The Heart of the Castle

Once upon a time, in a grand castle nestled among rolling fields of gold and emerald, there lived a kind-hearted young woman named Every. At just nineteen, she had a heart of gold and the gentlest spirit one could imagine. Every spent her days tending to the gardens and caring for Fern, her loyal dog, who was always by her side, wagging his tail and bringing joy wherever he trotted.

However, not everything was bright in Every's life. Her stepmother, Belle, treated her more like a maid than a daughter. “Clean this and tidy that,” Belle would often demand, while she lounged in her comfortable chair. Yet, Every bore her burdens with grace, for she believed in kindness above all, thinking that one day, her goodness would shine through.

One sunny afternoon, a grand announcement filled the air of the castle: the prince was to host a royal horse riding event, and tickets to this magical experience were being given away! Clutching her heart in excitement, Every managed to win two tickets. "Fern, we must go! Just think of the horses!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling like the stars above.

As the day of the event arrived, Every donned her finest, albeit simple, dress. With Fern wagging beside her, they made their way to the castle’s open fields—so beautiful, they seemed sprinkled with sunlight. And there, amid the horses and laughter, was the prince, handsome and charming, radiant with joy.

However, just as Every approached the regal stag she longed to ride, she caught sight of Belle striding towards her, a scowl curling her lips. “What are you doing here, Every? You should be cleaning the stables!” Belle sneered, casting a shadow over Every's heart.

Just then, disaster struck! A wild horse broke free, galloping through the fields. In a moment of sheer instinct, Every blocked its path, concern for the creature overcoming her fear. “Stop!” she cried, and the prince, noticing her bravery, quickly rode up to her side. “Step aside, I’ll help!” he urged, capturing the wild horse with a gentle but firm hand.

The prince turned to Every, his respect shining through his warm gaze. “You possess unparalleled courage. Would you care to join me for a ride?” Every’s heart raced with joy, and she nodded, her spirit soaring as she climbed up onto the horse beside him.

As they rode together through the lush fields, Every felt a bond forming—not just with the prince, but with the magic of the castle that embraced them. In that enchanted moment, Belle watched with surprise, beginning to understand her stepdaughter’s heart.

From that day forth, Every taught Belle about kindness and the importance of dreams. The castle thrummed with joy, and Every lived not just as a maid, but as a daughter and a friend, surrounded by love, laughter, and the freedom of the open fields.

And so, every time a horse galloped through the fields, it carried with it the heart of the castle—a heart filled with kindness and adventure, forever inspired by Every's golden spirit.