Once upon a time, the first rays of the rising sun peeked over the tall mountains, passing through the meadows and trees basking the vast sovereign kingdom of Solei in its glow. Towering over the shining kingdom lived the king of the sun, King Solaris, and his wife, Queen Solaria. The royal couple ruled over Solei with confidence and excellence rising over rest. The people of the kingdom admired the two shining stars.
Although the rulers admired the people's praises and appreciated every riches they had, they had but one desire. That is to have a child of their own. Sadly, they bore none. The king and queen prayed to their God every morning and every night wishing to one day have a child they desire. Despite their efforts, their wishes were extinguished in flames. On one faithful day, Queen Solaria went on a walk in her favorite garden of sunflowers. She attempted to distract herself from the thoughts of having a child, but looking at the beautiful scenery of her sunflower garden, she thought to herself… "How beautiful it will be to have a child with skin golden as the sunflower petals, eyes a sparkling hazel brown as the Earth's fertile soil, and a smile, wide, and radiant as the rays of the shining sun."
Then she heard a whisper from the skies above. God was impressed with her devotion and told her that her wish will soon be granted. Many months flew by in a swift manner until finally, the kingdom celebrated for the king and queen, at last, giving birth to a baby girl. After the princess was born, she looked exactly like the queen wished. The baby's skin was goldened as the sunflowers, her eyes a deep brown like the fertile soils of Earth, and she had a smile as radiant as the shining sun. Because of her physical appearances matching the colors of the bright warm summers, King Solaris and Queen Solaria named their baby princess, Sunny Day.
As the years went by, Sunny Day grew up to have a bright, warm personality like her mother and a heart of strong-willed leader just like her father. Soon, Princess Sunny Day grew up to be a kind and brave princess who cares for her family and her people. These characteristics alone makes her more beloved to everyone, perhaps, even more than the queen and king themselves. King Solaris and Queen Solaria could not be prouder of their sunny princess.
However, not everyone is too fond of the sunny princess themself. The queen's sister, Lady Midna is no exception. Lady Midna came to the palace as the queen's lady-in-waiting and nanny of Princess Sunny Day. Lady Midna is just as beautiful as the queen herself. Unfortunately, her beauty went no deeper than her skin. Lady Midna, with skin as cool and dark as the midnight skies, possesses a cruel and envious nature toward her sister for living a royal life. Most of all, jealous of her niece, Sunny Day, for having everyone admire her for her beauty and grace. Despite Sunny Day being nice to her aunt, Lady Midna cannot fathom the thought of being around someone who outshines her in both looks and personality.
The final straw is when the prince of a neighboring kingdom came to visit the royal family for a trading business. During the discussions, the princess offered her insights on what to do with future trading and managing traveling costs, which in turn, impressed not only her parents, but also the prince. The prince expresses his admiration toward Sunny's proposal as well as her intelligence. The moment the prince spoke, "Her beauty matches both her intelligence and personality.", while kissing her on the hand in return; Lady Midna cannot stand the sight of this menagerie and decided to take action.
One night while the palace lay asleep, Lady Midna was up all night plotting a scheme against the royal family.. She plans to take over the kingdom of Solei for herself. In order to do that, she needed to overthrow the royal family. The question is, how? She thinks for a long time until she has an idea and an evil one too.
At sunrise, Sunny Day woke up and was greeted by the royal guard. The royal guard told her to get ready so that her family is having a picnic in the forest and are waiting for her. Obeying the guard's orders, the princess got dressed in her best dress and followed the guard to the forest. As they venture further, the princess notices how deep the forest gets the farther they walk. She asked the guard how long it would be before they reached her parents. "Soon princess.", he responded. They walked for what felt like an hour. The princess starts to sense something is a miss. Sunny Day stops at their tracks and demands to know what's going on.
Feeling cornered, the guard took out his sharp dagger pointing at the frightened princess. Too many thoughts flooded her mind. What's happening? Why is her guard aiming her knife toward her? The guard admitted that meeting her parents at the picnic was a trick to lure her into the forest and kill her. The princess was shocked to hear his explanation. Why would he do this and what for? She doesn't recall doing anything wrong to him or anyone. The guard explained the entire story. As it turned out, that night, Lady Midna called one of the best guards of the kingdom and ordered him to take Sunny Day into the woods and kill her. She also ordered him to bring back proof of her death. Lady Midna threatened the guard that if he doesn't do what he was told then not only will the princess suffer this fate but also him and his family, only if things don't go her way.
