The Noble King and the Selfless Sorcerer
Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, lived a noble king named Edwin. He was loved by his subjects for his just ruling and compassionate nature, always putting his people before himself. However, beneath the nobility that he wore like a suit, King Edwin harbored a deep secret. He had been cursed as a child by a spiteful witch and was destined to turn into a monstrous creature with each full moon.
The king, being of wise mind and warm heart, ensconced himself within the castle, away from his subjects during those dreaded nights, to ensure no harm befell upon them. Despite the burden of his ominous fate, King Edwin ruled fair and righteously, earning the love and respect of his kingdom.
One fateful day, the castle was visited by a mysterious traveler, a naive and young, yet powerful sorcerer named Gilbert. His tales of distant lands and magical feats enchanted not only the king but also the entire kingdom. The young sorcerer was unaware of King Edwin's curse. That was, until, he stayed long enough to witness the transformation on the forthcoming full moon. Intrigued by the sheer force of the curse and moved by King Edwin’s distress, Gilbert vowed to help lift it.
Setting on a journey through treacherous terrains and fearsome foes, Gilbert endeavored to find the antidote to the curse. He met creatures of lore, and beings of whimsy, learning, adapting, and gaining the courage to challenge the very witch that had cursed King Edwin. He returned after several moons, bearing the elixir of the ancient curse. His triumphant return was greeted cheerfully by the people, who were thrilled at the prospect of their beloved king's liberation from the haunting curse.
However, the elixir had a price. Gilbert informed King Edwin that for the curse to be broken, another must willingly take it up. Unwilling to inflict such a fate upon another, Edwin withheld from using the potion, deeming his happiness unworthy of another’s torment.
Observing the King's nobility and selflessness, Gilbert, driven by his newfound affection for him and the kingdom, drank the elixir, taking onto himself the King’s curse. Overwhelmed, Edwin felt a rush of emotions but was helpless as Gilbert rapidly transformed into the beast he'd once been, under the stillness of the pale moonlight.
Gilbert’s sacrifice caused a ripple across the kingdom. Their king was free, yet their savior was cursed. Inspired by Gilbert's bravery, the citizens of the kingdom resolved to share the burden of the curse, establishing a rotation for who would drink the potion next, thus diluting the effect of the beastly change and making it bearable.
In the following years, stories of King Edwin's nobility, Gilbert's bravery, and their subjects' unity echoed through countless generations, demonstrating that true leadership inspired heroism, and a kingdom unified could stand against any curse.
Free of the curse that he carried for years, King Edwin ruled with newfound vigor and relentless optimism that filled everyone around him. Meanwhile, Gilbert, although bearing a curse, found a purpose he never knew he needed, as the honored hero of the kingdom that he had grown to love.