🌀 Chapter 4: THE KINGDOM WITHOUT RULES
575 Words
The next morning, Princess Poppy woke to a very strange sound laughter, clanging, and splashing!
She rubbed her eyes and ran to the window. What she saw made her jaw drop.
The kingdom of Luminara had turned upside down!
Guards were playing leapfrog across the courtyard. Bakers were tossing dough into the air like balloons. Horses wore crowns and pranced through the royal fountain, spraying water everywhere!
Even the royal chef had joined in he was chasing a flying pancake that refused to land on the plate.
Poppy gasped. “Oh my stars! What happened to everyone?”
Liri fluttered beside her, rubbing her forehead. “Your wish happened, Princess. Without rules, everyone’s doing exactly what they want and the kingdom’s going bananas!”
Poppy ran through the castle, her slippers slipping on soap bubbles that floated through the halls. The chandeliers swung wildly, singing silly songs. The guards’ armor was dancing on its own.
In the kitchen, she found Bobby the cat wearing the royal crown, l*****g whipped cream straight from the mixing bowl.
“Bobby! That’s the King’s hat!”
Bobby meowed proudly and jumped onto the table.
Then, the King himself appeared still kind, but looking very confused. His royal cape was tangled around his arm, and his golden crown was crooked.
“Poppy,” he said gently, “something strange has happened to the castle. The rules have vanished and so has order.”
Poppy bit her lip. “I… I think it’s my fault, Father.”
The King sighed softly, though his eyes were full of love.
“Then, my dear, it’s also in your power to set things right.”
Poppy looked at Liri, who nodded firmly.
“Every spell can be undone,” said the fairy, “but it takes more than a wish it takes wisdom.”
Poppy straightened her blue ribbons. “Then I’ll fix it. I’ll make things right again.”
In the royal kitchen, cookies chased the cooks, giggling as they jumped from trays.
The palace maids were painting the walls in rainbow stripes.
Even the royal musicians had turned their instruments into flying kites!
Outside, the kingdom was no better. Horses galloped through flower beds, fountains sprayed pink lemonade, and the King’s royal robes had somehow grown wings and were fluttering around like butterflies.
At first, everyone laughed until things started to break.
The towers leaned dangerously from all the bouncing.
The fountain overflowed.
The bakery ovens filled the air with smoke.
Poppy’s heart sank as she looked around.
“This isn’t fun anymore…” she whispered.
The King placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“My dear Poppy,” he said softly, “freedom without rules is like flying without wings it cannot last.”
Poppy looked up at him, eyes wide with guilt.
“I wanted to make things better. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
The King smiled kindly. “Mistakes are how we learn. What matters is what you do next.”
Liri nodded, landing on Poppy’s hand. “There’s still a way to fix it, Princess but it won’t be easy. You’ll need something rare, something powerful…”
Poppy straightened her ribbons, determination glowing in her eyes.
“I’ll do it,” she said firmly. “Tell me what I have to find.”
Liri fluttered higher, wings shining like starlight.
“Then our quest begins, Princess Poppy for the Tear of True Obedience.”
- Writer
