The Wrong Door

Princess Elizabeth stomped down the marble hallway of Versailles, her small gold tiara slightly crooked from her tantrum. The morning sun streamed through tall windows, casting rainbow patterns on the polished floor.

"I don't want another etiquette lesson!" she declared to the empty corridor. "I know how to curtsy perfectly well."

Her royal purple dress swished as she marched toward what she thought was the library. Instead, she pushed open a heavy wooden door and found herself in the castle's side courtyard. A plain black carriage waited by the servants' entrance.

"Finally! Get in, miss," called a gruff voice from the driver's seat. "Your father's been waiting."

Elizabeth blinked in confusion. The man wore rough brown clothes and had a scraggly beard. He certainly wasn't one of the royal coachmen.

"I think there's been a mistake—" she began.

"No time for chatter! Hop in before someone sees us."

Before Elizabeth could protest further, strong hands lifted her into the carriage. The door slammed shut, and they lurched forward into the busy streets of Paris.

An Unexpected Passenger

Elizabeth bounced against the carriage walls as they rattled through cobblestone streets. Through the small window, she glimpsed busy market stalls and morning shoppers.

"Where are you taking me?" she called to the driver.

"To meet your papa, just like planned," came the gruff reply. "Keep quiet back there!"

The carriage stopped with a jolt. Elizabeth heard voices outside - rough men talking in hushed tones. The door swung open, revealing a second man with yellowed teeth and a crooked nose.

"Well, well," he grinned. "Little Miss Merchant's daughter, right on schedule."

"I'm not a merchant's daughter!" Elizabeth protested. "I'm Princess Elizabeth of France!"

Both men burst into laughter. "Princess!" the yellow-toothed man wheezed. "That's a good one! And I'm the King of Spain!"

A small gray parrot perched on his shoulder squawked, "King of Spain! King of Spain!"

The driver climbed down and peered at Elizabeth. "She's got fancy clothes, I'll give her that. But princesses don't wander around servant entrances."

"Exactly," said his partner. "Rich merchant's brat with big dreams. Her father will pay handsomely to get her back."

Elizabeth's heart sank as she realized her mistake had put her in terrible danger.