Arina in Wonderland. Full Version

By Elena Kryuchkova and Olga Kryuchkova

The book contains a trilogy about Arina's adventures.

The Beast and not a Single Beauty.
Arina enters the magical world and meets the fairy Miranda, who is trying to disenchant her godson, Prince Henry (his face is disfigured by evil spells). And only the kiss of the princess can disenchant the Prince. Together, Miranda and Arina open a marriage agency ‘Weddings and Roses’ and advertise on a magic mirror. Not only princesses rush to the agency, but also fraudsters. The work in the marriage agency is in full swing. At this moment, Miranda's license, which allows her to use magic, expires. The fairy tries to get money and decides to undertake an unforgivable adventure, as a result of which the royal ruby falls into the hands of the zwerges (mountain gnome-jewelers). And it ends up on the necklace of the goddess Freyja. King Richard, father of Prince Henry, is extremely unhappy with Miranda's actions. However, he asks the fairy to find a bride for him too. Fairy Chloe arrives at the marriage agency as a pretender to the King's heart. It soon turns out that it was she who, in a fit of anger, once bewitched the Prince...
***
Magic Detective.
Read the sequel to the book ‘The Beast and not a Single Beauty’. The magical adventures continue!
Peace in Miranda's magical world did not last long. Through the fault of the mysterious White Rabbit, the Magic Crystal of Moonlight, an artifact of King Oberon, that fulfills wishes, disappeared. If the greedy inhabitant of the wizarding world takes possession of its, it will do a lot of trouble.
Miranda, meanwhile, left the service of the Fairy Godmother and began working in the Artifact Search Department. The sorceress must find the missing Crystal together with her assistant Arina and magical cat Bertrand. To do this, they transport to a world similar to Victorian England and end up in the city of Londinium. There they will have to open a detective agency, solve the mystery of the Hound of the Baskervilles, and again meet the mysterious White Rabbit. How will it all end?
***
Magic Holidays.
A second kitten named Tudor appears in Arina's family. However, the girl's parents do not suspect that Tudor is in fact a creature from the wizarding world. Miranda calls on Arina again for help. In the magical world, ancient artifacts have disappeared: the hair of the goddess Sif, the spinning wheel of the goddess Frigg and the wings of Thumbelina. The artifacts were captured by the evil magician Fedel, who escaped from prison, and his insidious grandmother Snow White, who dream of ruling magical worlds. Therefore, all forces are in search of artifacts, including the knights of the Golden Tree. But suddenly Miranda and Arina find out that the loss of artifacts is somehow connected with the mysterious abduction of Rapunzel. She is kidnapped by a certain knight in flying sandals right from the open window of the tower. Arina's amazing adventures continue. How will another story, full of mysterious events, end?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elena Kryuchkova
• Release date: Jun 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224317868

Elena Kryuchkova

Elena Kryuchkova started her creative path in 2012. She writes in different genres, such as: esotericism, fantasy, Slavic fantasy, sci-fi, dystopia, post-apocalyptic and others. Has several graphic works. A number of her novels were co-authored with Olga Kryuchkova.She is inspired by various fantasy and science fiction.Loves cats and draws.

Book preview

Arina in Wonderland. Full version

Elena Kryuchkova, Olga Kryuchkova

Arina in Wonderland. Full version

Written by Elena Kryuchkova, Olga Kryuchkova

Copyright © 2022 Elena Kryuchkova, Olga Kryuchkova

All rights reserved

Cover Design © 2018 Elena Kryuchkova

Elena Kryuchkova

Olga Kryuchkova

Arina in Wonderland. Full version

Book 1. The Beast and not a Single Beauty

Book 1. Chapter 1

Book 1. Chapter 2

Book 1. Chapter 3

Book 1. Chapter 4

Book 1. Chapter 5

Book 1. Chapter 6

Book 1. Chapter 7

Book 1. Chapter 8

Book 1. Chapter 9

Book 1. Chapter 10

Book 1. Chapter 11

Book 1. Glossary

Book 2. Magic Detective

Book 2. Chapter 1

Book 2. Chapter 2

Book 2. Chapter 3

Book 2. Chapter 4

Book 2. Chapter 5

Book 2. Chapter 6

Book 2. Chapter 7

Book 2. Chapter 8

Book 2. Chapter 9

Book 2. Chapter 10

Book 2. Glossary

Book 3. Magic Holidays

Book 3. Prologue

Book 3. Chapter 1

Book 3. Chapter 2

Book 3. Chapter 3

Book 3. Chapter 4

Book 3. Chapter 5

Book 3. Chapter 6

Book 3. Chapter 7

Book 3. Chapter 8

Book 3. Chapter 9

Book 3. Chapter 10

Book 3. Chapter 11

Book 3. Glossary

This story is fiction and fantasy. And any similarity to real people or events are coincidental.

