Fairytale chosen

by Maya Shepherd

  "Have not you ever eaten oysters?" The Prince whispered to her and she shook her head shyly.

  "Tastes like seawater," replied Lean, sipping one of the shells before their eyes empty. He did not just like oysters, as they belonged to high society and he had grown up with them. Erina did it after him, but as soon as she swallowed, she grimaced. A few seats away sounded subdued laughter. Erina watched as three of the female guests looked in their direction, giggled and whispered something in their ears. Lean got away with nothing.

  "You do not have to eat if you do not like," he assured her. But Erina shook his head. She did not want to be rude. "I was just about the taste scared", she claimed. "They're really delicious," she said in the direction of the Baron. Although she clearly did not like the oysters, she emptied the remaining two shells. They had their facial expressions under better control.

  After that, the pheasant was cut and distributed by the maids. Although wine flowed freely, the day was not yet advanced enough to forget the good manners. All took up a knife and fork and began the flesh to separate from the bone. Only Erina was having hard time. She had never eaten in their lives with a knife. She was accustomed to using their fingers or a spoon. In the village inns knives were not even enough to eat, because otherwise there was a danger that the guest mutually stung out their eyes in dispute. Wherever beer flowed, the violence level was very high. Erina avoiding these places.

  She did not know how to hold the knife and struggled off to the meat. They constantly had the laughter of the female guests in their ears, and she felt all staring at her. This made her even more nervous. She was ashamed to land.

  It was so striking that even noticed Lean how the other guests considered Erina : Behold the little beggar girl, she does not even know how to hold a knife!

  The noble ladies were the worst. Loosened by wine, they showed even Erina. Lean had never ashamed of his acquaintances. He rammed his knife into the table, after which everyone was staring at him in shock. His fork he dropped to the ground. He reached with both hands after the pheasant pieces, which lay on his plate and bit it off. Grease ran down his chin and dripped onto his blue shirt. "Delicious!" He praised the Baron. "Pheasant should be eaten only with your hands, just to have the taste completely”

  Loradios put his cutlery also to the side and so did the same prince. He was followed by all the guests. With pointed fingers, the ladies kept the flesh between her hands and dabbed after every bite with his napkin from his mouth. Lean wished a painter was there, of this for eternity would be able to capture. Erina gave him a grateful smile. Warmth and affection in her eyes and was restarted Lean was aware that he would really break the heart.

  As Erina returned to the castle in the evening with flushed cheeks, a happy smile and bright eyes, the other candidates expected them impatiently. Heera found that they had something of raptors who pounced on their prey.

  "How was it? What have you done to her? "Asked Daphne the first.

  "He took me to a noble family and presented" Erina replied shyly. But it was uncomfortable to be at the center.

  "Have you danced?" Xenia asked.

  "No."

  "Did he held your hand?" Says Medea asked.

  Erina blushed. "Yes."

  "Did you kiss him?" Phoebe asked curiously.

  "No," replied indignantly Erina.

  Agnes sniffed. "So I would not have hesitated!"

  "Neither do I," Daphne chuckled approvingly. The girl withdrew. They had to know what they wanted to know. Only Heera remained and went to meet Erina. "Was it good?"

  "Yes, very," she smiled dreamily. "The prince is not only good-looking, he also has a big and kind heart." She told Heera what had happened while eating and how Lean had campaigned for them. Heera would thus not have expected him a noble behavior. Which of the girls would be able to spend a day with him as Next?

  The snow falls down from heaven,

  Mutes the voice of greed.

  The wind is blowing and the rain is running out.

  The fire burns and the water flows.

  Only if you know the words,

  Returns the gift again

  9

  The elect were called before breakfast in the throne room. The prince wanted to announce something that clearly makes the girls run smoothly. You already expect the worst. It was well known that not twelve of them are likely to remain until the end. Gradually, the prince would sort always more of them, so that in the end only a handful remained, from which would then only T HREE reach the next round, to compete against the princesses from the four cardinal points. Especially the elect who had not passed the previous exam, were afraid of the first selection of the Prince.

  With anxious faces they entered the throne room, in which the entire court and the royal family were already gathered. It was only when they were all there Lean rose from his throne and walked restlessly up and down. Even his parents seemed unaware because the Queen was followed every step of her son full of curiosity.

  "Dear court, dear friends," he opened his speech Lean looked around for his chosen ones, "dear ladies." He gave them a warm smile and lingered on Erina, before he continued. "I have always believed that I know all about our beautiful Chóraleio, but yesterday I became aware that there are many grievances that I should improve as king." He looked at his parents. "My father cultivates values and always says that the welfare of the people from the king should come first. That's why I decided to build an poorhouse in every city of the empire or to enlarge an exciting one. I will also do away with the rent for the houses from today. People who require help, from every workhouse wouldnfind refuge without having to pay for it. A roof over your head and a bed for the night is the least I owe every citizen of my kingdom. In addition, the almshouses each evening will spend a hot meal ... "

  A little man from the court waving excitedly with his arms. "Prince Lean, your charity in all honor, but how do we finance it? Your strokes revenues and further increased spending through the roof. "

