The Commoner's Princess

8

Miranda made her way through the town square keeping her head down. She knew this was even more difficult now that everyone knew exactly who she was.

She spotted Ben a little way in the market as he stood, this time at his own booth with jars of honey. She hesitated for a moment before walking up on the side of him.

"Benjamin," she called out softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she reached his side.

Ben turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "What is it, Miranda?" he asked, his voice tight with emotion as he turned back to look forward.

"I wanted to talk about yesterday,"

"And what is there to discuss,"

"I wanted to apologize and

"There is no need," he cut her off not sparing her a glance. A person came up to the booth and bought honey giving him a silver coin.

Miranda felt tears pooling in her eyes as she looked over at him. He turned his head and his expression softened at her tears. "Ben, please do not hold me with such contempt. I just want to talk."

"Fine, Miranda, go to the clinic and give me a few minutes."

Ben walked to his neighbor's business and asked if his son could watch his booth and he would pay him for his time. After the teenager was situated, Ben went to his clinic to see Miranda sitting.

She stood when he entered.

"Oh, I'm sure I'm the one that should be standing in your presence." He mocked and she rolled her eyes.

"Ben, I said I was sorry, I know yesterday hurt,"

"Hurt? I was everything. Hurt, jealous, angry. You didn't even look my way or acknowledge me. I watched you hold that man's hand and kiss him. You didn't even look down and spare me a glance. You kept your head held high. I mean I get it. I am beneath you and merely a bystander in your world. But you didn't think to at least give me a heads-up. Let me know that it was going to happen."

Miranda sighed, her shoulders slumping as she met his gaze. "I did not know it was going to happen. They sprung it on me yesterday morning, if I had known about this, trust me I would have told you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. " and I did not want to hold his hand or kiss him. I did look your way when I first arrived. I stared at you but when you looked up at me, I turned my head. I did not want to see your emotions. It would have cut me deep and Benjamin you have to understand. I would have bore into your soul with my eyes if I could, but I didn't want anyone to pick up on... on my feelings for you. Truthfully I am afraid of the consequences."

"Miranda-

"And let me say this, I need you to understand something. You are not just a bystander in my world - you are my world." She said firmly before realizing what she was saying. She was telling him in unspoken words that she loved him and it almost through her for a loop.

Miranda took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "I mean that you are the only friend I have," she explained, her voice tinged with emotion. "The only person I care for deeply, the only person who truly understands me."

"Miranda this is nuts,"

"Nuts?...my feelings are nuts."

"No, of course not, this situation is Preposterous, it's like you come here and put aside that you are a princess for 3 hours. you're a princess. I'm just a commoner. How can you say that I'm a major part of your life?"

Miranda shook her head, her eyes fierce as she met his gaze. "Just because I'm a princess doesn't mean you should feel any less than me," she insisted, her voice filled with conviction. " you give me peace so that I am able to forget. I love to forget who I am with you. With you, I can just be Miranda and I cherish that so much. You are kind, brave, and loyal - qualities that I value above all else. You may not have a title or a crown, but in my eyes, you are worth more than any king or queen."