This story is completely fiction.

Book 1. The Beast and not a Single Beauty

Arina enters the magical world and meets the fairy Miranda, who is trying to disenchant her godson, Prince Henry (his face is disfigured by evil spells). And only the kiss of the princess can disenchant the Prince. Together, Miranda and Arina open a marriage agency ‘Weddings and Roses’ and advertise on a magic mirror. Not only princesses rush to the agency, but also fraudsters. The work in the marriage agency is in full swing. At this moment, Miranda's license, which allows her to use magic, expires. The fairy tries to get money and decides to undertake an unforgivable adventure, as a result of which the royal ruby falls into the hands of the zwerges (mountain gnome-jewelers). And it ends up on the necklace of the goddess Freyja. King Richard, father of Prince Henry, is extremely unhappy with Miranda's actions. However, he asks the fairy to find a bride for him too. Fairy Chloe arrives at the marriage agency as a pretender to the King's heart. It soon turns out that it was she who, in a fit of anger, once bewitched the Prince...

Chapter 1

It was a fine summer morning. The asphalt had not yet heated up. The air was filled with the scent of flowers, emanating from the numerous flower beds, in abundance spread throughout the city. A light warm breeze was blowing, saving from the already begun summer heat.

Two sisters walked along the street, in jeans and bright summer T-shirts, their fair hair slightly fluttering in a gentle breeze. They were about the same height, build and facial features. It would not have occurred to anyone that the difference in the age of the sisters is no less than seven years.

The eldest, Lisa Solovyova, turned twenty-one in February. Although she looked somewhat younger than her years, people often mistook her for a high school student.

She studied at the institute and worked as a manager at the marriage agency ‘Academy of Marriage and Family’. Despite the solid name, things at the agency were far from the best, and Lisa often complained about her modest salary.

The second girl, her younger sister, fourteen-year-old Arina, on the contrary, looked older. She just graduated from the first grade of secondary school and moved on to the second grade, but people often mistaken her for a high school student...

Arina was in a wonderful mood, and happily sang to herself:

Cats, cats... fur bellies...

Stop acting like a child! Stop fooling around! Lisa now and then made comments to her.

I'm glad! the girl did not take offense, and continued to mumble a monotonous song, consisting of several words and pretty annoying to her older sister. Lisa sighed, rolled her eyes and walked on next to her younger sister.

Arina really had reasons to rejoice: she and her sister were on their way to the cat show, which took place in the new, recently opened, shopping mall.

Arina has long dreamed of having a pet. But she certainly wanted a purebred cat. And finally, on the next street, a shopping mall was built. And the first event within its walls was cat show. Arina could not miss such an event and therefore persuaded her sister to keep her company. Lisa thought and agreed with one condition: Arina will not ask her for money to purchase a pet. Because the younger sister wanted not just a cat, but a purebred cat. In addition, Lisa herself had a weakness for ‘fur lumps’.

Of course, the girl would prefer to attend this event with her friends more willingly. But recently summer holidays began, and all the classmates left the city.

Purebred kittens were quite expensive. But Arina, being a responsible girl, took care of resolving this issue in advance. Almost six months ago, she got a part-time job in a flower shop next to her house, where in the evenings, twice a week, she was engaged in drawing up bouquets.

It should be noted that Arina liked the work, and she successfully coped with it. In addition, the girl willingly helped the manager if she needed to clean up the sales area or properly arrange the goods on the windows.

The owner of the shop, a pleasant middle-aged woman, regularly paid the girl and encouraged her in every possible way.

And by the end of the school year, Arina finally saved up the required amount. And just then, very opportunely, a new shopping mall was opened in the city. And the cat show began...

