Once upon a time...
In my land far far away, it was uncommon to be my age and not married, especially for a princess in a land. Without marriage there can be no heir to the throne. Due to my status, stories got around about my failed attempts at finding a prince. One day, a stranger graciously presented me with a painting of a prince charming while at the place of worship and told me I'd find him one day. I thanked them for the kind gift.
I looked at the painting in my hands. It was remarkable work. The prince was muscular, had black hair, dark eyes, and tan skin. He seemed like someone who would be so sweet, but had the look in his eyes of danger, as though he could turn into a werewolf when set off. I grinned. I would not mind if that were my prince.
I didn't realize someone was watching me until he spoke up. "Is that your boyfriend?" he said. I turned and looked at the boy next to me. He was not very appealing to the eye, but I've been taught to always be kind and not be shallow. I glanced back down at the picture of the beautiful prince charming. I knew if I said no then he would be likely to ask me out. I also was quite flattered that he'd think I'd be dating someone as beautiful as the boy in the painting. "Um..." I hesitated not wanting to lie, but quickly changed my mind after weighing the pros and cons. "Yeah he is!" I said enthusiastically. "I see," the boy said. "I'm Caldwell." He held out his hand. I shook it, "Princess Brailee." I then decided to make my escape and made up and excuse to leave.
I felt like a dodged a cannon ball, until I saw him again at the place of worship. He came and sat by me. "I don't really know many people, can I sit here?" he asked. I agreed, quickly regretting it. What was said at the place of worship, I couldn't tell you. Caldwell distracted me the whole time, talking nonstop about himself. He talked about his heritage, his family life, any little detail that I didn't really need to know. Then he showed me his religious book. I was trying to be polite and asked what his favorite passage was.
Excitedly, he opened the book to show me, only for me to realize he had colored in every single passage on every single page. The next hour was quite long as he recited page after page after page that he claimed to be his "favorite." I was grateful when he finally finished, until I found out the reason he stopped talking. "Would you mind massaging my back?" Caldwell asked leaning forward. I stared at him in disbelief. "What?" I asked. "Will you massage my back for me?" he said pointing over his shoulder. "Um no," I stammered. "Well why not?" he asked puzzled. My brain began to race rapidly. "I just really want to pay attention to what's being taught," I managed to say. He accepted that answer and didn't talk to the rest of the time.
As soon as I could, I stood up and practically sprinted out of the place of worship. I could see the carriage awaiting me. I'd be safe soon enough. Then I heard his voice. "Well someone's in a hurry," Caldwell shouted behind me. "Yeah I have duties to attend," I called back picking up my pace. Unfortunately he caught up to me. "We should go out sometime," he said. This guy was persistant. "I am kind of seeing someone, remember?" I said to him, not slowing down. "I get the hint. It's just an excuse. You're not interested." Had he forgotten asking about the painting earlier? "No I'm just interested in someone else," I said and climbed into my carriage shutting the door.
Was it rude? Maybe a little. But it's cruel to torture someone. Sometimes, you just gotta get to the point.
Next time I saw him, my point clearly hadn't been made. Caldwell sat by me again at the place of worship. "Does your boyfriend mind if I sit here?" I took a deep breath, not making eye contact. "Well since he's not here, I suppose not." He took a seat next to me and out of the corner of my eye I could see his big grin.
Our silence only lasted maybe ten more minutes when Caldwell spoke up. "You have the most amazing lips," he said staring at my mouth. My stomach lurched. I laughed awkwardly. "Well thank you," I said politely. "I bet your boyfriend can't ever stop kissing you," he continued. I looked up at the ceiling reminding myself that I was a princess and had to act as such. "Well he likes me for more than my lips, so yes he can." My comment was a bit rude, but not as rude as what I was thinking. "If I was your boyfriend I wouldn't be able to stop kissing you," he said still staring at my mouth.
I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up. "Excuse me," I said to him so that he'd move so I could get to the aisle. "Did I say something wrong? I meant it as a compliment," Caldwell said. "I appreciate the compliment, however you crossed a line. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go," I said and pushed past him.
There was never really a true once upon a time with Caldwell, but the ending is as true as the others.
And we lived happily never after.
