# The Heart of Princess Joan explained — The Necklace of Princess Fiorimonde

> Chapter companion for The Necklace of Princess Fiorimonde by Mary De Morgan.

## What happens

Prince Michael learns from a wizard that Princess Joan's heart has been stolen by a fairy, making her cold and unfeeling. He vows to find and restore her heart, receiving a magical glass to follow a crimson star that will lead him to the castle where her heart is imprisoned. The chapter also recounts the backstory of how the fairy cursed Joan after the Queen's proud boast.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Prince Michael's willingness to risk his life and wander for years to restore Joan's heart exemplifies selfless love and sacrifice.

### Power and Its Corruption

The Queen's pride and haughtiness provoke the fairy's curse, showing how arrogance can lead to harm.

### The Nature of True Beauty and Goodness

Joan's external beauty contrasts with her inner coldness, highlighting that true goodness requires a heart capable of love.

## Character check-ins

### Prince Michael

Determined to break the spell on Princess Joan, he seeks the wizard's help and sets off on a quest to find her stolen heart.

### Princess Joan

Under a fairy's curse since infancy, she is heartless and unable to love or feel sorrow, though she remains beautiful.

### the doctor

The wizard who advises Prince Michael and gives him the magical glass to follow the crimson star.

### King Lambert

Mentioned as Michael's father; Michael bids farewell to his home and family before his quest.

## Key lines

> A fairy has stolen her heart, and that is why she loves no one, and can feel no sorrow; she has no heart with which to love or pity, and till it is found and restored to her, she will be hard and cold as stone.

A fairy took Joan's heart, leaving her unable to love or feel sadness; she will remain cold until her heart is returned.

_The wizard explains the nature of Joan's enchantment to Michael._

> Take this; It is all that I can give you, to help you, and through it you must look at the stars, and you will see that they are all of different colours—blue, green, red, and yellow; look for the one which is the deepest, brightest red, and follow it; it will lead you many miles both by land and sea, but follow steadily, and let nothing turn you from your course, and you will surely come to the castle wherein is imprisoned the heart of your Princess.

The wizard gives Michael a glass that reveals the stars in colors; he must follow the deepest red star to find the castle holding Joan's heart.

_The wizard provides Michael with the means to locate the heart._

> I will marry her, or no one, said Michael. But not till I have found out who has bewitched her, and have broken the charm.

Michael declares he will only marry Joan after discovering and breaking the spell on her.

_Michael's resolute vow to the wizard._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_necklace_of_princess_fiorimonde_se/chapters/the-heart-of-princess-joan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_necklace_of_princess_fiorimonde_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_necklace_of_princess_fiorimonde_se/chapters