The Princess Test: The Skazka Fairy Tales, #4

By Valia Lind

A bookish girl. A cursed prince. A tiny dried legume that changes their lives forever.

 

Konstantsiya has one mission in life: to finish all the books on her reading list. Lost in the pages of a book, she would rather hide under the stairs with her best friend than attend any social gatherings. But when a royal decree announces a ball, she thinks this is her one chance to see the royal library.

 

Finding the library proves to be easy. What she doesn't expect is the prince.

 

Gorgeous, kind Prince Vladimir is everything she was taught royals are not and when he invites her to visit the library whenever she wishes, Konstantsiya can't say no. Spending time with the prince wasn't on her list, but she can't deny their connection.

 

When secrets force them apart, she'll need a miracle to find her happily ever after. Or maybe just an uncomfortable mattress and a magical pea…

 

Set in the world of Skazka, The Princess Test is a standalone cozy fantasy retelling of Russian Princess and the Pea fairytale. This novella is a sweet and swoony romance, with just enough magic to brighten up your day.

 

***The Princess Test is a complete standalone set in the world of Russian fairytales. Journey back to Skazka or begin your adventure for the first time with this enchanting tale. Each book in the Skazka Fairy Tales series can be read on its own and in any order. Happily ever after guaranteed!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Skazka Press
• Release date: Feb 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224586233

Book preview

one

Today better not be a failure because my anticipation levels are above the Skazka's tallest tree. It's my favorite time of the week and I've been waiting for it somewhat impatiently. Today is the day when, instead of pretending to collect berries in the forest all day while I read my book in peace, I get to go into the village and actually read in peace, while hanging out with my best friend.

It's basically a day of celebration.

That makes me sound dramatic, and I very well may be. I think it comes with the territory of having an overactive imagination, but that's the price one pays when one is an only child with only an incredibly cautious aunt for a companion. Well, and the forest creatures I come across in the woods of Skazka.

The forest itself is magical—and not figuratively speaking. It is actually full of magic. Skazka is a living breathing magical land and she does as she pleases. Sometimes she makes it snow in the summer just because she wishes the land to look a little extra pretty, covered in a dust of white against all the green. Sometimes she makes sections of forest die out so completely new growth can spring up; trees no one has seen before. There are also magical creatures straight out of my beloved books—like Beda, the wailing ghost of misery that walks among the trees, or Samodivas, the dancing fairies that can sometimes fly—existing deep within the forest. They're as dramatic as I am, so I fit right in.

I've never actually encountered any. The only creatures that hang out with me are of the typical variety, but I've heard plenty of stories. Not from my books but from other kingdoms. High Queen Calista herself defeated the legendary Baba Yaga after all. Just because I've never experienced magic firsthand on such a grand scale, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I experience little moments of it everywhere.

But that's neither here nor there. The important aspect of today is getting out of the house without catching Tetia Masha's attention. Even though it's barely seven in the morning, my aunt is already in the kitchen baking. Technically, I'm supposed to be going into the forest to pick blueberries today for some blueberry muffins, but I'm rebelling.

A new shipment of books is supposed to be coming in and that is much more important, which is why I am currently climbing out of my bedroom window. I made sure to put a wooden crate under it last night and thankfully, it holds. I hike up the bottom of my sarafan, probably exposing most of my legs to the outside world, but there's no one out here—unless some magical creatures are hiding right beyond the tree line. If they want to look at my legs from the shadows, then by all means.

Our cottage is on the outskirts of the village, bordering the forest. The village itself is in between two kingdoms, and our kingdom, Teoploye Tsarstvo, is so small that we only have a moderately big castle down the road from us. Because of our proximity to the trading passage, we have quite a few commodities adapted from the human realm. It's been fascinating to watch how the two worlds coexist now. I heard the queen of Volkovskovo Korolevstva, the kingdom south of us and the trading passage, actually comes from the human realm.

Truly scandalous!

Well, I don't think so. I think it's amazing. But I heard the gossip—and those exact words—in the streets. Everyone always has something to say about other people's lives.

My simple brown lace-up boots make hardly any noise on the ground as I hurry into the forest at the back of the cottage. The air is turning cooler by the day and I made sure to grab a long cardigan to pull over my traditional sarafan. At least the long jumper dress is worn over a blouse, so I have layers. The dress is light purple—my favorite color—and one of few that I own that are at all festive. Tetia Masha likes more muted colors.

I grab the bag I stashed behind the barrels on the way out and race for the village. It's only about a ten-minute walk, but I'm eager to get there. I stay near the road but keep to the trees. Some of the gossips will say the forest is dangerous, but she's been such a big part of my life I can't imagine her being anything but good to me.