Sunny Day, understandably bewildered, questioned why her own aunt did this. The guard in return turned away from the princess with his dagger down in silence. "I don't know princess, but what I do know is this.", he said. "She will never harm you nor will I.", he declared, throwing the dagger in the nearby pond. The guard told her to run away far from the palace and to never come back. For as long as Lady Midna is still there, she will not stop at nothing until the princess is dead. "But what about you? What will happen to you if Lady Midna finds out you disobeyed her orders?" Sunny asked in concern for the guard, despite trying to kill her. "Don't worry about me.", he assured her. "For now, you must run as far as you can before she finds you. If she does, she'll try to harm you again. Now go quickly and do not come back."
Sunny Day didn't want to leave the guard alone in the clutches of Lady Midna. At the same time, what choice does she have? In fear of her life, the princess ran away leaving the royal guard alone wondering what happens next. He spotted a wild pig wandering around the woods; possibly looking for food. This gave the royal guard a clever idea. He picked up his dagger he threw in the pond and stealthily crept behind the wild pig. The guard then makes use of his tool that was meant to be used on the princess, but instead, can be used for other 'resources'. Upon his return, he secretly met with Lady Midna and presented the heart of the supposed 'dead' princess. Lady Midna smiled with a devilish grin knowing that the princess is now gone and out of her sight. Now all that's left is to make up a story that will fool the queen and king.
Meanwhile, Sunny Day continued to run deep into the forest without any signs of stopping. Frightened, the princess dashed through the thick forest passing through tall dark trees resembling scary faces of ghouls. The sounds of wild beasts echoed loudly through her ears and branches reaching out to her as if grasping to take her body and eating her whole. She ran and ran until she couldn't run anymore and tripped over a tree root sprouting from the surface. The princess fell down injuring herself in the process and felt like she couldn't keep going. Sunny, feeling lost and afraid, was on the verge of tears. Before the first tear fell from her eyes, she hears a voice that rings from above the gloomy forests. "Do not be afraid, my child…" a calm voice rang in her ears. "... for I shall watch over you."
The rays of the sun torched through the dark forests posing as guiding lights beckoning her to follow. The princess got up on her feet and walked toward the rays of the sun letting them lead her way. Before she knew it, she found herself basking in the blinding light indicating her way out of the scary forest. She adjusted her eyes and in front of her stood a cottage in the middle of her sight. She was saved. Relieved, the princess thanked the sun god and in her injured body walked toward the cottage in glee.
Sunny Day knocked on the door, but no one answered. She shouted and called to them. Still there was no answer. The princess knew better than to trespass into people's homes without permission. Then she thought about how hungry and tired she was; and the last thing she wants is going out in the dark forest. With nothing left to do, she opened the door, in surprise was unlocked, and let herself inside. The moment she stepped inside, she was astonished by the scenery of the cottage. The inside of the cottage looked much bigger than the outside. The living area is huge enough to fit seven people inside. In fact there are seven plates, seven chairs, seven of everything. This house must've belonged to a family of seven.
Her stomach roared louder than a lion. Feeling famished, the princess began eating bits of food from each plate on the table. She broke off bits of bread and took small fruits from each plate to try and not be greedy and leave the rest for the people of the house. Hopefully they don't mind. After eating her fill, she decided to look around the place. She went upstairs and found seven beds all but the same. She did feel tired, but wanted to look around some more before resting. She went out the backyard and discovered a garden, but not just any garden. A garden full of rare and exotic flowers. Most of which she has never seen before. Feeling captivated by the atmosphere, she explored the garden to her delight. Before she could touch one of them, she heard a loud voice coming from behind her.
"Who are you?", a voice spoke from behind her ear startling the young princess. Sunny turned her head around and found not one, not two, not even three, but seven tiny forest creatures in one group. They seemed friendly, but not at all happy to see her here. After all, she trespassed into their home. "My name is Sunny Day." The moment she spoke her name; the tiny people gasped in shock. They heard so much about the princess but never expected her to be in their home. Apparently, she was known not only in her kingdom but outside as well.
The tiny creatures bowed to the guest of honor. They have so many questions to ask. It's not every day they see a princess in these parts of the woods. They ushered her inside and were kind enough to treat her wounds. Sunny, with tears in her eyes, begins telling her tragic tale of the events that happened from beginning to end. After hearing her sad story the tiny creatures pitied the poor girl and all felt sorry for her. They discussed what they should do, and all came to the conclusion that the princess will stay in their cottage.
"You can stay in our home as long as you like." one of the tiny people said. "As long as you help us clean, cook, and tend the gardens in return, you're more than welcomed here and promise to protect you from your evil aunt.", they declared. Sunny Day gladly accepted their invitation and lived with them feeling the safe and warmth of their humble home. Throughout her time living in their home, Sunny Day help cook, clean, and even helped tend to the magical garden the tiny people watch over. She also learned many different kinds of exotic plants that grow in their garden making her life much better than it was before her aunt tried to kill her.