  Lean waved off the objection. "The pantries are filled and the gold jingling in our treasury. We will certainly not go hungry. "

  However, King Egeas also objected. "My dear son, such a major change in the law you have to be to discuss with me ... "

  Lean interrupted him angrily in the word. He was determined and would be dissuaded from anything or anyone. "I am the future King of Chóraleio and it is time that I take responsibility for myself and my people. I am the people of our realm is not only guilty of a worthy bride, but also a worthy king. My mind is and exactly how it will happen. I will today visit the poorhouse of the city, to give me even a picture of what needs to be improved. "

  Neither the king nor the treasurer dared to contradict him. As Lean raring left the hall, Heera watched him with big eyes. She was really impressed. Previously they had believed that the fate of the poor it would not matter, but apparently he seemed much just do not know or had to be encountered on the nose. You could well imagine, who was responsible for his change of heart. Right next to her was Erina who smiled dreamily. Heera nudged slightly. "That is your merit! You are doing him good. With you as Queen Chóraleio might really just a place. "

  Erina beamed at her. "Are you really?"

  " The Prince changes brandish laws! You must have seriously impressed with him," said Heera your good and said it to be honest.. Medea would, as she behaved at the time, probably just ensure that even more senseless festivals were celebrated. They already seemed now to have forgotten where it came from. Never Heera would have expected that the events would develop so. While they looked more critical her own sister, whom she loved more than anything, she began to appreciate Lean. He was not as bad as she had expected. Quite the contrary. He had humor, was quick-witted and goodness it did not seem to be lacking him.

  Before Heera late evening entered the dining room, she heard already the girls weep bitterly. Something had to have happened. She quickened her pace. They immediately looked to the table at which the ranking wa
s published. Already at first glance you could see that some of the missing names. She stepped closer.

  1.) Erina

  2.) Xenia

  3.) Heera

  4.) Medea

  5.) Phoibe

  6.) Acelya

  7.) Agnes

  8.) Daphne

  9.) Celestia

  Lacked the name of Jone, Lenya and Selene. It was clear to all what that meant. The girls were eliminated and now had to leave the castle. But what Heera more than met, was the fact that her name was now in third place of the ranking. About Medea.

  She had not even passed the exam, which the queen had made them. The girls had Prince Lean observed as he left late in the evening Heera’s room and now she stood in third place. That was bad blood, that was for sure. Only for Erina she was pleased that was the number one with the Prince now. She had this position earned more than any other. Before she could look around, she felt her sister came up behind her. She recognized Medea to her step and her smell: delicate as peach blossoms.

  "Did you tell him the truth?" Medea whispered anxiously in his ear.

  "What kind of truth?" Heera replied blankly.

  "About the strawberries! Did you tell him that we have found them together? "

  "No!"

  "But why are you standing over me then? You must have told him anything! What were you talking about? "Her words were urgent, her eyes looked suspiciously. It hurt less that they had lost a place in the rankings, more that her sister was standing over her. Although Heera was the older, people had always preferred Medea. She was the prettier, the more talented, the nicer and especially the more congenial. Although she loved her sister, it was hard for her to deal with it.

  "I told him that you're the right bride for him!" Swore Heera, but Medea did not believe her.

  "I told you, you should stay out of you!" She snapped injured, close to tears. "Why are you still here? You wanted to go yet! "

  Heera was running out of patience at the end. She had understanding for her sister, but she did not accuse unjustly. "Stop crying, be glad that you're still there! The rankings can change at any time again! "She instructed her younger sister cope, in the moment when the Prince entered the room in person. The three girls were sobbing at the same time resigned, while Medea fell silent immediately and bowed to Lean.

  "Good evening, ladies," Lean greeted them. "I'm sorry that for some of you the day ends with bad news."

  He turned his attention to Jone, Lenya and Selene. " Please take my decision not as a discredit to your person. You are all three wonderful ladies, who one day will make a man very happy, but I am not this man. I had to come to a decision and the time was too short to get to know you. Please forgive me that I could make you not happy.”

  "It was an honor to you to be close for a few days, Prince Lean" Jone assured him politely.

  "These few days were the most beautiful of my life," Selene said.

  Lean kissed one after the girls' hands goodbye. "You may keep your gifts for granted. In addition, I can deliver meals to your families, so that your return can be celebrated. You will care for a year with food from the castle, so you have to get worry about your welfare. I'm sure there are a lot of men to stop your hand. Choose wisely! Let your heart speak, because only the heart alone will choose the right. "

  Jone, Lenya and Selene left the hall. Lean looked at the other girl. "I am pleased to have an each of you continue on my side. Exams are before you. Tests, which require not only courage, but also brains. Each of you who is your check is further allowed to stay with me. "

  He did not say what would happen to the other. When he tried to leave the room, Heera stepped in his way. "In a word?"

  He looked surprised, but nodded. They stood in the door.

  "I have asked you to send me home, instead, you put me on the third place of your ranking. What are you doing? "She snapped angrily.

  He raised his hands and did not quite know whether to laugh or be angry. "Any other girl would be happy about it, to be moved up from last place to number three."

