Page 13 of Lost Starlight
“I am not a bird, Your Highness. But yes, to play along, pearls would be my choice then.”
“And, ofcourse, you would choose pearls. They suit you. Do you have your own strand of pearls? Ladies can have them, correct?”
“Yes, ladies wear them, and no, I do not have any; however, Mother has several, and from time to time, I have borrowed them.”
“Then, it seems that when I fashion your crown of pearls, I must also make a strand to match!” he said with glee.
“Prince—”
“Let me have my dreams, Lady Darling, will you?” he asked.
His eyes were far too sweet. I was sure he could get whatever he desired when he looked at a woman in such a way. I continued with my explanation of the pearls.
“I also love that every single pearl is so unique. So many colors and shapes.”
“Do you know where diamonds come from?” he asked.
“Caves?”
“I mean, yes, they are found there, but a man came to the city when I was just a lad and explained that diamonds are only created after intense pressure is forced upon carbon for a very long time. They are first merely lumps of coal.”
“Coal? Like in the fireplace?” I asked in surprise.
“Yes, but it goes through a change only when under immense pressure.”
“Wow, that is fascinating.”
“I often think of it. We are all just lumps of coal until this life applies immense pressure upon us for a time and then that reveals our potential. Or so I like to believe. Maybe my curse is this intense pressure, and someday, I shall sparkle like a diamond and be free of it.” He smiled wide.
“I like that.” I returnedhis smile.
Is this true? Could this be?
It sounded lovely, and if it was true, it would be like all the pain of my life had a purpose, shapingmeinto a diamond in the end. “It seems, Your Highness, you should change your crown to diamonds.”
“Ah, I am very much still a lump of coal—or an ordinary sea rock. Maybe once I break my curse, I’ll be more than that.” His face changed instantly from hope to pain. He shrugged and looked out the window.
“Well, perhaps, you shall speak to some animals and make good use of your curse on the beach today,” I said as the carriage stopped.
The prince let out a loud laugh, slapping his knee.
I was happy to take away that look of pain.
He let me out of the carriage, taking my arm in his as we walked across the beach. He still held a smile as he turned to me and said, “And maybe you will finally call mePetertoday.”
“I will not.”
He shrugged, “A prince can dream.”
Present Day
I watched, impatiently, in my vanity mirror as my maid, Olive, brushed through my blond hair.
Perhaps, I should skip doing my hair and hurry over to the castle,I thought.
“I think I shall do a ribbon, today, Olive,” I said to my maid as I pinched my cheeks to add a flush of pink to my complexion, while also confirming that I was not dreaming.
I was there in Walden after having been saved from the pixies of Pixie Isle by the very handsome Prince Peter. I blinked at my reflection, intrigued by how different my blue eyes looked when alight with the joy of being in love.
