Had to reread this a few times just to see if I was approaching the story a little harshly.
Sadly, nope. It's like an ice-cream cone on a sunny day, started out with promise, left in the heat to melt but you still gobble it down because ... it's ice cream.

1. The first act is really good and builds to the obvious ending of the Princess and the Prince. The moment the author mentions wolves the jig is up.

2. The second act is rushed and falls flat like a pancake. And then, the end, where the narrator seems to be talking to the elusive powerful keeper of stories - it seems like a sprint to the end pushing every character aside and toppling over the finish line banner.

Of course, this is barely a novella and as such it would not have enough development - but bollocks to that as there are plenty of short stories that are impactful and lasting and speak volumes in 17 pages or even more. This is the curse of this particular author. Having sampled several works already including another novella, her work takes off with gusto and draws you into the world of the characters quickly. Then comes the key part - the middle and it seems to always be a muddled mess or just plain boring and finally the ending, as if to make up for this ...seems a bit much.

I will keep reading your books madam - I will find another gem like "The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter"

Until then, this one is not it.