Chapter One

It is a perfect day, as always, at Royal Prep. The students are just arriving to begin the school day. Sofia, Amber and James have just landed and are greeting their friends. Sofia goes over to talk to Zooey, who is practicing her enchanting homework from the previous night.

"Levitato!" commanded Zooey. But the rock only stood up on one end. "Ohhhhhh! I'll get this yet!"

"Hi, Zooey! Practicing the levitation spell?"

"Hi, Sofia! Yes. I must be doing something wrong! I can only get the rock to stand on end!"

"I know! I'm having the same problem!"

Just then Vivian joined her friends.

"Hi, ladies! Are you having trouble with the levitation spell too? I can only get the rock to hop, see? LEVITATO!" And the target rock rose for a second and dropped.

"It's a difficult spell," answered Sofia. "I was going to ask Mr. Cedric to help me with it, but he's on a Sorcerer's Holiday."

"What's a Sorcerer's Holiday?" inquired Zooey.

"That's when all the sorcerers from the various kingdoms get together and give performances to show their talents."

Just then the final bell rang for class.

"We'd better get going," said Vivian and the three princesses hurried into Royal Prep.

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"Good morning, class!" exclaimed Miss Flora, and was echoed by Miss Fauna and Miss Merryweather.

"Good morning, teachers!" the class responded.

"A new student will be joining us today. Her name is Princess Gertrude!" stated Miss Flora, as she gestured to the door.

The class was initially shocked when Princess Gertrude entered the classroom - in a wheelchair! A short gasp rolled through the class, with Princess Hildegard whispering somewhat loudly, "Oh, she's crippled!" With Sofia exclaiming in exasperation, "Hildy!" Hildegard responded by embarrassingly covering her face momentarily with her ever-present fan.

Princess Gertrude took the reaction in stride; it has happened many times before.

"Thank you for the introduction, Miss Flora. But if you don't mind, I'd rather be called 'Trudy'."

"Very well, Princess Trudy it is! We have a place for you right up front by the window. You can use the table there."

"Miss Flora? I have a folding table attached to the side of my wheelchair that I can use, so would you mind if I was seated in back? That way I am out of everyone's way."

Miss Flora relented, and Princess Trudy rolled her chair to just past the last row, but centered in the middle aisle. That way she could see everything, and still not be in the way.

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Soon it was lunchtime. Princess Trudy was the center of conversation at one table.

"Can you imagine? A crippled princess!" exclaimed Hildegard.

"She probably needs someone to constantly look after her!" added Amber.

"She seems nice," countered Clio.

"But if she were a friend, what could you do with her?" asked Jun.

Just then, the princesses noticed Trudy rolling into the lunchroom.

"Oh no! She recognizes us!" said Hildegard in alarm.

"Let's go to the playground!" suggested Jun, and all the princesses vacated the table.

Trudy saw the reaction as she started rolling toward the other princesses. The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same! she thought to herself sadly, as she spotted an empty table in a corner, and rolled toward it.

But Sofia and Zooey also saw the reaction. As Vivian joined them, they decided to talk to Trudy.

"Excuse me, but are these seats taken?" asked Sofia.

Trudy was a little surprised, but answered, "No, not at all."

"Then may we join you for lunch?" asked Zooey.

"Why sure!" exclaimed Trudy happily.

"Great! My name is Sofia. This is Zooey, and this is Vivian"

"Greetings, ladies. It's so nice of you to want to eat with me," stated Trudy.

"I can't think of a better way to get to know someone," replied Vivian.

And the four princesses enjoyed lunch together. The princesses found out that Trudy loves to play the piano, harpsichord and harmonium. She also enjoyed the sport of archery, painted and ' wheelchair danced'.

"Wow! You like archery?" asked Zooey. "I learned it while exploring with my parents. We should get together and try our hands at it!"

"That would be a grand idea! Why don't you Sofia and Vivian come over to my house for a play date?"

It was quickly agreed by the three princesses. They would go to Trudy's castle later in the week.