George MacDonald's The Light Princess

Summary

A benevolent king and his beautiful queen long for a child but bravely face the heartbreak as their regal friends across the land welcome children of their own. The queen proposes a great self-sacrifice in order to provide an heir, which the king hesitatingly accepts. But when their longed-for child finally arrives, the king''s wicked sister, covetous of his throne, secretly curses the new royal babe.