I Love You, My Cursed Prince

On a light autumn morning, Muriel was dismounting a horse, and so was Princess Arya. Their horses were then taken inside their safe stables. Muriel happened to see Doctor Bergson casually sitting on a fence's edge beside a different man. This new man had slightly dark skin, black hair, and weak eyes. He mentioned something about being, "happy to be out of bed for once."

Muriel picked up the skirts of her riding habit and hurried over to the darker man. She curtsied and said, "Forgive my rudeness, Your Highness, but I wanted to thank you for your generous gift, and I never thought I'd have the chance."

The man hopped off of the fence, which had the doctor protesting. "Be careful! Let me help you next time!"

The man shrugged. Then he looked down at Muriel and said, "I'm sorry, Miss, but you're mistaken. I'm an ordinary man. His Highness is likely in his quarters right now."

Muriel heard the princess approaching. "Did you think this was my son? Silly girl."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Muriel backed away a bit. "I certainly made myself into a simpleton." Actually, now that she could examine the man's clothing, he didn't look wealthy enough to be a prince. He looked very average.

"Come, Muriel," the princess said. "We should change clothes and have some light reading."

Muriel patted her brow and cheeks with a handkerchief and followed her mistress back into the keep.