Forbidden Love

Sage
Sage was a normal fox. As always, she was tending the things that needed to be tended and milking the things that needed to be milked. As she approached her cow, Sylvia, with a bucket, the cow drew back like the horse, except Sylvia didn't lift her front legs and neigh like a maniac.

Her mother was across the yard, hanging their clothes. It was going to be a long night, all with the rain. They'd gotten soaked, and now they needed to be hung more than ever.

She was beautiful as well as kind, so as she moved comfortingly closer, her cow finally gave in and filled the bucket to the brim. Surprised, Sage pulled it to her lips and took a big whiff, inhaling the savory aroma and looking around for her mother.

She carefully headed over, being extra cautious not to spill any of the liquid. "Mother, look what Sylvia produced!" She exclaimed, still fascinated by the sight.

"Maybe you should start milking her," Sage's mother said in disbelief. "She seems to fill it higher than with me, anyway. What's up?"

"I'm not sure," Sage admitted, wondering if she just had a lot to give away or if she'd felt safety with Sage. Either way, it would last them a long time, and that was more then they dared to hope for. She tried it with the goats, but they only filled enough for a week at most.

"Mom, look! They filled it-"

"Sweetie, that's normal."

"Oh." Sage's face fell as she trudged off with the buckets before emptying them into her milk chest. Then she walked upstairs, hot and exhausted. She took a shower, disgusted by the smell of herself.

She also quite hated the fact that she was supposedly in one of the small huts because her family was fortunate. How? They had two floors, yes, but it'd always been like that. They'd never been demoted, even when they were at their darkest times- they'd almost starved that winter. But thanks to the mayor and the miller, they didn't.

The mayor lived in a mansion as well as the miller did. They were both rich, but the ones that sold valuable things that were above overpriced were second to that- at least 3 floors and huge backyards.

The king lived in a palace far, far away in the kingdom of Infinity. It was a strange name, the townsfolk all agreed. Every Sunday, they gathered up in the square and even the ones who couldn't sell yet sold. It was the chance for everyone that couldn't go to the markets on weekdays- perhaps ones that were poor- to get money and food and resources.

Sage bent down when she got to her small space that was considered a room. It was medium-sized, and she guessed she should be grateful, but after looking at her friend's rooms, it seemed so much bigger compared to hers.

But it was big. She had a small bed with a bedside table on either side, one holding a lamp and an alarm clock, the other a glass of water and the books she was reading along with her reading light. A table that she used for art was tucked away in a small corner, and she had a closet on the far right and then a bathroom that was fairly large and had a lot of cool decorations and things.

Still. It was small. She couldn't imagine sharing it. She would have about no room. That's why she was lucky she was an only child.

Her mother was actually friends with the queen, since they'd grown up together. Her family frequently visited the castle, whether for them to talk or for parties or events. They were well-known, so basically the kind of life Sage would love. Wealthy, attention, etc. But she absolutely hated it. She didn't like being treated like she was the snob or like she was the rich one when some of her friends had higher ranks than her!

She was actually in the third-to-last rank. Which was not impressive for her, as she was constantly reminded. She worked hard in training and yet she just never turned out.

But the news that night was horrifying- and normal for her.

~-~-~-~-~

She sat down at the table as usual with her hard loaf of bread, milk, and fish. She sighed as she ate, not speaking a word.

"Want some news?"

"What kind?"

Sage's mother's face lit up. "Exciting for me," She said, "But for you it's a routine. Lucky, but a routine. Weekly..." She stopped abruptly. "Anyway, we've been invited to a special event at the palace."

"Oh." Sage continued eating as if it were no big deal. Because, after all, was it? She nervously exhaled.

"I know, I know, it's not too rare. But the host... he's special. Very special. It's his birthday party, and... well... he invited you."

"Who?"

Sage's mom blushed.

"Mom. Who?"

"The prince. He demanded you be there."

~-~-~-~-~

She put her hair up in a bun the next day, preparing for the supposed 'special' birthday party that the prince had invited Sage to. She wasn't necessarily excited, though she had to admit she was a bit curious about what royal birthday parties were like.

She put on a sparkly dress, the fanciest one she owned. She felt like a little jewel as she added earrings to her pretty outfit.