Music Welcome to snoozecast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is brought to you by Drawing Rooms. Tonight, we'll continue our journey through the Rose and the Ring by William Makepiece Zachary, first published in 1854. The previous episode aired last month. the last episode, we learned how Princess Angelica's parents neglected to invite Fairy Blackstick to her christening, resulting in gruff enough, the strict dormant, being transformed into a brass knocker as punishment for his rudeness. Now, as we turn the page, we explore the lively relationship between Princess Angelica and Prince Giglio. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed.

Now, take a few deep breaths. Chapter 7. How Jigglyo and Angelica had a disagreement. The King's court painter returned to the land of Crim Tartari with some drawings he had made, while visiting Blombadinga, the capital of Paflegonia. The best drawing he made was a picture of Princess Angelica, which everyone in Crim Tartari wanted to see. The King loved the painting so much that he gave the painter a special award, and from then on, the artist was known as Sir Tomaso Lorenzo. King Valoroso also paid him a lot of money because he had painted the king queen and the most important nobles while he was in Blambodinga. Sir Tomaso became very popular, which made all the other artists in Palflegonia really jealous. A portrait of Prince Bulbo hung in the royal living room above the sideboard, where Princess Angelica could see it while she made tea. Every day, the painting seemed to look better and better, and the princess liked looking at it so much that she often spilled tea on the tablecloth. Meanwhile, poor Jiglio was upstairs in his room, very sick, but he took all the awful medicines the doctor gave him, just like a good boy should. The only person who visited Jiglio was little Betzinda, the housekeeper. She would clean his bedroom and sitting room, bring him his food, and make sure his bed was warm. When the little helper came to see him in the morning and evening, Prince Jiglio would ask, but Sinda, how is Princess Angelica? And Betzinda would reply, the princess is very well, thank you, sir. Then, Jigglyo would sigh and think to himself, if Angelica were sick, I know I wouldn't be feeling very well either. Then Jigglyo would ask, Betzinda, has Princess Angelica asked about me today? and Betzinda would say, no sir, not today, or she was very busy practicing the piano when I saw her, or she was writing invitations for a party and didn't talk to me. Betzinda would come up with some excuse, not always entirely true, because she was so kindhearted and didn't want to upset Chiglio. She even brought him roast chicken and jellies from the kitchen, telling him, the princess made the jelly or the bread sauce herself just for you. When Giglio heard that, he felt encouraged and started to get better right away. He ate all the jelly and finished every bit of the chicken. The next day he felt so much better that he got dressed, went downstairs, and ran into Angelica. All the furniture covers were off. The chandeliers were out of their bags. The fancy curtains were uncovered, and the nicest photo albums were on the tables. Angelica had her hair and curlers. They were all getting ready for a party. Goodness, Chiquilio, cried Angelica. Your hair dressed like that? Yes, Angelica. I came downstairs and feel so much better today, thanks to the chicken and jelly. What do I know about chickens and jelly?" said Angelica. Didn't... didn't you send them? Jiggly-o asked. Me? Send them? No, Jiggly-o. She replied. I've been busy preparing the rooms for the Prince of Crim Tartare, who is coming to visit my father's court. The Prince of Crim tartare? Jeklio stammered, shocked. Yes, the Prince of Crim tartare said Angelica, teasing him. I bet you've never even heard of that place. What do you know about it? You probably don't even know if Crim tartari is by the Red Sea or the Black Sea. Yes, I do. It's by the Red Sea. Jiggly overplied. But this made the princess laugh even harder. Oh, you're silly. Don't look so shocked. Go put on your best clothes to welcome the prince and let me finish getting the drawing room ready. Jigglyo said, Oh, Angelica, I never thought you would say this. This wasn't how you spoke to me when you gave me this ring and I gave you mine in the garden and you gave me that... but what the... was we will never know because Angelica now angry shouted, shoo, how dare you bring up your root-ness and as for that silly little ring here? Take it. And she threw it out the window. It was my mother's wedding ring. Cryed Jiglio. I don't care who's wedding ring it was. Angelica shouted. Whoever picks it up can marry her if she's a woman. You won't be marrying me and give me back my ring. I have no patience for people who brag about the things they give away. I know someone who will give me much nicer things than you ever did." What Angelica didn't know was that the ring Jiggly- had given her was a magical fairy ring. When a man wore it, all the women would fall in love with him. When a woman wore it, all the men would fall in love with her. Giglio's mother, the queen, who looked quite ordinary, was very admired when she wore this ring, and King Savio was frantic with worry when she was sick. But when she called little Jiglio to her and put the ring on his finger, King Savio didn't seem to care for his wife as much anymore. Instead, he directed all his love towards Little Jiggly-O. Everyone loved him as long as he had the ring. But when he, as a young child, gave it to Angelica, people began to admire her instead. Fine, you can have your ring back too." Jigglyo shouted, his eyes filled with frustration. Then, as if he suddenly realized something, he exclaimed, Wait, is this woman I've been in love with all my life?

Have I really been foolish enough to invest my feelings in you? Oh, you're mean, Angelica cried. Angelica grabbed the ring with one hand and then gave Jiggly-O-3 little smacks on the face. He laughed so hard he almost couldn't breathe while she fumed. Just then, Count Gambabella, the head of household, entered with a polite bow, dressed in his court outfit and said, Royal Highnesses, their majesty's are expecting you in the pink throne room,

where they are waiting for the arrival of the prince of Crim tartari.

Chapter 8

How rough enough picked the fairy ring up, and Prince Bulbow came to court. Prince Bulbow's arrival had everyone at the court buzzing with excitement. Everyone was instructed to wear their best outfits. The footmen put on their stylish uniforms. The chancellor sported a new hairstyle. The guards dawned their latest jackets, and Countess Gruffinoff was eager to wear her finest attire. As she was walking through the palace courtyard on her way to see the royal couple, she spotted something shiny on the ground. She told the boy in a suit who was holding up her train to go pick it up. He was a scruffy little fellow, wearing some of the old groom-porters' clothes, which were much too tight for him. However, when he picked up the ring and brought it to her, she thought he looked

a bit like a little cupid. He handed her the ring. It was a silly little thing, but it was too small for her fingers. So she just tucked it into her pocket. How beautiful you look today, Miss.

Set the boy.

Looking up at her. tucked it into her pocket. How beautiful you looked today, Miss,

said the boy, looking up at her. And you too, Jackie, she was going to say, but when she looked down at him, no, he no longer looked the way he did before. He was just the scruffy little Jackie of the morning. Still, everyone likes a compliment, even from the most unappealing of boys. So Gruffinoff told him to hold up her train and walk on in high spirits. The guards greeted her with extra respect. with a smile and a bow, gruff enough entered and took her place behind the king and queen, who were in the throne room waiting for the prince of Crem Tartari. Princess Angelica sat at their feet, while Prince Jigglyo stood behind the King's chair, looking quite displeased. The Prince of Crim tartare arrived with Baron Sleabootz, his advisor, and a young servant carrying an exquisite crown that sparkled in the light. He wore travel clothes, his hair tussled from the journey. I've ridden 300 miles since breakfast!" he exclaimed, clearly excited, I couldn't wait to meet the court and the royal family of Pavlikonia. From behind the throne, Jigglyo let out a loud, mocking laugh, but the royal party was too flustered to notice. Your royal highness is welcome in any attire, said the king, Glimbozo, get a chair for the prince. Any outfit the prince wears is a court outfit. Princess Angelica added with a gracious smile. Oh, but you should see my other clothes. The prince replied, I would have worn them, but the carrier hasn't delivered them. Who's laughing back there?" It was Jiggly-O who was laughing. "'I was laughing,' he said, because you just said you were in such a hurry to see the princess that you couldn't wait to change your clothes. And now you say you came in these because you don't have any others.

