A Fairyless Fairytale

A Fairy-less Fairytale

         Once upon a time in a land far, far away a little princess was born. Her hair was red as a fox’s fur and her eyes were emerald green. The entire kingdom marveled at her beauty, for no one had ever seen such purity and beauty in any one being. A month later deep in the woods another baby girl was born to a poor couple. But luck as it was had never been in their cards and this time was no different; the peasant’s baby girl was stillborn. Screaming in pain and agony the mother held her baby and yelled to her husband, blaming him for all their misfortune. “You and your dear King; if you would’ve been with me more this would have never happened. You ate the good food in the castle and brought home only scraps” the woman screamed and cried.
         That night in a moment of desperation the peasant enter the castle and switched babies. He hid the little princess under his robe and ran away but not before setting the crib on fire with his baby’s lifeless body inside. The fire quickly dispersed throughout the castle. The night was filled with screams and ashes. The peasant ran to his wife and gave her a second chance at being a mother. When at last the fire was extinguished there was hardly anything left of the castle. The King and Queen only found ashes in the crib where they laid their little princess. The sorrow was too great so they decided to leave for another part of the country.

         The peasant and his wife stayed behind and raised the little princess as their own. They taught her to hate the King and Queen, as to somehow ensure she would never accept them or that she would never return to them. They raised three children, two girls and a boy. They called the princess Emerald, because of the color of her eyes. Emerald’s sister, Velecia was just five years old and the boy, Thomas had just been born. Eighteen years had passed since the big castle fire and not many people remained in the town. Without the castle, the merchants and traders didn’t bother to come, so people started to move to be closer to the new castle. Emerald was a beautiful girl with fair skin and bright eyes. Even though her soft hair was always hiding under a rag and her curvy body stayed hidden behind really loose clothing, Emerald had a lot of admirers. Her closest friend was a young boy by the name of Saphion. Saphion was from a neighboring town but had always played with Emerald in the woods that divided both towns. Emerald saw Saphion as the older brother she never had; and Saphion saw her as the mother of his unborn children. He knew he loved her since he was a child. The first time they met a six-year-old Saphion ran to his dad and told him he wanted to marry Emerald.
         Emerald’s beauty had grown, as did her wisdom. She was a very analytical girl and was always thinking objectively. Saphion would dare her to climb a tree or to wake a sleeping bear but Emerald was the one who would stop Saphion from doing silly or plainly stupid things. She was always thinking of consequences; but all that was about to change.

         It was a beautiful springtime morning; Emerald and Saphion were collecting rocks by the river when they heard horses approaching. They weren’t too sure about the situation so they ran and hid behind a big fallen oak tree. It was a hunting party. Five obviously rich men related to royalty stopped at the river’s edge to get a drink of water for both them and their horses. Saphion told Emerald those men were royal guards and most likely the one with the big flashy coat was Prince Anthony III. Emerald hated everything royalty; after all her parents had taught her that the royals had stolen the poor people’s lands and enslave the population including her dad. Of course most of it was true but Emerald’s dad had never actually been a slave. Saphion told Emerald to stay low because the royal guards were known for abusing young women they encounter in the woods. Prince Anthony III was a very handsome young man. His long blond hair was tied in a low ponytail and his eyes were a vibrant green, they almost shine. Saphion looked for an opening and told Emerald they had to leave as quietly and as quickly as possible but Emerald was hypnotized not only by the Prince’s good looks but also by his bright, elaborate clothing. Saphion had to actually almost drag her by the arm to take her away from there. As they ran away emotions were running high inside both of them. She was intrigued and amazed and Saphion was jealous and livid.
“Listen to me Emerald; never go there again. Those men are really dangerous” said Saphion grabbing her hands in a pleading manner.
“It is our land; I’ll go if I chose to, thank you very much”
“What! Have you heard anything I told you? Those men will hurt you. I can’t even believe you. Aren’t you the same person who would not cross a creek because it could be contaminated?”
“Don’t worry about me Saphion, besides I don’t tell you what to do.”
“You what? How about, “don’t climb that tree Saphion, don’t drink that, come here, and don’t go there” he said imitating her voice.
“Ok, ok I do tell you what to do but only for your own good” said Emerald with a smile.
“So, that is exactly what I am doing now”
“Don’t be like that Saphion, you know I’m always careful. I bet you would feel better if I knew how to use a sword. Unfortunately my dad won’t teach me.”
“Well. I could teach you if your father permits”
“Come on he doesn’t need to know, besides is for my own safety and you want me to be safe right?”
