The Frog Prince Read Online Free Page B

conclusions, could you please explain, in detail, why you have come and are even now sitting upon one of my nice chairs with your pond-soaked bottom?”
    His face took on a look of shock. “I am perfectly clean, Your Majesty.”
    “Just so. Now answer my question before I toss you out on your ear.”
    He grinned. “I think you mean flippers,” he said cheekily as he waved a foot. “I do not have ears.”
    The queen began to tap her shoe.
    “Do not tease Queen Mary Elizabeth,” Blythe said. “She is quite serious.”
    “Or I could always give you over to the cook, if you would prefer.” Her mother smiled. “Frog legs are such a delicious treat.”
    The frog laughed. “Oh, you are much more fun than I anticipated!”
    Blythe glanced at her mother and was surprised to see a smile upon her lips.
    “Now, speak, toad.” The queen raised an eyebrow. “Blythe, you will remain silent. I wish to hear what he has to say.”
    He cleared his throat. “Well, in exchange for fetching her ball of crystal from the deepest part of pond, the princess promised to allow me to stay here with her in the castle as her special guest. Except once I returned with the ball, she immediately collected it and ran here without me. So I have come to guarantee that she upholds her part of our bargain.”
    “I see.” The queen turned to Blythe—she did not look pleased. “Is this true?”
    Blythe glanced at him. “Yes.”
    “And you could not have promised something else? To treat this frog as a special guest was the best you could come up with?”
    “It was the payment he requested. I wanted my ball back and I could not have gotten it without him.”
    “And if you felt this way, why did you abandon him? A princess should never take promises so lightly.”
    “I am sorry. I heard the triangle ringing for tea and ran as quickly as I could. I had forgotten about the pledge until I was nearly to the castle.” She looked at the frog. “Once I remembered, I planned to come and collect you after tea.”
    “Tea?” He hopped a bit closer on the chair. “Did you say you came home for tea? I love tea! And I am incredibly famished. Do you perchance have tarts as well?”
    “He really is enchanted, is he not?” her mother exclaimed. “For would a simple frog know what tea was?”
    “Aye. I am.”
    “He claims to be a prince,” Blythe said.
    “A prince?” Her mother stepped closer. “And if you are indeed an enchanted prince, may I ask what kingdom you hail from? And just who are your parents?”

CHAPTER SIX
    “NO, YOU MAY NOT. This charm does not allow me to reveal who I truly am,” Nolan easily lied.
    Blythe’s mother put her hands on her hips. “And we are supposed to go on your word only in accepting that you are an enchanted prince?”
    “Well, no matter whose name I gave, you would have been going on my word anyhow, since I clearly do not look like my parents.”
    She huffed. “Very well. What should we call you, then?”
    “Uh …” He blinked. “Well, since I cannot tell you my real name, what if Princess Blythe picked a name for me?”
    The princess gave him a funny look as if she were trying to figure something out—something besides a new name for him.
    “Have I said anything amiss?” he asked.
    She brought her head up. “No. Forgive me. I was merely curious about a small matter. A name for you? Hmm …” She tapped her chin as if she were thinking. After a few moments, she said, “Perhaps Caspian?”
    The Caspian Sea. A very nice choice for a frog. “I like it very much.” He grinned.
    “Caspian it is,” the queen said. “And how long do you plan on staying?”
    “My charm will wear off in thirty days.”
    “Good heavens!” Blythe exclaimed. “And you mean to stay with us that whole time?”
    Her mother sighed and looked at the princess. “Well, I hope receiving that ball was worth this.” Then she glanced at him and sighed. “You are welcome to stay as long as you wish. I promise my daughter will