Married to the vegetative prince

The gravel crunched softly beneath their feet as Jane and Prince Dubois strolled hand in hand through the palace gardens. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves above, carrying the sweet scent of blooming roses and the distant melody of birds. Jane felt her heart quicken—not just from the warmth of Dubois' hand, but from the weight of what she was about to share.

"The gardens look especially beautiful today, don't you agree?" she said, her voice barely rising above a whisper.

Dubois squeezed her hand affectionately. "Not nearly as beautiful as the company I'm with," he replied, a smile spreading across his face, making Jane's cheeks flush pink.

As they turned a corner, Jane noticed a secluded bench nestled under a flowering arbor, wisteria hanging gracefully in delicate clusters of purple—creating a cozy little hideaway. She paused for a moment, steeling herself for what was to come.

"Shall we sit down for a bit?" Dubois suggested, picking up on her hesitation.

Jane nodded, allowing him to guide her to the bench. Once seated, she smoothed her skirts, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric. The soft rustle of silk against her skin reminded her of how far she'd come from the rough homespun of her childhood.

Taking a deep breath, Jane turned to Dubois. His warm, attentive eyes met hers with a patience that both reassured and unsettled her. What would he think of her when he learned the truth about her past?

"Dubois," she started, her voice quivering slightly, "I need to tell you something. About my life before... well, before all of this."

He leaned in, concern evident on his face. "You can tell me anything, Jane. I'm here for you."

Jane's hands shook a little, so she clasped them tightly in her lap. The words she'd practiced repeatedly seemed to disappear like dew in the morning sun. How could she possibly put into words the hardships, the loneliness, and the struggles that had shaped her?

"I'm not... I'm not who you think I am," she revealed, lowering her gaze to the gravel path. "My life hasn't always been... easy."

Dubois gently lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "Jane, your past doesn't change how I see you. Whatever you've been through has made you the incredible woman I see before me now."

His sincere words filled Jane with courage. She took another deep breath, bracing herself for what she had to share.

Tears threatened to spill as she began to recount her past. "My parents... they passed away when I was very young. I can hardly remember them," she admitted, her voice quaking. "I was sent to live with my aunt and uncle on their farm."

Prince Dubois listened intently, his gaze steady. His hand sought hers, squeezing it gently in support.

"They were... cruel," Jane continued, her throat tightening. "My aunt Betty treated me like a servant. I toiled from sunrise to sunset, tending to the animals, cleaning, cooking." She traced the faint scars on her palms, remnants of countless blisters and cuts. "If I didn't finish my chores to her liking, I'd go hungry."

Dubois clenched his jaw, a flicker of anger crossing his face. "That's terrible, Jane. No child should have to endure that."

Jane nodded, drawing strength from his empathy. "I used to dream of escaping, of finding a place where I truly belonged." A wry smile crossed her lips. "I never thought it would be a palace."

"You've shown incredible strength," Dubois said, his thumb making gentle circles on the back of her hand. "To endure such hardship and still hold onto your kindness... it's genuinely remarkable."

His words wrapped around Jane like a comforting embrace, soothing the raw edges of her memories. She found herself opening up even more, sharing details she had long kept to herself. "There were moments of joy too, rare as they were. I found solace in the animals, in the quiet beauty of the countryside."

As she spoke, Jane felt a weight lift off her shoulders. Dubois listened with rapt attention, his eyes reflecting admiration rather than pity. She realized, with a rush of warmth, that he saw her not as a victim, but as a survivor.

"Jane," Dubois said softly when she finished, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for trusting me with this. Your past doesn't lessen your worth in my eyes. If anything, it only makes me admire you even more."

Jane's eyes widened, surprise and gratitude flickering across her features. She took a deep breath, readying herself for what still needed to be said.

"When you first proposed, I was..." she hesitated, searching for the right words. "I was terrified, Dubois. Not of you, but of everything that it signified."

Dubois leaned in slightly, encouraging her to continue.

"I'd built so many walls around my heart," Jane admitted, her voice gaining strength. "The thought of letting someone in, of being vulnerable again... it felt impossible."

She glanced down at their intertwined hands, a small smile dancing on her lips. "But you were patient. Kind. You showed me what it means to be genuinely cared for."

Dubois squeezed her hand gently. "I wanted you to feel safe, Jane. To know you could trust me."

Jane met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "And I do. That's what sometimes frightens me. How deeply I've come to love you."

Dubois' breath caught in his throat. He reached out, cupping her cheek with his free hand. "Jane, I—"

"Let me finish," she interjected softly. "I need you to understand. This journey from fear to love... it's been difficult, but it's also the most rewarding experience of my life."

Dubois nodded, his eyes locked onto hers. "Your courage leaves me in awe, Jane. To open your heart after everything you've faced... I can't put into words how much that truly means."