Beastly Bride
A Frog Prince Retelling
Cordelia Castel
www.CordeliaCastel.com
Copyright © 2017 by Cordelia Castel
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.
www.CordeliaCastel.com
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Beastly Bride Fairytale: Free Offer
Cendrilla by Cordelia Castel
The Academy by Cordelia Castel
The Witches by Cordelia Castel
Millissa by Cordelia Castelk12
About the Author
Chapter 1
Freida sprinted through the main thoroughfare of Springton, her gaze fixed on the palace gates. Wind rushed over her bare skin, and the movement of her running exacerbated her wounds. If she could reach the King’s guard, she would be safe. She would be free from this awful torment.
She glanced over her shoulder, shrieked and picked up speed. The furious half-man, half-hedgehog marched toward her, playing the royal anthem on its bagpipes. Her bare feet pounded the cobblestones, blood trickled down her thighs, and every muscle in her body screamed in agony. But she would not slow. Not when that creature would stick more of its filthy quills into her flesh.
The sun rose from behind the distant, snow-covered mountains, its rays making the blossoms on the trees glisten like rubies. Freida continued up the High Street. Vendors opened their windows, gaping at the sight of Vern’s Princess running naked through the streets. However, Freida couldn’t concern herself with modesty. Having a monster intent on turning her into a pincushion made such minor worries pale into insignificance.
In minutes, what felt like the entire Kingdom stood outside, watching her disgrace.
“Guards!” The King’s guard crossed their swords over the entrance. Freida screamed in frustration. “It’s me! Open up. Can’t you see the monster at my heels?”
Captain Sapling sprung into action. “Let her in.”
The guards pulled the gates open, and Freida sprinted to safety. It was only when they closed behind her that she stopped. “Arrest that hedgehog!”
The captain rolled up his sleeves and advanced on the creature, as did five of his men. With one arm wrapped around her chest and another covering her crotch, Freida sneered. These six warriors would carve him into hedgehog meat.
Hans, or whatever the creature called itself, threw aside his bagpipes and got into a bizarre fighting stance. Freida held her breath, waiting for the carnage. The quills stuck inside her flesh stung worse than the time she’d fallen into a wasp’s nest. She needed medical help, but it was worth delaying until the guards had avenged her injury and disgrace.
With one thrust of its upper body, the hedgehog man threw quills into the guards’ faces.
“What are you doing?” she yelled at the flinching men. “Go after him!”
But Hans had already disappeared halfway down the High Street, and none of the cowardly vendors chased after him. Not even to throw a rotten tomato at his spiny back.
The doors of the palace flew open, and Mother ran out. “What is this commoti—darling!” She pulled off her cloak and wrapped it around Freida’s shoulders. The garment inched the quills further into Freida’s back. Flinching, she screamed.
Mother grimaced. “I’m sorry. Come with me.”
Now that she was safe, it dawned on Freida that everyone in Springton, and along the roads leading from the ramshackle hut in the woods, had seen her naked. She bent her head, unable to meet the astonished gazes of the servants. In the periphery of her vision, she could see Mother trying to pat her back, but snatching her arm away. She murmured soothing words, but Freida couldn’t hear them above the pain and shame and resentment.
At last, they reached the palace infirmary, a room with whitewashed walls, and four sterile-looking beds. The faint scent of elixirs hung in the air from the wall of glass cabinets holding the doctor’s medicines. The doctor had his fluffy white head bowed, inspecting some parchment. When Freida whimpered, he raised his gaze, and his eyes widened.
“My dear girl,” exclaimed Doctor Twigg, “What happened to you?”
Freida’s bottom lip trembled. “I-it was…it was awful!”
The doctor furrowed his white brows and stood. “Your Highness, anything you tell me will be in the utmost confidence.”
“That’s the problem. Everybody saw!” she wailed.
He turned his gaze to Mother. “What in the Seven Kingdoms is going on, Your Majesty?”
She rubbed her head. “Perhaps if you took out the quills, Freida would be more amenable to speaking.”
After Doctor Twigg had plucked the quills from her front, using the most wicked-looking steel pincers, Freida lay face-down on one of the beds. Not even the strongest painkiller could ease her humiliation. That evil creature had laid her bare, mocked her underdeveloped body and then paraded her in front of everyone. And worse, everywhere he’d stuck her with quills had left an unsightly hole, rather like a plucked feather.
She buried her head in her arms, sobbing. All her life, she’d been groomed to marry a prince, and for Father to hand her over to a hedgehog was devastating.
The door opened. k'12
“How could you, Sire?” spat Mother.
“Silence, woman. I will see my daughter,” replied Father. His loud footsteps moved closer, and he placed a heavy hand on her back, making her flinch.
“Why, Father?”
The hand stroking her back stopped. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Hans told me everything.” She raised her head and stared into Father’s bearded, guilt-ridden face. “How could you promise a hedgehog your daughter for helping you out of the woods?”