... Soon the sisters reached the mall where the show was taking place. The new building stood proudly among the shops. Its deep purple frosted glass walls gleamed attractively in the sun.

Despite the early morning, the same lovers of four-legged pets were slowly coming to the mall.

The sisters bought tickets and went inside the building. After walking a little along the corridor, they reached a spacious hall where the show was held.

Arina let out a quiet exclamation of admiration. Even Lisa could hardly resist jumping around like an enthusiastic child.

The huge room was all filled with cages and containers with cats. And what kind of cat breeds were not here! And Persian cats, and British Shorthair, and Scottish Fold, and Siamese, and Abyssinian! And even Sphinx cats!

Exhibition places stretched in long, even rows, next to which there were breeders. Each breeder, if visitors approached him or her, praised his o her breed and handed over a business card.

Many visitors came simply out of curiosity, but someone arrived with the firm intention of acquiring a four-legged friend. And if a person had not yet decided on the breed, he or she took all the business cards in a row. Arina grabbed the breeders' business cards and put them neatly in a small green backpack hanging behind her back.

It was in the backpack, in the wallet with the image of daisies, safely hidden in the inner compartment, that there was the amount for the purchase of the pet. Soon, Arina realized: the cost of the kittens turned out to be somewhat more expensive than expected. And the girl, alas, did not have enough money...

... Meanwhile, Lisa walked slowly among the exhibition places, admiring the variety of the presented breeds.

From time to time she made a remark to her sister:

Why do you need so many business cards?

I want a pet! You know: I worked part-time in order to accumulate the necessary amount myself! But I still don't have enough money... Arina answered emotionally. Once again, she looked sadly at the kitten she liked, and making a pitiful face, she said to her sister: Lisa, please lend me some money...

These kittens are too expensive! answered the older sister. And she continued in a moralizing tone: "I see no reason to spend such an amount! Of course, you are great for making money yourself. But if you want the pet, our neighbor's cat just had kittens. And for the accumulated amount, it is better to buy yourself a new computer — it will come in handy in your studies! Our parents will tell you the same thing."

You don’t understand anything... Arina sighed sadly, looking sadly at the fluffy Persian kittens.

***

Soon Arina went to the ladies' room. Lisa, meanwhile, admired the Abyssinian cats, unable to take her eyes off these graceful animals.

... Arina washed her hands, and then she noticed a certain glow that engulfed the adjacent sink.

Oh... what is this? she was surprised and looked around: there was no one in the ladies' room at that moment.

However, it just so happened: since childhood, Arina was distinguished by curiosity...

At the same time experiencing inner fear and intense interest, Arina cautiously approached the gradually growing glow.

Is it really the fumes from the sewer? No, it doesn't look like... Or maybe some new visual effect? Then why here, and not in the main hall? she wondered.

Suddenly a mysterious glow flared up sharply and filled the entire room. Before the schoolgirl had time to understand what was happening, she was enveloped in a mysterious light, and she fell somewhere, as if into a funnel. Arina closed her eyes in fright and only babbled:

And why am I always sticking my nose where I shouldn't?

***

When the mystical glow finally disappeared, the girl timidly opened her eyes. And from the picture that appeared to her gaze, she again hurried to close her eyes.

I sleep; I sleep... It's just a dream... she muttered to herself.

And there were reasons for that: the mall's toilet disappeared, as if it had never existed! And now Arina was surrounded by a room that looked more like the room of a princess or a sorceress from Disney cartoons!

I watched TV a lot, and now I dream about it all... she continued to mutter. Actually, I haven’t woken up yet, and my sister and I didn’t go to the mall! Yes, exactly, it is! I'm just sleeping... This is a realistic dream... My mother told me: I have to go to bed at the time...

Finally, Arina opened her eyes and looked around. She was finally convinced that the room really resembles the room of a princess or a sorceress. The walls of the room were decorated with beige wallpaper embossed with gold flowers, and a soft and fluffy white carpet lay on the floor. The room has expensive wooden furniture decorated with fine carvings. From the ceiling hung a crystal chandelier.

"An incredible abundance of glamor..." thought the schoolgirl to herself. But where did I end up? To shoot a movie?

