Before Prince Blake could try brainstorming other ways back into the castle, a giant yet lithe hand reached down and snatched him up off the ground. The shrunken royal was caught completely by surprise, too startled to speak, or even yelp as he was raised toward the face of a young woman concealing herself with a green cloak.

“It’s okay, little one…” the comparatively-massive girl whispered in an effort to soothe the tiny Blake. “Once I found out you were in danger, I snuck out in order to help you!”

Snuck out? Wait a minute…

Ducking behind a tall, thick tree, the girl then removed her cloak to reveal a head of lovely brown hair, two sparkling emerald eyes, a beautiful golden tiara, and a gorgeous green dress. Blake recognized this person from stories he’d been told about Emerald Kingdom…

“Princess Aria?!”

“Shhh!” The princess gently hushed Blake, putting a finger to his lips for a brief moment. “You may currently be small, but please, try not to be too loud…”

“Ah, right…” Blake replied in a quieter tone. “Sorry. I think that suitor lady, Raven, may have cast a spell to shrink me!”

“While I would love to help you grow back to normal size, I’m afraid Raven is only the beginning of your troubles…”

Blake blinked. “What do you mean?”

Aria sighed. “As you might be aware, our two kingdoms aren’t on very friendly terms with one another. My father has become hungry for land and power, and he’ll stop at nothing to conquer Opal Kingdom! Worse, it seems that you are somehow a key part of his plot…but I won’t let his soldiers capture you!”

This was a lot of information for Prince Blake to process; he nodded once it all added up. “Very well, Princess…I’ll stay with you. But where do you plan to stow me?”

Taking quick glances to either side, Princess Aria decided to hide Blake…