Pretty Pretty Princess Pinky

Once upon a time, in a distant land, there lived a renowned artisan named Marelle. Her skill in crafting exquisite feathered neckpieces for the swans of Splendor Lake had earned her a reputation far and wide. However, her peaceful life was about to be disrupted when she received an unusual summons from the enigmatic Pretty Pretty Princess Pinky, who ruled over a realm on the other side of the Forest.

Pretty Pretty Princess Pinky was notorious for her obsession with appearance and her refusal to wear anything more than once. This had become the stuff of legends, with many in the land sharing tales of her extravagant lifestyle. Marelle, initially reluctant to create beautiful things that would only be worn once, eventually set out on the arduous journey through the dense forest to reach Pinky’s castle.

As Marelle ventured deeper into the woods, she stumbled upon three unexpected companions: Lobster, Bobster, and Bill. Bobster, a wise seagull, Bill, a boisterous frog, and Lobster, well, a lobster, welcomed her to join their chess game. “Do you play?” asked Bobster Marelle, who had forgotten how to play, answered. “No, it has been a very long time so long that I have forgotten.” “Well, it is just like riding a bike, you never really forget.” Bill wisely chimed in. They all helped to get Marelle reacquainted with the game, unaware of how special this moment was for her. She had lost her son tragically years ago and had never had the opportunity to play chess with him as he had promised. This unexpected encounter warmed her heart, and they shared stories and laughter well into the evening.

As night fell, Marelle prepared to continue her journey. The three gentle companions asked if they could accompany her for the night, assuring her that they sought only a peaceful night’s sleep. Marelle agreed, and together, they set up camp nearby. Lobster expertly built a warming fire, and Marelle cooked a hearty meal for them all. Marelle had no idea that this was the first proper meal the three had enjoyed in a very long time.

As they shared stories around the campfire, the trio spoke of the grim state of affairs in the forest under the rule of Pretty Pretty Princess Pinky. The princess’s relentless self-obsession had drained her kingdom of all value, leaving her loyal subjects in dire straits forcing them all out of the Kingdom. Even her name, Pretty Pretty Princess Pinky, was emblematic of her vanity. Marelle couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread as she contemplated her impending meeting with the princess.

Bill, in a hushed whisper, warned Marelle to be cautious, recounting how the princess had used and discarded them after extracting what she wanted. Marelle hugged her newfound friends, promising to return after her visit to the princess. With that, she gave them her tent and supplies, vowing to reunite on her journey home. “No worries, I will return.”

Continuing toward the castle, Marelle noticed the forest becoming increasingly barren and desolate. The once-vibrant landscape now appeared lifeless, devoid of moss, grass, leaves, or birds. Her heart grew heavy as she pressed on, knowing that she was unlikely to satisfy the whims of the capricious princess.

Finally, Marelle reached the castle and knocked on the imposing door. It swung open, revealing a hollow and abandoned interior. There were no furnishings, no decorations on the walls, and no signs of life. Marelle could hear the approaching clack of high heels against the marble floor, growing louder with each step.

In a swirl of pink silk and gold adornments, Pretty Pretty Princess Pinky made her entrance. She scolded Marelle for her tardiness, to which Marelle responded with an apology and a curtsy. The princess examined the swan neckpieces Marelle had created, prompting Marelle to ask where she had obtained them.

With tension thick in the air, Marelle dared to speak her mind. She questioned whether the princess truly understood who she was and challenged her self-centeredness. Marelle leaned in close and whispered a cryptic reference to the Ogre of Knolls Castle then she hissed “Jussssttt ask him if you don’t believe me. Oh that s right, you can’t can you?” As we all know Marelle ended the evil reign of the Ogre of Knolls castle just weeks before. She was betting by the look on her face that the Princess knew too. Then, she boldly declared that she would not make anything for her and she would never return, leaving the enraged princess bewildered and alone in her empty castle.

Marelle made her exit, unopposed, realizing that Pretty Pretty Princess Pinky had driven away everyone with her selfish ways. She had no guards, no family, no friends, not even one lady in waiting, she was utterly alone. As Marelle ventured back into the forest her mind was focused no longer on the princess but on the swans of Splendor Lake. Marelle would meet up with Lobster, Bobster, and Bill on her way to check on the swans, Marelle always found solace in knowing that bullies like the princess were nothing more than fragile shells waiting to crack under the weight of their own vanity.

To be continued…

The castle pictured is actually The Gingerbread Castle I use to go to as a child in Hamburg New Jersey. We lived near it and often drove by it watching it slowly crumble year after year. It seems like it may be reopened.

You can read all about the Swans of Splendor Lake here: https://lamarellecouture.wordpress.com/2023/08/16/the-swans-of-splendor-lake/

And you can also read about the Evil Ogre of Knolls Castle here: https://lamarellecouture.wordpress.com/2023/08/18/the-ogre-of-knolls-castle/