“It is settled then tomorrow we will start your training. I will tell father to make a light weight sword for you”
Saphion’s father was the kingdom’s blacksmith so it was easy for him to get a sword or anything metal. That was the reason for Emerald extensive collection of metal bracelets and accessories. Saphion never had the courage to tell Emerald his true feelings so he gave her gifts instead. Every time he was close to telling her he loved her something would come up or he would chicken out.
That night Emerald told her parents about the encounter with the Prince.
“He was handsome I thought” Emerald was telling her mother
“No child, you must never talk like that about that man” said her mother worried.
“Why not mother?”
“Well…he is evil for once and nothing that is evil can be good. Remember, he took our lands and our lively hood”
“But that wasn’t really him it was his parents” Emerald said as if to excuse him.
Emerald’s father spoke up, “What are you saying? I don’t want to hear any other word about this Prince. You must never meet this man. You will stay away from that part of the forest and if you hear horses approaching start running and don’t stop until you get home. Am I understood young lady?” Said Emerald’s dad with a firm and demanding voice.
“Yes father I understand. May I retire now please?”
“Yes dear you may. Remember we love you and we are only trying to protect you” said Emerald’s mother kissing her forehead.
         Emerald lay on her bed and tried to think about anything besides the Prince but she couldn’t escape the thought of him. Why did she felt such an attraction towards him? It was all very confusing to her. After all she had never been in love. Was this love at first sight? She could hardly sleep that night. The little time she slept she dream about the Prince.

         It was morning and Emerald couldn’t wait for her first sword fight lesson. Saphion and her decided to go deep into the forest so nobody would see them, after all Emerald’s dad haven’t given his permission.
Saphion was a good teacher and Emerald a good student. In no time she was beating him at his own game.
“You are a natural. I am afraid of you,” said Saphion jokingly.
“Oh. Come on you are so much better than me. I know you are letting me win and for that you shall die,” said Emerald playfully, sticking Saphion softly with her sword.
Saphion played along and dropped to the ground faking noises of death. She got closer to kick him while he was down but Saphion grabbed her leg and pulled her down on the ground. He grabbed her hands and pulled them over her head. He was sitting over her, looking down at the woman he knew he had always loved. He wanted to kiss her more than ever. Every inch of his body was aching to feel her soft lips in his. He was suddenly very quiet on the outside, but inside a million voices were telling him what to do. Some were telling him to kiss her; others said she would hate him. Do it, don’t do it, he didn’t know what to do.
“Hey, come back to earth and get off me. Stop staring at me, you are creeping me out. Hello?”
“Oh I’m sorry I was out of myself there for a moment” said an embarrassed Saphion as he got up and helped Emerald on her feet.
“You better watch it I know how to fight now. Was that like my test?”
“Well you can never trust a down opponent. As you can see they might not be all dead maybe they are just mostly dead.” (Thanks to the “Princess Bride” for that one)
“You are a good friend Saphion”
“Just a friend?”
“Ok, you are a brother to me”
Not exactly the words that Saphion expected to hear. He rather be a friend than a brother any day. Emerald and Saphion decided to go swimming at a spring that they used to go all the time as little children. They walked trough the woods singing and chasing each other but suddenly they saw something that stopped them in their tracks. There was a fence in front of the trail that lead to the spring and two royal guards on each side.
“What is this? Why are those guards there?” asked Emerald confused and angry
“Well it looks like your majesty found our precious spring and decided to keep it”
“That is not fair. I’m going over there “said Emerald as she walked towards the guards.
Saphion was walking next to her, ready to protect her. What he didn’t know was that the ones who needed the protection would be the guards. Emerald was very loud telling them she walked a long time to go into that particular spring and that she always bathed in it. Her hollering stopped when she saw the Prince coming to see what the ruckus was about. He was clearly enjoying the spring because he was only wearing a cloth around his waist, which didn’t cover much. His long hair was down and wet and little drops of water slid down his muscular but slim torso. Emerald had never seen a semi naked man before so she was in a small shock. Every time Saphion and her used to get in the water it was fully clothed. Saphion wasn’t too happy about the Prince’s attire and tried to cover Emerald’s eyes but she pushed his hands off. She wanted to see the Prince in his entire splendor. Prince Anthony III couldn’t believe his eyes for such beauty wasn’t easy to find in his kingdom. He looked Emerald up and down as if trying to inhale all her beauty and memorize every feature of her lovely face.
“Guard, please let the lady inside. Would she be so kind as to accompany me for lunch this afternoon” said the Prince showing a big table of food at the end of the trail.
