Yay! I'm glad someone actually read my author's note at the beginning! Well, my pen name was gotten this way: My middle name is Jacquleine and my street is Schaeffer Street. That's also called your "soap opera" name. You get your soap opera name by taking your middle name and street name. Another example is my best friend. Her soap opera name would be Maure Woodsdale. Another friend would be Emily Woodmark. Another Louise Rodman, and another Marie Foster-Sheldon. My stepdad's would be Lupton Schaeffer. Isn't Lupton a funny name? You folks at home can try it too. Tell your friends. It's mad fun.

And thanks you very very much to the person who said my stories were better than 90% of the stories on this site. That made me feel very happy and special, and I just want to say you're the kind of people that make this world a better place to live. For me, at least.

Jalla-I am glad you like my stories! *Thankyouverymuch!*

Well, thanks for listening to that. Now for the good stuff: story time! Yay!

Miranda won.

"You cheated!" Antony laughed.

"You should have." Miranda laughed back. Antony looked at her as if not wanting to admit she was right.

"Never mind. We have to find some yarn."

He led her into the bustling city market. Miranda was intoxicated by the smells of delicious food, the colors and textures of exotic fabrics from all over the world, and gold and silver so fine it was fit for a king. Miranda felt a tad homesick, the sights and smells reminded her of her old home. She thought of the velvety and silky dresses, the all night banquets and parties and balls.

She sighed sadly as Antony took her to a small dirty stand where an old woman sat selling spools of thread. Carefully, he selected three spools of thread: White, brown and purple.

"Purple?" Miranda asked. "But that's the most expensive spool there. And purple is the color of royalty, which we are certainly not."

"Well, purple is a nice color, and it will fetch more at market, especially since it's such an attractive shade of purple."

"Very well."

Antony, all politeness and cordiality, gave the old woman the money for the thread. Miranda watched him so this. She noted his sincere courtesy. He wasn't so bad; he was a gentlemen and sensible. He was also wise and always knew right.

He walked up to her and they walked off. They strolled along the dirt road.

Miranda looked up at the walls the market stands were leaned against. Behind those walls was King Lack-Beard's castle.

"So that is the King's castle." She said.

"Yes."

"Is he there right now?"

"Um, no, actually, the last I heard he was off on vacation in the woods."

"Oh."

"Hunting, I suppose. Maybe he has one of those rustic lodges."

"Like father used to have. We would go out there every summer." The castle loomed up, the sun hitting the white stone and creating an almost godly glare. The castle almost shined and Miranda thought once again of the horrible way she had treated the inhabitant of the castle.

"Oh, dear." She moaned, clutching her stomach.

"What? What is it, dear?" Antony asked, supporting Miranda.

"Nothing………nothing." She gasped, standing up. "I just, I just feel so guilty for what I have done."

"What?"

"The way I have been so mean to all of these people. I mean, all of my suitors, and such."

"It's all right."

"And to think, if I hadn't been so bad, I would still be at home. Maybe taking a bath or talking with my friends."

"Miranda, you HAVE to let go of that life. It's over now. Now, you know if I could I would give you anything you wanted, but I can't, so we have to make the best of what we've got."

"Really?"

"Yes." He smiled. "Now come on, let's go home and learn how to spin, eh?"

Miranda laughed. "Ok." She was beginning to like Antony. Sure, she was poor, but Antony made her feel as if that didn't matter. For the first time in her life, Miranda lost her pride, even if it might have been for a few seconds.

You guys like it so far? Miranda is slowly losing her pride, which is good. And she likes Antony! How is that for a shock? Ok, it's not THAT big of a shock. Antony is cool, is he not? Heehee. I'll post more soon.