A Princess, A Prison and a Magic Peach — a flash fiction

“Oh, mouldy cheese!” she fumed as she shook the bars again. She needed to get out before the Ball or her father would be furious. But the guards were resolutely ignoring her. “Rotten eggs!” she yelled in frustration.

An old woman snorted from the corner. “Are those the best curse words you have, Princess? They’re not very… insulting, are they.”

The Princess scowled at the old woman, then remembered she was supposed to be polite. “I didn’t get taught any bad words at finishing school. I had to get inventive. Perhaps you could teach me some?”

The old woman pursed her lips, amused. “I could, I could, at that, Princess. What would you do for me if I did?”

The Princess shrugged. “I’m in a bit of a darn pickle right now, if you hadn’t noticed. If I were released, I would have more power to grant you something but right now, I am -” She paused to kick the bars with her soft slippered foot. “Ouch! I am somewhat tied up.”

Defeated, she slipped to the floor, eyeing the dirty straw distastefully.

The woman smiled. “Yes you are. But I can help you, if you help me. Will you do as I ask?”

The Princess eyed her suspiciously. “Putting aside the whole, you can help me, business, what is it you want from me? What…