A/N: I understand that the best-known stories about princesses aren't much the work of English storytellers, but I couldn't resist this little idea I had.
Please enjoy my silly little story.
"…they were married, and everyone lived happily ever after."
England closed the storybook and smiled at the two young territories sitting before him. He found that there was something so lovely about being able to read to Canada and America in the cozy evenings… and he found it even better that his territories thought so, too.
"Read it again," Canada whispered, holding Kumajiro tightly in his arms, "It was wonderful."
"No, that's enough for you two tonight. It's time you got to sleep," England responded, reaching down to ruffle Canada's hair affectionately.
America simply frowned, "What I want to know is why a princess had to kiss him," he said.
England looked at America and cocked his head confusedly, "Would you rather if he was kissed by a prince…?" he asked.
America shook his head, "No, I mean… why did she have to be a princess? Couldn't it have been any old girl?" America asked.
"No, it couldn't," Canada said, "It had to be a princess."
"But why…?" America asked, "What makes a princess's kiss so special?"
"Because princess kisses are magical," Canada said resolutely.
"Right you are, Canada," England said with a smile.
America frowned deeper, "…but why…?"
"Because," Canada said with a frown, looking at the other young territory as though there was something wrong with him.
England laughed and placed a hand on Canada's head, "No, no… America has a point, Canada…"
"A princess is just any old person with a gold crown on her head, ain't she?" America asked, smiling when he realized England was humoring him.
"The word is 'isn't,'" England said.
"…and a princess only got there because their mom and dad were royal, right?"
"Well, most of the time," England agreed.
"…but not in fairy tales," Canada said softly.
America turned to Canada and made a face, "I guess...but England said in real life it's really hard to become royal if you're born into a poor family because royals only marry people who are already royal."
"…you could be a noble, too…" Canada replied cuddling a little closer to Kumajiro.
"…but that's not everybody!" America said in frustration, "Why? They already have all the power and the money and the land... why do fairy tales have to make them magical, too?"
"Well, how do you suppose people thought they got all of the power and the money and the land…?" England asked.
"Magic," Canada responded immediately.
America blinked, "…I…" he frowned deeper, folding his arms, "Well, it doesn't seem fair, that's all."
"That's just the way it is," Canada said.
England laughed again and put his storybook to the side, "Alright, boys, that's enough. Time to get ready for bed," he said, getting up and ruffling the territories' hair.
"Aww…" America said, trying his best to smooth his hair, "Do we have to?"
"How do you expect to grow up big and strong if you don't sleep?" England asked, taking their hands and leading them out of the drawing room.
"…you don't believe that the royals are any more magical than normal people, do you, England?" America asked.
"Well," England responded, looking away slightly.
"…because I don't. Everyone has the same amount of magic in them, I think," America said, "No one is better than anyone else just because they were born royal or noble or anything… it's just that people think that they are because fairy tales keep telling them that."
"You think so?" England asked.
"Yeah…" America smiled, "…and when I get big, I'm gonna tell everyone about that."
"But it won't be true," Canada pipped up.
"But it is," America insisted.
England just shook his head and smiled. He loved those two far too much.