When I come out onto the road near the village, my friend, Karina, is waiting near one of the buildings. If I didn't know any better, I'd think we were sisters. Even our names start with the same letter—something that bonded us to each other early on.

We're the exact same height, about five-four according to the new measurement system the villages have been adapting. We both have the same brown eyes framed by long lashes and the same thick eyebrows that I tend to furrow in concentration while she raises hers in surprise. My lips are slightly fuller than hers, but still the same shade of light pink. The only true difference is our hair. Mine is a curly blonde mess while hers is a gorgeous dark cascade of straight locks. I'm a little envious. I've never seen hair as shiny as hers. She typically wears it in two braids, falling over her shoulders, while I leave mine free, which is probably why it's so wild, but oh well.

There you are! She rushes towards me like her dress is on fire.

What? What? I'm not even late.

Karina doesn't wait for me to catch my breath before she grabs my hand and pulls me into the street. The other difference between us is that she's nineteen and I only recently turned eighteen. So most of the time, she thinks she's the boss of me, but then has the audacity to call me the bossy one.

You're going to pull my arm out, I point out as she drags me behind her.

Then keep up, she calls over her shoulder without slowing down. We make it to the village center in record time, and I realize, for such an early morning in the middle of the week, there are a lot of people out and about.

What's going on? I ask and get shushed in return. Karina's eyes are on the fountain that sits smack dab in the center of the village, a big circle of space with buildings all around and streets fanning out like flower petals in all directions. From what I've read, this is a very typical setup for a small village. I shake my head a little and turn my attention to the fountain just as a man climbs onto the edge of it. He's dressed in the royal maroon colors worn by most of the palace staff.

Good tidings to you, citizens of this grand village. I bring to you those words written and those to be said.

That makes no sense, I mumble, and this time, the woman next to me shushes me. I watch as the man at the fountain holds up a paper and then clears his throat.

By the decree of the king, these are the words that are to be said and heard: every eligible maiden of noble blood is required to present herself for the royal ball to be held in a fortnight from today. Those whose blood is not of noble descent are invited to partake in the festivities, as the kingdom has much to celebrate. The time has come for the prince to choose a bride and this will be an event for the history books. The king is much pleased with you and wishes to share this grand occasion with his people. The notice will be posted with further information. The king thanks you.

No one really talks like that anymore, I whisper, enticing a soft giggle from Karina.

A murmur runs through the crowd as the man climbs down from the fountain. I guess he's done.

Looping my arm through the crook of Karina's elbow, I tug her away from the crowd toward her home, which so happens to be right above the small town bookshop her parents run. It's how we first became friends over ten years ago.

I needed a new book to read and I had no allowance to spend. So I hid between stacks of books in their shop and devoured everything I could until I was discovered by none other than Karina. She, in turn, showed me her favorite hiding spot in the store, which was under the back stairs in an area I would've never gone to myself. It was only when we got older that we realized her parents knew about our spot because how else would we have the comfiest pillows or the coziest blankets randomly show up nearby? Or snacks that would appear right when we were getting ready for a long reading marathon?

Our love for stories is what bonded us all those years ago, and honestly, it has done so for life. Even though we don't always agree on the genre or the book.

But wouldn't it be wonderful if we still talked like that? All romantic and proper like. Karina sighs as we weave in and out of the rows of people.

Since the human realm is just a passage away, many of the books have made their way over to Skazka. My favorites are the ones with all the mysteries and thrills, while Karina is notoriously in love with what is called Regency Romance. The number of times she has practiced her swooning will not be mentioned as it far surpasses an acceptable amount.

It would not be wonderful. It sounds pretentious and confusing and you know it. That man made no sense.

Okay, fine, but a ball? You understood that part, right? We're going.

We are so not going. I chuckle. I can't help it. Me, at a castle—that is an amusing thought.

Why not? They said everyone is invited. Aren't you curious to see what all this fancy blood stuff is about?

"Nyet, I reply immediately. As it was said, the prince is looking for a bride and needs himself a princess or a noble. You and I both know nobles have been visiting the kingdom in recent months for this exact reason. And now, they've put together a ball because the prince hasn't found anyone. You're the one who reads romance books. You've read this one before, haven't you?"

We reach the bookshop then, and I can't help but smile at the wooden sign over the door. It simply says "Knizhki and it thrills my soul like nothing else. Maybe calling the store books" isn't the most inventive of names, but I like the no-nonsense approach. There's no confusion.

"Da, I have and it's my favorite, but I still want to see it for myself. To watch someone fall in love⁠—"

He won't be falling in love. He'll be picking a bride out of a lineup.

We step inside