Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The liger prince

Once upon a time, in the enchanting kingdom of Liria, there lived a proud and arrogant prince named Helias. Known for his striking looks and charming demeanor, he had earned a reputation for refusing every princess who sought his hand in marriage. Helias reveled in his own vanity and took pleasure in ridiculing the princesses who came to the royal ball hoping to capture his heart.

Little did Helias know that among the princesses was a powerful witch named Mary, the princess of Leorna. Fed up with his mockery and arrogance, Mary decided to teach the prince a lesson he would never forget. With a swift wave of her wand, she transformed him into a magnificent black liger, a creature of strength and grace. The curse could only be lifted if Helias humbled himself and traveled to Mary's castle to marry her.

In an attempt to protect his son, the king assigned a young and vibrant servant named Roselia to care for the transformed prince. Roselia, with her curvaceous figure, freckles, and fiery red hair, possessed boundless energy and an incessant chatter. She took her duties seriously and vowed to help the prince break free from his curse.

Unwilling to stay in his feline form, the prince decided to escape the confines of the kingdom and set off towards the distant land of Leorna. Much to his surprise, Roselia insisted on accompanying him on his journey. They traveled together, their footsteps echoing through the forests and across vast meadows, as they faced numerous challenges and encountered fantastical creatures.

As the days turned into weeks, the prince's heart began to soften. He had despised the princesses for their superficiality, their obsession with appearances, and their relentless pursuit of wealth. But Roselia was different. She was genuine and kind-hearted. Her clumsiness and talkativeness brought joy to their journey, and she cared little for societal expectations of beauty. She was fearless and never hesitated to face danger head-on.

Unbeknownst to them, Princess Mary watched their every move through a magical pond near her throne. She saw the prince slowly falling in love with the endearing servant girl, and this both intrigued and pleased her. Determined to test their love and the prince's commitment, Mary unleashed storms and wild beasts upon their path, hoping to tear them apart.

With each trial they faced, Helias grew increasingly worried for Roselia's safety. Fearing that the witch would harm her, he made the difficult decision to part ways and continue his journey alone. He resolved to confront Mary in her castle, seeking her forgiveness and hoping to regain his human form. "I come to ask for your forgiveness," he declared, "but I am not here to ask for your hand in marriage. Return my true appearance, and I will return to my kingdom, I'll sent you a gift as proof of my sincere apologies."

To his surprise, Mary refused his plea. She revealed that Roselia had caught up with him and was at that very moment standing at the entrance of the castle. Filled with panic, Helias rushed to Roselia's side just as Mary unleashed a magical fire arrow towards her. Without a second thought, the prince threw himself in front of her, taking the arrow's fiery impact.

Roselia screamed in terror and anguish as her heart shattered at the sight of the prince's sacrifice. Tears streamed down her face as she realized she had fallen deeply in love with him. In that moment, as the prince lay wounded, his body reverting back to its human form, Mary watched with a gentle smile.

"The lesson is learned, Helias," she whispered softly. "Your insolence is no more. And if there is even a tiny part of it left, this young girl will destroy it." With a wave of her wand, Mary used her magic to heal the prince and transport them both back to their castle.

Helias, now saved and forever changed, stood before his people and announced that he would marry Roselia. The kingdom rejoiced at the news, grateful that their prince had learned the value of humility and true love. As for Mary, she became one of the dearest friends of the royal couple, always there to remind them of the lesson they had learned.

And so, in the kingdom of Liria, the Liger Prince and the spirited servant girl lived happily ever after, their love and devotion serving as a testament to the power of true humility.