TITLES & IDEAS

Bride Selection

Prompt: At the Bride Selection Ceremony, the prince chooses the most unlikely candidate.

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Long ago, in the kingdom of Veridia, there lived a dashing prince named Alexander. Prince Alexander had reached the age when he was expected to find a suitable bride, someone who could share his royal responsibilities and his heart.

The king and queen, his parents, held a grand ball and invited dozens of eligible princesses from near and far, hoping to find the perfect match for their beloved son.

As the guests arrived in carriages adorned with gold and jewels, the prince stood at the entrance, ready to greet them.

One by one, the princesses descended from their carriages, each more beautiful and elegant than the last.

The prince exchanged pleasantries with each candidate, but none of them sparked any true interest in his heart. Just as Prince Alexander was beginning to lose hope, a commotion ensued at the entrance.

An unexpected guest had arrived, a young girl covered in dirt and dressed in rags. She wore a tattered cloak, and her hair was a tangled mess.

The prince's jaw dropped in astonishment, and the guests whispered in disbelief. "Who invited this grubby girl?" one princess sneered.

Nevertheless, the prince was captivated by her sparkling emerald eyes and the mischievous smile that adorned her face. He decided to greet her, despite the chaos that surrounded her arrival. "My name is Prince Alexander," he introduced himself with a gracious bow. "What brings you to our grand ball, my dear?"

The girl curtsied clumsily, her bare feet peeking from beneath her patched-up gown. "I am Lily, your highness," she replied, her voice like tinkling bells. "I heard about the ball, and I couldn't resist the chance to meet you."

Amidst the murmurs and laughter from the crowd, the prince couldn't help but be intrigued by her boldness. He decided to spend the evening getting to know her, disregarding the expectations of his parents and society.

Little did he know that Lily was not an ordinary girl. She was, in fact, a real princess from a distant kingdom named Astoria. Her parents sent her on a quest, disguised as a commoner, to find a prince who would fall in love with her for who she truly was, rather than her birthright.

Over the course of the evening, Prince Alexander discovered a kindred spirit in Lily. They laughed, danced, and even played harmless pranks on some of the snobbish princesses. Their connection was undeniable, and the prince's heart became entangled in the threads of love.

Weeks turned into months, and as Lily's true identity remained a secret, their bond only grew stronger.

Together, they explored the kingdom, embarking on whimsical adventures, and their romance blossomed amid laughter and joy. In a true twist of fate, the day of the grand announcement arrived.

Prince Alexander stood before the court, ready to announce his bride-to-be. The crowd held its breath, silently guessing which princess had stolen the prince's heart.

Prince Alexander began, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have found the one who is my true love and partner in every sense of the word. The princess who has won my heart is no other than the enchanting Lily."

A collective gasp filled the hall as the grubby, poorly dressed girl stepped forward to stand beside the prince. The princesses looked on in disbelief, some with envy, as they realized that true beauty lies within.

The celebrations that followed were nothing short of magical. Prince Alexander and Lily's wedding became the stuff of legends. Their love story was a testament to the fact that appearances can be deceiving and that true love is not confined to societal norms.

And so, Prince Alexander and Princess Lily lived happily ever after, ruling Veridia with kindness, compassion, and a touch of mischief. Their kingdom thrived under their reign, and the memory of their unlikely union lingered in the hearts of the people for generations to come - a timeless reminder that true love knows no boundaries, and sometimes, it even wears rags.