notes/disclaimers

Apple
by Gilda Lily

His cheeks bloomed and his eyes sparkled, and he was called Prince Benton Rose. He was beloved by all the land, and King Robert and Queen Caroline were proud of their heir and firstborn indeed in the Land of the Snows.

And when he took a mate after the Grand Ball, it was Prince Raymondo of the Land of the Sun, and they were happy, until one day when Prince Benton Rose was out amongst the people helping a village that had been struck down by foul weather (some said ruby slippers were involved). Prince Raymondo was with him, and an old lady shuffled forward and handed the Prince a bright, red apple. He was touched by her kindness and lifted it to his mouth. Prince Raymondo saw him and cried, "No, Benny!" but Benton Rose bit into the juicy fruit and went pale as snow. He slumped to the ground as if dead and a wail went up from all assembled. Raymondo rushed to his Benton Rose's side and wept.

The old lady was gone. A young boy bent down and found a sparkling diamond on the ground where she had stood. Revenge is sweet.