And who are you?" said Prince Bulbo, glaring fiercely. My father was the king of this country, and I am his only son, replied Jiglio, matching Bulbo's tone. The king was quite flustered now, while Glomboso tried to maintain his composure. Dear Prince Bulbo, I forgot to introduce my dear nephew, Prince Giglio. You two should get to know each other, embrace each other. Giglio, give him your hand. As Jiglio shook Bulbo's hand, he squeezed it so hard that tears sprang to Bulbo's eyes. Glomboso then brought a chair for the royal guest and placed it on the platform where the king, queen, and prince were seated. However, the chair was right at the edge and as Bulbo sat down, it tipped over, sending him tumbling and shouting like a bull. Jiggly-O laughed even louder, and so did the entire court when Bulbo got back up. Although he hadn't looked too silly when he entered, as he stood up from his fall, he appeared so very plain and foolish that everyone couldn't help but laugh. When he came in, he had been holding a rose, which fell from his hand as he tumbled. My rose, my rose, cried Balbo. His chamberlain rushed forward, picked it up, and handed it to the prince, who tucked it into his waistcoat. people wondered why they had laughed. There was nothing particularly silly about him. He was a bit short, a bit stout, and had red hair, but overall, for a prince, he wasn't so bad. So they sat and chatted, with the royal guests mingling with the crimmed tartar officers and those from Paflegonia. Jiglio felt quite at ease with Gruffinuff standing behind the throne. He looked at her with such warm eyes that her heart fluttered. Why were you so unkind to Prince Bulbo, dear Prince? Ask rough enough. Because I can't stand him." replied Jigglyo. "'You're jealous of him and still love poor Angelica,' she said, wiping her eyes with her handkerchief. "'I did love her, but I don't anymore." Jigglyoke exclaimed, I think very little of her. Even if she were the heirs to twenty thousand thrones, I would still think poorly. But why talk about thrones? I've lost mine. I'm too weak to get it back. I'm all alone and have no friends." Oh, don't say that, dear Prince." said Gruff Enough. Besides, he added, "'I'm so happy here behind the throne that I wouldn't trade places.' No, not even for the throne of the world.' "'What are you two chatting about over there? Ask the queen. It's time to get ready for dinner. Jiglio, please show Prince Bulbo to his room. Prince, if your clothes haven't arrived, we'll be delighted to see you as you are. When Prince Bulbo arrived at his bedroom, however, his luggage was already there and unpacked. The hairdresser came in and styled him to his complete satisfaction. When the dinner bell rang, the royal party had to wait no more than 25 minutes for Bulbo to appear. Meanwhile, Giglio stayed close to Madame Gruffinoff, engaging her in conversation by the window and showering her with compliments. Finally, the noble guests made their way into the royal dining-room. It was an intimate gathering, just the king and queen, the princess, the two princess, Countess Gruffinov, Glomboso the Prime Minister, and Bulbos Aid. The princess chatted non-stop throughout dinner with the prince of Krem tartare, who overindulged and barely lifted his gaze from his plate, except when Jiglio, while carving a goose, accidentally sent a generous helping of stuffing and onion sauce onto him. Jiglio couldn't help but laugh as the prince wiped his shirt front and face with a scented handkerchief. He didn't bother to apologize to Prince Bulbow for the accident. Whenever Bulbow looked at him, Jiglio pretended not to notice. His attention and conversation were entirely focused on Countess Gruffinoff, who basked in his attention. After dinner, both the king and queen settled into their arm chairs for a nap. This was the moment when Giglio decided to have some fun with Prince Bulbo, treating him to port, sherry, madira, champagne, marsala, cherry brandy, and pale ale, much to the young prince's delight as he drank heartily. While serving drinks to his guest, Giglio couldn't help but join in, and, unfortunately, he went a bit overboard. As a result, the young men were quite boisterous and silly when they finally joined the ladies after dinner. Little did they know, their fun would soon come to bite them back. Bulbo settled himself beside the piano where Angelica was playing and singing. He sang out of tune, knocked over the coffee when the footmen brought it, laughed at inappropriate moments, talked nonsense, and eventually fell asleep, snoring loudly. Yet as he lay sprawled on the pink satin sofa, Angelica continued to regard him as the most handsome of all. Perhaps the magic rose, Bulba War was the reason for her infatuation. Jiglio then took a seat next to Gruffinuff, whose old face he found increasingly enchanting. He lavished her with compliments, declaring that she was the most delightful woman he had ever met. Holder than me? Nonsense.

I would marry you in an instant. I wouldn't know one but you." The prospect of marrying the heir to the throne was too tempting for the clever Countess to resist. She quickly fetched a sheet of paper and wrote, This is to give notice that I, Jiglio, only son of Savio, King of Palflegonia, hereby promised to marry the charming and virtuous Barbara Griselda, Countess Gruffinoff, widow of the late Jenkins Gruffinoff, Esquire. What are you writing, my delightful gruff enough? Ask Jigglyo, lounging on the sofa by the writing table. Just in order for you to sign dear Prince, for providing coals and blankets to the poor during this chilly weather. Look, the king and queen are both asleep, so your order will suffice. Knowing Jigglyo's good nature all too well, gruff enough watched as he signed the order without hesitation. Once it was tucked away in her pocket, she couldn't help but strut around with new found confidence, feeling as if she could rival the queen herself now that she was the wife of the rightful king of pathagonia. She dismissed glimboso, considering him a bore for depriving her dear husband of the crown. And the candles were brought in and she assisted in undressing the queen and princess, she returned to her room. There she practiced her new royal titles on a sheet of paper, eagerly anticipating the day she would become queen.