Father flushed and pulled at his collar. “It was more complicated than that, I—”
“I know about the fake contract. What in the Seven Kingdoms made you think he couldn’t read?”
Father’s eyebrows raised to his forehead. “The creature was literate?”
“That’s not the point!” She scowled. “Didn’t you think he would want revenge for trying to trick him out of his reward? And why did you send me of all people? Momo could have gone in my place!”
“Alas, that option escaped my mind. From this moment, Momo will be disciplined in your stead.” He gave her a gentle pat, and pain shot through the multitude of wounds on Freida’s back. She shrieked.
“My apologies!”
It took several months for the scars to fade, and during this time, Freida stayed in the palace with Momo. To her delight, Father had stayed true to his promise, beating Momo with a switch for Freida’s every misdeed. This arrangement suited Freida. It seemed a just compensation for having been punished by the hedgehog for Father’s transgressions.
One morning, she was strolling through the hallways. The aroma of cherry blossoms wafted in from the open windows, but a terrible stench hit her sinuses. She whirled around and found a large, filthy beggar walking toward the grand double doors. She rushed to the bannister and was ready to shout at him to clear out when she noticed the guards open the doors for him. Freida narrowed her eyes and stepped back, not wanting to sully herself by attracting his attention.
From the triple-height windows over the grand doors, she could see Father inspecting a strange wagon filled with burlap sacks. When he seemed satisfied with its contents, he shook the man’s dirt-blackened hand.
Freida wrinkled her nose. Why would the King of Vern ever want to touch a dirty vagabond? The dirty man gave Father a jaunty wave and walked toward the palace gates. Father gestured to Captain Sapling, who stepped into the driver’s seat. The vehicle retreated down the driveway, accompanied by half the King’s guard.
Freida rushed down the marble staircase to meet Father coming through the doors. “Who was that disgusting derelict, and what was in the wagon?”
He inspected his hand, grimaced and then rubbed it on his purple, velvet cloak. “That, Free-Free, was your dowry. You are to be wed to the Crown Prince Alec.”
Delight burst from Freida’s heart, widening her eyes. “Truly?”
“Yes, my little crab apple.” He held out his arms. “Now, will you forgive me for the hedgehog?”
Freida flew into Father’s embrace, and he spun her around. She peppered his face with kisses. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m going to rule the United Kingdom of Seven!”
Father chuckled and rubbed Freida’s back. She was sure it was the hand that had shaken the filthy beggar’s hand, but she was so elated at the prospect of becoming Queen, she decided not to berate father. After all, he had just made her dreams come true.
Chapter 2
Over the next ten days, Freida would wake up each morning at dawn. She would race down the stairs to see whether an invitation had arrived from King Clement, Prince Alec’s father. She couldn’t trust Momo to do the job. These days, the dullard moved too stiffly and had developed a tendency to drop things.
It was one morning, just before sunrise, when Freida awoke with a jolt. Something told her today would be special. She jumped out of bed, her feet landing on Momo’s arm. The servant whimpered and opened her eyes.
“I think the letter is coming today,” said Freida.
“You say that every morning, Your Highness,” muttered the lumpy figure in the blanket.
Freida kicked her in the back. “Get up! Prepare my bath, you lazy beast.”
Momo obeyed, but the devious girl affected a limp. Freida narrowed her eyes and watched her retreat to the bathroom. She would probably lie in the bath when Freida went to get her letter, but she had no time to berate recalcitrant servants. She had an invitation to read.
She rushed down the hallways, barreling past servants, until she reached the mail house.
“Good morning, Your Highness,” said Postie.
“Did it come?”
He scratched his head, and Freida scowled. The insolent man was keeping her in suspense on purpose. Then he reached into a shelf and pulled out a scroll with a red seal. “If you mean this—”
Freida snatched the proffered item, raced back through the hallways, and sat on her favorite window seat. The letter was addressed to Father, but she paid that no heed. It was about her future, so she deserved to read it first.
Dear King April,
We accept your dowry for the hand of Princess Freida of Vern, conditional upon the young lady meeting our son, the Crown Prince Alec. Should that encounter prove favorable, we would be delighted to proceed with the betrothal.
Yours sincerely,
King Clement
Squeezing her eyes shut, Freida scrunched the parchment to her chest and squealed. She may have kicked her legs out, as she caught a passing maid on the shin.
“Oh! I’m sorry, Your Highness.” The young woman scurried away, clutching an armful of sheets.
Freida curled her lip and was about to call her back, when she spotted Mother and Father strolling down the hallway. She leapt off the window seat and sprinted toward her parents, waving the parchment. “It’s here! They said yes. All we have to do is meet.”
Mother furrowed her brow. “Was that addressed to you, dear?”
“It was about me, so it was mine to open.”
Father bared his teeth. In the morning light, they looked even whiter, especially against his mahogany beard. “And how many times have I told you not to open my correspondence?”
She shrugged. “Hundreds.” She handed Father the scroll and stepped out of grabbing reach. “If you have a problem with it, take it up with Momo. Shall I call her down?”
