The Heart of Carlyle Castle

Prompt: Once upon a time, in the English countryside, there was a magnificent castle called Carlyle Castle, where a young 18 year old prince named Richard Carlyle XII lived in pampered luxury. Despite his charmed life, Richard was kind, generous, and noble to those who remained loyal to him. He loved animals and was often seen spending time with his most favorite pet, an orange tabby cat named Prince. Richard's subjects adored him, and were always there to help out. However, life was not the happiest for Richard at the moment, for his mother, Lady Eleanor Carlyle, had been very ill, and recently passed away. After the funeral, the royal solicitors read Lady Carlyle's will, which reveals she has left Carlyle Castle to her son, making him the new ruler of the estate. Richard was honored to hear the news, but deep down, he was not entirely sure if he was ready to rule the place. His subjects could easily see that he was not feeling ready for this, and Winston, Richard's loyal majordomo, reassured him that they will be here to guide him like always. Meanwhile, in the kitchens of Carlyle Castle, an 18 year old orphan girl named Danielle de Barbarac, who worked as a servant and a scullery maid, overheard the news about Prince Richard being named as the new ruler of the castle from the other cooks. Danielle was a kind, hardworking young girl who was very smart, beautiful, and unafraid to stand up for what she believed in. Despite her life as a servant and a scullery maid, she was grateful for the good things she had. She often came out to feed the farm animals of the castle, and sometimes talked to them, for she had a way with animals. Whenever she came upstairs to feed Prince the cat, he always purred in happiness and contentment as she gently stroked his fur. Danielle also had a secret that she had kept to herself for a long time: She was in love with Prince Richard. However, she was also certain that it was only a fantasy, and it would stay that way forever, for she did not believe that the Carlyle Prince himself would ever be interested in a commoner like her. One day, Prince Richard saw Danielle feeding the Royal Guard Dogs in their pen. He was amazed to see them cease their violent barking and start wagging their tails every time they saw her. One younger guard dog even let Danielle pet him. "You seem to really have a way with animals.", Richard said as the girl turned around and saw him. "I've only seen them look this happy when I come around, too." Taken by surprise, Danielle quickly gave a curtsy when she realized he was the Prince. "Thank you kindly, Your Highness.", she spoke softly. "I've always thought it seemed right to treat animals kindly." "As have I." the Prince responded as he gently scratched the ears of another young Guard Dog. After thinking for a minute, he said, "You're the girl who gives my cat the best meals, aren't you? Prince always seems to purr whenever he sees you in the kitchen." Danielle was shocked for a second, but said, "Yes, that was me, Your Highness. My name is Danielle de Barbarac." This time, Prince Richard looked a bit shocked, for he knew the name de Barbarac from somewhere. "Like Lord Auguste de Barbarac?" "Yes, Your Highness. He was my father. He...he died when I was 8 years old." She did her best not to look sad, for her vain and cruel stepmother, Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, had taught her to never show weakness to anyone. But it wasn't easy, for Danielle had had many hard losses in her life, such as losing her mother, Nicole de Lancret when she was only 5. Despite the kindness of one of her two stepsisters, Jacqueline de Ghent, her other stepsister, Marguerite de Ghent, and her stepmother showed no familial love or kindness to her. Prince Richard, however, only showed kind sympathy instead of patronizing pity. "I'm terribly sorry to hear about that, Miss de Barbarac. My mother used to speak highly of your family when I was very young. You have my condolences." Danielle smiled "Thank you, Your Highness. I offer you mine as well. We were all very sorrowful when we heard of Lady Carlyle's passing. But you need not worry about me. I know Mother and Father will always be with me." Prince Richard smiled back. From that day on, he and Danielle became good friends, meeting in certain places of the castle, such as the Royal Library and the farmhouse where the animals lived. Danielle had to lie to her stepmother about her whereabouts, saying she was helping volunteers at the Royal Charity Donations in Carlyle Castle. Eventually, Richard allowed Danielle to call him by his first name, and Danielle was quite honored to be seen as more than just a servant. Sometimes Richard would bring Prince the cat along with him, and the cat would always purr when he saw Danielle. They exchange stories about their families. and Richard promises Danielle that he would do his best to help her with her situation with her stepmother and stepsisters. Eventually, a Royal Masquerade Ball at Carlyle Castle was being planned out, and Richard personally delivers Danielle's invitation, revealing that he had invited not just royalty and nobility, but also commoners. Danielle is not sure about going to the ball, due to the fact that her stepmother will recognize her, but Richard surprises her by showing a beautiful dress, shoes, mask, and jewelry that his subjects had made for her. Two handmaiden sisters, Ellen and Melody, help her wash up and apply makeup, while the others help her get dressed. Soon, Danielle barely recognizes herself as she stares in the mirror. At the ball, Richard and Danielle dance together and share a beautiful night with each other. Unfortunately, Danielle is soon recognized by her stepmother, who realizes that Danielle had been lying about where she had been whenever she'd come home late. She tries to drag Danielle away to punish her, but Richard stops her, knowing that Baroness de Ghent and Marguerite are responsible for illegally stripping Danielle of her title as Lady de Barbarac. Thanks to Danielle, he has finally found the courage to become the King that Carlyle Castle needs. He orders the guards to arrest Rodmilla and Marguerite, forcing them to work as servants in the castle for the rest of their lives. Richard gives Danielle a sanctuary in the castle. During the rest of the Ball, Jacqueline finds love with a young man named Nigel, who works with the Royal Guards. Eventually, Richard realizes he has truly fallen in love with Danielle. He soon proposes to her, and Danielle gladly accepts, knowing she will have a happy life with him as Queen of Carlyle Castle. Her dream was finally becoming reality. Soon, the wedding was arranged, and it was an amazing success. Prince the cat even got to be the ring bearer, carrying the rings on a pillow strapped to his head! Once Richard and Danielle sealed their vows with a kiss, everyone cheered. The reception party was even better, with several animals around to play as well. And so, as the years passed, Danielle and Richard grew to be the beloved and respected King and Queen of Carlyle Castle. And they lived happily ever after.