The Princess, The Carpenter, and The Sorcerer
Once a kingdom was ruled by a wise and just king named Elric. The Kingdom, Arcadia, was known far and wide for its peace and prosperity. The King ruled with passion and fairness, ensuring the welfare of his subjects above all else.
Elric had a daughter, the beautiful and compassionate Princess Isolde. Isolde had a heart as kind as the sun, sparking warmth and love to anyone who crossed her path. Her beauty was surpassed only by her wisdom and intelligence.
The Princess, despite her comfortable palace life, was always curious to see and understand the life outside the palace walls. She often disguised herself and spent time in the village learning about the common folk's lives.
One day, disguised as a commoner, Isolde met a charming and gallant young man named Roderick. Roderick was the son of a carpenter but was known in the town for his courage, humility, and a good heart. Over time, they continued to meet and eventually, love blossomed between the two.
Meanwhile, a wicked sorcerer named Zephyros sought to overthrow the king and rule Arcadia with dark magic. He brewed an evil plan to manipulate the king. Using his magic, he took the form of the royal adviser and suggested a grand competition where the winner would marry Princess Isolde.
Under the sorcerer's spell, King Elric agreed to the proposal and a proclamation was issued. Hearing the news, Isolde was distraught. Her father had unknowingly promised her hand to a stranger, and she couldn't reveal her secret love for Roderick.
In the following days, knights and nobles from far and wide arrived, hopeful to win the princess's hand. Among them, unknown to everyone, was Zephyros, under a disguised identity. His objective was clear: to win and gain control over Arcadia.
On the day of the competition, Roderick, upon hearing the news, was determined to enter the competition, driven by his love for Isolde. He faced several challenging tasks but overcame each hurdle with sheer courage, integrity, and his surprising wisdom, impressing both the king and the audience.
Meanwhile, Zephyros had to cheat his way through the trials using his magic. As the final task arrived, the King declared that the winner would be decided by answering a riddle. The one who answered the riddle would win his daughter's hand. Zephyros, confident in his sorcery, smirked.
The Riddle was ‘Who can say what is more valuable than gold but worthless if you have it?' The audience pondered while Zephyros remained silent. Roderick, on hearing this, responded almost instantly, 'That which is more valuable than gold but worthless if you have it, is a secret.'
Impressed by his quick wit, the King declared Roderick the winner. Just as Zephyros was about to reveal his true form and unleash his fury, Isolde, who discovered Zephyros's true identity, stepped forward and revealed his conspiracy to the entire kingdom. Zephyros was apprehended, and his dark magic was thwarted by the kingdom's royal wizards.
From then, the Kingdom prospered under the fair rule of King Elric while Roderick and Isolde led a life of love and happiness. Their tale of love and courage was celebrated throughout the Kingdom, which, for generations to follow, retold as a classic reminder of integrity, love, wisdom, and bravery.