Princess Delicia and the Good Fairy - Part Ten

The guards of the wicked king went to the poultry-yard. There instead of the turkey-maiden, they found a beautiful girl who was dressed like a princess. 

The guard looked at the girl warily. “We are looking for a girl called Delicia.”

The girl was taken aback. “I am Delicia. What do you want with me?”

The guards then tied her hands and feet with thick ropes and took her to the wicked king and the dwarf son.

The king looked at the tied Delicia with disdain. “Why don’t you love my son who is far too handsome and good for you?” The king suddenly looked threatening. “If you don’t agree to marry my son, you will be tarred and feathered.”

Delicia was afraid because she was sure that the king would carry out his threat. “Please don’t hurt me. Give me two or three days to decide.”

The king then ordered that Delicia be shut up in the dark dungeon.

Meanwhile the good fairy and queen came to the poultry-yard and they were stunned not to find anything there.

The queen was miserable again, because she was sure that this time she would see her daughter finally.

Then the two of them learned what had happened to the turkey-maiden and the two of them were even more miserable.

However, this time the fairy decided that she was going to save Delicia.

That night when the wicked king went to bed, the fairy changed herself into a mouse. The mouse then went under the pillow of the wicked king and nibbled the wicked king’s ear.

Adapted from the Fairy Tales written by Countess d’Aulnoy

Princess Delicia and the Good Fairy - Part Nine

The old woman studied the young girl keenly. “You are more valuable than ten kingdoms. But how is it that you neither have a father, mother or friend?”

The turkey-maiden sighed. “I lived with a fairy called Cancaline. While I was with her, all she did was hit me and treat me harshly. I ran away from there. As I ran through the forests, I saw a prince. He offered me a job to be in charge of his poultry. I accepted the offer, but I did not realize at that time that I would have to see that prince everyday.” The turkey-maiden seemed annoyed. “This was the evil prince and he comes here everyday to pester me to marry him.”

The old woman immediately realized that this was Princess Delicia.

“What is your name?” The old woman asked the turkey-maiden.

“I am Delicia.” 

The fairy hugged the girl. “I am an old friend of yours. Now wear this precious dress, instead of what you are wearing.” The fairy said giving the girl a lovely robe and precious diamonds.

The fairy asked the turkey-maiden to wait till the next day while she brought some pleasant news for the turkey-maiden. The fairy went to her castle to bring the queen to this place.

Meanwhile while the turkey-maiden waited, the wicked prince went back to his own palace and cried in rage.

The king heard the prince and was annoyed. “What is the matter?”

“The turkey-maiden would not marry me.” The prince told the king angrily.

The king was furious on hearing it. He ordered his guards to bring Delicia to his own palace so that he could talk to her himself.

Adapted from the Fairy Tales written by Countess d’Aulnoy