Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The lake's son

 Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom plagued by poverty and wars, there lived a wise and beautiful princess named Charlotte. Her kingdom was constantly under attack from neighboring realms, and in a desperate attempt to secure peace and prosperity, her parents sought the assistance of a powerful and despised young king from a nearby domain.

This ruthless king agreed to help, but on one condition - he demanded that Princess Charlotte become his wife. Despite the sadness in her heart, Charlotte selflessly agreed to sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of her kingdom.

On the day of the wedding, the princess was adorned in a magnificent white gown, embellished with precious stones and gold. The servants added a diamond necklace and earrings, gifts from her future husband. As she gazed at herself in the mirror, the mighty king entered without permission.

"Ah, how fortunate I am to marry the most beautiful woman in the land," he declared with a wicked smile.

Charlotte, however, couldn't hide her inner turmoil. "A true ruler should prioritize the welfare of their people rather than imposing heavy taxes and leaving them impoverished," she spoke out against the king's tyranny.

The king, showing no regard for her words, kissed her hand before departing.

Feeling a heavy weight upon her heart, the princess sought solace near the great lake that lay before her palace. As she wept and contemplated her fate, a figure emerged from the water. It was a handsome young man with luminous blue eyes and long blonde hair, completely drenched.

"Princess, pretty princess, why are you crying?" he asked in a gentle, reassuring voice.

Through her tears, Charlotte explained her predicament. The young man, with a strange glimmer in his eyes, listened intently. After a moment, he spoke softly, "Princess, may I have your diamond necklace?"

Intrigued yet skeptical, Charlotte hesitated but then handed it over. As soon as the necklace touched his hand, it vanished, leaving her astonished.

"When the king notices the necklace's absence, he will halt the wedding," the stranger assured her with a confident smile.

With that, he dived back into the lake, disappearing beneath the surface. Later, as the wedding ceremony began, the king's eyes narrowed when he noticed the missing jewelry. His face turned red with anger.

"Where is the necklace I gave you?" he demanded, his voice booming through the hall.

Charlotte stood her ground, her voice steady and clear. "I gave the necklace to a hungry beggar. He needed it more than I did."

The king's anger was palpable, but he decided to postpone the wedding. When the new date finally arrived, the princess found herself at the lake, crying, until the stranger appeared from the lake again.

"Princess, pretty princess, why are you crying?" the young man asked, his voice gentle and soothing.

Through her sobs, Charlotte recounted her plight once more. "Oh, my dear friend. Your plan worked, but he insists on marrying me," she said, her voice trembling with despair.

The young man, with the same glimmer in his eyes as before, listened intently. After a moment, he spoke softly, "Princess, may I have your diamond earrings?"

Charlotte, this time without hesitations, surrendered the earrings. As soon as they touched his hand, they vanished.

"When the king notices the earrings' absence, he will halt the wedding," the stranger assured her with a confident smile.

With that, he dived back into the lake. Later, as the wedding ceremony began, the king immediately noticed the missing earrings. His face contorted with fury.