Emerald had never seen so many different foods in one table. The food looked almost as delicious as the Prince did. Emerald looked at Saphion who was shaking his head no.
“Let’s go Emerald; your father will be worried. Thank you your majesty but we must return to town” said Saphion bowing to the Prince and grabbing Emerald by the arm.
Emerald pulled her arm out of Saphion’s grasp and smiled at the Prince.
“I would love to accompany you sire, it would be my honor.”
Emerald wasn’t sure what she wanted more; the fresh fruit on the table, splashing in the crystal clear spring or gazing into the eyes of the gorgeous prince.
Saphion decided to stay with Emerald to protect her but after she entered the guard closed the gate in Saphion’s face. He called out Emerald’s name so she would let him in. Emerald turned to look at Saphion but just waved to him and followed the Prince down the trail.
Saphion was infuriated. This Prince was about to get in the middle of his love life and he wanted to kill him. Of course Saphion decided to stay right in front of the gate waiting for Emerald. He could see a part of the food table but not much more.
         The spring wasn’t as Emerald remembered it. There were benches and statues. The plants were trimmed into shapes and the Kings’ flag was flying high. It was obvious that the spring was property of the King now. The prince put on a velvet robe and offered Emerald a seat. She sat down at a small glass and marble table and he sat right across from her.
“My lady I overheard your friend call you Emerald. Is that your name?”
“Yes sire it is” she said softly
“Very fitting I must say. Because I haven’t seen eyes so beautiful outside of castle walls. Your eyes remind me of my mother’s own eyes”
“Thank you sire you are too kind”
“I would say not kind enough” he said taking her hand and kissing it softly.
Emerald felt electricity traveled through her body as a lighting strike. She felt like she couldn’t even swallow the wine in her mouth. She couldn’t even look at him in the eyes so she lowered hers and tried to compose herself.
“I am sorry sire; I’m not used to all this attention”
“Well it looks like your friend out there gives you a lot of attention. I saw the fire in his eyes when you accepted my invitation”
“Oh, no that is just Saphion, my childhood friend. He is like a brother to me. He is always trying to protect me”
“And he should. You are a beautiful girl Emerald, the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. You are even more beautiful than all the princesses I have met so far”
“Really? Thank you sire”
“Call me Anthony; after all is just you and me here”
“I couldn’t sire it is not proper”
“Proper for whom? I insist,” he said kissing her hand again
“Anthony it is then. This food is wonderful. We usually have only bread and water for food”
“Well there is plenty here so you can take some of it with you when you leave; that is if I let you” he said with a sensual smile.
“You just said I could have some, I don’t understand?”
“I wasn’t talking about the food silly girl, I was talking about you”
Emerald laughed nervously, even giggled. Her mind saw no reason. She was expecting to wake up any minute for she was sure that the events in progress were just a dream. Anthony took off his robe and jumped in the spring.
“Come in the water with me Emerald”
All of the sudden Emerald was back and her mind started to over-analyze everything. What if the wine was drugged? The prince probably just wanted to abuse her and left her for dead. Maybe he enjoyed killing peasant girls in the woods. Emerald had so many thoughts that she didn’t even notice the Prince got out of the spring and was standing right in front of her. She came out of her trance when she felt water on her face. She opened her eyes to see a muscular tan chest right in front of her. Slowly she looked up and there he was in all his majestic beauty. Anthony’s light green eyes were piercing into hers and she could feel the water dripping down from his hair.
He gently grabbed her face with both hands and leaned down to kiss her so softly on the lips. Emeralds’ heart jumped out of her chest, she couldn’t breathe and then everything went black as she fell in the Prince’s arms.
         Saphion watched as the Prince walked towards the gate with Emerald passed out in his arms. Of course to Saphion it looked like a lifeless body and he jumped up to attack the Prince. The guards tried to hold him back but he was fighting with all he had. The Prince saw how desperate Saphion was.
“Don’t worry good man she just fainted. I’m taking her to the castle to make sure she is fine; and to marry her”.
“You can’t do that, just leave her with me and go. You need to marry a princess not a commoner like her. She’s mine”
“She didn’t mention that to me but it is obvious you have feelings for this woman”
“Yes I do my lordship. I beg you please just go”
“You don’t have to beg, I am leaving but I am leaving with her”, said the prince as he put Emerald’s body in the royal carriage and closed the door.
Saphion was biting the guards and trying to escape the three guards that were holding him down. The carriage left carrying the only woman he had ever loved and the guards proceeded to beat him up. After all, nobody bites the royal guards and leaves without a scratch.
