The same thing happened over the Latin lessons from the court philosopher, the cooking lessons from the castle chef, the economics lessons from the court treasurer, and the juggling lessons from the court minstrel. Cimorene began to grow rather tired of the whole business.

When she was sixteen, Cimorene summoned her fairy godmother.

“Cimorene, my dear, this sort of thing really isn’t done,” the fairy said, fanning away the scented blue smoke that had accompanied her appearance.

“People keep telling me that,” Cimorene said.

“You should pay attention to them, then,” her godmother said irritably. “I’m not used to being hauled away from my tea without warning. And you aren’t supposed to call me unless it is a matter of utmost importance to your life and future happiness.”

“It is of utmost importance to my life and future happiness,” Cimorene said.

“Oh, very well. You’re a bit young to have fallen in love already; still, you always have been a precocious child. Tell me about him.”

Cimorene sighed. “It isn’t a him.”

“Enchanted, is he?” the fairy said with a spark of interest. “A frog, perhaps? That used to be quite popular, but it seems to have gone out of fashion lately. Nowadays, all the princes are talking birds, or dogs, or hedgehogs.”

“No, no, I’m not in love with anyone!”

“Then what, exactly, is your problem?” the fairy said in exasperation.

“This!” Cimorene gestured at the castle around her. “Embroidery lessons, and dancing, and—and being a princess!”

“My dear Cimorene!” the fairy said, shocked. “It’s your heritage!”

“It’s boring.”

“Boring?” The fairy did not appear to believe what she was hearing.

“Boring. I want to do things, not sit around all day and listen to the court minstrel make up songs about how brave Daddy is and how lovely his wife and daughters are.”

“Nonsense, my dear. This is just a stage you’re going through. You’ll outgrow it soon, and you’ll be very glad you didn’t do anything rash.”

Cimorene looked at her godmother suspiciously. “You’ve been talking to my parents, haven’t you?”

“Well, they do try to keep me up to date on what my godchildren are doing.”

“I thought so,” said Cimorene, and bade her fairy godmother a polite goodbye.

A few weeks later, Cimorene’s parents took her to a tourney in Sathem-by-the-Mountains, the next kingdom over. Cimorene was quite sure that they were only taking her because her fairy godmother had told them that something had better be done about her, and soon. She kept this opinion to herself. Anything was better than the endless rounds of dancing and embroidery lessons at home.

Cimorene realized her mistake almost as soon as they reached their destination, for the King of Sathem-by-the-Mountains had a son. He was a golden-haired, blue-eyed, and exceedingly handsome prince, whose duties appeared to consist entirely of dancing attendance on Cimorene.