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off, but he felt his heart had betrayed her.
“My darling, Circe, you look beautiful.”
She looked up at him with her pale blue eyes, with a slight blush that did not diminish the light smattering of freckles across her button nose.
Adorable.
She was simply that, adorable. How could he have thought she was the daughter of a pig farmer? He couldn’t fathom her mucking about with those dirty, horrible creatures.
Think of it! Circe feeding pigs! It was laughable when he saw her sparkling like a dew dropped rose, like the princess she was about to become. He would make Gaston pay for causing him to doubt her.
“Come, my love, to the morning room. I have arranged something special just for you.”
He didn’t mention Gaston’s trick to Circe; it was too nasty to repeat. There was no need to cause ill will between the two. Gaston would, after all, be his best man at the wedding. Yes, he was brutish, ill-tempered, and conniving, but he was still his closest companion. And he wanted his best friend to stand beside him at his wedding.
And there was something else. It would please the Prince to know Gaston would be seething with envy as he stood there, forced to watch the wedding proceedings, knowing his attempts to break the Prince’s faith in Circe had failed and he could not have her for himself. Yes, that would be very satisfying. Perhaps after the wedding he should send Gaston away on some errand for the kingdom—something distasteful and below his rank, to show him not to interfere again.
Who could blame Gaston, really, for trying to spirit Circe away from him? She was the prettiest girl they’d ever seen, and Gaston was only giving in to her beauty and letting it taint his better judgment. It was quite funny when you thought about it—Gaston, the prince of Buttchinland, trying to take his Circe away! Who would have a commoner, no matter how close a royal family friend he might be, when she could have the prince who would one day be king of these lands?
The Prince decided to laugh the entire thing off and focus on what he loved: hunting, drinking, spending the taxes collected from his estates, and charming the ladies.
Oh yes, and there was Circe, but he loved her the way one would love his castle, or his stable stocked with the finest horses. She was the most beautiful creature, and he treasured her for how her beauty would reflect on him and his kingdom. Sensible, he thought, and he felt beyond reproach.
The wedding plans continued even though Gaston kept on about Circe’s family. Not a day or night went by that he didn’t mention it.
“You’re starting to bore me, Gaston, honestly! Going on about this pig farm thing as if it were actually true. Why don’t you give up already?”
Gaston wouldn’t let the issue alone.
“Come with me, good friend, I will show you!”
So they rode several miles, until they reached the little farmhouse, which was tucked away beyond the woods on an uncommon path.
There was his Circe. She was standing in the pen feeding the pigs, the bottom of her simple white dress caked with mud. Her hair seemed dull, and her cheeks were flushed with hard work. She must have sensed them looking at her, for she glanced up and noticed the expression of disgust on her beloved’s face, leaving her stricken with horror and shame.
She dropped her pail and stood on the spot, looking at the two men.
She said nothing.
“Come out here, girl! Is that how you greet your guests?” the Prince barked cockily.
Her eyes widened as if she was coming out of a haze.
“Of course,” she said meekly.
Then she walked out of the pen and approached the men, looking up at them, still astride their horses. She felt small and meek and unable to meet their disapproving gazes.
“Hello, my love, what brings you here?” she asked.
The Prince scoffed. “What brings me indeed? Why didn’t you tell me your father was a mere pig farmer?”
Circe looked desperate and confused, hardly able to answer.
“What do you mean, my dearest?”
The Prince was enraged. “Do not play coy with me, madam! How dare you keep such a thing from me! How could you lie to me in such a manner?”
Circe crumpled in tears. “You never asked about my parents! I never lied to you! Why should it matter? We love each other! And love conquers all.”
