Board :Tales of the People
Author :Archon Iyagi
Subject :"Fairest One of All?" by Rosenqueen
Date :9/13
  Fairest One of All?

    Beauty's eyes are often vain, as they see beauty
     in oneself and beauty fitting for oneself. It is
     just the way things are most of the time, and
     there's not much room in the world for those who
     are not of fair complexion, so the story goes...

    A young maiden grew up in a village, as typical
    of any village as you'd expect. She was shadowed
    by her surroundings and kept in the very same
    shadows by her caretakers for being well...
     aesthetically-challenged. She was abandoned,
     shunned, and also pitied because of the way she
     looked.

    Her lips were a bit large, her eyes deep and
    rounded with years of despair, her hair was
    matted no the amount of care given to it. In this
    society, she was worthless, unmarriageable, and
    doomed to be an old spinster.

    Despite being taunted day-by-day by just about
    everyone, she continued to escape this reality
    by dreaming away the days in hope, fighting the
    growing hatred for herself and her appearance.

    There was one far-fetched dream that always
    lingered above others. As every fair (yes fair,
    not fairy) tale has a prince, as does this one!

    He strides through town atop his white stallion
    and eyes always casted ahead with a soft smile.
    He'd wave to the crowd before proceeding home,
    always surrounded by numerous guards. You guessed
    it, she was enamored alongside every other girl
    age in the village. But she knew dreams were
    dreams.

    Everyday she did chores in the shadows, staying
     out of sight and fetching water from a  river far
     away well into the woods. The further the better,
     lest she be forced to wear a mask.

    To her surprise she saw the prince sitting by
    the river, staring out and breathing in the nature
    around him.

    ... She could not be seen! Oh, having been taunted
    by all the villagers, how could she even bear to
    face the same from him of all people?

    Immediately the young despaired girl turned to
    flee from the woods before the young prince could
    notice. Alas! It was too late, with a snap of the
    twig beneath her feet the prince's head sharply
    turned in her direction.

    "Who's there?!" He shouted, grasping for the sword
    by his side... although completely missing it for
    a stick. He took a stance and stared dead ahead
    at her. She was too stunned to move another step
    or so much as squeak, no doubt he would turn in
    disgust and she would be punished for her rudeness
    towards him.

    Strangely enough the prince sat right back down
    and completely dismissed her as if she were not
    there at all.

    She slowly spoke in case he were only ignoring her
    for her impudence. "Your Highness...?" She squeaked
    while digging her heels to stop herself from running.

    "Huh? Who are you?" He turned to her, not so much
    as batting an eye after seeing her.

    "I am... no one worthy of your time..." The girl
    hung her head in shame. The prince merely raised
    an eyebrow in confusion. "Why is that?" He asked.

    She blunk again, baffled. He did not notice???
    "I am... unfair, Your Highness. Please do not gaze
    upon me." The unfair maiden bit her lips with a
    heavy frown.

    "Oh. I don't notice at all, you have a very nice
    voice though." The prince tilted his head with a
    sincere smile. "Please do not tell anyone I'm here,
    I just like to get outside be alone for once."

    So casual! It was unbelievable. "Your Highness...
    I-If I may... why does my revolting appearance not
    offend you?"

    "If you promise to keep it a secret, I'll tell you."
     
     She nodded, but he continued to wait for an answer.
    It was then that it hit her what this "secret" of
    his was...

    So, there was still hope...


    Rosenqueen