Not long after, Maridold is also sent to the dungeon for rebelling against the Queen, and her plans for Marigold's forced marriage. When the head guard, Rollo, suspects him of trying to destroy the castle, Christian is sent to the castle's dungeon, and Ed, Cate, and Bub soon join him. While there, a series of intriguing events take place and Christian reveals his true identity to Marigold. So Christian gets a job working in the castle, as a servent. Then, Ed realizes that Christian needs to have a life of his own and leave the cave he's lived in since the day Ed first found him in the forest. Through these p-mails, Christian and Marigold soon become best friends.

One day, Christian can't take it anymore and out of curiosity sends a p-mail to marigold across the river. Christian's main focus lay on the most neglected princess, princess Marigold. Growing up, Christian's favorite past times were inventing new machines and watching the royal princesses grow up through a microscope across the river. After making it clear that he did not want to return home, the young boy, Christian, decided to live with Ed and his two loving dogs Bub and Cate. But Chris doesn't, and she quickly figures out that the new servant is her best friend! But Marigold's selfish, cruel mother, Queen Olympia, has a plan to marry off Marigold to a royal and kill the wonderful king (her husband!) so she can rule on her own! But Marigold and Chris do not plan to let that happen.One day, while looking for new things in the forest, a Troll named Ed runs into a lost boy and takes him home. She has the ability to read thoughts if she is touching someone, so everyone avoids her. He hasn't revealed to her that he is 'C' yet.

When Chris is 17, he sets out to find work at the castle and finally meets Marigold in person. The only thing is, Christian never signed his real name, just his initial, C. One day he sends her a note by pigeon asking what she was reading, and a wonderful friendship blossoms. He is entranced of how she loves to read and dig in the garden, in complete contrast to her perfect older sisters, the blonde triplets. Especially the youngest, Princess Marigold.

I really enjoyed this book! Christian runs away from home as a young boy and a troll named Edric takes him in when Christian refuses to tell him who his family is (whom Christian soon forgets) and as he grows, he becomes fascinated with watching the royal family through his telescope across the river.

Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris