Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a prince. His parents, the King and Queen, would accept nothing but the best for him. In their kind generosity, they would only accept the most delicate and refined princess for their only son. And so they endeavored to find a delicate princess worthy of their son.
And so, they invited the most pristine princess from the East. She was a delicate girl. She was timid and subdued. Her face was as white as the moon, and her eyes sparkled like diamonds. She moved with the grace of the stars, and always knew when to smile or laugh. She was a pinnacle of refined beauty. But then the King and Queen found her in the courtyard. She played with her fellow ladies. It was a game of skill. She tossed a fan, with razor edges, into the sky. Only the skilled could catch it and toss it again. A common game amongst royals and commoners, it was a skill taught to women. The fan itself was an item of self defense. It was given to all women of age by their mothers. The King considered this an obscene defiance of delicate womanhood, and sent her away.
And so, they invited the princess of the western kingdom. She was exquisite in her beauty. Her kingdom was one of wealth from the seas. They sent a parade of delicacies to impress the kingdom of her betrothed. The King and Queen dined, and were astonished at the refined pallet and wealth of their new princess. The prince and princess walked among the kingdom, finding joy in each other’s company. They shared stories of their youth, and delighted in common interests. The King and Queen were pleased, until the princess showed her betrothed her skills. She fileted a fish for her prince to prepare a dish of her people. The King and Queen were appalled, and sent her away.
And so, they invited the princess of the northern kingdom. She was a delicate thing, all pale skin and platinum hair; she was a crown of northern beauty. The princess and prince walked the kingdom together, preparing to invite subjects to a handsome wedding. The pale princess walked in a demure fashion, always pausing for townspeople that might have inquiries. She stroked the heads of orphans, donated heavily to temples, and embraced the less fortunate. She made the people happy. As they rejoiced at her kindness, she danced with them. Her dance was exuberant and strong. It was flowing and robust. The King and Queen were startled by her movement, and sent her away.
And so, they invited the princess of the southern kingdom. Her rich skin was impeccable, and her manners unmatched. She was the epitome of grace and eloquence. The people she graced bowed at her beauty, and offered fealty at her kind heart. She smoothed relations wherever she chose to grace. Her mere presence offered an air of acceptance and kindness. She danced with refinement, she spoke with eloquence, and walked with the ethereal. But she loved another, so she was sent away.
Many years passed, and many princesses courted him. Each was found wanting. No woman could be proper and delicate enough for their one and only son.
But a girl had watched it all. She had seen the prince with his princesses. She watched, with a basket of plums on her arm. She sold her fruit and admired the prince. He truly was a prince; not just in name, but in duty. While he courted his lovely princesses, he met the people. While he spent time with foreign dignitaries, he had learned others experienced their life in different, often worse, ways. He had spoken to the low folk of his kingdom.
It was a strange thing, to see a prince parade about like a common person. She saw a prince play with commoners, gut a fish, dance, and clasp arms with the unfortunate. This was far from the idea of a prince. This was a man. Just a man. A lonely man who wanted a person to share his life with.
It was an absurd idea. Pure absurdity. But still, a chance.
With what bit of coin she could save, she purchased an impressive gown. She practiced her speech and mannerisms. She put on her armor of lies, and approached the King and Queen.
“I am a princess, and I wish to court your son.”
The King and Queen recoiled. How brass of a princess to approach a kingdom for courting! Such arrangements were made by those above them! Kings, Queens, advisors, politicians, and matchmakers make these decisions! You cannot just approach a kingdom for marriage!
“Your proposal is bold,” the Queen stated. “How are we to know you have anything to offer our son and our kingdom?”
“Your proposal is abrupt,” the King stated. “How can we know that you know what our kingdom needs to succeed?”
Undeterred, the girl answered, “I know of your kingdom, and understand what your nobels need. I know your prince, and what he needs. I know this country, and what it needs. I know my sovereigns, and what they need.”
The King and Queen smiled, unconvinced.
“You think you are princess enough for our kingdom?”
The girl fought the urge to fidget in her fine gown. “Yes.”
“Prove your fine pedigree, girl,” the King demanded.
And so, before the King would introduce the girl to the Prince, he placed her in a room for sleep.
To test her delicate royal senses, he had a servant place a single pea under her mattress. If she were a true princess, the slight impression would cause her discomfort.
The King and Queen failed to realize that this was a member of their own kingdom. The servants knew the girl, and informed her of the subterfuge. She knew to pretend that the night’s sleep had been a thing of torture for a delicate thing.
When the sun crested the horizon, the girl rose as was her habit. She dressed in her fine gown and waited for her hosts.
“How was your evening?” the Queen asked.
“Torture. It felt as if a bowling ball was placed in my bed!”
The King and Queen were pleased. This was the delicate princess they required for their Prince. And so they allowed the Prince and girl to meet.
“I saw you,” the girl stated. “I saw you. I saw you play with us. I saw you gut the fish with us. I saw you dance with us. I saw you embrace us. You see us.”
The Prince took her hand and remained silent.
The girl remained determined. She placed her hand on the top of their clasped palms. He grinned.
“I saw you see me. I saw you when you saw me play, fish, dance, and love. You were always there. I know you. You have no kingdom. You are one of my people. And you are my Queen.”
So the young Prince, and the girl who felt no pea, married, and lived happily ever after.
submitted by /u/MotherMelee
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