Zac's Bride
A king, burdened by the monotony of his reign, devises a pig-race to entertain himself, offering his deformed daughter, Belinda, as a prize to the winner. The race attracts much attention, and a humble boy named Zac wins, becoming engaged to Belinda. As Zac adjusts to palace life, he becomes the object of affection for Belinda's beautiful sisters, Amabilia and Concaterina, who conspire to win him over. Their jealousy leads to false accusations against Zac, resulting in his imprisonment. Belinda, believing in Zac's innocence, seeks help from Canetto, the Prince of the Forest Mannikins, who reveals the truth about her mother and the wicked fairy Nuisancenika, responsible for her deformity. Canetto intervenes, transforming Belinda and exposing Nuisancenika's treachery. The fairy is punished, and Zac's true lineage as a prince is revealed. In the end, Zac and Belinda marry, while Amabilia and Concaterina find their own royal matches. The king reconciles with his wife, and the kingdom flourishes, all stemming from the king's whimsical decision to hold a pig-race.
By E.H. Knatchbull-Hugessen · Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama