Princess Charming

1: Damsel School Drop Out

“Princess,” the teacher called as she walked over to the young girl.

“Pah pah pah,” Cassidy whispered to herself as she jammed the red crayon into the paper. “Take that you evil dragon!” She looked up from her crayons and colored pens.

“I must ask you to go to the Head Mistress’ office.”

Putting her red crayon down, Cassidy stood and looked up at her teacher. Unlike the other girls who were drawing their “ideal Knights in Shining Armor,” as the assignment had asked, Cassidy was drawing a dragon… without a head. Next to it, there was a girl in a pink dress… holding a sword.

“Yes, Madame,” Cassidy replied in her sweet little voice. She added a finishing touch to the dragon’s tail and pushed in her chair. Her teacher looked over her shoulder and saw the picture. She was instantly horrified. Cassidy smiled up at her teacher, who gave her a forced smile.

“Um… Princess?”

“Yes, Madame?”

“What exactly is the red for?” her teacher asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

“The dragon’s blood, duh,” said Cassidy with a smile. “I mean, it’s dead, right? So it has to have blood.”

Her teacher nodded slowly. She waited patiently for Cassidy to gather her things and leave the room before crumpling up the offending picture and throwing it away so as not to frighten the other girls.

-

“I’m afraid,” the Head Mistress said quietly as the King and Queen of the Sun Kingdom watched her. “That your daughter, Princess Cassidy…” The King and Queen were on the edge of their seats. Cassidy was staring at a bird outside the window.

“Yes? What is it?” the Queen asked worriedly.

The Head Mistress closed her eyes and put her hands firmly on her lap. “Princess Cassidy has… flunked out of Damsel School,” she said. “I cannot let her attend any longer. She has engaged in very unladylike behavior, and I cannot allow it. Even our finest teachers cannot train her in any other way.”

The Queen took in a little breath, and put her head on her husband’s shoulder.

“Isn’t there anything you can do?” the King asked hesitantly. “Please, give her another chance. There really is no other alternative to Damsel School.”

It was true. There were only three routes a child could take—Damsel School, The Academy of the Knights in Shining Armor, or they could turn to the Dark Side and become a villain. Of course, no parent would ever desire the latter.

“I’m afraid I can give no more chances,” said the Head Mistress sullenly. “There is really nothing more this school can do for her. I suggest that you, Your Highness, train her yourself. You are truly the epitome of a Damsel, and I’m sure your daughter could learn quite a lot from you.”

The Queen blushed. “Why, thank you, Head Mistress,” said she. “But I am afraid that all I know has come from your school and your teachers. If you have failed, I am sure to fail.”

Cassidy turned to look at her mother, and toppled backwards in her chair.

“Oops,” she said. “Sorry.” She stood, righted the chair and sat down, her skirts in a lump on her lap. The Queen reached over and rearranged the fine cloth so that the folds fell nicely across her daughter’s legs.

“Right, well,” the King said with a cough. “Thank you for your effort, Head Mistress. We commend your efforts.” He stood and took his wife’s hand. She touched Cassidy’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Head Mistress,” the Queen said quietly. She turned to Cassidy. “What do you say?”

“See ya when I see ya,” Cassidy said with a wave. The Head Mistress smoothed out her dress and closed her eyes. The King passed a hand over his face, and the Queen forced a smile.

“Let’s go, Cassidy,” said the Queen. Shaking his head in dismay, the King led his family out of the room.

As much as I hate starting a new story without finishing the old one, I felt that this story needed to be published. Any constructive criticism is welcomed, especially since this is a new piece! Thank you for reading!

-Lefty