Once upon a time...
People say "age is just a number." Pffft....I think that's just an excuse. Age definitely matters. I've always been a firm believer in that. Therefore, I won't date a younger man. Isn't my prince charming supposed to be mature, romantic, and manly? When I picture a younger man, he's always immature, skinny, still learning how to count, and always has to have parental guidance.
I never would date a younger man. Well, that was until I met Clyde. Straw was turned into gold in my world after I met Clyde! Clyde was not a boy. Clyde was a man. A younger man. He was dark haired, bright blue eyed, and had tan skin. He had amazing bone structure and muscles. Oh boy did he have muscles. Because I was older and a princess, Clyde worshipped me. More than any boy ever had. At any point I could have told him to bring me the fountain of youth and he would have done it.
Clyde and I began to go out together. We became practically inseperable. He'd come watch me when I would be rehearsing the waltz. I supported him in whatever sport he played that involved him being shirtless. He'd kiss me gently and hold me perfectly. He never got mad at me and always let me do exactly what I wanted. I had to make an appearance at an event for our land and as the speaker was introducing me, a voice from the crowd shouted "Brailee!! CLYDE LOVES YOU!" My face turned as red as a rose. It's unroyal to show emotion at public events, but no amount of effort could hold back the grin that creeped up on my face.
It was no surprise when Clyde asked me to go to the ball held in february. He showed up at my castle accompanied by 12 of his friends, each with a boquet of roses that had a note with a reason why he would be honored if I'd attend the ball with him. Reason number one: "Brailee is the most beautiful girl in all of the lands." Reason number two: "Brailee has showed me a whole new world I didn't see before." Reason number three: "No one else dances as well as Brailee." Reason number four: "No one makes me as happy as Brailee." Reason number five: "Brailee is my wish upon a star." And so on, and so forth. How could I say no!?
I said yes and the search began for the PERFECT ballgown. I had to be the belle of the ball. I traveled far and wide in order to find the perfect dress. And I did! It was bright red, to match the roses he had given me. There was only one strap and it was made of fabric red roses. The bodice came down to about my waist and then it poofed out with a long train. There was an asymettrical cut starting at the waist where perfectly placed at the right hip, was a red fabric rose that matched the ones on the strap. There were so many sparkles on my dress that every time the light hit it, I swear a servant went blind. It was stunning.
The day of the ball came. I curled my long locks and pulled them to one side, so they were flowing down the shoulder the dress' strap was on. My make up was done flawlessly. I donned the dress, slipped on my glass slippers, and as the final touch, put my tiara on the top of my head. Then I waited for Clyde to arrive.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited until hours had passed since the time he told me he would arrive.
Where was he? Had he ran into a witch on his way to pick me up? Had he fallen ill? Something terrible must have happened! Clyde would never have stood me up. A tear fell, but I pulled myself together. I would have to go alone since it was uncommon for the princess not to attend a ball.
I rode in my carriage to the ball and climbed the steep steps, alone, and went inside. It didn't take long before I knew that something bad did in fact happen to Clyde....or at least was going to by the time I was done with him. He was there. At the ball. With another girl. He bent down and kissed her cheek and she giggled and caressed his face. My amazing dress had caught everyone's attention by that point and Clyde and his date turned and looked at me. I didn't even finish making my grand entrance. I turned around and ran out, down the steps, into my carriage, fighting every urge I had to cry.
Rather than setting a dragon loose on Clyde like I had planned, I simply didn't talk to him. He avoided me too.
And we lived happily never after.
