Someone Else's Prince
Romanian Fairy Tales
Once upon a time, in a very, very faraway place, magical and mysterious, where both fairies and witches lived. There was a kingdom whose king had a daughter, Gentianela, and a son, Raimondo. Gentianela had a very kind heart.
A friendly fairy told the king to keep his daughter hidden from the world, for on the day she left the palace, she would face terrible dangers.
— How do we keep the princess from seeing the outside world, my king? — Ah, there is only one way. The walls must be so high that she cannot see over them.
The king made his children wonderful gardens to play in. Gentianela's garden was surrounded by a huge stone wall, so she could never see outside.
— I wonder what's beyond the wall, dear brother? — Nothing, or something you shouldn't see. After all, Father knows what's best for us.
The Gardens and Raimondo's Departure
Years passed and both siblings loved their gardens. They watered them and cared for them, and Gentianela's garden stood out because it was fantastic.
As the prince grew up, he became a man and the day came when he had to leave the kingdom on business.
— Oh, dear Raimondo, now you'll be leaving and I'll be alone in these gardens. — My sister, it is my duty. Cheer yourself with the thought that one day you'll have the company of a new friend. Perhaps even a prince?
Then Raimondo left and Gentianela said goodbye with a heavy heart.
Meeting the Fairy and Prince Amarilis
Then one day, by the hand of destiny, while the princess sat sadly in her garden, the same friendly fairy appeared on the garden wall. Seeing the poor princess sad, he began telling her about the wonders and beauties of the outside world.
— Wow! What you describe sounds like a dream to me. But how will I know if what you say is true, for I can never see beyond these huge walls. — Hmm, I think there is something I can help with. — Really? And how could you do that?
So the fairy lifted the princess up and both flew over the huge wall. He also whispered some magic words in her ear, so from now on she could fly over the wall by herself whenever she wished.
Voila! The princess was delighted to see over the wall for the first time and could see how far away things stretched. When she saw another garden next to hers. There was a young prince named Amarilis. And he too saw the princess, but was surprised that she could see him.
— Hello! I am Princess Gentianela. — And I am Prince Amarilis. I'm surprised but glad you can see me, Gentianela, for my kingdom is invisible to everyone. — And I'm glad to see you, Prince Amarilis. Is this your garden? And how is your kingdom invisible?
Prince Amarilis told the princess about his curse. He told her that his great-grandfather had deeply angered a witch. She had cursed the kingdom and made it invisible to the outside world. Prince Amarilis also told the princess about his garden, how he had to maintain it always with beautiful flowers, for otherwise he would be thrown into the dungeon.
The Promise and the Hidden Truth
— How sad! But don't worry, I will help you make your garden better and more beautiful. — Oh, really? How sweet of you!
And they began meeting daily. The princess came to the prince's garden and helped him tend it. Their friendship grew stronger and stronger, and they could hardly wait for the next day to see each other.
But Princess Gentianela didn't know that her happy days were coming to an end.
One day, when they had finished working on Amarilis's garden, Gentianela noticed that he too seemed unhappy.
— What happened, dear Amarilis? You don't seem very happy. What's the problem? — Ah, yes, Gentianela, I'm sad because I've been hiding something from you. Now, although I've been spared punishment with your help, I still have to marry the witch's daughter, Anemone.
Hearing this, Gentianela felt betrayed. She couldn't believe that all this time, the prince had been hiding something so important from her.
— What? You'll have to marry the witch's daughter? And you weren't going to tell me? That means you're someone else's prince and that's not right! — I have no choice. Only this way can I save my kingdom. I'm sorry, Gentianela.
Princess Gentianela was hurt, so she ran away. She no longer went to see the prince, she sat sadly in her palace, and her smile had vanished. Her parents began to worry about her. Then her mother understood the reason for her sadness and decided to intervene.
The Search for Truth and the Mother's Intervention
That night, Gentianela's mother tried to make her understand the situation better.
