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asked him what they said, Alexander said, “Oh, nothing really.” One of the men who spoke more of their language smiled. “We say, ‘You woman friend much pretty. How she get with ugly man like you?’” The man then burst out laughing, and all of the others laughed again. It was her turn to blush. Though many Bernodians intermingled there, Alexander stood out simply because he was the only one of nobility that ever came. The men were all shocked when Alexander told them she was the princess. “She is really not my woman. She wants to get to know the people as I have,” he told them. The men all nodded their approval. The one that spoke the best said, “You much welcome, Princess. We not think royal family think Bernodia and Esconodia good or worth much.” She had to bite her lip as thoughts of her own past prejudices came back to her. She smiled at them and told the man that she hoped their people could be better friends. Many of them wanted to gather around and visit with her. She found she did cause a stir wherever she went. Alexander didn’t because he had become just one of them. But she was the princess and from the south. As everyone finally returned to their market stalls, she continued to admire the beautiful craftsmanship of the items. There was one particular necklace that she loved. The man said the words, “pearl, jade, and gold.” She 83