his own home. She deserves the title of princess, he argued. I am sure you will not withhold the title from Ariella.

His father simply nodded his head and waved Nerezza out of his presence.

After that day, things moved too fast. Nerezza, no longer heir apparent, married Lady Gilda and moved to Castle Doros. His parents did relent and give Gilda the title of Princess of Castle Doros. The king and queen did not attend the wedding, which was held at Castle Doros, but they later gave the couple a huge reception at Wisteria.

Nerezza had not planned on attending Ayre and Ariella’s wedding, but Gilda had pressed him until he finally gave in.

His parents were happy by the match, and people spoke of the wedding even now. He hated every minute of that day; he smiled and wished them well, while in his heart, he vowed to find a way to make them both pay. Sure, he had chosen to relinquish his rightful claim to the throne, and he had married against his father’s wishes, but Nerezza felt that if his father had tried harder and showed he loved him more, as his own blood son, than he did the adopted son, Ayre, Nerezza would not have made those choices.

Only a few years later, Gilda gave birth to a son, the true heir of his own father’s bloodline—his son, Alastor. It was then that Nerezza’s decision to relinquish the crown weighed heavily on him. He approached his father after Alastor’s birth, begging him to find a way to reinstate him as heir apparent. His father looked at him, his eyes sad. To this day, the king’s words still haunted Nerezza; they still felt like hot coals searing his heart to a blackened char.

What is done is done. You made your choice.

It was then that Nerezza realized their relationship was beyond repair, and he knew why. It was because of Ayre, the boy he claimed as his brother, the outsider who did not share royal blood. He was nothing but a commoner, a thief who had stolen everything from him—his birthright, the girl who was rightfully his, and the love of and relationship with his father.

Draco understood. He was a true friend who had been with Nerezza for most of his life. He was a confidant, willing to put his life on the line to help regain what had been stolen from him. Draco showed his loyalty by leaving his father’s land and staying on at Castle Doros. It was Draco who supported and encouraged him to reclaim his throne. He helped establish spies within Castle Wisteria and was quite adept at securing whatever information was needed in most any situation. It was Draco who pushed Nerezza to request that Alastor be named Prince of Wisteria, stating, Humble yourself. Ask your father that he be named prince. This will set him up as a legal heir.

Yes, Draco was a loyal friend. He’d stood by his side when Nerezza had lost his wife, helped to find care for Alastor, and provided female distractions for Nerezza. He recalled his hasty decision to marry Gilda. He could not say he loved her, but she served his purpose in causing his parents’ consternation. He had learned to care for her, and with the birth of Alastor, he felt a newfound—although short-lived—respect for his wife. When Gilda became sick with fever, he spent time providing care to her. He wondered if it was love he felt or fear of being left alone to raise Alastor.

Gilda never recovered from the fever; she died when Alastor was five years of age. His parents tried to support him during this time. His mother arrived at Castle Doros to help in her care, and Nerezza recognized he felt almost appreciative that Gilda’s sickness brought him closer to his mother. That was short lived, for only a few months after Gilda died, his father, King Ayre I also died of complications from fever. However, he lived long enough to name Ayre II, his successor. Had it not been for Alastor and Draco during the months following, he would have killed Ayre.

Alastor took the death of his mother very hard, and Nerezza noticed a change in the boy. He became withdrawn at first and then suddenly, changed, becoming almost obsessed with having friends around and involving himself in activities. Nerezza knew he spoiled the boy, giving in to his slightest whim. He was an impertinent child, but Nerezza appreciated that Alastor would never permit anyone to get anything over him, and he demanded respect. He was the one great thing in Nerezza’s life

Go to Castle Wisteria. Become the doting, caring uncle to your nephew while the king and queen are away. Use your time to form relationships, Draco had encouraged. It was a good plan and had allowed him access to all he needed to implement their plans.

Six days had passed since Nerezza arrived at Wisteria. Nerezza did not do waiting easily, but if all went according to plan, it would be well worth the wait!

One of Draco’s men arrived at Wisteria with a message. All is well. Plans in place. Success is near! We have discovered the place. We wait for your arrival..

Nerezza made much ado of his leaving, sending a message to both Ignatius and Benroy that he was heading back to Castle Doros, since his services were no longer needed, as the king and queen were soon to return.

After an hour’s ride, Nerezza called to the driver to stop the carriage, gave instructions as to where they would meet later, mounted his horse, and, with his guards, headed to meet Draco.

They rode for another hour before Draco’s man motioned for them to stop and dismount. The rest of the journey was on foot, guiding their horses through the forest, carefully making their way through thickets, and finally stopping on a ridge of sorts that overlooked a