         A beat up Saphion ran to Emerald’s house to tell her parents that the Prince had kidnapped Emerald and the plans he had for her. Emerald’s parents were in a frenzy, their worst nightmare realized; Emerald back at the castle. Much worse was the notion of Emerald marrying her own brother. They didn’t want to be hanged, which was the natural outcome of a crime as big as theirs. But also they didn’t want Emerald to marry her own brother. They didn’t say this to Saphion, just that they would have to go rescue her from the evil Prince. Emerald’s father and Saphion prepared to travel to the King and plead for the release of their daughter. Saphion saw an opening for his dreams and took it.
“I was thinking Mr. Leon, that if you tell the King she is already to be married to me he might be more willing to set her free. I love your daughter with all my heart and I was planning on asking you for her hand soon but in this case I’m sure waiting would be much more inappropriate. You know I’ll take good care of her and treat her like a queen”
“Of course, I knew about your feelings for my daughter, I had seen it in the way you look at her and there isn’t any other man I would feel comfortable giving my daughter to. The only thing I would like to know is if Emerald has told you her feelings. Does she love you?”
“She sure does Sir; she loves me more than life itself”
“It is settled then. You may marry my daughter and become my son,” said Emerald’s dad giving Saphion a hug.
         Of course Emerald love Saphion but she loved him as a brother. Saphion couldn’t take a chance so he decided to bend the truth just a bit and it worked. Emerald was his property and he was going to get her. Emerald’s dad and Saphion mounted their horses and began riding to the new castle. It was a long journey so they pack some food and bags and left early in the morning.

          Emerald opened her eyes and found herself in the carriage next to the Prince who was looking at her with amazement. He was smitten by her beauty and you could clearly see it in his face.
“Why are you looking at me like that? And where are we?” Asked Emerald as she sat up and fixed her clothing.
“You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Emerald I think I love you already,” he said holding her hand.
“What! You can’t love me, I’m nobody and you are the prince. Besides you don’t really know me that well,” she said almost not believing what she was hearing.
“That’s love, is a very unpredictable emotion. All I know is I don’t want to spend a minute away from you”
Emerald was confused and amazed. She thought for sure she was dreaming. First of all the prince was evil and hateful and this guy wasn’t either or he didn’t look it and then how did she get in his carriage? Definitively a dream or was it?
“How did I get here?” she asked looking down at the floor.
“I am up here, why don’t you look at me?” he asked, gently lifting her face.
Emerald couldn’t look at the prince because her heart would skip a beat every time she looked at him. She was nervous and excited. She couldn’t breathe when she would see his gorgeous white, perfect smile, his cute dimples and his piercing eyes. She was softly trembling as she felt the Prince’s hands on her shoulders.
“Don’t faint again please, you scared me back there,” said the Prince with a smile.
“I... I fainted, that is so embarrassing. I’m sorry Sire”
“Anthony, remember is Anthony to you”
“Anthony, it’s just strange to me. You don’t look or sound too evil”
“What? I am not evil. Who told you that?”
“You have killed a lot of people and stolen away our land”
“I haven’t killed anyone yet and the land thing, well that is my father’s doing not mine. I actually was in your village to help.
“But what about the spring?”
“The spring was in the kingdom’s land and we own the kingdom so is not really stealing. Besides you and your friends were the only ones we had ever seen there”
“What do you mean seeing there? Have you seen us before today?”
“A couple of times I have seeing you bathing in there with your friend. I kept coming back to see you because I couldn’t shake your image from my mind but you didn’t returned in a long time until today. To tell you the truth, that is why I wanted to build that place. I wanted to have a place where I could remember your beauty forever. I built it in your honor. I figured after 5 months you probably had died or might never be back to the spring”
“You waited for me for 5 months?”
“Not every day but I would return a couple days a week. I even rode into the surrounding towns in hopes of finding you. But you know what I think? I think what is meant to be is meant to be.”
Emerald couldn’t believe it. The Prince was in love with her and with every word uttered from his mouth she felt that she was falling in love with him.
“Where are we going?” asked Emerald looking out the window; for she didn’t recognize the surroundings.
“We are going home”
“Home where? This is not the way to my home”
“We are going to the castle, your new home”
“What! Wait, a minute I can’t go live in the castle. I have a home and a father and a mother and siblings. They are going to be worried about me and I live there.”
“Calm down love I have sent word to them that you will be staying at the palace for your preparations.”
“Preparation for what exactly?”
“ To be my bride, what else. I found you and this time I’m not letting you go.”