Suddenly the girl heard someone's unobtrusive coughing behind her back...

She looked around sharply to see a young blonde woman dressed in an odd way. She was wearing a big light purple dress and a bright purple cloak...

"Exactly, I'm in the pavilion where the movies are filmed..." the girl calmed down a little.

Good afternoon, my name is Miranda, and I work as a Fairy Godmother, the mysterious stranger introduced herself with a charming smile. Don't worry, you are in my house. I suppose you are Lisa Solovyova?

Arina's eyes widened at such words.

No, this is my older sister, she replied. My name is Arina.

How? the stranger was surprised. Am I confused? But I was so sure!

The schoolgirl looked at her with wide eyes, not understanding what was happening.

My sister and I are really very similar in appearance... she remarked.

Miranda gazed up at Arina in frustration and sadly sat down on a carved armchair upholstered in golden velvet.

It’s not easier for me that you two are alike, because I need exactly Lisa... she sighed. But the spell for transporting in space is very difficult, and I will be able to use it only after three months... And before that time, I will not be able to bring you back either... And no one else will help you: neither a magician nor a fairy... Such is the peculiarity of the spell: who transported, that person also returns!

The words of the inhabitant of the ‘cinema world’ greatly disturbed the schoolgirl.

My family will be looking for me! What are you saying? she exclaimed. Parents and Lisa will be worried! What is this kidnapping? So you should know: my parents are not rich, and you will not get the ransom!

But the fairy just waved her hand.

This is the least of the problems... she snorted. After three months have passed here, I will return you to your world, on the same day, at the same hour. And no one will notice your disappearance... But now I really have difficulties!

Arina looked at her with disbelief. This glamorous lady scares me... She's crazy! thought the girl. I need to be more careful with her... It is not known what she will do next...

Silence reigned in the room for a while. Finally, the schoolgirl got tired of this, and she asked with obvious irony:

By the way, if you are the fairy from another world, then how do you know my native language? Or is it, she looked around the room again, just a prank?! Or is it a kidnapping?

Oh my dear! I don't even know your language! But when transporting to our world, I cast a spell so that you understand our language and, if necessary, could even read local texts! And I did not intend to kidnap you at all... And even more so to demand a ransom from your parents! This is highly immoral! As I said: I will bring you home on that very day and hour...

Arina shook her head and thought: "Some kind of nonsense... Fairy... Wizarding world... Exactly — these are hallucinations... Probably the luminous substance in the toilet was poisonous... I breathed it in — and now, the fairy came to me... Or I transported to her..."

Why do you need Lisa, ma'am? the girl asked incredulously, deciding to get to the bottom of the matter, although she came to the conclusion that everything around her was the fruit of hallucinations.

You can call me by name... I am only a hundred and twenty years old, and by the standards of fairies I am a very young person, Miranda remarked. So you're wondering why I need your sister?

The girl was about to laugh hysterically, but she restrained herself and simply nodded. The fairy, in turn, continued to say:

First, let me tell you everything in order. As I said earlier, I am the fairy, and my name is Miranda. I am the Godmother of Prince Henry from the Kingdom called the Land of Roses. My beloved godson was once bewitched by an evil sorceress and turned into a monster...

At these words, Miranda made a mournful face.

Did his parents forget to invite her to the christening? clarified Arina, recalling the fairy tale ‘Beauty and the Beast’, which she read as a child.

Oh, not at all! exclaimed the fairy. Sixteen years ago, a fairy wanted to marry Henry's dowager father, the King of the Land of Roses. But he refused her, and of course, she was very angry... And then, at such an inopportune moment, three-year-old Henry ran into the room. And then the fairy, in a fit of rage, cast a spell and rewarded the child with the face of a troll... Since then, the poor boy has to constantly wear a mask that covers the lower part of his face! And, of course, only the kiss of a beautiful princess can disenchant him! And she should definitely want to kiss him herself, without being under the influence of a love spell! Otherwise, the curse of the Prince will not break... The fairy sighed heavily. "Besides, fairies, sorceresses and magicians are strictly forbidden to use bewitching magic! We can only help a little: for example, arrange a meeting with lovers or give a beautiful dress. But nothing more!