“Yes,” he growled.
“Oh, Sire. Hasn’t that poor girl suff—”
“Silence!”
Mother stiffened, and Freida sprinted up the stairs. She would have to find someone else to run her bath, as Momo would be busy for the next few hours.
The next day, Freida sat in the beautiful, golden carriage Father reserved for very special occasions. She wore a white, silk dress embroidered with delicate pink cherry blossoms she’d commissioned for meeting Prince Alec. Father sat opposite, reading a scroll.
It took more hours than usual to reach Metropole, as Father wanted everyone in the streets and countryside of Vern to see his splendid daughter. She would become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, after all. Freida preened under the attention, but when they reached Clement, the ride became boring.
She slumped in her seat, wishing for something to kick. “Tell me again why Momo couldn’t come.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Do you want everyone to know how many transgressions you commit regularly? Just one look at the girl, and everyone will know.”
She nodded. “I suppose not. But when I’m married, I won’t need a whipping girl.”
“Just don’t do anything to jeopardize this betrothal.”
Metropole was as beautiful as ever. The walled city stood on a hill, and from the East, they could also see the adjacent hill on which the Academy sat. A frisson of excitement shot through Freida. Prince Alec had attended the Academy. It was an institution for the elite, and you either earned your place there by battling fearsome creatures or by being of the right stock. She shifted in her seat, to get the pressure off her right buttock and fantasized about the dark hair and muscular physique of her betrothed.
Once the carriage passed through the East gate, Freida’s attention perked up again. Everyone on the streets and outside the exclusive boutiques stopped what they were doing to stare. She sat up and lifted her chin. Soon, she would rule them all.
They reached the main square, and the guards let them into the palace. A footman helped Freida out of her carriage, and for once, she allowed the underling to touch her royal hand. The future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms needed to show grace and humility to all subjects, no matter how lowly.
Father put his hand on the small of her back and they followed another servant through the vast hallways. With his powdered face, deliberate posture and the flourishes in his bows and gestures, he was exactly Freida’s type of lackey. She made a mental note to promote him once she became mistress of the palace.
“King April of Vern and his daughter, the Princess Freida,” he said to a rotund herald.
“Thank you, Wilfred,” the man whispered back. He held the door handle and announced them.
Butterflies fluttered in Freida’s stomach, and she sucked in a breath. This was it. Her moment of honor and pride. The herald opened the door, and she stepped inside, shoulders back, nose in the air, to make the maximum impression.
King Clement sat on the throne next to Queen Rhodopis of the Pharaoh Islands. The Royal couple turned a pleasant smile at them, but it wasn’t them who captured her attention. Standing next to the Queen was a statuesque man with an olive complexion. His hair was the color of black coffee and he had the most expressive brown eyes she had ever seen. And he was looking at her!
Her heart had stopped beating, but when he inclined his head, it stuttered back into action and wanted to leap out of her chest and into his arms. Only decorum kept her from sprinting towards the magnificent beauty and showing him how a Princess could love.
“Good afternoon, guests,” said the King.
Freida was sure the Queen said something too, but her entire being was zoned into that face, that body, those eyes. This Prince was her past, present and future, and she couldn’t get enough of him. Her breath came in shallow pants, a delicate bead of
sweat trickled down her brow, and she felt she could swoon with desire.
“What a beautiful young woman,” said Queen Rhodopis.
Freida straightened, allowing the Prince to admire her splendor.
The young man gave her a polite smile, and Freida furrowed her brow. He was probably holding back his ardor for the sake of decorum. The connection they had was so deep, she could read his every heated thought.
“Ah! Sorry I’m late.” A shorter, pudgier and balding version of her Prince jogged past. He stopped and raised his eyebrows. “Are you Freida, then?”
She pursed her lips, glancing over the commoner’s shoulder. He was obviously a distant relative of less noble stock, but to keep her Prince’s favor, she nodded. “I am.”
He offered his hand, and her insides roiled. This upstart took far too many liberties. She glanced at her one true love, who looked back with interest. He was likely assessing her to see if she had a charitable nature, so she placed her delicate hand in the man’s pudgy palm, and he brought it to his flabby lips. “Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
The Queen placed a hand on her brow. “Must you adopt an informal nature at all times, Alec?”
A blast of cold hit her insides, and she stared at the chubby man. “Alec?”
“Of course!” said Father, clapping Freida on the back. “How are you, boy? It’s been near fifteen years since I last saw you.”
A sick feeling suffused Freida’s entire being. It was like drowning in a vat of vomit. This ugly little man was her betrothed. She wanted the other one standing by the throne! Her legs wobbled. She might have been able to accept Alec if she had seen him first. He was human, which was a step up from a hedgehog. However, after falling for his younger, more handsome brother, she wasn’t sure she could go through with the marriage.
Beastly Bride: A Frog Prince Retelling (Perrault Chronicles) Page 1