Once upon a time...
My far away land was hosting a sword fighting match consisting of a competition between our land and other far away lands. I attended, accompanied by my best girl friends. We were far more interested in how good looking the boys from the other lands were, than the actual sword fights taking place. One of my friends spotted a very handsome boy and wanted to talk to him, but didn't have the courage to approach him. She asked me to go for her.
I agreed of course and waltzed up to him like the princess I was. He was indeed handsome. His stature was tall and built, he had light brown shaggy hair that grazed his eyebrows, and big hazel eyes. The connection was instant. He seemed as swept away by me as I was by him, and we soon became lost in conversation. His name was Cortez and he was a prince from another land that bordered my land. "So what are you doing here?" I asked. When I realized how rude that came off, I quickly tried to correct myself. "I mean, what brings you here?" He hadn't taken it offensive. "In my land, I'm training to be a sword fighter. My trainers suggest to watch others fight to pick up tips on how to be better," he explained. "Your trainers are wise," I responded. We chatted a little while longer, and finally I told him I needed to get back to my friends. When I stood to head back to my seat, he took my hand. "May I see you again, Princess Brailee?" He asked. I smiled and nodded.
As I headed back to sit, I remembered why I had approached Cortez and instantly felt guilty. When I sat in my seat, my friend looked at me anxiously. "Well, what did he say!?" She questioned. I told her everything, but left out the detail of him wanting to see me again. I think she knew however. "Hm, well I'm not sure he's my type. There's another boy here who is super dreamy though that I want to meet! We should talk to him after the match!" An emense amount of relief rushed over me and I quickly agreed to accompany her after the match.
Prince Cortez did see me again. And again. And again. And again for the next few months. He became a common face to all the people in my land. He was as prince-like as they come; spoiled with all sorts of riches, entitled, and bossy. He was sweet, charming, and thoughtful when he wanted to be. And he was very popular with the ladies. Including the ones I went to school with. History decided to repeat itself, and like with Cedric, I soon found myself losing my prince to a girl I went to school with.
Cortez and this girl, named Katerina, had no problem flaunting their relationship in front of me. Any chance he got to speak to me, he would and he would make sure I knew exactly how amazing she was. "You'll never believe what an amazing girl Katerina is!" "Katerina is so perfect in every way." "I went out with Katerina, and she tells the most amazing stories." Each time he'd mention her, I kept poised.
Inside it crushed me. It was a battle of maturity not to break a bone on his perfectly shaped face. No matter what, I refused to let Cortez know what I was feeling. Not a tear fell and my voice never raised in anger. I'd smile and congratulate him. "I'm so glad you're happy!" I'd say, and then I'd change the subject or make an excuse to leave.
It didn't even take weeks before he realized how un-amazing this girl was and how absolutely perfect I was. He wanted me to forgive him and let him court me again. I shrugged it off and told him I didn't want a prince who chose to date peasants. I soon found myself flooded with all sorts of gifts from prince Cortez. Exotic flowers, candies, and pretty soon, Cortez himself. It wasn't until he was on his knees (literally) begging for me that I took him back.
He did what he could to prove his devotion to me, doing anything it took to make me happy. He would accompany me to dinners and balls. He became a best friend in addition to a prince charming. He wiped away my tears, held me when I needed to be, and nurtured me when I was ill. He tightly held my hand when I was scared and never left my side. He bravely killed the spiders that found their way into my chambers. When people insulted me, he came to my defense. My happiness and safety was his top priority.
After one banquet, it had been snowing heavily and on the way back to my castle, my carriage became stuck in the snow. The coachman was going to go get help, but I stopped him. "The castle can't be even a mile from here. You, Cortez, and I will just all walk there together," I insisted. The castle ended up being further than I thought and in the freezing cold snow, I lost my glass slipper. As soon as I noticed it was gone, Cortez didn't pause for a minute. He picked me up and carried me the rest of the way. When we got to the castle he rubbed my hands and feet to warm them up and sat with me while my ladies in waiting heated water and began to soak my frozen feet. He held me in his arms and didn't leave until he was sure I was going to be okay.
After that I was completely head over heels. He rescued me. This had to be my prince charming!
And my prince charming he remained for the next few months. Until the day I received a letter. A letter with Cortez's family crest stamped on the envelope. I was bewildered as to why he sent a letter rather than coming to my castle like he usually did when he had something to tell me. Slowly and carefully I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. The further I read, the more blurred the words became. Then the tears began to fall and the ink on the paper began to smudge. It was indeed a letter from Cortez.
He wrote:
"My Darling Princess Brailee,
I want you to know that these months I've spent with you have been some of the best of my life. I've traveled the world and know that there are no girls that come close to being as radiant and wonderful as you are. I adore you, my princess. It's been brought to my attention recently that my youth is fleeting. There is a whole world out there that I long to explore and enjoy. One that I need to take every advantage of. I want to live my life as much as I can before I have to take on the responsibility of king. It seems impossible to continue our relationship and have the life I want right now. I hope you know that my feelings for you have not changed, but I no longer can continue to see you....." I tore up the letter without finishing it.
I didn't need to finish it. What I had read already stated: And they lived happily never after.
