Once upon a time ...part 5 a

“Let’s begin!!  The rule of the game is you need to answer my questions in one word.  What is your favorite pastime?” she asked. “ I love to..do magic tricks.”, he said, carefully phrasing words. “ This was just a warm up. Where are you from?” she asked. “ Xantia” he replied. Her questions became more personal and bit complicated. “ Describe love in one word.”, she asked her final question. “ Life!” he replied instantaneous.

She didn’t listen to his reply. However she left without goodbyes or see you again as she was summoned by Queen Candice. 

Queen Candice had given a big post birthday celebration for her daughter. There were many kings, queens, princes, princess, noblemen and famous writers. But Princess Adele still felt lonely. For her, companionship of these people was burden and pretentious. They didn’t matter to her. She badly wanted to go out as she had heard so much about the outside world.

Next day was as usual. Princess Adele and Maxim sat alone without speaking to each other. Each of them were in their own world. The silence had become their best friend forever. But this wasn’t for long time when Maxim spoke with all courage, “ Won’t you continue the game we had stopped, princess? I reckon it is my turn to ask you question.”, he said , smiling shyly at her. 

“ Ohh Yes! Why not?? “she said in monotonous tone. “ Hmmm.. what is your favorite colour? “ he asked. “ Red, colour of love ’ she said. He asked questions in such manner that she wasn’t offended by them. “Describe your dream in one word.”, he asked his last question. “ Hmmm…dream.. I want to discover life beyond these four walls.”, she answered. “ Weren’t you supposed to describe your dream in one word?”he said coyly. “ Oh! So you win! You can ask me for anything you want.” , she said showing off her fake smile. “ Can I ask you for my reward, tomorrow.”, he asked. Princess Adele nodded while agreeing to what he asked for.

On the other side of Faraway land, the evil sorcerer, Arcus, plotted his vivacious plan to get the princess outside the palace. He smiled at what he was seeing in his crystal ball. “ Love was indeed a solution for all the problems.” , he thought.

(To be continued)

Once upon a time...-part 4

Tigger moaned as Maxim caressed his yellow stripped coat. His desperation to meet her increased.” Was it love at first sight? How could anyone be so graceful and innocent at the same time?” he thought.  

“Good morning, Mr. Maxim. If you are done with Tigger, I would like to take him for a walk.”, the voice of woman of his dream said.  He was dumbstruck by the beauty standing next to him. She came close to him and waved her hand on him. “Ummm sorry, princess. You could, he is yours.” , he said handing the leash of Tigger to her.  He stood staring at them leave. 

As she walked forward, she turned  and said, “ Won’t you care to join us?”  He apologized again and followed them.  They had been walking for a quite some time. They hadn’t spoken a word in their journey.  Only thing that spoke was the emotions .He could see that she was gloomy and deep into some thoughts. He wanted to know what was bothering her. But he didn’t ask. He just let the time pass when it was time for her to leave. She  bid goodbye to Tigger and him. It was the only conversation that they had.

Few days passed the same way. He would push himself with motivation speeches to speak to her. Alas! he would be dumbfounded.  

It was beautiful evening. The orange sky had replaced the clear blue sky. The sun was almost set. The birds were flying towards their home. They sat on bench in one of the royal gardens while Tigger made himself comfortable on green ground. 

“ Are you always this quiet, Mr Maxim?” she asked. He blushed and said, “ No, Princess. Why do you think so?” “ It has been weeks since we met and we hardly spoke.” , she replied. “ I am bit intimidated by your presence, princess.” , he said shyly.  “ Intimidated! Interesting! No one ever told me that. I have never felt such a way.” , she said with startled expression. “ Hmmm.. how do I seem more friendly that you don’t get frightened by me. Why don’t we play a game? It’s called ice breaker. First I will ask you ten questions and then you could do the same.”

He was getting ready to play the game. This was going to get interesting. He would get to know her well. She started preparing few questions in her mind.

(To be continued)

Once upon a time...part 3

Maxim was at the huge hallway of the palace. He looked at his surroundings, trying to absorb the beauty of the palace in his eyes.  

“ Ahem!!  Ahem!! You must be the new help. I am Mariam, the head of royal servants.  Please follow me.” , a short fat lady said as she gave him the tour of the palace. She also explained his duties.  Fortunately his work was to serve the princess’s pet tiger.  This was great!  He had to get the princess out of the palace. This was going to piece of cake for him as he was going to feed her pet tiger.

Next day was perfect. He was early than expected and inside the premises of princess’s tiger. He had bought tons of meat in two huge buckets. They were quite heavy for lean guy like him to carry. All of sudden, the tiger pounced on him. Within few seconds,  he was beneath the tiger’s heavy body. The tiger glared at Maxim as if he would gobble up his (Maxim’s) body. 

“ Hey Tigger!  Leave that poor guy. You are frightening him.” , Princess Adele called her pet tiger. Tigger followed her instructions like a good kitty. He let go the poor lad.  Maxim got up on his feet and cleaned the dust off from his arms and legs. “ Thank you, Ma’am.” , he whispered and looked down with embarrassment.

