MASKED MAIDEN PRINCESS

Once upon a time there lived a maiden so beautiful that flowers were envious of her. That

the birds sang only to praise her beauty. That the moon would shine for her and the sun would

rise to see her and listen to her melodious voice! “I see you near my house one more time… I

will feed you to my birds! Arghh!!!! Ahh!“ “Sorry, sweethearts! I know silly people are not your

cuisine!” Caroline said.

Yes on most occasions, our Caroline did have a melodious voice! But can you blame her

for getting angry once in a while? You see, Caroline was indeed beautiful. But she was also fed

up of the attention her beauty received! Her aunt said.

“Oh honey! Maidens would do anything for your beauty. I don’t understand how can you be

saturated with it!” “No Aunt Tabby. I don’t hate my beauty. I love looking at myself in the

mirror. But I am so much more! Does anybody even know how much I love accounting? Nobody

even cares to understand me other than my cherry eyes and rosy lips!” “Ohh, I almost forgot.

The king’s messenger has sought my help to look for an accountant to manage their finances…”

“What?! Why didn’t you start with that! I will bring my best work ahead!” She said. “ You must

be joking! You cannot apply for this position in the palace! Besides, the moment palace sees you.

I am sure they would bring this proposal to you directly!” “What proposal?” “ Ooh that;s why

I’m here! Oh you are never going to believe this! The king Carol! The King has seen your

picture and he wants you to get married to his son. Prince Heather! He thinks you are a perfect

fit!” “A perfect fit? Wow.. I almost thought I am a piece of clothing!” Aunt Tabby tried her best

to convince Caroline to consider the proposal but Caroline would not listen. She wanted to apply
for the position of the royal accountant instead. “Oh! There is no winning with you. (coughs) Oh

dear where did I keep my mask? My dust allergies are acting up! Here it is! I have to leave and

don’t forget to think about the proposal and don’t be hasty in making decision. Bye honey!”

Caroline knew that her aunt wanted good things for her. But she wasn’t thinking about that.

“Hmm… Dust allergies! That is so acceptable! Brilliant!”

The next day Aunt Tabby dropped by to counsel Caroline about considering the

proposal… But there was nobody home..! And on the other end of the town in the palace. A

masked woman had just been appointed as the royal accountant. “Congratulations! You cleared

all the rounds of tests! Your work speaks for you child! I am sure you will do great here! Wait..

Are you crying?” the King said. “Well, I am generally not praised for my work.. (Clears throat)

It doesn’t matter, your highness. I am most grateful for you. “If I may ask, why are you wearing

a mask? “(coughs) Dust allergies! Haha alright then! I am getting work for late… I mean late for

work. A royal accountant’s job will not be easy! Hehe Babye!!” Caroline said. “Ooohh..” said

the king.

Few weeks passed and Caroline was living a wonderful life. Looking at her diligence, she

was offered the royal quarters by the King so that she could rest well. Caroline would immerse

herself in work the entire day and rest to her wits in her royal quarters during the night. But the

Prince was always suspicious of the new masked accountant… “This is a royal palace you know.

We have helpers cleaning the palace day in day out… There is no dust in here! Why the mask

then?” said the Prince. “So you think there is no dust in the air Prince? Have you called the

scientist and asked them to run experiments? Vacuum has air and air has dust. End of story.” She

said. “Hmmmm..” the prince uttered.

 Heather and Caroline often came face to face and neither of them was interested in

another. “We have a problem with this report. I can’t understand a word of what is written.”

“Because that is not my report. Those are my rough notes, this is my report! You are really smart

aren’t you?” Caroline said. “Grrr…” uttered the Prince. “Haist.. Now what? You have issues

with the pen I used to write the report?” “Uhmm.. I actually have come to compliment you on

your work. You surely are a professional! I mean the calculations are just… Wait? Are you

crying?” “Oh being truly seem for my work is clearly my trigger.” “(laughs) I understand. You

see I am the King’s son. So, all my achievements are always questioned and all the credit is

given to the royal lineage. We have lot in common than you might think. Masked accountant!”

And that marked the beginning of a story that Caroline had never thought of!

On one hand where Caroline’s and Heather’s friendship was growing and converting into

something special.. There were people looking for Caroline in the town like Aunt Tabby.

“(crying) She ran away because of me! I should have never pressured her. (sobs)” And the son of

the richest landowner of the town Primus. “I want to know where she is!” Caroline never took

any interest in Primus and his wealth. But Primus had made a vow to himself that he will make

Caroline fall in love with him! And this promise had made him to go to (coughs) well.. The fake

wise man.

“Will this work?” He said. “Do clouds have water in them?” said the fake wise man.

“Uhhmmm.. I don’t know!” Primus said. “Ohh? You don’t? Well.. the answer is yes!”

But just like his ideas the potions of the fake wise man always did the opposite of what was

intended. “You will fall in love with me now! (Blows a kiss)” “Are you alright Primus?” She

said.
And now Caroline missing for moths.. Primus was losing his wits! “How long is this going to

take? And I better not get stunned again.” Primus said. “ Oh, well.. these spells aren’t perfect! I

think I may have added a little more surprise to your powder. Maybe that’s why you were

stunned. My mistake.. Hehehe! Oh, see her! She is in the Palace. In a dark room full of scrolls

and boring books and pens and calculators! Oh my.. she is abducted by the palace!” said the fake

wise man. “What?! No! She is the masked accountant, you genius! Well I didn’t even know she

knew how to keep accountants.. Ahh! Enough! I will see to it that she falls in love with me this

time.” He said. “Well.. This time make sure the potion is not inhaled by you instead. This is the

most potent love potion. Sprinkle a little bit in her and she will head over heels for you. Ha ha

ha!” said the fake wise man and they both laugh together.

To add to the never-ending chaos, the King called for his son. “Heather I have chosen a suitable

girl for you to marry.” The King said. “Is this about the most beautiful maiden of the town you

talked about? Father, I told you! I cannot marry someone I don’t know!” Prince Heather tried to

reason with his father and tell him that he in fact in love with the masked accountant. But the

King didn’t listen and was bent on getting his son married to the beautiful maiden. What neither

of them realized was that they were in fact talking about the same woman. Caroline!

“Just see her picture will you?” said the King. Prince Heather glance at the picture half-heartedly

but just then.. The royal chef entered the room and accidently dropped blueberry cheesecake on

the picture! And that’s when Prince Heather really saw it.. “Being truly seen for my work is

clearly my trigger!” he remembered. “Of course! That’s why she wears a mask. She wants to be

seen for who she is and not just how she looks. The masked accountant is my masked Princess!

Father, I love you and I love your decision! I will marry the beautiful maiden from the picture.. I

have to go now, bye!” the Prince said. “Huh?” the chef uttered. Prince Heather ran to the royal
quarters to meet with his true love only to see that Primus was already there! “Stop where you

are Prince! She is about to fall in love with me! Haa! Huh? Why is this not working? Aahh!”

And once again without anybody doing anything at all. Primus fell prey to his own deeds. The

potion emptied into his eyes and he (coughs) fell in love with himself! “Oh, I am so beautiful and

strong!” Primus said. He left the palace and they both laughed.

Prince Heather confessed his love to Caroline who accepted his love without hesitation. Caroline

and Heather were married in a grand ceremony. Caroline never wore her mask again since her

genius identified now.. but for Prince Heather she would always remain his masked princess!

Nevertheless! They live happily ever after.

By: Gwyneth Nicole A. Maraña