**The Charming Prince**

Once upon a time, there was a prince who was very charming. He had a handsome face, a kind heart, and a witty mind. He could make anyone laugh with his jokes, smile with his compliments, and feel special with his attention. He was loved by everyone in the kingdom, especially by the princesses who dreamed of marrying him.

One day, the king decided that it was time for the prince to choose a bride. He invited all the eligible princesses from the neighboring kingdoms to a grand ball, where the prince would dance with each one of them and pick his favorite. The prince was excited, but also nervous. He wanted to find his true love, but he also did not want to hurt anyone's feelings.

The night of the ball arrived, and the prince was dazzled by the beauty and grace of the princesses. He danced with each one of them, and charmed them with his words and gestures. He listened to their stories, asked them questions, and showed them empathy. He also displayed confidence, humility, and charisma. He made each princess feel like she was the only one in the room.

However, as the night went on, the prince realized that he did not feel a connection with any of the princesses. They were all lovely, but none of them sparked his interest or passion. He felt bored and restless, and wondered if he would ever find his true love.

He decided to take a break and went to the garden for some fresh air. There, he saw a girl sitting on a bench, reading a book. She was not wearing a fancy dress or a sparkling tiara. She was dressed in a simple gown and had a flower in her hair. She did not notice the prince, and seemed to be absorbed in her book.

The prince was intrigued by the girl, and approached her. He asked her what she was reading, and she looked up at him with surprise. She recognized him as the prince, and blushed. She told him that she was reading a fairy tale, and that she loved stories.

The prince smiled, and said that he loved stories too. He asked her if he could join her, and she nodded. They sat on the bench, and started talking. The prince found out that the girl was not a princess, but a maid. She worked for one of the princesses, and had sneaked out to the garden to read. She said that she did not care for the ball, and that she preferred books to people.

The prince was amazed by the girl, and felt a spark of attraction. He liked her honesty, her intelligence, and her imagination. He also liked her simplicity, her modesty, and her sweetness. He felt a connection with her, and wanted to know more about her.

They talked for hours, and lost track of time. They laughed, they shared, and they enjoyed each other's company. They also felt a mutual attraction, and a desire to be closer. They leaned in, and kissed.

The kiss was magical, and they felt a surge of love. They realized that they had found their true love, and that they belonged together. They decided to run away, and live happily ever after.

The next day, the king and the princesses were shocked to find out that the prince had disappeared. They searched for him everywhere, but could not find him. They wondered what had happened to him, and who had stolen his heart.

They never found out that the prince had eloped with the maid, and that they were living happily ever after in a cottage in the woods. They never found out that the prince had chosen the girl who was not charming, but who had charmed him.