But I digress a little from the topic... In general, all the princesses whom I brought to meet my godson fainted as soon as he took off his mask! As you can imagine, it never came to kissing..."

Miranda paused briefly. Arina did not fail to ask again:

Why do you still need my sister? Did you want to kidnap her?

The fairy, being emotional by nature, rolled her eyes and waved her hands:

So it's obvious! I need a helper to disenchant my godson! And she works as the manager in the marriage agency!

The schoolgirl looked at her interlocutor in surprise for a few moments, trying to comprehend the information she had heard. Finally, after a pretty long pause, she was able to utter only one word:

What?

Yes, yes! the fairy affirmed emotionally. I guess what you might ask! Miranda anticipated further questions. Believe me, in this world I have already tried to address various matchmakers. They work according to the same system: they send all the princesses who want to find a bridegroom! In your world, marriage agencies have a slightly different approach, more creative. For example, organizing meetings with several applicants in turn, checking for psychological compatibility and all that... Conscientious managers actually try to match pairs using different methods. Of course, such workers are not very common...

The fairy rose from her chair and theatrically raised her hands to the ceiling, an imaginary sky. With all her appearance, she showed that it was by no means easy for her, and it was worth a titanic effort to find a suitable manager.

Is Lisa the most conscientious one? Arina doubted.

Of course, she was firmly convinced that her sister was honestly trying to fulfill her official duties. But so that in such a huge world, among so many people, there is no one more conscientious and diligent than Lisa?! The girl could hardly believe it!

Understand, I couldn't consider all the managers on Earth! snorted Miranda. I was looking only in a certain city! And of all the candidates, your sister seemed to me the most suitable! But now there is no point in talking about it: we will have to wait three months... And I will immediately send you home! Oh, I so wanted to disenchant my dear godson, and finally marry him to a worthy princess!

The fairy's face took on an expression of utter sadness. She sobbed and tears appeared in her blue eyes. Quickly creating a silk handkerchief with the help of magic, she began to wipe her eyes with it. A small cloud appeared in the room and started pouring rain onto the floor...

Arina, being a kind and sentimental girl, felt sincere sympathy for Miranda and the unfortunate enchanted Prince Henry. She almost began to believe that she was in a kind of parallel world. And as it turns out: there are many problems here!

In the end, it doesn't matter if I'm under the influence of hallucinations, or asleep... Or really got somewhere... However, I'm a modern person and don't believe in fairy tales! I am not a child for a long time! I will consider that I have to go through an entertaining adventure... Arina decided to herself.

Miranda, that's okay! she rushed to calm the fairy. Lisa told me a lot about her work! I will help your godson!

The fairy immediately stopped crying and looked intently at the schoolgirl. The cloud of rain that hung in the air immediately disappeared. The sorceress snapped her fingers, and the silk handkerchief also disappeared.

Will you help me? Truth? she asked.

Yes, nodded Arina, but, of course, not just like that...

Miranda expected such a statement and readily asked:

Okay, just tell me what you want? Wealth? Or become the most beautiful? Or maybe you want to become a sorceress?

Arina shook her head.

No! I want a cat!

Okay! the fairy responded happily. Suddenly she realized the meaning of what was said, and asked with surprise: What? Cat?

Yes, I have long dreamed of a pet... admitted Arina. Of course, I would like to have wealth, but then my parents will have a natural question: where did I get it from? And what will I answer them?! And for the purchase of a cat, I saved up money by honest labor! And I can tell my parents that I bought a cat in the mall! And about becoming the most beautiful... Arina thought for a moment. I'm not bad looking anyway! The main thing, in the end, is not your appearance, but your inner world! My mother always taught me that way.

Agree! the fairy responded readily, recalling that her friend was raising magical cats, one of which had recently given birth to kittens.

So far, newborn kittens are too small, but after two or three months, the friend will just start looking for new owners for them.

The main thing is that everything is crowned with success, and my rating of the Fairy Godmother does not suffer... somewhat forgotten, the fairy reasoned aloud.

Rating? clarified Arina. By the way, what is this rating?

Oh, there is one! the woman rolled her eyes with displeasure. "According to its, all the fairies of this world are evaluated. The better we perform our duties, the higher it is, and, consequently, our prestige and monthly salary grow... But if the fairy does not cope well with her duties: for example, she cannot break a spell or successfully arrange the fate of her godchild, then the rating decreases. And the salary, respectively, too... Moreover, it is updated automatically — the rating system is monitored by magicians-administrators. My rating has not dropped yet, but if I cannot remove the spell from Henry in the near future, then this trouble will certainly happen! Oh, those meticulous magicians-administrators!"

The schoolgirl looked at the indignant Miranda in slight confusion.

If you help me, you will have a cat! the fairy said in the meantime. How do you start as a marriage manager?

The schoolgirl thought for a moment. Indeed, a good question is: how does she start? After a little reflection, she replied:

I think first I need to get to know Prince Henry and decide which girls are best to introduce him to. Then we have to organize a marriage agency and advertise that we have started our work, and several princes have contacted us who wish to meet the princesses.

Where will we get so many princes from? Miranda was amazed.

Arina smiled slyly.

Who said they should be real?

The fairy looked at the newly-made manager in bewilderment.

Trust me! Arina said confidently.

Chapter 2

Arina and Miranda left the house and walked along the many streets of the Land of Roses to Prince Henry's castle. To prevent the girl from attracting too much attention with her extravagant outfit (a bright T-shirt with jeans), the fairy used magic to create for her an orange dress with a long skirt, tailored according to the latest fashion of the local magical world.

On the way to the castle, the fairy told the new manager about Prince Henry.

His father's name was Richard, and he preferred to spend time in one of his luxurious castles in the heart of the Kingdom.

Sixteen years ago, the King was widowed: his beloved wife, Lady Isolde, tragically died of an incurable disease. Alas, magic medicine is not omnipotent either...

After a while, a certain Fairy Godmother named Chloe arrived to King Richard. The fairy had long been in love with the King and wanted to marry him. When the King was widowed, Chloe was confident that nothing could stop her from becoming Queen of the Land of Roses. She went to the Royal Castle and frankly confessed her feelings to Richard. However, she was refused. The enraged fairy bewitched Henry, who appeared at the wrong time, saying that only the kiss of the princess will remove the spell from him... Moreover, the princess must kiss him of her own free will, and not under the influence of a love spell: otherwise, the spell will not break. Moreover, the Prince must not hide his disfigured appearance.

Since then, Henry has worn the mask, waiting for the appearance of a beautiful princess who will not be intimidated by his appearance. And she willingly wishes to kiss the Prince.

The years went by. Princesses appeared, but quickly disappeared. The spell with Henry did not break. The poor boy's face, hidden by the mask, brought sadness and unpleasant memories of Chloe to the King. At some point, Richard regretted not responding to her feelings. It didn't matter that the fairy was not his type. For the King wanted to see a woman like Isolde near him.

And so he decided to give his son a personal castle and servants. Which the King did not fail to do. He personally chose for his son a manager, a reliable and responsible nobleman named Albert.

From time to time, the crowned parent would visit his bewitched offspring. He willingly asked his son about the relationship with the princesses. But alas, the answer was the same. The princesses were hastily leaving the castle when Henry took off his mask. At the same time, the King did not forget to carefully check the ownership and order in the castle allocated to his son. In a word, after the death of his wife, he became extremely mercantile.

... The schoolgirl listened to the story of the enchanted Prince and looked around with interest. The Land of Roses was very much like a kingdom descended from the pages of fairy tales or the screens of fantasy films. It all looks like some kind of Disney... thought the girl.

The streets of the city, paved with colored tiles, looked neat and picturesque.

On the side of the streets were billboards containing all kinds of advertisements. Starting from courses in the Elvish language and ending with magical cosmetics. But most often there was an advertisement for ‘Thick and Silky’ shampoo. The posters for this shampoo featured a glass bottle and someone from the back showing off his wonderful golden curls. The caption at the bottom read: Use our shampoo and your hair will be same wonderful!

The buildings towering along the streets were striking in their diversity. Among them there were miniature castles, beautifully decorated mansions, and even houses in their shape resembling plants and animals.

Arina, noticed a pretty little house in the shape of a mushroom with a red roof. A little further away there was a house made of shiny material, looking like a fabulous fish...