“ Anthony this is crazy we just met. Besides what if I don’t want to marry you. Are you going to force me? You see this is what I was telling you. You think that everything and everyone belongs to you. If you want something you just take it. Is that it?”
“Dear God, you are even more beautiful when you are mad. Your fire reminds me of my father.”
“Please don’t compare me to your father the King and answer my question if you would be so kind.”
“You know I can have you hanged for talking to me in that tone of voice and pointing at me with this finger” he said grabbing her pointer finger and kissing it.
Emerald pulled her finger away from him and held her hands together in her lap.
“Very well, I will answer you. I don’t want to force you to marry me and I won’t. But I do want to spend my time with you and you live a little far away from here. I want you to get to know me better and I want you to love me as much as I love you. Also I would like you to see your future home”
“Confident aren’t we?”
“The fact that you fainted when I kissed you and that you haven’t jumped out of the carriage yet gives me a good vibe.”
         Emerald was blushing and very embarrassed.
“Well you are the first man that has kissed me and you are the Prince.”
“You know I don’t think anybody should only experience just one kiss. But I’m going to fix that right now.” he said grabbing her face and trapping her lips in his, softly licking her lips and tongue.
Emerald returned his kiss and caressed his soft face and hair. She had never felt like she was feeling in that moment. She was feeling all tingly in parts of her body she never expected to tingle. Maybe tinkle but not tingle. She forgot all her worries and couldn’t even remember why she was upset before. She opened her eyes for a slight moment and saw the Prince’s eyes closed in pleasure.
The carriage stopped and when Emerald looked outside she saw the castle right there next to them. It was magnificent and a bit intimidating. It had high pillars and towers. It was the highest man made structure she had ever seen and she was very impressed by the sheer magnitude and beauty of the architecture. The Prince got out of the carriage and insisted on opening her door himself. Emerald took the rag off her hair and let her long red wavy hair flow down to her waist. When the Prince opened the carriage door and saw Emerald with her hair down his mouth opened and his green eyes twinkled. He looked as if he had just seen an angel or a chest full of treasure. Her beauty immobilized him as a magic spell would. She laughed passively and touched his cheek.
“Anthony, are you OK?”
“You are most ravishing.”
He couldn’t wait to kiss her again and he didn’t. He entered the carriage again and kissed her passionately. A man in very shiny clothing interrupted them.
“Sire, your father is awaiting and I’m sure the lady would like to change before meeting his Highness”
“Yes of course, I’m so sorry. Come my love I will show you around.”
Emerald couldn’t believe she was really in the castle, the evil castle and yet she felt so right. The prince introduced her to a woman who was the personal servant of the Queen. She was going to get her ready for dinner with the King and Queen. She began by running a bath for her. Emerald was amazed at this bath. She used to bathe in the river like every other peasant. Flower petals were floating in the water and fragrance oils added to the water. She couldn’t believe it. She was confused to see the woman holding a rag and standing right next to the bath, looking straight at her.
“Yes, can I help you?” asked Emerald
“Are you going to get in the water, I don’t have all day you know. Take your clothes off child!”
“But you are standing right there”
“How else am I going to bathe you?”
“Bathe me? Oh no I can bathe myself thank you.”
“Suit yourself. Here is the rag and you can dry yourself with this cloth.”
“Thank you”
Everything was very different for her. Having someone else dress you, comb your hair, bring you water. Having a majestic bed with pillows and soft blankets. Even having big mirrors in the walls was a marvel to Emerald.
“Listened child my name is Laurel and I can tell by those rags you were wearing that you aren’t a princess so let me give you some advice. Don’t say much and agree with everything they want. You don’t know how lucky you are that Prince Anthony likes you. You could have everything you have ever wanted if you know how to play your cards right. Think about your family and how much you could help them if you are here in the castle. Although I saw how Prince Anthony and you were gazing into each others eyes; so maybe you just need to follow your heart.”
“Is he a good man?”
“My Prince is a sweetheart I love him dearly. You are a very lucky girl indeed. Now let’s put on this gold necklace and take off those awful brass bracelets”
“Oh no, not the bracelets I never take them off they are from a dear friend of mine”
For a moment her mind backed up to her real life and she thought of Saphion and how worried he would be for her.
“My sword! Where is my sword?”
“You carry a sword? Ladies don’t carry swords”
“Well I did.”
“I’m sure one of the guards has it or maybe Prince Anthony. You could ask him later but not in front of his Highness please”
“I shall, thank you Laurel; this dress is unbelievable. I look like a princess or something.”
“You sure do, you look like you belong in these walls.”
