Wednesday, January 05, 2005

The Princess and the Pique

I can just see how that particular conversation went:

"So, our daughter comes to you, soaked, dirty, without transport, looking for rest and you put a pea under her mattresses?"
"Well, yes Your Highness. We were not quite sure about her identity--as you said, she was a frightful mess. So we decided to test her."
"Test her?"
"Yes. No real princess would have been able to sleep with even the smallest object placed--"
"I'm quite aware of the genetic abberration which prevents bluebloods from sleeping in anything but the greatest comfort. My real concern is this idea of testing."
"Of course, Your Worship, but one can never be too careful in these matters."
"Indeed, one cannot. Which is why, for your assiduousness, I am going to reward you with this firebreathing dragon. He is of good family, comes with his own store of gold, and is quite neighborly. A most enviable possession. And all he requires is a nearby cave and the yearly payment of twelve firstborn girls."

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