Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Princess' Heart

 Once upon a time, in a kingdom shrouded in poverty and misery, there lived a king who squandered the kingdom's wealth on his beloved daughter, Princess Ximona. The people suffered, their hopes extinguished by the king's lavish indulgences. In the midst of this despair, a kind-hearted young man named Joshua emerged as a beacon of compassion. Loved by all in the village, Joshua saw the dire plight of the orphans and sought to alleviate their suffering.

Driven to desperation, Joshua hatched a plan to steal the princess's jewelry, hoping to sell it to provide food and clothing for the orphans. However, his noble intentions led him down a treacherous path. He was caught in the act and arrested. To his surprise, the princess showed no reaction, as if devoid of all emotions. The king revealed to Joshua that an evil wizard had stolen the princess's heart, leaving her empty and emotionless. Many brave knights had attempted to retrieve her heart but had never returned. Seeing an opportunity to rid himself of Joshua without incurring the villagers' wrath, the king decided to let him try.

"Go, if you dare," the king sneered, "and bring back my daughter's heart. If you succeed, you shall be free."

Armed with a dagger, Joshua embarked on a perilous journey to the swamp where the wizard, Ewan, resided. The path was long and treacherous, stretching far beyond the kingdom's borders. Joshua traversed dense forests, crossed raging rivers, and climbed steep mountains. Each step was a testament to his unwavering determination.

Days turned into weeks as Joshua pressed on, his resolve never wavering. The air grew thick and humid as he neared the swamp, the ground beneath his feet becoming soft and treacherous. The once clear skies were now shrouded in a perpetual mist, casting an eerie glow over the landscape.

As Joshua ventured deeper into the swamp, the sounds of croaking frogs and buzzing insects filled the air. The water was murky and still, reflecting the twisted trees that loomed overhead. Suddenly, he saw something enormous moving beneath the surface, swimming towards him. It seemed like a huge crocodile, its eyes glinting menacingly in the dim light.

Joshua tightened his grip on his dagger, his heart pounding in his chest. He stood his ground, not afraid, ready to defend himself. The creature pounced, but just as it was about to strike, it vanished into thin air. It had been an illusion.

Joshua grunted, "Tricks and illusions won't scare me."

A voice echoed through the mist, playful and amused, "Where's the thrill if you don't tremble?"

Joshua spun around, his dagger poised to strike, and found himself face-to-face with Ewan. His blade ended up just under the wizard's throat, but Joshua froze. He hadn't expected someone so young, and especially not someone so breathtakingly beautiful. Ewan's beauty was otherworldly, surpassing that of both men and women. His delicate, ethereal features seemed almost too perfect for this world, his slender frame exuding an air of fragility.

Ewan's eyes sparkled with mischief, and a gentle smile played on his lips. Joshua's initial instinct to kill was overwhelmed by an unexpected urge to protect this delicate being. He felt a strange, powerful need to shield Ewan from harm, but he restrained himself, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Welcome to my home," Ewan said softly, his voice like a soothing melody. "I see you are not easily frightened."

Joshua lowered his dagger, his breath catching in his throat. "I came to find you," he managed to say, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him.

Ewan's smile widened. "And find me you did. Come, let us talk. There is much to discuss."

Joshua immediately followed him, explaining his mission, and Ewan listened intently. "I am willing to return the princess's heart," Ewan said, "but I need something in return. My own powers have been sealed away by my grandfather, a powerful mage who feared my strength. The key to unlocking my powers lies within a hidden parchment, safeguarded within a labyrinth in the swamp. Knights sent by the king have accepted the challenge but have never returned."