Kiss your frogs - a modern fairytale

A fairytale princess

Next day

*Daniel*

I open the door to the costume building, almost walking right into a woman, or actually a princess. “Oh sorry darling, I didn’t see you there”.

She steps slightly to the side, giving me a warm smile. She is stunningly beautiful if I have to be honest. “No problem”.

“Would ... the sleeping princes happen to know where I find the resident hairdresser ?” I ask her.

“I actually prefer Aurelia, you know”. She says with an even brighter smile and a cheeky wink.

I bow lightly. “My apologies, your highness”.

“Well apology accepted good sir ... and you can find the hairdresser down the left hallway.. door number four”. She says with a cute little giggle.

I hold out my hand and she takes it. “I am Daniel by the way”.

“Maisie ... when I am not Aurelia”. She says, shaking my hand.

“I hope it’s okay to say ... your accent doesn't sound French, it sounds very ...”.

“British ... and you are right. I moved here from London ... but it’s some years ago now, so most people don’t notice”. She breaks me off saying.

I can’t help smiling. “Well I think it’s easy to hear, but might have to do with being British myself”.

“And that you are”. She giggles again. “Very much so.. Or so I feel at least”.

I bite my lip. “You might be right there ... or so I am often told”.

“See l.. I just knew that”. She reaches out, touching my arm softly. “A pleasure meeting you Daniel, but I have to run. I have a lot of excited kids waiting for me ... see you around”.

I lift my hand in a sort of awkward wave. “See you”.

She turns and walks out and she really was the perfect Fairytale princess, beautiful, graceful and kind, with just a tiny twist of sassiness.

A few minutes later I realize that I am just standing there, staring at the door. I shake my head. “Forget it Daniel”.

Then I turn and walk down to find the hairdresser, time for the beard I have been growing during my break to be gone.

*Maisie*

So that was Daniel Quinn ... he is taller and much more scruffy looking than I expected. But he is very handsome, I can't deny that and he seemed nice, but life has told me that men can not be trusted, especially not the handsome ones.

It comes as a shock to many people, but I don't do love ... or s*x. I don’t need the trouble. I trusted a man once ... 18 years ago, It cost me a broken heart and my family, but it gave me my beautiful daughter Tabitha.

I am not asexual, or I don't think I am. I have just given up on me. After that bastard got me pregnant at 17 and then left me hanging all alone after my family disowned me.

When I get to the area where I meet with the kids, I brush the thoughts away. I need to be fully here, those kids waiting forever to meet a princess deserves my full attention.

I truly enjoy my job, both the part were I get to entertain and have fun and the part where I see the love in the eyes of the kids. That is probably my only regret in having forsworn men.. that I never had more children.

It’s a great day, only happy kids and grateful parents, no one acting up and when I am done, I leave for my break with a smile on my face, feeling happy and elated.

I walk into the costume department, almost slamming into a tall handsome man. “Oh sorry sir”.

“It’s okay Maisie ... or should I call you Aurelia ?” He flashes me a beautiful smile.

“Oh s**t ... Daniel ?” I clamp a hand over my mouth. “I didn’t recognize you without the beard”.

He rubs a hand over his jaw. “It will take a bit of time getting used to honestly, is it really that bad ?”

“No ... not bad at all .... just different”. I can’t stop my eyes from running over his face. “You look younger like this ... I hope it’s not too bold to say ?”

“Not too bold at all”. He chuckles. “And I know I look younger, most men do I guess, the beard is just ... easier and I kinda like it”.

I bite my lip. “Don’t get me wrong ... the beard was a good look on you too”.

“Thank you darling”. The smile makes his eyes sparkle and I kind of want to kick myself, hoping he doesn't think I was flirting with him.

“Well I need to go have my break before the parade”. I hurriedly say, feeling that I need to remove myself from this.

He nods. “You need your break. I’ll see you around then”.

“Sure ... enjoy your stay”. I tell him, before hurrying off.