Speaking of which, back at the palace, Lady Midna made up a story to the king and queen that their princess was killed in the woods while picking flowers for them. Devastated, Queen Solaria collapsed to the ground in shock while King Solaris stood silent trembling in despair. King Solaris understandably doesn't believe anything Lady Midna says, but little did he know the relaxation will soon hit when Midna holds in front of her the heart of their 'deceased daughter. As soon as reality hit hard on the couple, the king also collapsed to his knees in pure shock and devastation. Greatly saddened by the loss of their only child, the king and queen locked themselves in their rooms, isolated from the world around them.
Lady Midna's plan is almost complete. Seeing the royal couple in depression, she seized the opportunity to take the throne herself by announcing the devastation of their princess, and the once happy queen and king became the depressed empty shadows of themselves. "Due to this tragic adversity, your queen and king will sadly may not fit to rule again. Therefore, I Lady…no, Queen Midna will humbly accept the responsibilities and burdens on their behalf.", she declared. The people of the kingdom are upset by the loss of their respectful rulers, especially Princess Sunny Day. The people bowed down to their new ruler, Queen Midna, believing this would be the best for their kingdom in dismaying times such as this.
Lady Midna, now Queen Midna, took over the throne of Solei and ruled with an iron fist. Believing that her plan succeeded, she celebrated by throwing lavish parties and enjoying the luxuries of royalty. Something she couldn't enjoy before until now. Queen Midna thought all of her problems were solved. Until one fateful night, while she was sleeping in her comfy bed, she turn on sides over and over again because she was having a nightmare. A devilish voice echoed in her mind, "You thought you won? Well my dear, you can not have been more wrong."
"How dare you question me?" Midna shouted in her sleep. "I am queen, my sister and her husband are bound in their sadness, and more importantly, my annoying niece Sunny Day is dead. I even have her heart as proof."
The devil whispered in her ears, "You say Sunny's dead but I beg to differ. The heart the guard sent you is not of hers." Midna couldn't believe what she's hearing. She refused to believe anything he said. There's no possible way Sunny's still alive, right? "Shining brighter than the sun, the princess still lives. She resides deep in the cottage where the sprites dwell within." Images flashed before her eyes that revealed Sunny Day is indeed still alive. She happily lived with the seven spirits of the forest singing songs, spreading laughter, and bringing joy to all. Midna opened her eyes with sweat dripping down her face. This certainly can not be, she thought to herself.
The next day, Queen Midna performed her duties as usual, but she still couldn't erase the thoughts in her mind from last night. To clear her suspicion, she called the royal guard again to confirm this story. She glared at him with cold eyes to speak the truth. As if knowing what she's saying through her expression, he broke down and confessed everything about tricking her in order to keep Sunny safe. Infuriated, the evil queen ordered the guards to lock him in the dungeons where he'll never see the light of day. As for Sunny Day, the queen has more plans in mind for her. "This time I will finish her myself, even if it costs me my life.", the queen snarled between her teeth with vengeance on her mind.
On one bright sunny afternoon, the forest sprites are preparing to venture into the forest and collect seeds for their garden sanctuary. Before they leave, the sprites warn Sunny to be careful of strangers. Most importantly, to never let anyone near her, especially if it's her aunt, Lady Midna. Sunny Day promised to never let anyone in until they return. Just like that, the sprites left Sunny alone to maintain their home while they gathered the necessary resources for their garden. Sunny passed the time by doing the normal routines around the cottage, her favorite pastime of all, planting the flowers in the garden.
While Sunny was watering the flowers, she heard a knock at the door. She put down her watering can and went to open the door. Outside is an old woman selling flowers and gardening tools. The flower seller greeted the young princess and asked if she would like to buy some flowers from her. Sunny shook her head in response and explained that she already has enough flowers in her garden. "May I please see them?", the peddler pleaded with kind eyes. At first, Sunny hesitated for a moment, but sensing no danger from an old peddler like her she let her inside the cottage.
Sunny led her to the blooming garden. The peddler admired the garden full of rare flowers and exotic flowers. "I can see you take care of your flowers well.", the woman complimented. "By the looks of it, most of them are very rare. That I can tell. It must be difficult to plant and take care of such flowers like these." Sunny agreed. Maintaining a flower garden isn't easy, especially if they are hard to grow.
"They say that flowers grow in the warmth of the heart. And I believe these flowers may complete your heart's desire." She pulled out a bouquet of fresh sunflowers, her favorite flowers. "These sunflowers are not just any flowers. They are magical sunflowers that help your flowers grow and give out a very sweet aroma, unlike regular sunflowers. They are very hard to come by. I believe they'll be perfect to complete your garden."
