Fairy tale

Far beyond seven mountains, far beyond seven forests, lived a true princess in a beautiful palace. From her earliest years, she was aware that she was one of those beings for whom magnificent knights slayed bloodthirsty dragons, won tournaments, acquired overseas treasures, and embarked on terrifying journeys. She knew that since she existed and was a full-fledged princess of blue blood, somewhere in the great wide world lived a prince destined just for her.

The princess lived a happy existence among courtiers, pages, and flowers. Everyone admired her, discussing her beauty, intellect, and talents. At every turn, she received sincere praise, rarely interspersed with empty flattery. Therefore, her life was truly pleasant and easy. She spent most of her time in instructive conversations, merry games, honing her talents, and awaiting the arrival of the valiant prince. Every night before bed, she dreamed that the next day he would knock on the palace gates and, enchanted by her presence, easily complete his terrible task. In her imagination, she saw the daring man defeating a dragon that plagued nearby villages with a single finger. For years, this monster had been kidnapping maidens and young men, his favorite snacks. However, it never ventured near the palace or threatened the safety of the court. Since it posed no threat to the princess and was also an excellent advertising and propaganda tool, it was tolerated while waiting for the brave prince.

Months passed, and no valiant young man of blue blood appeared. However, invitations to the weddings of princesses from other estates arrived, and they found their beloveds. One defeated 20 suitors in a tournament on the same day, another rescued the king's daughter from an impenetrable tower, another obtained a magic ring, and yet another captured an alligator...

Seeing this, the princess wondered how she was inferior to her competitors. But she found no flaws significant enough to account for such a disastrous lack of success. She was as beautiful as most of them (and even more so than some), as intelligent as the wisest of young married women (and even more intelligent than some), gifted with talents equal to the most gifted of them... Despite this, no prince had yet knocked on her palace gates. After weighing the pros and cons, the princess decided to dye her hair and grow a braid. After acquiring magical potions, within a few weeks, she had magnificent blond curls, so magnificent that when she stood at the highest window of the tallest tower, the longest locks reached the courtyard.

When the new hairstyle didn't help, the princess decided to get rid of the dragon herself. As she thought, so she did; she hired several undercover agents, under the condition of complete discretion, of course. Shortly thereafter, the creature was found dead in its lair. The manner of its death was never revealed, and people speculate to this day.

After removing the bloodthirsty obstacle, the princess awaited the prince with increasing impatience. Until finally, one day, a handsome, gallant young man appeared. Tall, dark-haired, perfectly built, moving with incredible grace. And how he looked at her... And how he spoke to her... The princess was enchanted and overjoyed. Day by day, she awaited the proposal. Soon, however, it turned out that the young man looked at every princess he encountered in this way, spoke similarly to every young lady...

Shortly after the royal daughter healed her bleeding heart, another prince knocked on the palace gates. And again, the girl's sensitive organ trembled and began to beat with redoubled force. This young master was also kind, even charming, equally presentable, intelligent, sophisticated, and capable... They spent romantic evenings together strolling through the rose garden in the moonlight. Thus passed a month, then two, then three... And the prince grew bored with the princess and departed.

For weeks, tears flowed from the girl's aristocratic eyes. For months, sadness lingered on her crimson lips. The evening fantasies of a brave young man ready to sacrifice himself to win the princess's heart vanished. And at that very moment, another guest arrived at the palace. On a white steed, another elegant ruler arrived. The prince was no longer a youth, but he held himself in good stead; a shapely figure, noble features, eyes full of radiance and wisdom. At first, he looked at the princess shyly, with a shy smile. Over time, he dared to speak courteously. And with his first word, all the girlish hopes were revived. Week by week, day by day, hour by hour, they became more rosy, dreams and desires slowly came to life, and the princess's will to live returned.

However, the prince was a responsible ruler, and despite his affection, he felt he had been lingering too long at the hospitable court. He knew he had to return to his principality to restore the order that had been disturbed during the ruler's absence. Despite persuasions, he reluctantly prepared for the journey. When the preparations for the journey could no longer be delayed, he set out for his own land. True to his promise to the princess, he sent daily letters reporting on his journey. The ruler returned safely to his principality, a fact he meticulously informed the girl of. He added to the good news the assurance that as soon as the situation calmed down, they would meet again.

The princess lived on hope and letters. Each day, the courier's arrival gave meaning to her existence. Whenever the messenger was late, she died of anxiety. Whenever he arrived too early, she fainted with joy. And so the days and weeks passed. Until finally, the letters began to arrive less and less, and less, and less... And one day, she saw the courier for the last time.

And then the princess understood that life was not a fairy tale. She sold all her dresses and jewels, gave the money to the poor, and retired to a lonely monastery, where she died in sorrow.