You're going to love this book.

That bird's been wrong before.

by

Danny Chuck

The

Unexpected

Happy Ending

Not long ago, in a kingdom not far away, there lived a beautiful princess. More than anything she wanted a happy ending with a handsome prince.

I just want what every princess wants.

Because of her beauty, she attracted the attention of the most desired prince in the land, the magnificent Prince Jon.

Did someone order the handsome prince with a side of happy ending?

Hello, dreamboat!

The princess was thrilled. She had found the perfect prince and was on her way to her happy ending.  Prince Jon, however, wasn't so sure. He knew he was the most desired prince in the land, and there were a lot of princesses out there.

She's cute, but what about all the other princesses looking for a slice of Prince Jon?

Happy ending,

here I come.

With so many options, Prince Jon didn’t want to settle too quickly.  He set out on a quest to find the perfect girl to be his happy ending. The princess was heartbroken.

Look, babe, it's not you; it’s me: I have options.

To escape her pain, the princess wandered into the dark woods that surrounded the kingdom. It was dangerous to be alone in the woods, but she was so devastated by the loss of her happy ending with Prince Jon that she didn’t care.

There's nothing for me in the respectable world, so I'll just slink off into the woods with the other undesirables.

Hey!

The dark woods were filled with all kinds of unsavory characters who were destined for unhappy endings.  One of those unsavory characters was a brute who dwelt in a dank and lonely cave.  He avoided contact with others because he knew there was no happy ending for him. 

Sure, it's depressing, but it works for me.

Brute Cave

Sweet Brute Cave

Though the brute had accepted his life of loneliness, when he saw the princess, he longed for a happy ending with her. Of course, he knew it could never be; she was a princess, and he was a brute.

What if . . .

Nah!

Firm in the knowledge that he would be alone forever, he continued to watch her wander the woods. The longer he watched her, the more thoughts he had about happy endings. He reminded himself that his place was in the shadows, admiring her beauty from afar.

There's a fine line between admiring and stalking, and I'm walking it.

Sure you are.

Despite his best efforts, the brute couldn't stop wishing for a happy ending with the princess. At the same time, he knew he was not meant to have a happy ending. He was confused by so many competing emotions.

Maybe . . .

Forget it!

Princess + Brute = Happy Ending.

But she is so beautiful.

She is too beautiful.

Princess + Brute = No Way!

When the sun began to set, the brute worried that the princess would be lost in the dark woods and prey to all its dangers. He also figured she was probably hungry after a day of aimless wandering.

Who knows what other frightening creatures have been following her.

Just you, dude.

Finally, defying all logical, he gathered his courage and stepped out from the anonymous safety of the trees.

Don't be creepy. Don't be creepy. Don't be creepy.

Holy yikes! What is that thing?

That ship has sailed, bro.

He was so nervous when he started to speak he didn't know what he was saying, but the princess seemed to understand.

Princess hungry?

Want food?

With me?

That didn't come out right.

I think he's asking me out?

The princess was wary of his offer. However, she was kindhearted, hungry, and still so depressed about losing Prince Jon that she accepted the invitation.

Sure, why not?

Like things could get any worse.

Over the course of their meal, the princess learned that the brute was not what she expected. Yes, he was awkward and obviously unaccustomed to the company of others, but he was also generous, sincere, and thoughtful, and a pretty good cook.

Italian. Classy.

The princess continued to visit the brute. They developed a friendly relationship and spent lots of time together. The brute started to think maybe there could be a happy ending for him after all.

Is this what I think it is?

News of the princess’s relationship with the brute spread quickly. It shocked and divided the kingdom. Most of the citizens wondered why the princess would spend time with such a creature.

She must have taken the break up with Prince Jon harder than I thought.

Talk about slumming it.

The brute? Is she nuts?

A real princess would never be caught dead with a brute like him.

A few, who knew the brute, defended the princess’s choice.

I've met worse.

Who we talking about?

He's never bothered me.

He's alright for a brute

When Prince Jon found out, he was flabbergasted.

She must have lost her mind when I dumped her.

She's dating who?