Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

Gilded Cage

(Storytober - Day 26 - Royalty)

 In a kingdom of resplendent beauty, where the sun poured gold over the land and the stars twinkled like diamonds, there stood a grand palace of mirrors. This palace, shimmering in its opulence, belonged to Prince Efen, a young man whose heart was burdened by the weight of his royal lineage. Surrounded by wealth, he often felt like a bird confined to a gilded cage, admired by all but never truly known.

Efen spent his days wandering through the endless halls, the reflections of himself multiplying infinitely in the polished surfaces. "You look so regal, my prince," the courtiers would say, their voices dripping with insincerity. Efen smiled, yet inside, a hollow ache echoed. He longed for adventure, for laughter untainted by obligation, for the freedom to be himself.

One twilight evening, while gazing longingly at the horizon from his balcony, a flash of silver caught his eye. It was a rogue magician named Mhal, known throughout the kingdom for his trickery and clever charm. "Why does the prince stare so longingly at the world beyond?" Mhal called up, his voice smooth and teasing.

"Because he is not allowed to leave," Efen answered bitterly. "My father has bound me to this palace as if I were some rare bird to be caged."

Mhal's eyes glinted with something more than mischief. "A bird should fly free, not languish behind gilded bars. Come with me, Efen, and let us taste the world beyond together."

But even as Efen's heart fluttered at the offer, the doors to his chamber burst open, and there stood the king, his face twisted with fury. "You dare speak of leaving?" he bellowed. "You are my son, and you will not abandon your birthright. If you cannot understand that, then I will ensure you never see the outside world again."

The king's voice was harsh, his threats harsher still. He ordered the guards to seize Efen and lock him in the highest tower. "I will keep you here until you remember who you are!" he thundered.

Panic rose within Efen like a tide. But before the guards could lay hands on him, Mhal stepped forward, his fingers weaving intricate patterns in the air. "I cannot allow this," the magician said, his voice low and steady. "You may bind Efen's body, but you shall not cage his spirit."

With a word and a flourish, Mhal conjured a swirling storm of shadows and light. The guards stumbled back, disoriented, and the king's roar of rage echoed through the halls. Mhal seized Efen's hand, and the two of them bolted from the chamber, magic illuminating their path as they ran.

"Quickly!" Mhal urged, leading Efen through the twisting corridors, down secret stairways, and into the labyrinthine gardens. "We must escape the palace grounds before his wrath catches up to us."

As they reached the outer gates, a wave of the magician's hand turned the iron bars to water, allowing them to slip through. For the first time in his life, Efen felt the cool night air on his face and the open sky above him. Yet even as relief washed over him, a fear lingered in his chest—where could they go now that the king's wrath would pursue them?

They wandered deep into the forest, far from the golden walls, until at last they collapsed beneath an old oak. Efen's breath was ragged, his heart still racing. "Why did you do this?" he asked Mhal, both grateful and bewildered. "You could have left me to my fate."

Mhal's gaze softened, his expression no longer playful but filled with something deeper. "I could not bear the thought of leaving you behind, trapped forever in that wretched place," he murmured. "From the moment I saw you there, yearning for freedom, I knew I could not walk away. You deserve to live, Efen—not merely exist."

Efen felt a pang in his heart. Never before someone treated him like a human. He breathed in the fresh air, fragrant with wildflowers, and felt the cool earth beneath his feet. "This is freedom," he breathed, his spirit lifting.

But soon, reality began to bite. As they journeyed further into the wild, Efen realized he had no idea who he truly was outside the confines of royalty. "What do I do now?" he asked, uncertainty creeping into his voice.

"Express yourself!" Mhal encouraged, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Dance, sing, let your heart speak. You are not just a prince; you are Efen, a soul yearning to be free."

That night, under a sky full of stars, Efen found a clearing where fireflies danced like tiny lanterns. He began to move, awkwardly at first, but soon his body found its rhythm. He laughed and twirled, the weight of expectations falling away. Mhal joined him, casting illusions of colors that danced around them, painting the night with their joy.

"See? You are alive!" Mhal cheered, his voice echoing through the trees.