The Illusion of a Prince Faded
He was not the prince of her dreams
Margaret had met William just after he returned from military service. The young man seemed to step right out of a gentlemans magazinetall, broad-shouldered, with striking green eyes and dark, wavy hair. Beside him, Margaret felt plain, though she was pretty in her own waysoft blonde curls, a gentle smile, a slender frame. She could hardly believe her luckout of all the girls, he had chosen her.
*What does he see in you?* her friends whispered. *A man like that wont stay long. Hell leave you.*
But Margaret only smiledshe believed in their love. They went to the cinema, danced at balls, met with friends. William never flattered her looks, but he stayed by her side, and his touch made her heart race. When she first brought him home, her motherEleanor Whitmorefrowned. Later, in private, she whispered to her daughter:
*”A handsome man is another womans husband, dear. Rarely are they faithful. Wait before you wed, test him. He seems too polished.”*
Margaret bristled. She trusted Williams feelings and refused to listen to doubts. Yet her mothers words planted a seed of unease in her heart.
Slowly, William changed. First, it was the boxing club, then swimming, then new acquaintances. Margaret, desperate to stay close, joined his training sessions but felt awkward among the confident, athletic women. Williams gaze lingered on them, and she would slip away early, hiding her tears.
*”Youre as delicate as a doll,”* he laughed once when she caught cold after swimming. *”Better stay home with your books.”*
The words stung, and she remembered her mothers warning. She felt him growing distant. More outings alone, fewer calls, no invitationsuntil, finally, he simply vanished. He stopped answering altogether.
*”No word from him?”* her mother asked.
*”No”* Margaret murmured, turning her face to the wall.
*”Come nowup with you! Were off to the hairdresser!”* Eleanor declared. *”A new style is the first step to a new life. Then well sew you a dressyouve always had a knack for it.”*
They bought fabric. Margaret sketched designs, trying to forget. Rumours of Williams new loves reached her, but she held firm. When she appeared at the next ballradiant in her new gown, light as a summer breezeall eyes turned. She was noticed.
A young man, Edwardquiet, unassumingbegan to pay her attention. He was no Adonis, but his eyes held only warmth for Margaret, steady and true. Within a month, he asked for her hand.
*”Now thats a proper man!”* her mother said. *”If he loves, he marries. What do you say?”*
*”I accept,”* Margaret replied softly.
*”Do you love him?”*
*”How could I not? Hes kind, hardworking, faithful. I am all he needsand he is all I need.”*
The wedding was warm, full of joy. Margaret and Edward started from nothingtheir first chair, their first plate. A year later, a daughter was born; three years after, a son. Family, love, contentment.
She seldom thought of William. Only occasionally did she hear taleshow he left his wife, ran off with a lover, now drifted from place to place. Margaret would smile:
*”What was between us? Just a chapter of youth. Let him be happy, if he can.”*
At home, her children and husband waited. And her motherwise, kind, dearest of all. The one who had saved her from true heartbreak. The one to whom she owed her quiet, true happiness.
Mother always stay close. Without you, life isnt half as bright.