— So what? Surely you'll find a better prince to be friends with. — But I don't want someone better or worse. It doesn't matter, because he won't be him! — Oh, my child, I understand.
So the next day, Gentianela went to restore her friendship with Prince Amarilis. To her disappointment, the prince wasn't on the other side. She tried to call out to him, but no one answered. Seeing she had no choice, she jumped over his garden wall and entered the invisible kingdom of Prince Amarilis.
As the princess walked with fear and hesitation through the invisible kingdom, she couldn't see anything, but she heard whispers and voices.
— Prince Amarilis has been kidnapped by the wicked witch! Will he be thrown into the dungeon? — No, if he marries the witch's daughter Anemone. — Then it's very possible he'll choose to be thrown into the dungeon.
Hearing the kingdom's citizens talking about the prince's situation, Gentianela fell to her knees, helpless, and began to cry. Suddenly, Gentianela noticed someone familiar before her. She looked up and saw it was the fairy.
— So now Prince Amarilis has no choice — he must marry the witch's daughter to save his life and kingdom? — Yes. And I don't know how to help him. — Do you really think the witch's daughter would want to marry someone else's prince? The truth can only be found if someone tells her. — Ah, you're right! I'll find her and tell her! — Have faith, dear Gentianela, go and find the witch's daughter. She too is in this kingdom now. Tell her that Prince Amarilis is your prince! Hurry, you don't have much time!
The Journey and the Discovery
So Gentianela ran as fast as she could through the invisible kingdom of Amarilis. And voila! The invisible kingdom began appearing before her, as if submitting to her hope and will.
As the princess ran over hills, through forests, through meadows full of crops, over snowy plateaus and the churning sea, she came upon a lamb, a forester, a fish, a sea serpent, and then an old woman. She helped them all, and they all helped her, showing her the way to her destination. And then an old woman called out to her.
— Oh, my dear, I have nothing but blisters from all the thistles I've picked. Can you help me too? You should know that your hands will be hurt and scratched too. — I know, don't worry, I'll help you!
The princess picked the thistles and helped the old woman and was about to leave.
— You have a good heart. May I ask where you're hurrying to and why? — I want to meet the witch's daughter, Anemone, and tell her that Prince Amarilis is not her prince, but someone else's. — Someone else's prince? Whose? — Mine! Of course! He's my prince!
Saying that, Gentianela ran toward her destination to meet the witch's daughter. While running, she arrived in a forest where she saw a girl crying bitterly.
— Hey, why are you crying? — Because my mother wants me to become someone else's princess. She wants me to marry someone I haven't even seen yet. — How strange! Prince Amarilis has to marry a witch's daughter named Anemone. And she, just like you, will be marrying someone else's prince. — What a coincidence! I am Anemone, the witch's daughter, and I certainly don't want to marry someone else's prince, but my own! — And who is your prince, Anemone? What's his name? — Prince Raimondo! — Ah! Ha! Raimondo is my brother! And Prince Amarilis is my prince! — Goodness, what have I done? I sent Raimondo to defeat and capture Prince Amarilis! — Oh, don't worry! I know them both. Very well! They're both too kind to hurt anyone. It's alright!
The Resolution and the Moral
And just as she said, right then Prince Raimondo and Prince Amarilis came toward them smiling. Now both couples were delighted and happy with the decisions made, for no one had to marry someone else's prince or princess.
But it wasn't all over yet. For the witch appeared and all four were frightened. What would happen? To their surprise, the witch confessed she was tired of being evil and wanted to change, to do good.
— My heart melted when I saw you, children. My daughter has never been this happy. The curse ends here. I bless all four of you.
And from that day, Prince Amarilis's kingdom became visible and prosperous. Both couples married and enjoyed their gardens. The wall was torn down, and peace was restored in both kingdoms forever.
Moral: Don't be afraid to follow your heart and fight for what you believe in, for true happiness comes from being yourself and letting others be themselves.