Emerald had a beautiful green satin gown with long tight sleeves and a full skirt. Her already small waist cinched by a corset made her full bosom looked like it was about to pop off the top of her dress.
“Little girl, who knew you were hiding such a body under those old rags. You have the body of a goddess. My mother used to call women with bodies like yours, men killers.”
“Thank you but I feel a little uncomfortable. I feel like my breast are going to come out and I can’t breathe that good with this tight thing around my chest and waist.”
“That is the price of fashion and beauty. You will be fine just remember to breath and don’t get too excited”
“I have trouble breathing around Anthony as it is, this is going to be hard”
“Oh really, you can’t breathe around the prince?”
“I don’t know why, but my heart feels like I was running or something”
“That sounds like love to me child”
“You really think so?”
“I can’t tell you that; you have to find out on your own. But we better hurry we don’t want to keep the Royal family waiting. One more piece of advice, don’t call the Prince by his first name in front of the royals.”
“Thank you. I’m nervous”
“You will be fine.”
Laurel walked Emerald to a grand room with lots of big portraits in golden frames. The chairs and sofas were covered in red velvet and there was a big piano with gold trims in a corner. Chandeliers and beautiful vases with flowers were adorning the room as well. Even the marble floor was beautiful. Emerald walked over to the piano for she had never actually seen one.
“Do you like it?” asked the Prince from behind her.
Emerald turned around to see Anthony in his full Prince attire. Wow he looked really handsome and important. He even had a small crown on. He was speechless to see Emerald all dressed up like a princess.
“You look magnificent, very handsome,” she said with a smile.
“You…you...wow,” he stuttered, taking her hand and kissing it tenderly.
“Speechless huh? I guess I look good.”
“You look stunning, now more than ever I can see you would be a perfect princess and one day Queen.”
Emerald shook her head and smiled.
“Are we meeting your parents now?”
“Yes I came to escort you to the dining table, I thought to myself, why give that pleasure to another?”
“I’m glad you came to escort me; I wanted to see you before we met your parents. I wanted to ask you something.”
“What is it?”
“Where is my sword? I had it at the sp”
“Oh yes I have it in my room don’t worry I’ll return it later. You know we don’t allow weapons at the dining table”
“Yes. I can guess that much.”
When they entered the dinning room the King and Queen were already at the table. It was a very long table and Emerald was puzzled by the size of the table but kept quite and kept smiling. She was expecting the worst from these evil people.
“Mother, Father this is Emerald the woman I’ve been telling you about.”
Emerald walked with her head low and bowed in front of the King and Queen.
“You may raise lady of the spring. You know that is what we’ve been calling you around here,” said the King with a gentle but lively voice.
Emerald stood up and looked at the King expecting a very sturdy, hard face but found a big smile instead.
“Heavens! You are a stunning young woman; you remind me of my own gorgeous Queen when she was younger.”
The Queen was speechless, with just one look at Emerald she knew or she hoped. She covered her opened mouth with both hands and her eyes filled with tears.
“Mother what’s wrong? Do you feel alright?” asked Anthony holding the Queens arm to help her sit down in a chair.
“Dear what is it, why are you so upset? Is it this woman?”
“I’m so sorry I should leave,” said Emerald scared by the Queen’s reaction.
“No, don’t go,” said the Queen standing up and grabbing Emerald by the face with both hands. She was looking at her as if inspecting every inch of her face. Emerald was petrified with fear and uncertainty. All of the sudden the Queen just passed out.
“I’m sorry child, I don’t know what has come over my dear Queen but you must excuse us.”
The King and five servants left the room with The Queen.
“I’m sorry Emerald I don’t know what to tell you.”
“Don’t worry is fine; maybe I should just leave.”
“Stop, you aren’t going anywhere. My mom passes out a lot, I think is the corset. Besides you have to be hungry I know I am”
“I am kind of hungry but I don’t know if I’ll be able to eat much in this dress.”
“If you want we can go to my room and eat there. I wouldn’t mind you taking the dress off.”
“Very funny but I don’t think so. I’ll be fine,” said Emerald sitting down at the table.
Emerald and Anthony started eating and not long after the King returned and joined them. He said the Queen was fine and sleeping. They had a great meal and a very good conversation about apples. The King didn’t seem at all evil; he seemed really nice actually.
After dinner Anthony took Emerald to the highest tower in the castle. It was a small room with a small bed and a desk the window was big and you could see the moon and stars from anywhere in the room. Anthony walked in and closed the door behind Emerald.
“This place is amazing,” said Emerald a little nervous by the way Anthony was looking at her body, undressing her with his eyes.
