Page 1 of Once Upon an Enchanted Castle

Prologue

Early Spring, Present Day

WhenHildegotwordher favorite niece had fallen and broken her arm, she dropped everything and headed to Drumchapel Village, where her sister still lived. Granted, it took some effort to return to the human realm, but she was determined to make sure her little Marigold was all right.

Linnea, her sister, had sounded so distraught on the phone.

The past three years proved difficult for her and her niece. Hilde visited as much as possible, but she had to return to the other realm to rejuvenate herself. She found renewed vitality and energy in the other realm.

Her sister seemed unaffected by being in the human realm.

Marigold, however, was showing signs of illness. Doctors were puzzled by her recurring breathing problems, leading to multiple hospital visits. Of course, they were a mystery. Hilde, unlike her sister, understood her condition. They remained clueless.

Linnea intended to keep the secret. She refused to allow Hilde to tell Marigold the truth. At some point, the girlhadto know. Now that she was in those tween years, she noticed she wasn’t like the other girls her age. She was more of an old soul with a vibrant personality, stunning looks, and far more intelligence than her peers.

That was because of her bloodline.

Hilde pushed all those thoughts away as she hurried up the sidewalk. The house on Crown Lane hadn’t changed a bit. At least on the outside of the house. After her brother-in-law unexpectantly passed, Linnea started redecorating. New flooring. New paint throughout. Kitchen renovation. Bathroom renovations.

She rang the bell and waited. Moments later, Linnea opened the door and ushered her in.

“You don’t have to ring the bell. You’re family,” she said.

Hilde kissed her on the cheek in greeting. “It feels odd to barge in.”

“Don’t be silly,” she said.

“Auntie!” Marigold’s joyful voice greeted her. She hurried through the living room, her arm in a sling.

“Marigold!” her mother said, chastising.

But the girl ignored her and flung her body toward her. Hilde caught her in a big hug, squeezing her tight, but being careful of her injured arm and thankful the girl was all right. When she pulled back, she held her at arm’s length, looking her over.

“Now, how did you do this?” Hilde asked, nodding to her arm in the sling.

“I fell at school. I’m all right.”

“She’s not all right. It’s broken. The doctor wants her to see an orthopedic surgeon in the morning,” Linnea said.

Hilde took her by the hand and led her back into the living room. Gone was the well-worn furniture replaced by newer, more functional pieces. Two three-seat cushion sofas were on either side of a square oak coffee table.

“That sounds serious,” Hilde said.

Together, they sat on one of the sofas. Marigold snuggled up next to her, holding her injured arm against her chest.

“How about some tea or coffee?” Linnea asked.

“Tea, please.”

Nodding, Linnea headed off to the kitchen to prepare it.

The house was old. Instead of the open concept that was popular in floor plans in the newer homes, this home still had the rooms sectioned off. Linnea disappeared into the kitchen to prepare the tea, which gave Hilde time to question her niece about the fall.

“How did you fall?” she asked.

With her sunny blonde head down, she said, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why not?”

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