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Once Upon a Short Story #3
The Bruised Princess
A desperate girl on a stormy night...
Rachel is searching for sanctuary from her abusive father, but finds herself a guest in the castle instead. Why does everyone assume she is important, and why do they insist that she sleep on an enormous mattress tower?
Can she unravel the mystery and find a happy ending, or will she be trapped in something even worse? See for yourself in this romantic retelling of The Princess and the Pea.
The Bruised Princess is book three in the Once Upon a Short Story collection.
Discover a unique twist on your favorite fairy tales with these standalone adventures!
This short story of 6,500 words (about 25 pages) was originally given as a gift to my newsletter subscribers.
Rachel is searching for sanctuary from her abusive father, but finds herself a guest in the castle instead. Why does everyone assume she is important, and why do they insist that she sleep on an enormous mattress tower?
Can she unravel the mystery and find a happy ending, or will she be trapped in something even worse? See for yourself in this romantic retelling of The Princess and the Pea.
The Bruised Princess is book three in the Once Upon a Short Story collection.
Discover a unique twist on your favorite fairy tales with these standalone adventures!
This short story of 6,500 words (about 25 pages) was originally given as a gift to my newsletter subscribers.
31 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2019
25 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
A.G. Marshall
25 books311 followersA.G. Marshall grew up in libraries and has been writing since she could hold a pencil. She loves fairy tales, witty banter, and heroines who aren’t afraid to save themselves. When she’s not writing or teaching piano lessons, she enjoys dancing and traveling the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 27, 2019
How to sleep well enough to become a queen?
Q:
A lady was free to make up her own mind about marriage, but she had to deal with the consequences. (c)
Q:
The law forbid any marriage where the woman was not a willing partner. She must say yes to make the match legally binding.
It did not forbid the means often used to get a woman to say yes. (c)
Q:
Prince Benjamin glared into his soup. It was the only safe place to look in the dining room. (c)
Q:
A lady was free to make up her own mind about marriage, but she had to deal with the consequences. (c)
Q:
The law forbid any marriage where the woman was not a willing partner. She must say yes to make the match legally binding.
It did not forbid the means often used to get a woman to say yes. (c)
Q:
Prince Benjamin glared into his soup. It was the only safe place to look in the dining room. (c)
December 25, 2019
DAWWWW!! That was the best version of The Princess and the Pea I have ever read!! Just...awwww! I need that to be a full-length novel! And it was so ingenious! And Marshall, again, endeared the characters to me very quickly! I need to choose one of her novels to try! This was amazing!
June 12, 2019
I loved how this book came together and how it was an ending that neither main character {or the reader} expected.
August 1, 2020
A surprising take on The Princess and the Pea, less about the magic and more about what could have driven a girl to end up covered in bruises. There's something sad yet strong and powerful about it, not least giving our "princess" some agency as well as some justifiable indecision. Very unusual, it really drew me in.
-Read as part of the Once Upon a Short Story: Volume One: Six Short Retellings of Favorite Fairy Tales set-
-Read as part of the Once Upon a Short Story: Volume One: Six Short Retellings of Favorite Fairy Tales set-
September 30, 2019
This is a heart-wrenching version of the Princess and the Pea fairytale. The story deals with an abusive relationship, and it made me ache for the characters so much!
May 29, 2020
This one was super creative. The best part was that it offered a believable explanation for the bruises and it fit the rest of the story really well! Also the humor in this one was fun to me. <3
November 23, 2020
godddd this is so good like it makes so much sense about the original fairytale (i always found the story weird bc what does being a princess have to do with feeling a pea under twenty mattresses???) also this is very sad :( hope she's happy tho
March 20, 2022
That was a cute little retelling and I loved the cover!
July 14, 2019
This short read packed in SO MUCH emotion. I didn't expect *this* when I began reading and my heart was invested within so few paragraphs. Typically endings like this feel implausible and rushed, but somehow Marshall makes this seem not only plausible, but Right. Cleverly set and carefully revealed.