Sunny must admit, these sunflowers are exotic as she says they are, but there's something about them seems…. off. "Why not take a whiff, they smell divine.", the old peddler offered aiming the flowers toward Sunny's face. At first Sunny is hesitant. Maybe she shouldn't account those flowers. At the same time, looked so beautiful that even Sunny couldn't resist. After all, it is her favorite, so was her mother's. Plus, sunflowers remind her a lot about the kingdom, before she sadly has to depart from it. "It couldn't hurt, right?", thought Sunny.
Sunny accepted the flowers and smell its aroma. As soon as she did, the golden flowers suddenly turned black as midnight. Then the princess began to feel dizzy and disoriented, she couldn't think straight. She couldn't react to the call for help. Before she knew it, she collapsed to the ground as if dead. The old peddler laughed in delight. "Golden skin like the sunflowers, eyes brown like the fertile soils of Earth, a smile radiant as the shining sun. How poetic isn't it? To think that my sister of a queen named you after the thing that killed you. And had. This time and forever more, I will never see your pretty face again." I'm a puff of black and purple smoke; the old peddler changed into the evil Queen Midna in disguise.
She tricked Sunny into smelling the rare sunflowers, which turned out to be laced with foul poison. As a result, Sunny fainted from the smell almost killing her instantly. Queen Midna hurried back to the palace knowing that her plan, finally, was complete. She had everything she hoped for. With the king and queen gone, and their daughter alive no more, Midna now is in full control.
When the first sprites returned home from their gathering, they found Sunny on the ground still as cold stone. They tried waking her up, but sadly, she didn't stir. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't bring her back. Saddened by the loss of their dear friend, they made an enormous coffin-like flower bud and placed Sunny's body inside. That way her soul could rest in peace. The sprites and the animals of the first wept in sorrow of the loss of their dear friend.
While the evil Queen ruled her kingdom in greed, the king and queen were still grieve stricken by the loss of their only daughter. Then a voice was heard from above, "I know where your daughter is hidden, follow my sound and she will be found." Wasting no time, they hurried out of their rooms and rode on their horses, galloping into the first as they followed the mysterious voice. By the time they reached their destination they are met with a crowd of sprites and animals. The voice murmured, "Walk to the crowd they gather round, where your daughter's body is found."
They listened and walked where the forest creatures gathered. Once they reached toward the end, they discovered a shocking scene. They found the body of their lifeless princess laying still as if asleep. The king and queen have found their daughter, but too little too late. They blamed themselves for letting this happen. If only they had looked for her sooner, maybe she would've still been alive. But what more can they do? What's done is done. Now all they can do is watch her sleeping body. The king and queen begged the voice to bring her back. Unfortunately, no voice was heard.
The royal couple asked what happened to their daughter then the sprites told them everything about Midna's deadly plight. The king and queen were furious at this brutal betrayal and sought to deal with her themselves. King Solaris requests the sprites to let him and his wife see their daughter. The sprites agreed and led them to her final resting place. King Solaris and Queen Solaria moved closer to Sunny's body. "I'm sorry my daughter, we failed you.", the king said. "If only we searched for you before, we could've prevented this happening.", the queen cried. They both felt nothing but deep sorrowful regret for not protecting their daughter sooner. Same for the sprites. If only they knew what terrible fate was brought upon Sunny Day, she would never face this experience.
Once again, the voice spoke again. "Pray over her body. Place your hands on her heart and pray over her body for wellness and miracle." Doing what the voice says, they placed their hands over their daughters to hear and recite the prayers of their people for wellness and protection. The sprites bowed their heads in prayer including the animals.
Then a miracle happened. The petals of the flower bed engulfed her whole body. It stayed that way for a while. And the flower blossomed in full bloom and revealed a familiar figure. It was Sunny Day, this time, alive and well. Everyone rejoices for their resurrected princess. She was saved. They thanked their god and hugged their princess. The king and queen thanked the sprites for protecting their daughter and helping them bring their daughter back.
Once they returned to the palace, fully prepared and more confident than before, King Solaris ordered the guards to capture the former Queen Midna and to put her on trial for treason. As punishment for overthrowing the king and queen, endangering their people, but worst of all, murdering Princess Sunny Day, Midna is stripped of her royal title and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of life outside the castle walls. There she will rot for all eternity and pay for the bad choices she has made. The princess hated to see her aunt sent to prison for her crimes. She thought about how things could've been different if her aunt had made better choices and was a sincere person. Then maybe things wouldn't have to end like this. She was family after all, but Sunny learned that just because she was family doesn't give her any right to inflict harm onto her or anyone else, which led to Midna's downfall.
Princess Sunny Day return to the Kingdom of Solei in the welcoming rejoice of the people. The kingdom was proud to have their princess back. The sprites are rewarded by the king and queen, and we're knighted as the royal guardians of the kingdom. Lady Midna is gone and the kingdom restored to prosperity once again. Princess Sunny Day and the King and queen lived happily ever after, their love shining brighter than the rays of the rising sun.