  "But I'm not any other girl! Medea hates me! How could you do me just as your preference? "

  "I enjoyed our conversation liked. I thought we were on our way! "

  The Heera had believed, but that had been before her sister had given her with tears in his eyes allegations. She could not bear it, sad or even in tears to see Medea. She was here to protect her and now she just made her sister a hard time. "Because you were wrong!", Snarled Heera unyielding.

  Lean built strictly in front of her. His arms relentlessly crossed over his chest. "I've never met someone who is so ungrateful and shameless as you are."

  For the first time his words hit her, because she knew he was right. They punished him that he saw something good in you. It was not used to someone more saw her as a girl who would be better become a boy. But she could not admit it to him. "Then we are indeed united," Heera hung up, turned on his heel and left him with a bad conscience alone in the hallway back.

  When she stepped back into the hall, the other girls had already gathered around Erina. The fact that she was now ascended to the number one, the others talked to them and tried to coax her secrets. Heera sat alone at the end of the table, but when she saw Erina, she peeled off the group of girls and sets up e Heera as usual opposite. They had breakfast in silence, but Heera could see and feel how Erina had grown internally by the choice of the prince. But unlike her Medea did not increase the success to head. Heera it expected her to high that they sat down beside her, even though no one else to appreciate her presence did - at least her own sister.

  Medea had pressed her face in one of the pillows that lay on her bed and cried desperately. Although she had done everything right for the prince Heera pulled in front of her. If today is the day of his decision, they would have to return home, while her sister, who had resisted with tooth and nail to apply for it, is likely to stay with him. But they wept not only over their humiliation, but also because she felt ashamed of their own conduct. In her heart she wished Heera all the luck of the earth, but she was not willing to give up their own dreams. Ever since she could remember, she dreamed of one day becoming the wife of the prince. Ever since she was in the palace; this dream grew into the skies. Lean was better than she had ever hoped. It would break her heart to lose him to another, especially when these others would be her own sister. They could not bear to see him with her. They do not even fit together. The Prince needed a woman at his side that strengthened his back and an open ear for his Sor had gen. A woman who knew how to behave and entertain. A woman who was not only pretty but also kind. Heera was exactly the opposite. Whenever she met Lean, they seemed to annoy him. He would suffer their whims and have to repeatedly stand up to them. You were not a woman, but a competitor in for him.

  The little lark began in her cage to chirp: "Beautiful Medea, why are you crying?"

  "Oh, lark, like the Prince love my sister more than me."

  "Do not worry. Come to the window and sing for me! "

  Medea got up from her bed and wiped his tears. She was wearing the cage from the table to the window ledge and started for the lark singing. Lured by her melodious voice a bird flew past her window. It was a big ugly birds with gray plumage and eerie red eyes. He flew for a while in front of her back and forth, before settling on a tree opposite. He sat there, staring at Medea with his red eyes. She did not see the bird, until he called her and said, "Good day, girl with the beautiful voice. All over the country singing you your praises. And really, you have the most beautiful voice! "

  Only startled Medea, she was pleased and said: "My thanks, dear bird. I must be a lucky child that even the birds praise my voice! "

  The bird squawked: "Your beauty is your voice. You are blessed, however, I am neither beautiful nor I have a voice like yours. So gift your voice for me one night only! "

  Medea shook his head vigorously. "If I give you my voice, I will no longer be able to speak."

  The bird as
ked: "Just for one night! I will reward you richly. "

  "Not one minute I would suggest you give my voice," said Medea hard. "She is my pride and joy."

  Since the bird smiled, looking out for fear. "For the last time I ask you, will you give me your voice?"

  Medea did it scare him already, but the lark chirped loudly, "What's the big night against the rest of your life? Schenk the ugly bird your voice! "

  "But the prince will never decide for myself if I cannot sing for him!"

  "It's just one night. Already the next morning you will again be able as ever sing so sweetly. I you want to be your voice, as long as you have your own not. Be kind and they lend the bird! "

  Medea was so upset that the tears came, but she trusted the lark and so she agreed. "You shall have my voice for one night!"

  "So let it be," said the bird was flying around around the tree and sang:

  "Beautiful girl, pure heart,

  shall live without pain. "

  After he had sung his song, the big bird flew away. Medea tried to say something, but no sound came from her throat, but fell Gold coins from her mouth whenever she opened it. They collected a hurry to send them their dear parents.

  The ugly bird flew on to the window of Daphne and exclaimed: "Good day, the girl with magnificent curly hair. Throughout the kingdom one raves about your hair splendor. And really, you have the most beautiful curls! "

  Daphne rejoiced and went to the window. "My thanks, dear bird!"

  The bird squawked: "You have so many curls because you can give a little of me certainly. Give me your curls, only for a night! "

  Daphne shook her head vigorously. "My curls do you want? Not even for one night! Who would have ever heard of a future queen without hair? "

  The bird was persistent and asked again: "Just one night! I will reward you richly. "

  "Not even a single hair I'd give you," snarled Daphne. "My curls are my pride and joy. Shut your beak and fly further, or I'll have the guards come with their guns, which are scare you already. "