Prince Harold was indescribably happy to have changed schools. No longer trying unsuccessfully to avoid getting his head dunked in chamberpots, his grades had skyrocketed; and he and Princess Lillian could always be found eating together. Notes were passed between the two, and they often visited each other. He felt confident to say they were becoming good friends.
And yet...there was a certain void in his life; a void that only she could fill. He loved her, but was not loved by her in return, which left him sad and overwhelmed. She was glad to be his friend, but nothing more.
But more had to happen. He couldn't imagine a life where she was not his queen.
And so, when a businesswoman moved into town, claiming she could help anyone and everyone reach their goals; Prince Harold broke down. Unable to resist the temptation of manipulating his friend's emotions to his advantage, he turned back and went into the office.
It was a nice place, though all the paintings and drawings depicted the same woman; and the smoke out of the chimneys were much too colorful to be at all natural. Standing there with a funny feeling in his gut, he ignored the fact that what he was doing was wrong. He gave his name to the clergy and sat in one of the chairs, waiting for his name to be called.
"Harold?"
He looked up, but didn't move.
"Prince Harold," the woman corrected, though he was the only patient there. "Olivia will see you now. Room twelve," she added, opening a door that led into a hallway.
He stood and walked into the hall, closing the door. There was a faint but disgusting odor in the air, and he lifted his shirt over his nose. On his way to the twelfth door, he passed a pair of people, both of whom wore masks and carried goggles.
He stopped outside the door and knocked. It was opened quickly. "Harold, come in," a middle-aged woman said, in a pleasant voice much accented like his own. "I'm Olivia."
"You know my name?" he asked, as he shut the door.
"I'm a woman of many talents," she answered simply, and pulled the thick blanket tighter around her neck. "Now, tell me about your troubles. Why are you here? Please," she added, motioning to the chair behind a desk.
"Uh, well, it seems the maiden I want to court only likes me as a friend," he stated blandly. "I know it's immoral to force her into a relationship, but I just can't see myself spending my life with anyone else." He paused, and when he realized what he had said, he quickly amended his words. "Not that I'm calling you immoral."
"Pish-posh! I know I am; but I don't care. Sometimes, Harold, this is the only way to fulfill your dreams." She sat heavily in the chair behind the desk, facing his. "If it eases your conscience, I also offer a way to back out of the deal, even after it's taken place, to all of my clientele."
He felt a heavy weight lift. "Oh, good, that does help...How would that work?" he added.
"Oh, yes, I guarantee it!" she answered, choosing to only hear the last four words of his question. Ignoring his confused look, she leaned forward. "Now, Harold, before I give you my aid, I have just one question."
He waited expectantly.
"How open-minded are you?"
"It depends on what I'm judging," came his fast reply.
"The more...unnatural side of life," she told him, and unhooked the cloak to free her pale gossamer wings.
His eyes went wide.
"How open-minded are you now?" she inquired.
"What...How...What are you?" he spluttered.
"I am the Fairy Godmother. I can make your dreams come true, Harold, but first we must be completely honest with one another."
"What if...What if I would rather back out of the deal?"
"All this would be confidential, whether you accept my help or not."
He bit his lip. She had sort of roped him into the promise of secrecy. Well, he might as well benefit from it.
"I give you my word."
She took a small bottle of bright blue liquid. "Then, go make a picnic for you and your maiden. And have her drink this. Her heart will be yours when the drink is gone, but remember, you must kiss her before midnight if you want her to love you for longer than twenty-four hours."
He took the potion and thanked her, handed her a wad of cash and shuffled from the room with his heart in his shoes.