May 19, 2022
Sensitivity is a gift.
One of my favourite aspects of this short story had to do with how it handled the physical and emotional abuse that two of the characters suffered before and during the time that the readers knew them. These are serious topics that have been covered in a myriad of ways in both the fiction and non-fiction genres for good reason. What made Ms. Marshall’s approach to them unique was how much hope she held for her characters. Yes, they were going through awful experiences at the moment, but that didn’t mean their circumstances were going to remain the same forever. Things can begin to change for the better much faster than one can imagine, and there are so many kind people out there who are willing to help. These are such important messages to send to survivors, and I think it’s wonderful that the romance genre is yet another place to find it.
I would have liked to see a little more plot development in this piece. Everything happened quickly and without a lot of exposition. That worked well for the beginning and middle, but the ending felt a bit rushed to me because of it. If those last few scenes had been given more time to shine, I would have gone with a full five-star rating. Everything else about this was well done and written to appeal to both new and longtime fans of the romance and fantasy genres.
Rachel was an admirable protagonist. She was physically and emotionally bruised from her father’s mistreatment and the frightening threats of the man he was trying to force her to marry, but she never gave up her desire to find a safe place to live. Her tenacity made me smile, especially when the odds seemed more stacked against her than they ever had been before. I also appreciated the fresh perspective she brought to the traditional legend of The Princess and the Pea. She made certain aspects of it make so much more sense than they had been before.
The Bruised Princess was a heartwarming read.
One of my favourite aspects of this short story had to do with how it handled the physical and emotional abuse that two of the characters suffered before and during the time that the readers knew them. These are serious topics that have been covered in a myriad of ways in both the fiction and non-fiction genres for good reason. What made Ms. Marshall’s approach to them unique was how much hope she held for her characters. Yes, they were going through awful experiences at the moment, but that didn’t mean their circumstances were going to remain the same forever. Things can begin to change for the better much faster than one can imagine, and there are so many kind people out there who are willing to help. These are such important messages to send to survivors, and I think it’s wonderful that the romance genre is yet another place to find it.
I would have liked to see a little more plot development in this piece. Everything happened quickly and without a lot of exposition. That worked well for the beginning and middle, but the ending felt a bit rushed to me because of it. If those last few scenes had been given more time to shine, I would have gone with a full five-star rating. Everything else about this was well done and written to appeal to both new and longtime fans of the romance and fantasy genres.
Rachel was an admirable protagonist. She was physically and emotionally bruised from her father’s mistreatment and the frightening threats of the man he was trying to force her to marry, but she never gave up her desire to find a safe place to live. Her tenacity made me smile, especially when the odds seemed more stacked against her than they ever had been before. I also appreciated the fresh perspective she brought to the traditional legend of The Princess and the Pea. She made certain aspects of it make so much more sense than they had been before.
The Bruised Princess was a heartwarming read.
February 8, 2022
4.5, rounded up to 5. When I went into this, I wasn't expecting to get anything resembling what I got. And I'm so glad for what I DID get. The Princess and the Pea is not a fairytale I was very familiar with before, in part because I was rarely interested in it. Of course I was familiar with the basic tale, but I really loved what the author did with this one. There were certainly some darker themes present, such as abuse, familial pressure, and escape. But there was also this everpresent theme of choice. Of having the personal autonomy to make your own decisions in life and not let others dictate that for you. There was definitely some insta-love, which could only have been expected, not only for a fairytale retelling but for a retelling this short. And in some ways, that took away a little bit of my enjoyment because while it fell in perfectly with the freedom of having choice, that final choice felt a little too hasty and presumptious for my taste. But I can't fault the author or the story for that, because again, it makes perfect sense for what this is. Overall, this was a solid retelling that took a tale I was less interested in and made it something special. It touches on important topics and neither walks on eggshells nor becomes too triggering. The balance the author struck felt just right. If you're looking for a retelling that goes beyond the usual expectations and if you don't mind that it's a little darker, I'd suggest this one.
