Once upon a time...there was handsome prince and a stable girl. They set aside their differences, fell in love, got married and had 33 babies. Ha! I wish it was one of those romantic cliches. My name is Grace, and I am the narrator for this story.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW5dnYa5Z4
Now, it is true about the prince and the stable girl. It was their differences that drew them closer to each other, daring them to defy titles and love. The prince, Christopher, was a naive boy, 17 years of age. He was passionate and sweet. It was unsettling about how ambitious he was. It drove the stable girl crazy. Melinda. 18, and terribly stubborn with a feisty grumpiness about her. The only time they ever crossed paths was when Christopher would throw a childish tantrum and demand for a horse.
"Oh, sweet, fair Melinda." Christopher grew weary, his demands were seemingly being diminished. "Give me my horse."
Melinda folded her arms across her chest and blew a strand of honey-orange hair out of her face. "Absolutely not. I swear on my life that your parents orders will always come before yours...my prince."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YXxI7OpST
Christopher huffed, his arms tightening around his chest. "Very well then." He spun around on his heel, kicking up a bit of dirt, and left the barn without uttering another word. Melinda watched daintily, the prince's blonde hair flowing charmingly upon his exit. She closed eyes and flopped tiredly onto the ground, her hands clutching her overalls in a frustrated manner.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzXrMzD4Hf
This would happen twice or even three times a week. Prince Christopher would get into an argument with his parents, huff all the way from the castle to the stables, argue a bit more with Melinda, and finally leave. Each time, their conversations stretched longer and longer. Each time, Melinda found herself learning more and more about the prince.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL5shDBf9O
"Melinda. I'm having a really bad day. I really just...need to get out of here. Please, sweet maiden, may I have a horse?" The boy's expression was unreadable as his stringy hair fell over his face.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25FuR09RIW
Melinda narrowed her pale-blue eyes and raised a pointed finger at Christopher. "Again, no. I have told you so many times that your parents won't allow it; and neither will I. Go home and sleep on it."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqVmhmGhpx
"Its my birthday." He spat, though trying to be uncharacteristically harsh, it ended up coming out as a whine. Christopher's hands were clenched, his face pale and shaking.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHPFXVUEtt
The stable girl still refused, though this time, she was hesitant. "I am not allowed to, my prince. Forgive me. It doesn't sound very nice, having an argument with your parents on your birthday." She caught his weary gaze, and stepped forward. Her feet finding their way in front of Christopher.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsdDcvBNMI
She begrudgingly bounced onto her toes, and pecked him on the cheek. "Happy birthday. A kiss may not be much but—" 844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQIRJy1N5u
"A kiss is everything!" Christopher raced excitedly, apparently forgetting his former forlorn mood. He clasped Melinda's soft hands and caressed them quickly before releasing them. "I will never forget you sweet gesture, my dear Melinda."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIYGo2pJ1W
"Now I really wish you would..." The girl muttered sarcastically, turning a bright shade of scarlet.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuucRlazUIV
Christopher babbled on for a few more moments before dashing off to castle. Their meeting had ended and it left a very bashful Melinda to contemplate her recent actions.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4bNzFI7T4
Every time Christopher would return, their relationship would grow and prosper, secretly dwelling in the stables, away from people. With every stubborn and unpleasantly romantic word that was exchanged,Melinda found herself falling for this man. Hard.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYed8xgLV8n
However, it was one comment that brought Melinda back into reality. "Just you wait until you move into the palace with me. Everyone will love you, I'm sure of it." 844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GkpYJaV2L
The stable girl stopped breathing for a moment, staring on at the prince that used to be so ridiculously obnoxious. She didn't know how she felt for him. But one thing was now certainly clear: She was a stable girl. She wakes up and feeds the horses every morning, grooms them, takes care of them. It wasn't her place to have feelings for the prince of her country.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSJrYNJoID
"Don't be ridiculous." Her words were cold and detached, bringing the pounding in her heart to a stop.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dLRs7ERu2
"What?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlyAT0eNbl
"I'm not moving in with you. I barely know you." Melinda puckered her lips and turned away from Christopher.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdjyB1B1yE
"Maybe not right now, but much later I'm sure we'll be a lot closer." Christopher's words were soft and innocent. It caused tears to form in the corners of Melinda's blue eyes, at which she blinked away furiously.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHDmWvoqBo
"I am a stable girl. I am low and feeble compared to you. Your parents would surely disapprove of me."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjnV0EL6Dm
The prince brushed away annoying strands of blonde hair. He grew impatient. "Are you honestly bringing status up?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmldmaT917R
"Yes I am!" She protested. "I know my place. Do you?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaKG3JnuWV
"Of course I do!" Christopher raised his voice. "My parents remind me of it everyday. It has nothing to do with our relationship!"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVbqitpjzF
Melinda rolled her eyes. "It has everything to do with out relationship." She stood up and leaned against a wall. "Typical. You are so naive, Christopher. When are you going to learn to grow up? Not everything is a fairy tale." The girl slowed down, feeling melancholy dripping with every word.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpXbLpcdb7
Christopher stood up, his hands shaking by his sides. "It is a fairy tale." He sternly admitted. Melinda shrank down little by little. "Because I am the prince. And you..." He laughed, "you are the beautiful stable girl who rescues me."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGT8JK50Lk
Melinda shook her head and walked towards the tired prince. They were both exhausted from fighting. "I will take my leave, my prince. You need time by yourself to get your priorities straight. Time will ease both of us into a state at which we can work again. When you are ready, I will come back. Now, farewell."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUkONankqa
With that, the stable girl pecked her prince on the cheek and left. Christopher was all mixed emotions. Anger, sadness, grief, frustration, confusion. All of this contributed to his hearty sob after the woman left him.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zWhSmWRu1
The next day, Christopher uneasily made his way down to the stables. For once, he did not have an argument with his parents. There was no need for him to go back to his place of pain, was there?844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGubGy3XKZ
He walked in, unannounced as per usual. But she wasn't there. It was empty. A realisation flooded Christopher. He sat there for hours, simply repeating the words Melinda had spoken. "Time will ease both of us into a state at which we can work again."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAsNvlFR6P
Sadly enough, her words were true. Christopher married off and had many children and grandchildren. He soon forget about his adolescent love. However, there was always a certain emptiness in his heart that could never quite be filled. It was subtle, but it was always there. 844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSh0lo2Cus
Melinda never came back, because Christopher was never ready. 844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECTHMGPwYL
