THE RICH PRINCE AND THE PEASANT GIRL

Once upon a time, there was a rich prince who lived in a splendid palace. He had everything he wanted, except for one thing: true love. He was bored of the shallow and greedy princesses who only wanted to marry him for his wealth and power. He longed for someone who would love him for who he was, not what he had.One day, he decided to disguise himself as a commoner and explore the city. He wandered around the streets, enjoying the sights and sounds of the people's lives. He came across a market, where he saw a beautiful girl selling flowers.

She had a smile that lit up her face, and eyes that sparkled with kindness. She greeted everyone with a cheerful voice, and offered them her flowers at a fair price.The prince was instantly smitten by her. He approached her and asked for a rose. She handed him one, and their fingers touched. He felt a jolt of electricity run through him, and he looked into her eyes. He saw something he had never seen before: genuine affection.He paid her for the flower, and asked her name. She said it was Lily. He asked her if she would like to have lunch with him. She hesitated, but then agreed. She closed her stall, and followed him to a nearby tavern. They sat at a table, and ordered some food. They talked for hours, and found out they had a lot in in common. They both loved music, books, and nature. They both dreamed of traveling the world, and seeing new places. They both valued honesty, loyalty, and compassion.They felt a connection that neither of them had ever experienced before. They laughed, they joked, they shared their hopes and fears. They forgot about everything else, except for each other.The prince realized he had fallen in love with Lily. He wanted to tell her the truth about himself, but he was afraid she would reject him if she knew he was royalty. He decided to wait until he was sure she loved him back.He asked her if she would see him again. She said yes, with a smile that melted his heart. He kissed her hand, and said goodbye. He promised to come back the next day.He returned to his palace, feeling happier than ever. He couldn't wait to see Lily again. He thought of nothing else but her.The next day, he went back to the market, dressed as a commoner again. He looked for Lily's stall, but he couldn't find it. He asked around, but no one knew where she was. He felt a pang of worry in his chest.He decided to go to her house, which she had told him where it was. It was a small cottage on the outskirts of the city. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. He tried to open it, but it was locked.He looked through the window, and saw a scene that broke his heart.Lily was lying on the bed, pale and weak. She had a fever, and was coughing blood. She looked like she was dying.Next to her bed, there was a note. It read:"My dearest prince,I know who you are. I saw you on the news yesterday, when they announced your engagement to Princess Isabella of Astoria.I don't blame you for lying to me. I understand you have your duties and responsibilities as heir to the throne.But I can't bear to see you again, knowing you belong to someone else.I love you more than anything in this world, but I have to let you go.Please don't look for me. Please don't try to save me.I have contracted the plague, which is spreading in the city.There is no cure for it.I only have a few days left to live.I want you to remember me as I was when we met: happy and healthy.I want you to be happy too.Please marry Princess Isabella, and rule your kingdom with wisdom and justice.Please forget about me, and move on with your life.You are my prince charming, and I am your Cinderella.But our story has no happy ending.Goodbye, my love.Yours forever,Lily"The prince read the note with tears in his eyes. He felt a surge of anger, sadness, and guilt.He cursed himself for being so foolish and selfish.He cursed fate for being so cruel and unfair.He cursed his father for forcing him into an arranged marriage with someone he didn't love.He cursed the plague for taking away his true love's life.He cursed the world for being so harsh and hopeless.He wished he could turn back time, and do things differently.He wished he could save Lily from her fate.He wished he could be with her, and make her happy.He wished he could die with her, and join her in heaven.But he knew it was too late.He had lost her forever.He had lost his chance at true love.He had lost his reason to live.He dropped the note, and ran away.He ran back to his palace, and locked himself in his room.He refused to see anyone, or do anything.He just lay on his bed, holding the rose that Lily had given him.He smelled its fragrance, and remembered her smile.He kissed its petals, and remembered her kiss.He pressed it to his heart, and remembered her love.He cried, and cried, and cried.Until he had no more tears left to shed.Until he had no more will left to live.Until he had no more breath left to breathe.And then he died.The end.