May 30, 2025
A. G. Marshall tells us in the author's notes that reading the original Princess and the Pea, two questions have always stood her. One is why would a pea actually cause so much damage that the 'princess" would be all sort and weak after sleeping on a pile of mattresses and she also wants to understand a bit more about the Prince and he might be.
Apparently Rachel lives in a kingdom that doesn't require that the possible queen be royalty. Rachel is not royalty, but she does have an ambituous father and step mother who resort to whatever extremes they feel are necessary to get her to obey their commands regarding her decisions about marriage and who is the best husband for her.
Meanwhile, the Prince, Benjamin, has a step mother that wants to ruin the chances of him marrying and having children so her own children will number in the lineage for king. Rachel flees her father because he has picked out another groom, goes to churck or tries to.
Anyway, we find out how she got so injured and how the Princess wins the queens test and ends up with the prince. I always like retellings because they so often put things into modern terms and explain. While in this case, the rolls of good and bad are in no way reversed, the story is made a bit more explainable.
I recommend this to anybody who likes different takes on fairly famous fairly tails and presents us with a different set of facts.
Apparently Rachel lives in a kingdom that doesn't require that the possible queen be royalty. Rachel is not royalty, but she does have an ambituous father and step mother who resort to whatever extremes they feel are necessary to get her to obey their commands regarding her decisions about marriage and who is the best husband for her.
Meanwhile, the Prince, Benjamin, has a step mother that wants to ruin the chances of him marrying and having children so her own children will number in the lineage for king. Rachel flees her father because he has picked out another groom, goes to churck or tries to.
Anyway, we find out how she got so injured and how the Princess wins the queens test and ends up with the prince. I always like retellings because they so often put things into modern terms and explain. While in this case, the rolls of good and bad are in no way reversed, the story is made a bit more explainable.
I recommend this to anybody who likes different takes on fairly famous fairly tails and presents us with a different set of facts.
June 19, 2019
This story *hearteyes*
I loved it this morning, in about 20 minutes or so, so it's not much of a time commitment, which is nice. It also makes good use of that time, packing a lot of story and emotion into such a short amount of space. It also plays with the original story in such clever ways!!
The best part though was the way the author managed to make the two main characters such a strong ship with so much against them (they don't know each other well and the main character is very apprehensive). But it works in such a satisfying way that I was honestly floored? At one point I thought I knew where the story was going and I actually said out loud "I don't I'm going to like this..." and then two pages later and I was almost crying like "Okay, I love this"
My one complaint is that maybe I would have liked a tad more screentime with the prince because he was a gem and I'd have liked to get to know him a little better. But it's also kind of a selfish desire, more than a real critique because the author did a good job developing him and making us love him in the few scenes he got.
Over all, I would highly recommend <3
I loved it this morning, in about 20 minutes or so, so it's not much of a time commitment, which is nice. It also makes good use of that time, packing a lot of story and emotion into such a short amount of space. It also plays with the original story in such clever ways!!
The best part though was the way the author managed to make the two main characters such a strong ship with so much against them (they don't know each other well and the main character is very apprehensive). But it works in such a satisfying way that I was honestly floored? At one point I thought I knew where the story was going and I actually said out loud "I don't I'm going to like this..." and then two pages later and I was almost crying like "Okay, I love this"
My one complaint is that maybe I would have liked a tad more screentime with the prince because he was a gem and I'd have liked to get to know him a little better. But it's also kind of a selfish desire, more than a real critique because the author did a good job developing him and making us love him in the few scenes he got.
Over all, I would highly recommend <3
November 6, 2019
Title: The Bruised Princess (Once Upon a Short Story, #3)
Author: A.G. Marshall
Format: Kindle (Free)
[ Enjoyed ] Yes.
[ Last Read ] Today (breakfast and lunch)
[ Reread ] Probably won't.
[ Cover Lust ] No.