“This is where you will become mine forever” said the Prince grabbing Emerald by her waist and pulling her body close to his. Anthony kissed her with raw passion, grabbing her buttocks and leaning her back into the small bed. For the first time she knew love and pleasure, both tightly intertwined like in a strong weave. His fiery lips explored her tender virgin skin as she held on to his muscular warm body. She wished that night would never end. She knew nothing of sex so in her mind the worst thing she was doing was letting him see her naked and somehow she couldn’t stop what was happening. She gave herself fully to him, with no reservations. While love was spreading its wing in the sky, down below the hunter was aiming to bring it down.          Emerald’s father and Saphion had arrived at the King’s court and were having a hearing with his Majesty.
Saphion was the one talking for Emerald’s father didn’t want the King to recognize him. He kept his face lowered while Saphion approach the King.
“Your Highness I’m before you this evening because your son Prince Anthony III has committed a great treachery and had stolen my bride to be from my own arms. As you can see I had to fight his guards but I didn’t stand a chance. I’m here to plead to you to return my bride, so we can marry tomorrow and live in peace under your gracious command.”
“Your bride! That’s impossible; my son’s guest is a very elegant lady called Emerald.”
“Emerald is my bride and here with me is her father, who has the legal right over her.”
“Please release my daughter Sire,” said Emerald’s dad pleading to the King.
“Do I know you good man? You seem familiar to me.”
“I don’t think so your Majesty but it is an honor to be in your presence,” said Emerald’s dad trying not to look at the King and masking his voice.
“In any case, I have no prisoners here that don’t deserve it so your daughter shall be returned to you immediately.”

         Up in the tower Anthony was surprised to learn that Emerald knew nothing of sexual relations and had no idea they just made love.
“So you see that means you are mine forever. We have a bond,” explained the Prince
“You say that this is how women get pregnant? Am I pregnant now?”
“No, you are not. Sometimes the women do get pregnant but I know tricks so that doesn’t happen and you don’t have to worry. You will be fine.”
“I was supposed to wait until I got married to make love, I know that much. My father is going to kill me!”
“He won’t know if you don’t tell him, besides we will be married as soon as you wish”.
Anthony walked Emerald to her room before returning to his own.
“Have a good night Emerald my love and I’ll see you tomorrow or perhaps a little later on,” he said with a sexy look in his face.
“Now that I know what it is and even though I really liked it you will have to wait until we are married.”
“So is that a yes to my proposal?” asked the Prince excited
“Is a definitive yes” Emerald said with a huge smile.
Anthony gave Emerald a big hug, lifting her from the ground and twirling her around.
“I love you”
“I love you too my Prince”.

Not long after Anthony left, one of the servants came to Emerald’s room.
“My lady the King requests your company at this moment.”

         Emerald followed the servant to the King’s court where to her surprise she saw her dad and Saphion. Saphion couldn’t hold back and ran to give her a hug. She hugged him back happy to see he was fine but a little worried about his bruises.
“Ok darling let’s go,” said her father putting his arm around her.
“I’m not going father I’m getting married.”
“Yes I know, you are marrying Saphion tomorrow.”
“No dad I’m marrying the Prince,” said Emerald in disbelief of her father’s words.
         Emerald’s dad looked at her and told her they would speak at the house. Emerald screamed and fought but it was no use, with not much effort Saphion and her dad took her away. Prince Anthony III heard the commotion and ran down to ask his father what was going on.
“I’m sorry son but she was some other man’s bride.”
“No she wasn’t. She was my bride; they had no right.”
“Actually son they had all the rights, don’t worry, you will find someone else.”
“You have all the rights father, you could’ve order them to leave her here. She was mine, I don’t want any one else” said an emotional Prince with tears in his eyes.
“Son, having the power doesn’t make you a just ruler. Yes I could’ve order to put both men in the dungeon but that would’ve been wrong. You took something that didn’t belong to you son, that makes you the one who was wrong.”
“No father, she was mine. You don’t understand.”
Furiously he left destroying every vase in his path.

         Back at Emerald’s house her mother was trying to get any kind of reaction from her. After hours of crying and screaming Emerald grew silent and now she didn’t even show emotion in her face.
“Honey that man is wrong for you. He is the worst possible man for you. One day you’ll know why” said her mother as she brushed her hair.
“Saphion is a good man for you and we know how much he loves you. You will marry him tomorrow and you will be happy” said her father firmly.
A tear rolled down her cheek but she didn’t move. Velecia, her little sister stood right in front of her and slapped her very hard. She came back screaming.
