In a humble village, young Jane Woods' life is shattered at the tender age of six when a tragic accident claims the lives of her farmer parents. Their tomato-laden trailer careens off the road, bursting into flames upon impact and leaving no survivors. Orphaned and inconsolable, Jane is forced to live with her cruel aunt Betty and uncle Pat, who resent caring for a child not of their blood. Over the next decade, Jane endures a life of drudgery and maltreatment. She is subjected to endless chores, long hours toiling in the tomato fields, meager food rations, and harsh punishments from her heartless guardians. Her tiny frame remains frail and sickly, a mere shadow of the vibrant girl she once was. When Jane turns sixteen, the village is set astir by a mysterious visitor - an aide to the king, searching in secret for a bride for the kingdom's heir, eighteen-year-old Prince Dubois. The once handsome and lively prince fell into a vegetative state two years ago after a devastating riding accident. A witch foretells that only the kiss of true love from his wife can revive him. Seizing the opportunity for wealth, Jane's repugnant uncle Pat agrees to sell her to the king's aide, deaf to her desperate pleas. Torn from the only life she's known, Jane finds herself whisked away to the breathtaking royal palace to become Prince Dubois' wife. Initially recoiling at the prospect of marrying an unresponsive vegetable, Jane's resistance melts when she meets the kindly king, who begs her to save the kingdom by loving his son. For three years, she dutifully tends to the comatose prince, though her heart remains closed off. As the king grows impatient and considers replacing Jane with the cunning Thalia, she resolves to genuinely fall for Dubois...
Chapter 1 The tragedy 1
The sun-warmed earth felt incredible beneath Jane's bare feet as she raced through the rows of tomato plants, their leaves brushing lightly against her legs. Her laughter bubbled up, bright and full of joy, resonating through the fields. Ahead of her, a butterfly-one she'd never seen before-drifted on the gentle morning breeze, its wings sparkling like they had been dusted with fairy magic.
"Oh, you're so beautiful!" Jane called out, stretching her small hands toward the enchanting creature. "Can you come a little closer, please?"
For a moment, the butterfly lingered nearby, its wings making a soft, melodic sound that seemed almost within reach. Jane felt a surge of wonder; she'd never met a butterfly that felt so personal before.
As she chased it, weaving between the plants, Jane noticed how the tomatoes glimmered like rubies under the sun. The butterfly's glow danced across their shiny surfaces, making everything feel beautifully magical.
"Jane! Sweetheart, come back for breakfast!"
Her mother's voice floated over the field, warm and inviting. Jane paused, caught between the exhilarating chase and the tempting promise of fried eggs and toast. The butterfly appeared to hover too, as if nudging her to head back.
"I'm coming, Mama!" she shouted, reluctantly breaking away from the captivating sight. As she sprinted toward the farmhouse, she thought she heard the butterfly's wings produce a gentle chiming sound, almost like it was bidding her farewell.
When she reached the farmhouse, her father greeted her with a hearty laugh. "Look at you, my little wild tomato! Did you bring half the field with you?"
Jane giggled as she suddenly realized how leaves and twigs had gotten tangled in her hair. Her mother clicked her tongue, feigning disapproval, although her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Oh, Jane," her mother sighed, gently plucking a leaf from her daughter's messy hair. "What are we going to do with this wild mane of yours? It's like a jungle up there!"
Her father chuckled and affectionately ruffled her hair again. "Don't change a thing, pumpkin. That wild hair of yours is just brimming with sunshine and adventure."
As her parents exchanged playful banter, Jane's mind wandered back to that enchanting butterfly. Would it still be waiting for her after breakfast, eager for another chase through the tomato fields? The memory of the butterfly's dazzling wings and sweet sounds warmed her heart, rivaling the love she felt from her parents.
"Can I go back to the field after breakfast?" Jane asked, practically bouncing in her seat. "I made a new friend!"
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Another imaginary friend?"
"No, Mama! A real butterfly! It was so pretty, and it made music!"
Her parents shared a knowing glance above her head, clearly attributing her excitement to her imaginative nature. But Jane was sure of what she had seen. As she followed them into the farmhouse, the scents of fresh bread and love wrapped around her, and deep down, she felt something truly magical had just entered her life.
The Woods family gathered around their beloved oak table, steam swirling up from bowls of hearty oatmeal. Jane's legs swung back and forth, barely brushing the floor as she took a spoonful.
"Mama, Papa, guess what I'm doing today?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, a drop of milk hanging from her chin.
Her father leaned in with a teasing grin. "Let me guess... are you planning to dig a tunnel to the neighboring kingdom?"
Jane laughed, shaking her head. "No, silly! I'm going to build a house for the butterfly!"
Her mother reached across the table, gently wiping her chin with a napkin. "A house for the butterfly? That sounds like such a lovely project, sweetheart."
"Uh-huh! I'll use twigs and leaves to make it super cozy," Jane explained, her hands moving animatedly as she illustrated her ideas. "Maybe if I make it nice enough, the butterfly will decide to stay forever!"
Her parents exchanged loving glances, their eyes twinkling with amusement.
"That's very thoughtful of you, pumpkin," her father said, ruffling her hair again. "But first, how about you help your old man load up the trailer? We've got a busy day ahead at the market."
Jane's face lit up. "Can I really help? I promise to be super careful with the tomatoes!"
Her mother chuckled softly. "Of course, sweetie. Just keep an eye on those little fingers of yours."
As they finished breakfast, Jane couldn't stop wondering if the butterfly would want to live in her garden. Maybe it had a family too, just like hers. That thought filled her with excitement for the day ahead.
Outside, the sun climbed higher as Jane's parents began loading crates of ripe tomatoes onto the old wooden trailer. The air was rich with the earthy scent of fresh produce and the thrill of a lively day at the market.
"Here, Papa!" Jane called, gripping a wrench almost as long as her arm. "Is this the one you need?"
Her father beamed, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That's perfect, pumpkin. You're already a pro with the tools."
Jane beamed with pride as she handed over the wrench, fascinated by how her father tightened the bolts on the trailer hitch with such ease.
"Mama, can I help you too?" Jane asked, turning to her mother, who was carefully arranging the crates.
"Of course, sweetie," her mother replied, brushing flour-covered hands on her apron. "Could you pass me those smaller baskets? We'll tuck them snugly in between the big crates."
As Jane rushed to help, a little worry crept in. "Will the tomatoes be okay on the bumpy road, Mama? What if they get scared?"
Her mother softy reassured her. "Oh, honey, that's so sweet of you. Don't worry; we'll make sure they're safe and cozy, just like we tuck you in at night."
Jane nodded, helping to nestle the baskets into place and whispering calming thoughts to the tomatoes, assuring them they were in for a grand adventure.
Soon, the old pickup truck roared to life, sputtering briefly before settling into a rhythmic hum. Jane climbed into the middle seat, snuggled between her parents, clutching her cherished rag doll tightly.
"Ready for our big adventure, pumpkin?" her father asked, smiling as he shifted into gear.
Jane nodded, her pigtails bouncing with excitement. "Yes, Papa! But will Mr. Whiskers be okay all alone?"
Her mother laughed, smoothing Jane's wild hair. "Don't worry, sweetie. That old tomcat is probably curled up in your bed right now, dreaming of catching mice."
As they drove down the dusty road, Jane pressed her nose against the window, watching the scenery blur past. The trailer creaked and groaned behind them, its wheels rattling over the bumpy ground.
"Listen to that racket," her father joked, shaking his head. "Sounds like we've got an orchestra back there."
Jane giggled at the image of the tomatoes putting on a musical show. "Maybe they're singing for us, Papa!"
The warm summer breeze flowed through the open windows, bringing with it the sweet, earthy scent of ripe tomatoes. Jane inhaled deeply, savoring the familiar aroma that always reminded her of home.
"Mmm," her mother sighed happily. "There's nothing like the smell of fresh tomatoes, is there? I could bottle it up and wear it as perfume."
Jane scrunched her nose in response. "Mama, you'd smell like spaghetti sauce!"
Laughter filled the cab, blending with the rhythmic sounds of the journey. Jane felt a wave of happiness wash over her, feeling safe and loved nestled between her parents.
Suddenly, the truck lurched violently. Jane's stomach dropped as the vehicle careened sharply to one side.
"Hold on!" her father shouted, gripping the steering wheel.
Everything outside turned into a chaotic blur. Jane clutched her doll tighter, her heart racing.
"Papa, what's happening?" she yelled, but her voice was lost in the overwhelming noise.
In an instant, the truck tipped over. Jane felt herself tumble, her parents' frantic voices echoing around her. The sickening crunch of metal crumpling reverberated through her small body.
And then, silence. Just for a moment, everything felt frozen.
Moments later, a crackling sound filled the air. Through the shattered window, Jane saw angry flames reaching toward the overturned trailer, licking hungrily at the spilled tomatoes.
"Mama? Papa?" she whimpered, her voice shaking with fear.
There was no response, just the rising roar of flames consuming their precious cargo, their dreams, all going up in smoke before Jane's terrified eyes.
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