But her power was not the only thing that grew with her age. As she got older, she also got more and more beautiful both inside and out. She was beloved by her village and every day was spent living with her best friend and doing their daily tasks. Both had lost their parents to a sickness that had plagued the village when they were 14 and for the last six years they had found a way to live on together. They were not the richest of people but they were happy. One day a traveling noble stopped by their village and upon seeing the girl fell absolutely smitten with her. For weeks, the noble persistently courted the woman, who was hesitant and reluctant to trust her future to a man she did not know, much less to that of a noble who was from an entirely different world than her.

Finally, the man’s efforts paid off and he was able to convince her to agree. Her only request was that her friend be permitted to go with her and stay by her side. Her friend was a very smart and observant woman, with eyes that seemed to pierce those in their path. She would be of great comfort to the bride-to-be and could assist her with adjusting to the new life of a noble. The man happily agreed, and soon their meager belongings were packed and they set off towards the man’s home. It was there that they discovered that the man was not just any noble-he was the Crown Prince!”

The children gasped, just like they did every time that his identity was revealed. The old woman’s lips curled up slightly at the sight, the children were just so adorable. Without further pause the woman continued. 

“Both of the women were shocked- they had no clue she was to join the royal family! The Prince assured them that they would be fine, but soon another shocking truth was revealed. The Prince already had several wives!”

“What a cheating bast-” The younger of the two girls started to say before her sister quickly covered her mouth with her hand. The old woman looked at them sharply, asking with slight anger, “Where did you learn that word!? Who did you hear that from?”

“The oldest sheepishly explained, hand still covering her sister’s, “We heard Papa use that word- he said when we asked it is what you call bad people.”

The older woman sighed, knowing that telling them not to use it probably wouldn’t work, but willing to try anyways.

“Either way children that is a bad word- please do not use it in front of others or to each other in the future.”

“Yes Nana!” The children promised with gleaming eyes that said otherwise.

The older woman sighed and let it go for now, knowing that finishing the story was more important right now than the children’s language. Resettling in her chair, the woman continued her tale.