In a faraway kingdom, a tragedy occurred: the very old king died. They mourned him properly, but life had to go on. Together they decided that his daughter would rule. But it wasn't proper for a young woman to govern a kingdom alone, so they sent word to all neighboring kingdoms: we seek a husband for our beauty.
And then suitors began arriving from all corners of the world. The first to come was some eastern prince. Tanned, white-toothed—and the gifts he brought… A fountain flowing with real chocolate, and a dress of silk. And he poured honeyed words:
I'll take you home, you'll be my wife.
Is it true what they say, that you already have five wives?
The princess replied.
You'll be the most beloved. And we'll join your father's kingdom to mine.
The prince answered evasively.
And then his eyes lit up dreamily. The princess immediately understood what interested him and ordered him driven from the court.
The next prince came from somewhere in the west. He brought the princess jewels with unusual stones that shone brighter than the sun. But there was real sadness in his eyes, and they only lit up when talk turned to the dowry. The third, fifth, tenth—they were all the same.
The princess grew angry then and fled to the palace park. But a young man caught up with her there.
Are you the princess?
He asked, entranced. The girl only nodded, and then the young man knelt on one knee and gave her a rose.
Then this is for you.
Just one rose? Where are the silks, all the jewels?
The princess scoffed.
Forgive me, I have little. But I grew this rose for years, for my one and only beloved.
The young man lowered his head.
You have little, so you want to get rich at my father's expense, right?
A tear rolled down the princess's cheek. She ran forward—and tripped over a protruding branch.
The young man rushed to the princess, but she couldn't get up, already crying profusely. He took the poor girl in his arms, carefully and tenderly, like an antique vessel, and carried her to the palace. There, bypassing the guards, he brought her straight to the doctor.
But even afterward he didn't leave the girl. The princess was forbidden to walk, and he was happy to be near. He brought water, treated her to fruits, and always comforted her. So they grew attached to each other, and later, unexpectedly to everyone, they married.
And this couple lived well and happily, ruling the kingdom wisely. They never quarreled, to the envy of neighboring kingdoms.
