Chapter 2: Donkeyskin:
Fédora's POV:
I was living with my Father and Mother in the Paiviel Kingdom. My Mother has passed away.
"Promise me you won't remarry unless the woman matches my own beauty and attributes..." My Mother was kind of vain.
"The only one I can think of is my own daughter... well, that settles it, I just won't get married. It all works out."
. . .
I was with our donkey. I know you're wondering why we have a donkey. Well... it's the source of my Father's wealth. You see, it... produces... gold... and I have said enough!
"Your Father has someone who wants to meet you," says Putilova.
. . .
"Fédora, this is Tsar Mukhin of the Slattuigia Kingdom," says my Father, "and he has come to ask for your hand in marriage."
"What," I asked.
"I have heard you are as beautiful as your mother," says Tsar Mukhin, "and I see it is true! I have been taken with you and that is why I ask for your hand."
"I'm sorry... but I only wish to marry someone I love," I said.
"But please, consider this," says Tsar Mukhin, "I would hate for... anything to happen."
Something about what he said made my skin crawl. I have a feeling about this man.
. . .
I then spoke with my goddaughter, the Lilac Fairy. "... so, what should I do," I asked.
"I have an idea," says the Lilac Fairy, "make these impossible demands, a dress all the colors of the sky, a dress the color of the moon, a dress as bright as the sun, and finally, the hide of..."
"What," I asked.
"The... donkey," says the Lilac Fairy.
"But... we all love that donkey," I said.
The donkey then came in, with a look that says he is willing to sacrifice himself for me.
"I think he's in," says the Lilac Fairy.
"Thank you." I then kissed the donkey.
. . .
I made my first demand to the Tsar. "I want you to make me a dress that has all the colors of the sky," I said.
"Very well," says Tsar Mukhin. He then left with his men.
To Be Continued
Ben Tennyson's Maternal Ancestor was the Heiress to another kingdom. Fédora is also Mei Tennyson's Adoptive Maternal Ancestor. Fédora is the Future Mother of Grand Duchess Odette. In the next chapter, the Tsar makes the first dress.