"John Morressy - The True History of the Picky Princess" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morressy John)

"Oh, very good! What a wise little daughter you are, my paragon!" said the queen. "Do you think it might
be a good idea to demand that those who fail forfeit all their worldly goods to you, as well?"

"Of course. In fact, I'll just require that the failures go off and hang themselves."

"An excellent idea, my sweet child, but impractical," said the king. "It might create hard feelings on the
part of our neighbors. Let us do as your mother suggests."
With a careless gesture, Infatuata said, "Whatever you like, Daddy. I really don't care."

He took her arm, chuckling all the while, immensely pleased with his daughter's good sense. "Come, let
us descend and announce our conditions."

As they passed through the crowd of handsome eligible young princes, a murmur of appreciation
followed their progress. Whispered superlatives and sighs of longing were heard on all sides. Gorgeously
gowned and heartbreakingly beautiful, Princess Infatuata strode through the crowd with her head high,
eyes fixed straight before her, favoring no prince with so much as a glance.

The king ascended to his throne and raised his hand for silence. The princes gathered around, elbowing
one another like commoners to obtain an unobstructed view. Following the king's brief welcoming
speech, his herald read off the conditions for seeking the princess's hand. A profound silence followed,
and lasted for an uncomfortably long time.

It was broken by the Prince of the Windswept Isles, who stepped forward and said, "I assume that these
conditions are negotiable."

"Certainly not," said the king.

"You'll have to extend the time limit. I'll need at least a year to get those things," said the Prince of the
Dark Valley.

"More like five," an unidentified prince shouted from the crowd. Others called out in support.

"Out of the question," said the king. "For anyone who truly loves my daughter, one day is too long to be
away from the radiance of her presence."

The Prince of the Pebbly Shore said, "That part about forfeiting all our possessions has to go, Your
Majesty. The princess is a lovely lady, no question about that, but I have obligations at home. I'm willing
to risk a certain sum, not everything I own."

"Your objections attest to the shallowness of your affections," said the king, rising. "All who have spoken
have revealed themselves unworthy of my daughter's hand. They may depart. The rest may remain and
await further details."

An angry murmur arose from the assembly. A few of the princes laughed in unpleasant or scornful ways
and started for the door. Others followed, though not without parting sighs and longing looks backward
at the princess. The king and queen sensed that the mood was getting ugly, and slipped away with the
princess, who seemed totally unconcerned.

Amid the resulting clamor and angry cries, the Prince of the Seven Sapphire Lakes climbed on a chair