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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdAZW2zSQl
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6zvvQ9iXM
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqZ0RGCTUI
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXp4JJCp47
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nk4eft9Po
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXclvmt6Y0
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTYK3PYuYp
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMySGQxvXef
She begrudgingly bounced onto her toes, and pecked him on the cheek. "Happy birthday. A kiss may not be much but—" 738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmXRChQTaL
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U6JCraF34
"Now I really wish you would..." The girl muttered sarcastically, turning a bright shade of scarlet.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW3PS4JYKU
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKSZ8W33zb
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ035Oz8oVRa
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." 738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0NsO9gTEh
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFePCWZinN6
"Don't be ridiculous." Her words were cold and detached, bringing the pounding in her heart to a stop.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumrWK2V3m2
"What?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN3OYYXAmF
"I'm not moving in with you. I barely know you." Melinda puckered her lips and turned away from Christopher.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxC6OHU0L1
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBQyfwg7s8
"I am a stable girl. I am low and feeble compared to you. Your parents would surely disapprove of me."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXq9eUhGZq
The prince brushed away annoying strands of blonde hair. He grew impatient. "Are you honestly bringing status up?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruFKefCyXB
"Yes I am!" She protested. "I know my place. Do you?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDHaMFtn8C
"Of course I do!" Christopher raised his voice. "My parents remind me of it everyday. It has nothing to do with our relationship!"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTmnybsob8
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6SFKa61CO
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeDvLsA129
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV56oSByO2
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWfIDj4xOF
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?738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi4tcIty2K
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmt4YY7zUh
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. 738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbhDujJJuc
Melinda never came back, because Christopher was never ready. 738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUDFvVUaot
