Rescue Princesses #4: The Stolen Crystals by Paula Harrison Read Free Book Online Page A

me find these crystals as well.”She dropped one of the Heart Crystals into his hand, too.
    Emperor Cho stared at the magical crystals in silent amazement. Lulu, Emily, and Clarabel came to the front and showed him the other three heart-shaped gems.
    “Happy birthday, Grandfather!” said Jaminta softly.
    “The stolen crystals!” said the emperor, gazing at the sparkling jewels. “How did you find them after all this time?”
    “They were buried on the mountainside,” explained Jaminta. “The thief hid them there, planning to dig them up later.”
    “But who hid them?” The emperor looked all around, as if he was expecting the thief to jump out of the crowd.
    “It was Earl Scrant, Your Majesty!” said Emily, with a curtsy. “We saw him trying to dig up the jewels today.”
    “Really? Earl Scrant?” echoed the emperor in astonishment.
    The kings and queens muttered to one another and shook their heads.
    “Look! There he is!” someone called, and the crowd turned to look at a tall, thin figure that was hurrying toward the palace gates with a suitcase.
    “Guards! Arrest him!” called Emperor Cho.
    Earl Scrant saw the guards chasing him and began to run. He dropped his suitcase, which sprang open. Jaminta’s tiara fell out onto the walkway. The crowd gasped. The earl was caught by the guards and taken away.
    “Well, this is a day of big surprises!” said the emperor. “I’m so very proud of you, Jaminta. You discovered something that has been lost for ten years.”
    The queen sniffed. “I suppose you did very well to find them, even though your dresses are very dirty.”
    Jaminta chewed her lip. “But … I nearly gave all these jewels away to save a panda cub.”
    Her grandfather burst out laughing. “That’s because you’re a kind-hearted girl. Have I ever told you the true power of these Heart Crystals?”
    Jaminta shook her head.
    Emperor Cho gave her the heart-shaped jewel back. “Blow on the crystal very gently. You try it, too, girls.”
    The princesses all blew gently on the Heart Crystals. As their breaths touched the jewels, their transparent surfaces filled with beautiful color. Jaminta’s gem turned green, Emily’s was red, Clarabel’s was blue, and Lulu’s was bright yellow. Amurmur of astonishment rippled around the crowd.

    “They’ve turned the same colors as our rings,” whispered Jaminta.
    “These crystals show the true nature of a person’s heart,” said the emperor. “I suspect if Earl Scrant blew on one of these gems it would turn black, revealing him for the scoundrel he is. But each of you has a very good heart indeed.”
    The crowd clapped and cheered.
    “I want you to keep this star jewel, Jaminta,” the emperor continued, “to remind you of this special day. Having these Heart Crystals back is enough of a birthday present for me.”
    “Thank you, Grandfather!” said Jaminta.
    “Well done, princesses!” whispered Ally, who had come to see the celebrations. “Ten years after they vanished, the HeartCrystals are finally back where they belong.”
    Emperor Cho asked his guards to put the Heart Crystals away safely in a display cabinet in the banquet hall. Then they all sang “Happy Birthday” and ate several slices of cake. The twelve-tier birthday cake kept everyone happy, with its layers of chocolate fudge, cherry, ginger, lemon, toffee, and many other flavors. Emily’s little sister, Lottie, ate a slice from all twelve tiers and then had to sit very still on a garden chair to settle her aching stomach.
    Jaminta linked arms with the others as they went to get glasses of lemonade. “I know we don’t agree all the time, but I’ll never forget all the things we’ve done together.”
    “Me neither,” said Lulu.
    “The adventures just get better and better,” said Clarabel, with a happy sigh.
    “Maybe one day we’ll find more princesses who’d like to join us,” said Emily, skirting around her sister, Lottie, who was now turning cartwheels across