[ Intriguing Title ] No.
[ Interesting Premise/Plot ] Yes.
[ Preview Impressions ] Did not preview.
[ Kept My Attention ] Yes.
[ Got Bored / Mind Wandering ] Nope.
[ Skimmed/Skipped Scenes/Chapters ] No.
[ Reread Past Scenes For Fun ] No.
[ Reread Past ScenesCause My Memory Sucks To Clear Confusion ] Nope.
[ Stayed Up Late ] Nooo.
[ Took a Long Break Midway ] Nooooooooooo.
[ Ending Left Me Feeling ] Me. Want. MORE!!!
[ Easy Light Reading ] Yes.
[ Turn Brain Off ] *shrugs*
[ Guilty Pleasure ] Nah.
Other thoughts I'm throwing in:
This retelling of the Princess and the Pea started off not feeling like a fairy tale at all. I legit thought I was reading a full length fantasy novel despite knowing I wasn't. It was only the very end that it finally felt like a fairy tale to me. But at the same time, also felt like the end of a prologue. (I definitely want to read on.)
Author: A.G. Marshall
Format: Kindle (Free)
[ Enjoyed ] Yes.
[ Last Read ] Today (breakfast and lunch)
[ Reread ] Probably won't.
[ Cover Lust ] No.
[ Intriguing Title ] No.
[ Interesting Premise/Plot ] Yes.
[ Preview Impressions ] Did not preview.
[ Kept My Attention ] Yes.
[ Got Bored / Mind Wandering ] Nope.
[ Skimmed/Skipped Scenes/Chapters ] No.
[ Reread Past Scenes For Fun ] No.
[ Reread Past Scenes
[ Stayed Up Late ] Nooo.
[ Took a Long Break Midway ] Nooooooooooo.
[ Ending Left Me Feeling ] Me. Want. MORE!!!
[ Easy Light Reading ] Yes.
[ Turn Brain Off ] *shrugs*
[ Guilty Pleasure ] Nah.
Other thoughts I'm throwing in:
This retelling of the Princess and the Pea started off not feeling like a fairy tale at all. I legit thought I was reading a full length fantasy novel despite knowing I wasn't. It was only the very end that it finally felt like a fairy tale to me. But at the same time, also felt like the end of a prologue. (I definitely want to read on.)
April 1, 2020
On the run from an abusive father and the trap he means to force her into, Rachel is in desperate need of sanctuary in the...church she finds on a stormy night. But something seems off in this church, including the tower of mattresses Rachel has to sleep on, and she soon fears she's being led into another trap in The Bruised Princess by author A.G. Marshall.
Can't say as I read many fairy tale retellings, and I wasn't expecting a whole lot when I jumped into this short reimagining of The Princess and the Pea.
But, my, what a well-spun story this romantic read is. It wonderfully brings the believable into the fantastical and adds substance beyond simple fairy-tale developments.
And what I like most is that, yes, although Rachel is a victim, this is more than a story of a damsel in distress getting saved. Rachel has more to offer to play a purposeful, active part in the course of her life—and the course of another's.
It's a thrill when stories I stumble upon far exceed my expectations.
Can't say as I read many fairy tale retellings, and I wasn't expecting a whole lot when I jumped into this short reimagining of The Princess and the Pea.
But, my, what a well-spun story this romantic read is. It wonderfully brings the believable into the fantastical and adds substance beyond simple fairy-tale developments.
And what I like most is that, yes, although Rachel is a victim, this is more than a story of a damsel in distress getting saved. Rachel has more to offer to play a purposeful, active part in the course of her life—and the course of another's.
It's a thrill when stories I stumble upon far exceed my expectations.
