This is like my top 3 romance tropes so I was super excited but I had so much trouble with this ;-; It was so hard to pick a good opposites pair and then write something good and I'm honestly not even happy about this one but at least I did it. Halfway through and I'm so ready for this to be done... ;-;
Day 15: Opposites attract
Early in the morning Sofia packed all the paintings and carving she and her father had made on the carriage as well has her drawing tools. Sheâd take them to the marketplace and hopefully sell them all. With the money theyâd buy more materials but also save some for the funds thatâd hopefully send her to art school. Sofia wouldâve happily stayed home and helped his father, but he insisted that sheâd chase her dreams as an artist.
She put on her best dress and best scarf and braided her hair. Then she got on the carriage and headed towards the town. If everything went according to plan, sheâd be there right as the market opens. She could buy herself a little breakfast from the baker and eat while waiting for the first customers.
âYour Highness, Your Highness! You canât just go out now. You need to be prepared for the quests coming this evening!â
The prince didnât seem to even listen to his retainerâs words but continued to saddle his horse.
âYour Highness, please at least tell me where youâre going,â the young man begged his lord who sighed.
âI am going to check the town. Iâve heard that there is a market today. Iâd like to see it. Yesterdayâs party was so boring I need some fresh air before this next battle.â
âBut you cannot go alone! Itâs too dangerous. Itâs against the rules! Your father would be upset if something happened to you.â
ââŚThen you come with me. Or itâs your fault that I went alone right?â The prince said, smiling. His retainer sighed.
âCould you wait until Iâve saddled myself a horse before you head out? And we have to be back early so you can get ready. You canât meet the princesses looking messy.â
âBut of course, I love to ride with some company,â the prince said covering his recognisable face with a cloak, completely ignoring the rest of the speech.
They day had moved forward but not many people had visited Sofiaâs stall. She was beginning to feel slightly discouraged. What if no one bought anything? They needed this money and itâd be disappointing if they didnât sell anything. Sheâd try the next day too but the sooner sheâd sell these the better. Sound of approaching horses caught Sofiaâs attention. Two very impressing looking horses along with their riders. They looked around looking very interested. Well, one of them did, the other looked very nervous and was constantly talking to the other man.
âPrince Anthony, please Your Higness, letâs go back. The party starts in three hours and you need to get dressed.
âWell, I donât take three hours to change clothes so I think I can look around for a little bit longer,â the prince replied. He then noticed a little stall where a young woman was sitting surrounded by paintings. He stopped his horse and jumped off.
âYour Highness, what are you doing?â his retainer hissed in panic.
âCalm down Joshua. Iâll just take a quick look.â Joshua sighed and got down from his horse as well.
Sofia felt a small nervous spark in her stomach when she noticed the two men approaching. She tried to discreetly arrange her hair neatly and straighten wrinkles from her dress. Hopefully there werenât any breadcrumbs on her face.
âGood day, beautiful lady,â the prince greeted Sofia with a smile.
âGâŚgood day, sir,â she replied smiling. These men were clearly from the upper class and she felt nervous.
âYou sell paintings?â the prince asked looking at the pictures.
âYes, and some carvings that are made by my father.â
Joshua stayed silent but glanced nervously the girl. What if she realised, she was talking with the prince? Thereâd be chaos if people found out. He was actually surprised no one had noticed yet.
âYou have none about lions?â the prince said.
âUhh, no? I havenât really thought about making any.â
âOh really. Donât they call the prince a young lion? Thatâd probably interest a lot of peopleâŚâ
Joshua felt like he couldâve punched the prince. That idiot, was he trying to expose himself?
âAh, thatâs true? Do you want one? For five coins I can draw you a lionâŚâ
âYouâd draw it?â Joshua couldnât help but comment.
âYes. These are my drawings after all,â Sofia said smiling.
âIn that case, Iâd happily get one,â the prince said. Sofia pulled out her sketchbook and pencils and started drawing.
Prince Anthony watched silently her working. She was clearly a country girl but there was something in the air around her that made her more interesting than any of the princesses and ladies he had met. Something very mundane but still sophisticated and elegant. And she was quite beautiful as well. She had a fair appearance with light blonde hair and brown eyes.
After fifteen or so minutes, Sofia put down her pencil for the final time and showed the paper to the men. âWhat do you think, sir?â On the paper there was a majestic looking lion, roaring to the sky, wind ruffling the mane.
âThat is fantastic!â the prince exclaimed. âJoshua, could you give this beautiful lady seven coins?â
âBut the price is only five,â Sofia said in case the man had forgotten.
âThis is definitely worth more,â he said. âBut if you want, you can give your name as an exchange for the two coins, miss.â The princeâs charming smile made Sofia blush completely and Anthony couldnât help but chuckle. âDonât worry miss, you donât have to tell if you donât want to. Joshua, please, give the coins.â
Sighing deeply Joshua took out seven coins and put them on the counter, taking the drawing with him. âThank you, good sirs,â Sofia said completely astounded.
âI hope you have a good day, miss,â the prince said then, getting on his horse.
âItâs Sofia, sir. Sofia Bellamy,â she said blushing again. âAnd good day to you too.â
The prince smiled and bowed to the girl before riding off.
âJoshua.â
âYes, Your Highness?â
âWhen we get home, I want you to find out where that girl lives.â