Наташа Дол – Three fairy tales (страница 3)

— Aren’t you happy about all this, girl? Or did they bring you little, or do you not want to get married?

— I want to get married, — the girl murmured softly, “but there is already someone who is dearer to me than anyone else in the world.

The king was delighted with such speeches and continued to test the girl:

— And who is this lucky man who is better than my nephew?

And as soon as she opened her mouth to say that this was a prince, when her parents stood up and interrupted her so that she would not blurt out and make the people laugh. The mother tugged at her daughter’s sleeve and answered herself, fearing that they would be laughed at if they told the truth:

— Yes, we have one hard-working guy here in the village…

— Hmm, we were late, that means, — the king patted the serf on the shoulder. — Well, then we ask you to excuse us, God help you.

The servants loaded all the precious gifts back into the cart, bowed and left home. All the way the king thought:

— Hmm, it’s a pity if she really has someone, and why not. What a worker, smart, beautiful, she will be better than secular ladies. It’s a pity to lose such a daughter-in-law, — he twisted his mustache in thought.

Returning to the palace, he went straight to his son’s chambers. Caught him looking at a present.

— Here, son. I thought I was here and I want to ask you.

— Yes, father, ask.

— You’ve fallen in love and intend to marry, but what about the girl? What other feeling did you take for her love? Or maybe she already has someone else?

The prince jumped up in fright:

— Can not be! Is that possible?! Daddy, we must urgently go there and ask her.

— So it is so, but what will your mother say? She probably won’t be happy.

— But we won’t tell her, — it dawned on the prince.

— Well, first we will find out if the girl loves you, and then I myself will settle with my wife.

And the next day, waking up before everyone else in the palace, they went together to the house of the beauty.

— I won’t go there, I’ll stand behind the trees, I’ll watch, and you yourself talk to her. She will be ashamed of me, — said the king and dismounted, tying his horse to a branch. — And you, son, go, then you will tell me everything.

So they decided.

The prince knocked on the window. His lover appeared at the knock. She saw the prince and threw up her hands in surprise, was delighted and rushed headlong to open the door.

— Prince, are you back? — and for joy did not know what to say.

He took her hand and asked:

— From the first time we met, I thought about you all the time. And now I came to ask: will you marry me?

The girl lowered her eyes, flushed with embarrassment and did not answer. He pressed her hands to his chest, his heart pounding with excitement. He pulled her hands away from him.

— Well, why are you silent… Or do you not like me? Or is there someone else in your heart?

She got scared and shook her head.

— No, no! — she exclaimed, — I have no one.

— Then why don’t you answer?

She lowered her eyes again and took a deep breath.

— Well, I’m not equal to you, I’m a commoner.

The prince was hopeful and again happily grabbed her hand:

— What you? You are more valuable to me than any princess. Yes, I can’t live without you! — exclaimed in the hearts. — Say yes!

— Yes, — she breathed out, barely audible, and clung to his chest.

He gently hugged her at that moment, the king appeared from behind the trees. The girl saw him, got scared and jumped back:

— Oh, — she held out her hand. — There is a merchant coming. Yesterday he wooed me for his nephew.

The prince stood with his back to the forest, turned around and smiled when he saw his father, and then frowned:

So this is my father? Daddy, I’m asking for an explanation. To what kind of nephew were you going to give my fiancee?

Papa slowly approached, giggling guiltily and shrugging his shoulders:

— He-he, well, you know, son, I should have checked your chosen one. Is she worthy of you, is she not greedy for gold. What if for her clothes and jewelry are more valuable than you?

Here the girl pouted her lips. And the king continued:

— And now I see that you deserve each other.

The couple immediately cheered up and exhaled easily. The prince grabbed the bride’s hand, approaching his father, and both knelt down. The son asked his father:

— Bless us, father.

The King touched their foreheads with a satisfied smile and said:

— I bless you, my children, for a long and happy life together.

Her parents arrived from the market. She kindly greeted them, laid a tablecloth on the table for them all. The king and the prince were delighted and immediately wooed the girl, saying that she would marry him. Parents and daughter agreed to have a wedding in the palace. And the king nevertheless decided to tell his wife that he had decided to marry his son to a village girl. And upon returning to the palace, he went straight to her.

— How?! — furrowing her brows and pursing her lips, the queen murmured: — Well, I already found a bride for him, it doesn’t happen more beautifully, just look. Royal bloodlines. Why do we need a rustic? Here, look, her portrait. Check out what a beauty!

The king looked and thought:

— God, it doesn’t get any worse. Does my son deserve better? — and said aloud: — Do not worry, my love. This village girl will not be more beautiful than you anyway. You should only see her: neither your grace, nor sophistication. She doesn’t even know how to wear royal outfits. Where does she reach for you? That’s why I chose the country one, so as not to overshadow you.

— Yes?! — her face smoothed out, she raised her head high and said with mock pride: — You’re right, dear, there is some truth in this.

Her cutesy manner seemed to make her head and shoulders taller. And the king embraced his wife, kissed her on the forehead, that the woman blossomed.

At the imminent wedding, the queen was sitting on the throne, she was surrounded by ladies-in-waiting, preening her, bringing a mirror to check if any curl had fallen. The ceremony was already in full swing, the feast was a mountain, the music was playing. A sea of distinguished guests gathered. The queen did not even look in the direction of her daughter-in-law — she did not care what kind of ugly girl was brought to the palace. She just admired herself in the mirror, saying:

— What a beauty I am, you can’t find such a beauty in the whole wide world, — and as if in time with her speeches, she heard the whisper of the crowd: — Oh, what a beauty!

The queen turned up her nose: yes, I am! But then she heard a continuation of the speech:

— What a lovely couple. What a beautiful bride, and you can’t say that she’s not a princess.

— Bride?! What bride? — the queen raised an eyebrow in surprise and turned towards the newlyweds and, seeing her daughter-in-law, was stunned: an unwritten beauty stood next to her son.

— Who is it? Who dragged her? Changed! Was there a villager there? — and with her eyes she began to look for her husband, expecting an explanation from him. Not finding him nearby, she turned to the maid of honor, deciding that she was mistaken: — And how exquisite she is in a wedding dress. And a diamond necklace suits her. I have never seen such a princess?

Involuntarily admiring her, she forgot. The maid of honor just batted her eyelashes stupidly, not daring to comment on anything. And then the queen started up, as if waking up from a dream:

— So this is that redneck? — If that doesn’t happen, I’ll think of something! Only I alone will be the most beautiful in this kingdom. I’ll take it out, and I’ll find another for my son, — she threw the mirror on the floor with anger, jumped up. And convulsively fanning her face, she passed through the crowd, nervously pushing the courtiers aside. — My feet won’t be here, — she hissed angrily under her breath, rushing to her chambers.

The bride and groom were so intoxicated with love and did not take their eyes off each other that they did not notice the absence of the queen. Everyone was dancing, lightly circling around the hall. The hall was full of colorful outfits. The king noticed how his wife quickly left the guests, and, apologizing to noble persons, followed her.

— What happened, dear, why did you leave the ceremony? Let’s go, everyone is waiting for us.

— I’m not going anywhere, go alone. I got a headache.

— Are you sure you weren’t offended by anything? — He gently lifted her chin and slyly looked into her eyes.