“ Next time, don’t get the bucket  full of meat for Tigger. He would pounce on you as he did today due to excitement. He loves his meat. So always tie him before you feed him. He is a gentle creature but he gets more tempted by the smell of meat. Are you new here?”, she said while giggling in between.

He glanced up for a minute to answer her question. Alas! He couldn’t keep his eyes away from her. He had never seen such beauty up close. People were indeed right about the princess. She was an exquisite beauty.  He didn’t say anything as his eyes followed her every moment until she left the place.

He was head over heels for her. He couldn’t wait for the next morning to start. He left to his quarters with dreamy eyes. His night was filled with fantasies about her in his dream world. Next day was normal as usual. He fed Tigger and cleansed him. He waited for her. But there was no sign of her.

Few days passed. She still didn’t come. “ Doesn’t she love  you, Tigger. Why isn’t she coming?”, he said to his new found companion.

 (To be continued)

Once upon a time -part 2

He smiled while looking at the crystal ball. He loved to disclose the plans of his opponent through his magical expertise. The crystal ball was one of his favorite devises amongst his magical powers. He was known as Arcus, the powerful sorcerer of Faraway land. His big scary personality matched his evil nature. His only goal was to destroy the kingdom of Faraway land. This was only possible if he could get the heart of Princess of Adele.

He wasn’t happy about his inability couldn’t do anything to get the princess out of the palace. He had planned various ways to get princess out of the palace. However he never executed any of his evil plans as he wasn’t satisfied with them.

“Master, I bought you the things you asked for. Do you need anything else?” a young lad asked. Arcus turned towards the direction where the lad stood. Suddenly an idea struck his head. “Why didn’t I think of this?”, he thought. He looked at the young man again. “Come inside, son.”, he said politely. The lad was startled by his master’s behaviour. He always faced the wrath from his master. But this gentle side.. there was something wrong. “ Come here!”  Arcus said , this time firm yet polite. He did as he was told.

The lad- Maxim was exceptionally handsome.  He had sparkling blue eyes and athletic lean body. He had sharp facial features. His hair was blonde that was pulled back into pony tail. He had come to Arcus to learn sorcery. However he became his domestic help. 

“ Do you want to be powerful sorcerer like me?”  Arcus asked. Maxim nodded. “ I can help you to be one if you could do me small favour.”, Arcus continued. “I can do anything to be a sorcerer. What do I need to do?” Maxim said. “You will go to the palace tomorrow as the new help there. Your goal will be to induce princess out of the palace. Bring her to me.”, Arcus said.

Maxim had no clue about his evil plans. He simply agreed the deal , his master put forward. He never once disbelieved his master words. He had to get princess here. Though it wasn’t simple or tough, he was ready to do it.

(To be continued)

Once upon a time... Part 1

Long  long ago , there was a lonely princess who had everything in her life. She had beauty that was envy of every woman in Faraway land.  Her face was round shaped and her skin was as white as snow. Her eyes showed her innocent personality. Her hair was shiny black which was long and thick.

 She had huge palace with never ending rooms and infinite gardens. She had countless servants who served her every minute. She had a pet tiger that was apple of her eyes. She had caring step mother who loved her more than anything else. But nothing made her happy. She felt something was missing in her life.

Was it the world outside the palace? Her step mother’s overprotective nature never allowed her to venture outside the palace. She would always tell her that people outside were evil and they would harm her. But that just added fuel to her curiosity. She would peep secretly out of the window of her room in the palace. The outside world didn’t look horrifying to her. It was serene and joyful with happy people.  “Why did ma not let me out to enjoy with these people?” she wondered. She tried to convince her step mother. However nothing helped. She felt like a prisoner at her palace. 

It was her 16^th birthday. She had been waiting for it patiently. At last it had come. The day when she could wish for anything! She was now a grown up. Hence she was confident that her mother would allow her.

“ Happy birthday, Princess Adele. I wish you year filled with joy and happiness. What do you want, dear?”her step mother, Queen Candice asked. Adele remained quiet for some time, thinking deeply about the wish she was going to ask. After deep thought, she said innocently, “ I want to be allowed to go outside for a day.”  “ What! You know I can’t grant you that wish. You could wish for anything else except that one. You know how I feel about the outside world.” Queen said softly. “ Ma, please allow me! I feel lonely here. I want to make new friends and experience spirit of friendship. I won’t let you down.” , Adele pleaded.

But queen left without granting her the wish. Adele ran into the garden. She cried uncontrollably and scolded the Queen in her heart. 

Queen Candice looked at her daughter from her balcony. She could understand her feelings. But she could do nothing about it. There was danger in form of evil sorcerer who wandered outside the palace. She was safe in the palace. Adele was not old to enough understand this. “ How do I make her understand that it’s not safe outside?” she wondered.

(To be continued)