“Ouch, that hurt! Mother, you have to help me. I can’t marry Saphion he is like my brother, that is nasty.”
“Oh darling girl he might be like a brother but he is not your brother, and he truly loves you.”
“So? The Prince loves me too and he is not evil like you’ve made me believe. Even the King was nice. And besides I want to marry the Prince not Saphion.”
Emerald’s mother looked at her father who was sitting at the small wood table. It was a strange look, like asking for permission.”
“Darling husband I think we should tell her.”
“Tell me what? Why are you looking at each other like that? What is it?”
“Ok wife you tell her, I’ll go get us into a ship.”
“Into a ship, where are you going? What’s going on?”
“Daughter you know me and your father love you more than life itself. We did something very wrong a log time ago; something that involves the King and Queen. You know the big castle fire all those years ago?” asked her mother as her eyes tear up.
“Yes mother, why are you crying?”
“You …you and the Prince are really…”
“What, we are what?” said Emerald impatiently
“He is your brother. You are not our real daughter we stole you from the castle and your father set that fire. Don’t say anything yet, let me finish and then you can hate us if you like. I gave birth to a baby girl but she was born dead and you were so beautiful and perfect. I blamed your father for our baby’s death and in a moment of craziness he did it and I accepted you as my own. And you are my own. I’m sorry dear, we were never going to tell you but we never thought you would fall in love with your own brother.”
Emerald felt her life leave her body. She didn’t know what to feel more terrible about. She falling in love with her own brother and not only that but she made love to him or the fact that she had being stolen, lied to all these years. Her place was in the castle. Now she understood the reaction of the Queen.
“I love my brother? I should just die,” she said to herself.
“You see child that is why you can’t marry any other but Saphion.”
“Yes mother or whomever you are.”
“You are my daughter because I raised you with all my love. Other things might have not been true but our love for you is very real.”
         Emerald lay down in her small raggedy bed and cried. She couldn’t believe how horrible her life had become. It was a nightmare. The next day came and Emerald had stayed awake all night crying; she was like a puppet. She didn’t hear anything; she didn’t say anything she just cried.
Emerald’s mother dressed her in a white robe and placed a flower tiara in her hair. She tried to dry her tears but it was no use. Saphion was very happy that day and Emerald’s father had told him Emerald was very excited and was crying out of happiness. Saphion chose to believe that although deep inside he knew her tears were tears of sorrow. They gathered in the garden with some friends and family to officiate the ceremony. Emerald was getting sick so she ran away afraid she might throw up in front of everyone. On her way back she heard Saphion scream “NO!!!!” and before she knew it a man in a horse rode right next to her and grabbed her. It was Anthony. He rode as fast as he could, holding her very tightly. After they had distance themselves from everyone Anthony stopped the horse and helped her down.
Emerald looked at him and started to cry.
“We can’t be with each other. Is not natural, is disgusting.”
“What are you saying? This love is the best and most beautiful thing ever. How can you say is disgusting? Don’t you love me?”
“Don’t make me say it Anthony. The truth is I am your older sister. The baby your parents had wasn’t killed in that big fire 18 years ago. I was stolen “she said between sobs.
“That is why you won’t marry me, is that it?” said the Prince laughing.
“Isn’t that enough? Don’t laugh, that is wrong.”
“No it is not; I love you and you are mine” he said holding her hand.
“Stop saying that Anthony is not funny”
“But you love me right?”
“Yes I do and it's killing me inside.”
“Don’t think that. I am not your brother Emerald. I am really the son of another king, the King of the Ice kingdom. When the Nomads killed both my parents, King Anthony took me and raised me like his own. They always told me the truth, that I am the son of two Kings. So you see our blood is not the same.”
“Oh my God is that true? Yes, yes, yes!” said Emerald jumping in the arms of her Prince.
“I love you Anthony. I love this man!” screamed Emerald at the top of her lungs.
“So are you ready to take your place in the castle?”
“But you think they will believe me?”
“Believe you? My mother knew from the moment she saw you. When she woke up she told the King and they gave me the go to come and get you.”
“The only place I want in the castle is the one next to you. A princess not by blood right but by love right.”
Prince Anthony and Princess Emerald embraced in a kiss as passionate and true as the love they shared.

         So what happened next? Emerald’s peasant family left immediately on a boat traveling to a far away land, afraid of the King’s retribution.
Saphion swore on the love he had for Emerald that he would defeat the King and killed the Prince, and so he formed a revolutionary group to fight against everything royal.
The King and Queen were overjoyed to have their little princess back and as of Emerald and Prince Anthony III well, THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

The End