I Love You, My Cursed Prince

The next few days were similar, busy and full of fun things.

One evening, at a ball, Muriel happened to see a shy woman sitting at a wall. Part of her face was covered with her hair's braids and some lace, covering her left eye, but Muriel thought she recognized her. It was the woman with a round face and brown eyes, the woman that had been accused of being a fairy in the streets. While Princess Arya was dancing with an older man, Muriel sneaked on over to the round faced woman and sat down beside her.

With a light smile, Muriel said to her, "I haven't seen you in a while. How are you?"

The woman's fingers squeezed very tightly over the closed folding fan in her l.a.p. She looked up at Muriel with quivering lips. Muriel really couldn't see her left eye. "Oh, hello. Have you been well?"

"I'm well, thank you." Muriel used her thumb to slide her fan just a bit open. "I don't believe I've ever asked for your name."

"Oh!" The woman jumped up from her seat. "My mistress is calling me! Forgive me!"

Muriel watched the woman's skirts bounce and flutter as she skittered away and disappeared among the other party guests.

Oh ... well ... alright then.

Muriel got up and went back to her previous spot so she could wait for her own mistress.