Young Ophelia went out for a walk around the castle grounds, with all eyes on her. As the daughter of King Hamlet's advisor, she always received much attention. But she never quite received the attention from who she wanted. Ever since she was a child, Ophelia had been in love with Prince Hamlet. Although she had only spoken to him scarce occasions, she knew that she wanted to be with him forever.
"Hello, Ophelia," the shopkeeper said as she entered the small building, with the intent of buying parchment for her father, Polonius.
"Hello, sir," she responded politely. "I'm here to buy the shipment of parchment my father requested.
"Oh, of course, I'll go get it in the back. I'll be only a moment." As the shopkeeper wandered into the back on his quarters, Ophelia began looking around, running her delicate hands over fabrics and books.
"Ophelia, is it?" She jumped at the sound of a young man's voice. She turned around to find Hamlet smiling down at her.
"Hello, sir," she remarked shyly, curtseying like her father always told her to do. "How are you?"
"Oh, I am fine," he said as he moved in closer to her. "I just needed to get out of that stuffy old castle." Ophelia responded with a slight grin, understanding his need to be free.
"How is your father?" Hamlet asked, examining a line of fabric.
"Oh, he is fine."
"Good, good. But more importantly, how are you?" Ophelia was startled by the prince's question. Very rarely was she asked how she was doing. But to have Hamlet believe that her feelings outwayed those of her father's? That was something she had never experienced.
"I am fine, thank you." The shopkeeper came back, a pile of parchment in his dry hands. Ophelia handed him a variety of coins, and turned to leave the shop.
"Goodbye, Ophelia," Hamlet called. "It was nice seeing you."
"And you, too." She placed one foot out the door, but then suddenly stopped herself. "Actually, Sir Hamlet, would you like to accompany me on my walk?"
Hamlet's face lit up in delight as he replied, "Of course."
