Once upon a time in a country far away from here lived a Prince named Brendan. Brendan was of marrying age, and his parents were insisting on him to choose a suitor, telling him he needed a Queen alongside him to rule. To help him choose, the King and the Queen would host balls and invite all the young daughters of the nobility. Every time Brendan saw so many ladies he was startled, how was he supposed to know which one was the right one? He quickly ruled out the ones that were much younger than he was, as well as the few ones that were older. He did his best to get to know the rest of them, to talk to them for a while on their own. Some of them were too boring, or too proud, and didn't make the cut. And in the end, it all came down to two young ladies, Countess Abigail, and Duchess Sophia. The Countess was a sweet short redhead who always wore her hair woven with flowers, she loved music and could play several instruments, sing, and dance. Her parents were close friends with the King and the Queen, and Brendan had know her for a long time, although they had never talked much. The Duchess couldn't be more different, tall with dark brown hair, black eyes, and olive skin, she was untamed, that was clear. Sophia's mother had died when she was a child and her father never remarried, choosing to raise her as both his daughter and his son. Sophia was educated, she spoke several languages, and could read and write perfectly. And the Queen didn't like her.
Brendan had to choose, but he couldn't. Both of them would make good Queens, and he liked them both. Abigail was beautiful like a sunny summer day, and as calm, nothing unexpected would happen with her. Sophia was the summer storm, something that could harm you but that you welcomed nevertheless, a challenge. And he liked challenges. Yet, his mother seemed to prefer Abigail, and he still didn't know what to do. Abigail was aware that she had the Queen's sympathies and made her best to met with her alone in the gardens.
-Your Majesty.- she said making a curtsey.
-My dear Countess Abigail, I am glad to see you. Come sit.
Abigail sat next to her on the bench facing the pond. The Queen took her hand.
-Dear Abigail, I am very happy to see you. You look beautiful today.
-Thank you, your Majesty.
-I wish to see you more often. As my daughter-in-law.
-About that, your Majesty. Prince Brendan is taking long to deliberate, and I have other suitors who would marry me at a moments notice, if you don't mind me saying so. I love the Prince with all my heart, but I can't wait until my beauty has vanished.
-I understand your impatience, dear. And I wish I knew how to force my son the Prince into taking a decision, but he is a grown man.
-You could organize one last ball, being a Queen means having to attend many of them, and the Queen has to be able to dance and behave above all others. As you yourself do, your Majesty. During that ball Brendan will be able to see who of us is best suited to be his Queen.
Needless to say the Queen loved the plan. Abigail was right, and also, both of them knew that Sophia lacked any of those skills, it was an elegant way to get rid of the Duchess once and forever. The day of the ball arrived and both suitors looked stunning in formal dresses. It was a small ball, with a select group of attendants, but both of them were nervous. During the dinner, Sophia managed to be the focus of attention thanks to her educated conversation, she was like a magnet, and Brendan couldn't take his eyes off her. The Queen, seeing her plan going awry, decided to take care of the matter, standing up she announced.
-Our lovely Countess Abigail, who is here with us, is a gifted harpist and singer, and I would kindly request her to play a piece for us to rejoice.
-Thank you, your Majesty. It will be my pleasure.
The musical piece was followed by a dance, that Brendan opened with his mother before moving into dancing with his suitors. The Countess moved gracefully, and looked light as a feather. Sophia was looking at her and the Prince swirling around, dancing, laughing, and knew her chances were over, she could never dance, and so she told Brendan when he asked her for a dance.
-I don't dance, your Highness.
Brendan had a look of disappointment on his face for a second, but hurried back to retrieve Abigail from the arms of an old commandant. Later that night Sophia stumbled on Abigail, who still looked fresh as the moment they had first entered the ballroom.
-Congratulations.- the Duchess said.
-Thank you. It was easy, no one wants a woman who can't dance.- the redhead said turning around.
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