Short Story
I hated you before I even met you. A handsome bore I could manage, but you? Well, how could I compete with an actual prince?
The princess was smitten from the first dinner you two had together. Did you know that? She literally swooned - I caught her - after your first few dates. She then spent weeks thereafter boring me with the details of your courtship.
I remember once being sprawled across her bed, despite my station, and rolling my eyes as she gushed about how handsome and funny you are.
“Oh, I can’t wait for you to meet him at the ball,” she announced while dancing around the room to imagined music. “I think you two are really going to hit it off.”
“I can’t wait.” But I could have. I could have lived a very happy life without you in it.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, jealousy. Well, you’re right, but not in the way that you think you are. I wasn’t jealous because the princess was falling in love with another man. I was jealous because my one friend in the entire world no longer had time for me. Without ever meeting me you managed to take something from my life that I didn’t even know was up for grabs.
Oh, how I hated you for it.
The ball arrived and despite my best efforts to avoid it, the princess demanded that I attend. No servant can refuse her demands, even the ones that she calls friends. I dressed in my finest suit, I served the guests, and I accepted that my part in all of this was on the sidelines. Then you appeared in that ridiculous black suit with the gold trim. The court adored you and the princess struggled to create coherent sentences. You had them all in your hand.
Everyone except me. Of course the princess wouldn’t accept that. The second she caught sight of my scowl she dragged me into the middle of the ballroom to dance.
“I hate dancing,” I protested.
“Nonsense,” she insisted.
We twirled, she laughed, and I smiled.
Then you cut in. “Mind if I have a dance?”
I nodded, blinked away tears, and fled the dancefloor despite the protests of my princess. Out on the palace grounds, the cold air bit at me and I clenched my fists. This was the new normal. I’d hate you and I’d serve you because that would make her happy. Resigned to my fate, I turned back to the palace.
But then you were there. Perfectly groomed you; slinking up behind me like a cat.
“You don’t like me very much.” Your green eyes sparkled in the moonlight as you swaggered towards me with such confidence.
Heat rushed to my face and I stammered out a reply. “I apologise. I’m shy, at times.”
“Shy, is it?” You stepped close, very close, and grabbed hold of my lapel. “Why do I find that hard to believe?”
“I...” You smelled clean and fresh, like mint and cut grass.
“Cat got your tongue?” You pulled me in and kissed me.
I closed my eyes and kissed you back. When I opened them again, I saw the princess over your shoulder. Her mouth was open and tears streaked through her eye makeup.
I hated you for that most of all.
