As time unfroze and his story resumed James resolved to do whatever he could to improve his increasingly bleak situation. Just how much that was he wasn't sure.
It was a confusing predicament to be placed in. James did have some degree of agency to act as he pleased within this fantasy world. He was able to move about freely, felt as if he was mostly making his own decisions and on all but a couple of occasions the words that had come out of his mouth had been his own.
However, there was no question that anyone reading his story had far greater influence over his fate than he did - and so far they hadn't exactly been using that power benevolently. Still, he had to do his best to find some way to improve his situation - and his most pressing concern was that he had just been turned into a frog by a vengeful rabbit. He should probably try and help Princess Penelope, who had suffered the same fate, as well.
"Um, your majesty.." James began as he hopped onto the huge, discarded pile of clothes she had recently been wearing.
"Wait, um...can you not get too close" the Princess winced a little "No offence but I've always found frogs a little icky. Particularly one as large as I am!"
James sighed. Was she really that stupid? He would have to break it to her sooner or later.
"I think you need to go and check your reflection in the water" James suggested patiently.
"Why? Did my hair get messed up when that creature was cursing you?" She asked with concern.
"Among other things" James answered.
After taking a few quick hops towards the lake the female frog let out an ear piercing shriek.
"What has that jerk done to me!" She wailed.
James hopped over to console her, checking out his new reflection as he did so. He didn't look that different to the Princess - a little larger and more masculine and he had retained his blue eyes at least.
"There's no need to panic" James attempted to reassure the Princess.
"No need to panic?" The Princess repeated angrily "How am I supposed to be adored and worshipped by my subjects looking like this?"
"It will only be temporary. You probably just need to find a Prince to kiss you or something" James suggested.
"What? How on earth would that help?" The Princess looked at James as if he were crazy "And what kind of deranged Prince would want to kiss a frog?!"
James didn't know how to answer that. He figured fairy tale Princesses must not be aware of fairy tale cliches, or that they existed within a story written to entertain a child. Even if he were able to break the fourth wall it was probably better he didn't.
"I just feel like something or someone will help us out before long" he answered cryptically.
Before the Princess has time to admonish him for this seemingly baseless optimism James heard a whistling sound overhead. Hopping over towards it he could see the giant figure of an elderly man in a blue cape and a tall blue pointy hat with a long, perfectly white beard approaching.
This could be the answer to James's most immediate problems! Wizards could surely remove curses and in every fairy tale he could think of they were the good guys and witches were the ones to avoid. Of course, in his excitement he had momentarily forgotten this was no regular fairy tale.
"Excuse me, over here!" James shouted as he hopped towards the old man.
"Wait, where are you going! I command you to stay and help me!" The princess hopped angrily after him.
To his relief, James's croaking got the old man's attention.
"Hmm, are you trying to speak to me?" The wizard smiled as he leaned over and gazed down at the amphibious pair "a couple of enhanted humans mayhaps?"
"See, help is in the way!" James smiled triumphantly as the wizard inspected him and Penelope more closely.
"I'm not sure I trust him" Penelope cautioned her companion "most wizards are creeps, and they usually hate royalty."
"Why?" James asked.
Before Penelope could answer, the wizard spoke to them.
"A couple of transformed humans for sure" he stroked his beard in contemplation "And if I'm not mistaken I saw Princess Penelope herself arguing with a wildburian a little earlier. So I must be in the presence of royalty?"
"This guy is good!" James smiled.
"I don't like this at all" Penelope whispered.
The wizard paused for a moment to speak again but just as he opened his mouth time began to freeze. James would have to wait before finding out what he was going to say.