A ferret named Peach is abducted from the pet store by what she believes to be a ferocious, five-headed monster called Handra (from "hand" and "hydra"). In actuality, the "monster" is a well-meaning girl called Amanda, who only wants to be loved. Peach soon makes trouble for her new owner due to different and humorous perspectives they have of each other, wherein "Princess" Peach believes herself to have been kidnapped from her domain as a source of amusement for a tyrant and Amanda sees her new pet as simply a playful nonentity.

The series begins when Amanda desires a unique pet. She chooses a ferret, because "they were so sweet when they slept, so fun when they played, and use a litter-box". Amanda chooses Peach at the local pet shop, against her mother Megan's wishes that Amanda select something more easy to ignore. Megan reluctantly yields to her daughter's decision only after Amanda agrees her new pet should never injure her, and that doing so will be enough reason to get rid of Peach. Amanda, terrified of losing her new pet and companion, keeps Peach's naughtiness a secret. Peach, in turn, rebels in a self-congratulatory way, maintaining that she is an unloved, friendless princess who must heroically retain her composure and courage while being tormented by hideous giants and their slaves.