May 4, 2019
Typically I'm not into the whole love at first sight, knight in shinning armor who saves the damsel in distress but something with this book made me pause. Marshall in the span of 28 pages almost ripped my heart out. From the first page which I think is a very powerful start you feel for Rachel. You want to protect her and cheer for her. She is not the damsel heroine who will lead her soldiers to war on the front line, but the quiet fighter with a loyal heart. Based off the fairy tale the Princess and the Pea, Rachel goes through the princess test and while (SPOILER NOT REALLY A SPOILER) she wins, it is the decisions she makes after for herself, a boy she barely knows and a country that make you appreciate her true strength. Even when she is battered and broken. I fell in love with this short story and only wish it could be turned into a long novel/ ebook! 5 Stars!
May 10, 2019
Unique and sweet
With as short as this story was, I wouldn't have guessed that I'd love it so much. A. G. Marshall did a fantastic job of telling such an amazing story in so few words. I loved reading Rachel and Benjamin's story with such a sweet romance. I do want to give a trigger warning that may or may not be in the blurb I didn't read. Rachel suffers physical abuse from her father off the page and she's dealing with the results of it throughout this book. It's not very descriptive, but the topic is here.
With as short as this story was, I wouldn't have guessed that I'd love it so much. A. G. Marshall did a fantastic job of telling such an amazing story in so few words. I loved reading Rachel and Benjamin's story with such a sweet romance. I do want to give a trigger warning that may or may not be in the blurb I didn't read. Rachel suffers physical abuse from her father off the page and she's dealing with the results of it throughout this book. It's not very descriptive, but the topic is here.
December 30, 2024
Great retelling
A great retelling of the Princess and the Pea fairytale. Rachel is trying to escape her abusive father and seeks sanctuary at a church nearby, except it’s not a church it’s a castle, a castle where Prince Benjamin lives with his stepmother the Queen who is trying to make sure that no woman ever passes the test to marry him so he will never have an heir.
Will Rachel pass the test and will she want to marry Prince Benjamin?
A great retelling of the Princess and the Pea fairytale. Rachel is trying to escape her abusive father and seeks sanctuary at a church nearby, except it’s not a church it’s a castle, a castle where Prince Benjamin lives with his stepmother the Queen who is trying to make sure that no woman ever passes the test to marry him so he will never have an heir.
Will Rachel pass the test and will she want to marry Prince Benjamin?
October 29, 2021
This was a very different twist on the Princess and the Pea story. Our heroine is no princess, and her background - domestic abuse is a painful reality. The author managed to take an unpalatable and rarely discussed situation and turn it into the element that turns the original fairy tale on its head and gives us a HEA that has the potential to really be happy, with work.
March 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this one! It was believable... it had deep characters (especially considering how short it was). I really liked the ending and how a desire to serve and sacrifice for someone else "conquers all".
December 11, 2020
The strength which Rachel has is endearing but the caution she exhibits is crucial. The hope that Benjamin holds he does only at personal risk.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Happily Ever After. Haunting. Page-turner. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Happily Ever After. Haunting. Page-turner. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
June 29, 2024
The Bruised Princess (Once Upon a Short Story #3) by A.G. Marshall – This is a retelling with trigger warnings for domestic abuse, but it might be my favorite retelling of the Princess and the Pea of all time. Happy Reading!
May 2, 2019
I enjoyed this short story take on the classic princess and the pea fairy tale.
January 13, 2021
I liked this retelling. Contains: mentions of domestic violence.
January 10, 2023
These are pretty good for how short they are, with interesting characters and interactions that somehow don't feel rushed. Really enjoying them more than expected.
October 27, 2023
This is a very good twist on the Princess and the Pea. It takes a serious topic and treats it with dignity and respect.
April 11, 2024
Finally a princess and the pea retelling that makes SENSE! I seriously wish this was a full length novel because everything could’ve been so developed and detailed.
October 13, 2024
I love these stories by A.G. Marshall! Fast and cozy read before going to sleep.
February 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I’ve read quite a few of these little short stories now and this one had probably the fullest plot so far. Definitely enjoyable for such a quick read!
I’ve read quite a few of these little short stories now and this one had probably the fullest plot so far. Definitely enjoyable for such a quick read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews