Rescue Princesses #3: The Moonlight Mystery Read Free Page A

teacher,” said the king. “She’s here to help you learn proper princess manners.”
    Lulu made a face. That all sounded very dull, but what choice did she have? “All right, I’ll be nice to Prince Olaf and do the new lessons.” She dropped into a wobbly curtsy.
    Bouncing back upstairs, she forgot all about the promises she’d just made to her parents. The important thing was that the other princesses were coming, and together they would find Tufty’s family.
    She was about to climb into bed when she heard a noise outside. Padding over to the open window, she looked out into the darkness. The moon was hidden, but the stars made a pattern across the sky like scattered jewels. She began to turn away when a glint caught her eye. Something winked at the far side of the garden, next to the old gray wall near the gardener’s shed.
    Holding the fluttering curtain still, she stared hard at the spot. But nothing else happened. Maybe it had been a firefly, or the eyes of a lizard.
    Lulu gazed at the little lion cub curled up on her bed. His soft tummy rose and fell as he breathed quietly in his sleep. “Don’t worry, little Tufty,” she whispered. “The Rescue Princesses are coming. We won’t let you down.”
    Lying her head on the pillow, she closed her eyes and thought of Emily, Clarabel, and Jaminta. The sooner they got here, the sooner all the lions would be back together and happy once again.

Lulu hovered by the palace gates, her heart thumping. She scanned the dusty road for any sign of a carriage. All she’d seen so far were gazelles leaping across the grasslands. The queen had made the visit invitation official on the telephone, and Emily, Clarabel, and Jaminta had all flown to the Undalan airport that morning from their different countries.
    Lulu wished her dad had sent a car to pick them up, but he wanted them to have a proper royal welcome.
    “All visitors must be greeted by the royal carriage, Lulu,” he said. “We can’t just send some silly car. It would be wrong.”
    “It would be faster,” said Lulu.
    The king smiled and shook his head.
    At last, a speck appeared in the distance and grew larger.
    Lulu leapt up and down, her eyes sparkling. “They’re almost here!”
    A golden carriage, driven by two horsemen in purple uniforms, drew up to the palace gates. Three heads leaned out of the carriage window, one red haired, one black haired, and one golden haired.
    “Hey, Lulu!” called the princesses. “We’re here!” They waved to her excitedly.
    “I’m so happy to see you!” shouted Lulu, waving back.
    At last, the carriage stopped at the palace steps and the three princesses climbed out eagerly. They were followed by Ally, Emily’s maid, who had come to look after them.
    “Welcome to the kingdom of Undala,” said Queen Shani, smiling at them all.
    Emily’s red curls bounced as she curtsied. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I bring good wishes from the kingdom of Middingland.”
    “We’re so pleased to come and visit,” Clarabel said shyly, her blue eyes and blond hair shining. “I also have good wishes, from the land of Winteria.”
    “My greetings come from the kingdom of Onica. Thank you for inviting us,” added Jaminta, her straight dark hair falling to her shoulders.
    Lulu jumped up the palace steps, bursting with energy. “Great! Now that that’s all finished, come this way, girls.”
    “Just a minute,” said the king, laughing. “The princesses must be introduced to our other visitors, then there will be a royal banquet to celebrate their arrival.”
    Lulu sighed. Banquets always took so long. She just wanted to talk to the princesses in secret and start making a rescue plan.
    “We’ll have time to catch up later,” said Emily, winking at her.
    “Right — later!” Lulu grinned and winked back.
    So after they’d been introduced to everyone, the princesses went upstairs to put on their best ball gowns and favorite tiaras. Lulu was impatient for them to meet Tufty, but