Revised pieces for magazine

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far far away, there lived a beautiful princess. She was twenty years old, and in search of a husband, more for her parents’ sake than her own. The problem was she never had time to search for real. Every day she went out and helped the kingdom. She slain dragons, she caught vandals, she would save princes that needed saving, and then she would return home, tired and hungry to find her parents nagging her about the husband search. She liked her life, it was normal, calm, and she thought a husband would just unbalance it. However, one day her grandmother came, and the next day her grandfather, and the day after that her aunt, and one by one each family member came from all around to tell her that she needed a husband. There was nothing to do about it, she needed one fast.
So on a sunny Friday afternoon, the princess told her parents she was leaving and would not be coming back until she found the man of her life. Her mother hugged her and told her that it was the right thing to do, while her father rushed in the house and packed a dragon skin bag with some food and some clean clothes. After saying goodbye, the princess went outside, got on her white stallion, and rode like the wind. She traveled for days, meeting many princes, most of which she saved. None, nevertheless, seemed right for her. She killed two dragons, took three robbers to the king’s men, saved five damsels in distress (all of whom were disappointed that their savior had been a princess and not the blue blood prince they had expected), and covered almost every corner of the kingdom. One day she reached an abandoned castle. It was dirty, the windows shattered, the flag that stood at the entrance old and torn. As she circled it in her white steed she saw that in one small window, all the way up, there was a little shimmering light dancing with the wind. As brave as she was, she tied her horse to a tree and walked inside. Creeping down the spider web covered hallways she felt a pang of guilt run through her as she thought about the promise she had made to her parents. She was sure this would be another superficial prince that needed saving.
Halfway up the last stairway a troll jumped down at her and growled angrily. She knew trolls were not the brightest creatures, so she extracted the last piece of bread from her bag, and with a powerful twist of her wrist the slice flew far away. Just as she had expected the clumsy beast ran off after it, and she went on until she reached a little wooden door, which she opened gingerly. Inside there was a long bed and a candle on the night table. A handsome young man lay on it sleeping peacefully. The princess walked over to him and jostled him softly, but he did not shift. She repeated this with more strength. The prince did not stir. The princess bent her head planting a soft kiss on his thin lips. His eyes fluttered open. Sitting up, they locked eyes and smiled shyly at each other. After a long time of staring, she backed away and he thanked her earnestly. It was undeniable; it was love at first sight. They walked out of the palace and both climbed on the stallion that took them to her parents. They received the news happily, and arranged the wedding. The prince and the princess got married, and lived happily ever after.

I hope I could be an orchid.
Only seeing the world once a year
And the rest of the year knowing that I would be safe inside my house.
Knowing that nothing could happen.
Knowing that someone is taking care of me in every single way
And when I come out people look at me with pride in their eyes
Amazed with my beauty.
Looking at me as if I was the last diamond in the world,
Or the biggest emerald that has ever existed.
People look at me admiring the soft white petalsThe violet purple pollen
Even amazed with my ashen green leafs,
Everyone only noticing my bright side.
Then I go back into my houseKnowing people are waiting for me to come out again.
If only I could be an orchid.