Invisible Women

Ever After, Part II

They did not live happily after, but they did live together — he constantly reminding her how stupid she was for lack of education and she ever reminding him that though she may be dumb, she saved his life. In many ways, theirs was a peaceful union, and if nothing else, they were by far the most handsome and youthful rulers in the entire world, although none could actually see her.

But after centuries of rule, the young princess became quite bored with the young knight. She looked at him and said, “Darling, I’ve become bored with you.”

He said, “And I with you. I can’t believe there was once a time when your beauty killed men. Now, you’re so average.”

He said this without thinking, and she knew this instantaneously. So did he.

There was not a pause. She did it without hesitation.

She dropped her veil and her shades, and all of her clothes fell off of her body, and he began to wail.

And that is how she came to reside with us. That is how she came to snore and grind her pretty teeth all day and all night.