The Royal Garden Wait

Anisa adjusted her purple dress and sat on the marble bench in Queen Sunbeam's royal garden. The golden flowers around her swayed gently in the warm breeze. King Frost paced back and forth across the stone pathway, his silver crown catching the sunlight.

"She's taking forever to decide," King Frost muttered, running his hand through his white beard. "What if she says no?"

"Queen Sunbeam will say yes," Anisa said with a bright smile. "I saw how her eyes sparkled when you proposed yesterday."

The garden doors opened with a creak. Queen Sunbeam stepped out, wearing her flowing yellow gown. Her golden hair was braided with tiny diamonds that twinkled like stars.

"King Frost," she said softly. "I have made my decision."

Anisa held her breath. King Frost stopped pacing and turned toward the queen, his blue eyes wide with hope and worry.

The Uninvited Guest

"Yes," Queen Sunbeam said, her voice filled with joy. "I accept your proposal, King Frost."

Anisa clapped her hands together. King Frost's face broke into the biggest smile she had ever seen. He rushed forward and took Queen Sunbeam's hands in his.

"We shall combine our kingdoms," Queen Sunbeam continued. "The Golden Kingdom and the Ice Kingdom will become the Diamond Kingdom."

A loud crash came from behind the garden wall. Prince Goldenlocks stormed through the gate, his golden hair messy and his face red with anger. He wore a small silver crown that looked too big for his head.

"This is outrageous!" Prince Goldenlocks shouted. "You can't just make a new kingdom without asking the other princes!"

King Frost stepped protectively in front of Queen Sunbeam. "Prince Goldenlocks, this is a private moment."

"Private?" Prince Goldenlocks laughed bitterly. "When it affects my small kingdom too? I won't let you take over everything!"

Anisa watched as the young prince clenched his fists. His jealousy was clear in his narrowed brown eyes. This celebration had just become much more complicated.