XIX. How about Sinda got the warming pan? Little bit Sinda came in to put rough enough's hair in curlers, and the countess was so pleased that, for once, she gave the girl a compliment. That's Sinda, she said.

You've done a lovely job with my hair today.

I promised you a little gift, and here it is. Oh, no, wait. Here's a pretty little ring that I've had for a while. She handed but Cindy the ring she had found in the courtyard, and it fit perfectly.

Oh, it's just the ring the princess used to wear. Betzinda remarked, admiring the piece. No such thing, gruff enough replied. I've had this ring for ages. Now, It took me uncomfortably since it's a very chilly night. She continued, as the snow whipped against the window. You can warm-deared Prince Giglio's bed for me. Then you can help me with my green silk, fix up a little cap for the morning, men not hole in my silk stocking and finally you can head off to bed, Betzinda. Just remember,

I'll- cap for the morning, men not hole in my silk stocking, and finally, you can head off to

bed, Betzinda. Just remember, I'll want my cup of tea at 5 o'clock in the morning. I suppose I should warm both young gentleman's beds then, Betzinda suggested. In response, gruff enough merely snored, drifting off to sleep. Her room, as you know, is right next to the king in Queens, and the princess's room is besides theirs. So Betzinda went to the kitchen to fetch coals and fill the royal warming pan. Now, she was a kind, cheerful, polite and pretty girl. Yet something about her seemed to enchant everyone that evening, because all the women in the servant's hall began to scold and criticize her. But as for the men, every one of them, including the coachman, John, buttons the page, and even Missur, the valet of the Prince of Criptartari, they all chimed in, exclaiming, Oh my, what a lovely girl Betzinda is. Goodness gracious. Oh heavens. Betzinda dismissed them and walked away with her pan of coals. As she made her way upstairs, she heard the young gentlemen playing billiards. First, she warmed Prince Giglio's bed. Then she headed to Prince Bulbo's room. Just as she finished, Prince Bulbo entered. And the moment he saw her, he exclaimed, Oh, what a beautiful creature you are!

You ain't... Bulbo entered. And the moment he saw her, he exclaimed,

Oh, what a beautiful creature you are! You angel! You fairy! Allow me to be your Bulbo! I've never seen a young gazelle that could delight me with its dark blue eyes as you do. Be mine. Be the princess of Crem tartare. My royal father will surely approve of our union." Betzinda, taken aback by his overly theatrical proclamation, could hardly contain her laughter at Bulbos' absurdity. Please, your royal highness, go to bed." Betzinda said, holding the warming pan firmly. But Bulbo wouldn't listen. No way you have to swear to be mine first. You lovely blushing chamber-made. Here at your feet the royal bubble lies, captivated by your beauty. He went on with his antics, but Sinda couldn't help but laugh and playfully tapped him with the warming pan. noise noise caught Prince Jigglyo's attention, and he rushed in, looking annoyed. What's going on in here? He asked. Glancing at Bulbo's ridiculous display. Honestly, Bulbo, you should really find someone else to bother. He said, stepping between Bulbo and Betzinda, let's get you back to your room, shall we? He gently but firmly led Bulbo away, leaving Betzinda shaking her head with a smile. Poor Betzinda was torn between laughter and concern. After Giglio had finished leading Bulbo away, he came back and dropped to one knee in front of Betzinda, took her hand and declared, will you accept my heart? I want to marry you right now. Just imagine Bettsinda's reaction. She had admired Jiglio since she was a little girl, gazing at him from afar in the palace garden, dreaming of this very moment.

Oh, divine Betzinda, Jigglyo continued. Eyes sparkling with affection. How have I spent these 15 years without truly seeing how remarkable you are? What woman in all of Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and even Australia, though it's not fully discovered yet, could compare to you, Angelica. No, gruff enough the queen no you are my true queen you are the real Angelica because

...