Sirena lives there, the sea sorceress, commented Miranda, noticing the girl's interest. "The most unpleasant person, I must say! Proud! She thinks she's the best at using magic!

Soon the girl and the sorceress came to the marketplace. There were so many different people here! And fairies, and wealthy ladies in poofy dresses, and townspeople in simpler outfits, with less poofy skirts... Between them were visible, dressed in bright uniforms, city guards. And numerous merchants, and idly strolling young nobles.

An elf girl in a dress woven from forest and meadow grasses passed by Arina. She led the unicorn by the golden reins...

A noisy flock of children rushed past Arina and Miranda, vigorously discussing something.

An elderly gnome in a red cap and burgundy jacket traded in crystals.

Magic stones! Magic stones! he called. Newly mined from the Lunar Mines! Enhanced by the best alchemists!

An elf in a bright green jacket was selling flowers nearby.

Magical flowers and herbs! From the Enchanted Forest! he shouted.

Fresh bakery! Sweets with rose jam! a pastry chef was offering his pastries.

Arina wanted to consider everything to the smallest detail, but Miranda, accustomed to such a sight, confidently walked forward. Not wanting to get lost, the girl tried to keep up with her guide.

Finally, they passed the square and found themselves in a narrow, uncrowded street. Ahead appeared a steep hill with a majestic castle surrounded by a mighty wall.

The castle in which Henry is forced to live as a recluse, the fairy pointed at its.

Arina looked at the building with interest. Watchtowers rose high above the high walls with narrow loopholes, built of hewn gray stones. The schoolgirl from history lessons knew that in the Middle Ages, castles were surrounded by similar walls and fortifications in order to repel an attack of invaders, if necessary.

Behind the powerful walls towered directly the abode of the enchanted Prince. Henry's ancestors built the castle in ancient times. They thought not only about its inaccessibility, but also about its comfort and beauty. Therefore, the windows were decorated with exquisite work of colored stained-glass windows and carved wooden frames.

... Miranda and Arina went up to the castle along a steep, uphill path paved with red bricks.

Having finally reached the massive gate, Arina looked around and did not notice the guards.

This place is guarded by enchanted spirits, the fairy explained immediately. They are usually invisible. But they faithfully carry out their duties and watch those who try to enter the castle.

However, the spirits were well acquainted with the fairy: she often visited the castle. Meanwhile, Miranda snapped her fingers and a rosewood magic wand crowned with a crystal heart appeared in the air in front of her. Arina opened her mouth in surprise and thought again: How similar to Disney!

The fairy touched the gate three times with her ‘tool’, and the gate opened with a quiet creak.

Come in, the fairy invited the bewildered girl.

Arina obediently followed Miranda — the gate hastily closed.

The girl and the fairy walked along a wide alley leading to the castle. Lush flower beds with scarlet roses, exuding a delicate aroma, grew along the alley. In the depths of the garden there were fountains decorated with marble statues of mermaids, strange fish and flowers.

Among the fountains there are bushes trimmed by the experienced hand of the gardener, their shape resembling animals or people in beautiful clothes.

Arina and Miranda approached the main entrance to the castle — the doors opened. They climbed the red carpet steps. They were met by a dark-haired young man of pleasant appearance, dressed in a strict purple suit, narrow trousers and a short camisole.

Arina was struck by the serious expression on his face.

Glad to greet you, Lady Miranda, and your companion, he said.

Good afternoon, Sebastian, the fairy nodded, and with a gesture, pointing at the schoolgirl, added: This is Arina, my assistant. Arina, meet Sebastian, Henry's butler.

Glad to meet you, my lady, the butler greeted the girl in the same manner in a nasal voice.

I'm glad too, the girl replied, noting to herself that the butler reminds her of her school math teacher. The same strict, serious and nasal voice.

Meanwhile, Sebastian made an inviting hand gesture.

Please, my ladies, come in.

The fairy, seizing the moment, whispered to Arina:

Never mind, he's always so overly serious...

A thought flashed through Arina's head: shouldn't Sebastian be involved in the implementation of their plan? He will become a good ‘Prince’...

Fairy and Arina, accompanied by Sebastian, went into the huge hall. Its ceiling, in the form of a mosaic vault of heaven, was propped up by massive