The Twelve Dancing Princesses (Faerie Tale Collection) by Jenni James

freshen up as best as possible as she scurried, rather sorely, to the blue drawing room.
    She knew her face must be flushed from working so long in the hot kitchens. However, with so many sisters, her father would most likely never notice.
    Ilene and Jocelyn rushed as quickly as their swollen feet would allow in the back door, with a maid close behind. The maid must have gone outside to warn the girls. The three sisters entered into the drawing room together.
    They were the last to arrive. Dipping into short curtsies, they stepped forward and kissed their father upon his cheek. “Hello, Father,” Casey said.
    He did not seem quite as angry as his shout would have implied, and it made her curious. What did he need?
    “Cascadia, girls,” he said as he nodded to them, “go sit by your sisters. I have some news to share.”
    Curious, Casey found a perch near Beatrice and sat down. Her other sisters were already spread about on various settees and chairs. This was the only drawing room large enough to receive them all, and then guests as well.
    “Now, girls. As you probably noticed, I have been away this past week, and it has come to my attention that your situation is more dire than any of us imagined.” He stopped and looked at Abigail. “The cobbler has been by daily to make new shoes in my absence, correct?”
    “Yes, Father.”
    He nodded. “Good, good. I left word for him to do so.” He looked at the rest of them. “And you are still waking up with your feet swollen and shoes ruined as before?”
    “Yes,” Damalis said.
    “Then it is as I thought. Quite dire.” He paced a bit before continuing. “I have just been to see Lady Daphne, my sister. It would seem her girls are suffering the same fate as you are, and their feet are just as swollen.”
    The girls gasped, several opening their mouths to speak. He raised a hand to halt them. “I stayed the week to see if I could solve the mystery of their dancing. As you know, I have attempted to see what is happening with you and have not been successful. I had no such luck with your cousins, either. It would appear that whatever enchantment you are under, so are the rest of the inhabitants in the house, for no one could stay awake long enough to follow your cousins. Not one of us. And there was no reason for it.”
    So that was why no one could solve the mystery. Aleck was right.
    Her father paused in his pacing. “I will be releasing a decree tonight asking anyone who does not live in the castle who meets with my approval and who I will allow to attempt to solve this for us to apply in person immediately. I fear a conspiracy of sorts, and we must get to the bottom of this now.”
    Even though Casey had heard of this plan before, it was still a relief to know it was finally taking place. Her father was seriously upset, or frightened, or both, and it was disconcerting to see him in such a state.
    “Furthermore,” he said as he began to pace again, “I am sending out a letter to all the surrounding kingdoms asking if similar things are happening to them. If someone can figure out what and who is behind such a farce, I personally will see that he is rewarded handsomely; he will also have his choice of wife from amongst my daughters.”
    The girls began to protest.
    “As I said earlier, he will be someone I approve. He must be young, of sound mind, with pleasing-enough features to attract you, or I will not allow him to attempt the thing. I will be fair, girls, now hush. Let me finish. Then you can bombard me with your countless questions.” He spun on his heel. “However, the prize is not just from me. Already Lady Daphne has requested to add a significant sum, as well as personal property and gifts of jewelry, for the man who can decipher this. And I am certain the other kingdoms, if they are affected as we are, will also add in their share of rewards.”
    “This will be a large amount, indeed,” Casey whispered.
    “It means that much to us. If we are to