She passed a swan beat wildly with their wings and turned in a circle in order to present her his beauty. A few weeks ago Heera would have said with certainty that this vain animal must be the prince, but now it seemed completely insane. The Prince meant inner beauty more than appearance otherwise he would never have chosen. He had seen from the beginning more in her than she did herself.
As they climbed the steps to the upper floor, she heard the sweet song of a lonely skylark, dangling in her cage from the ceiling. She was just as friendly as all the other animals and her singing seemed to flow from Heera’s ears directly into her heart, but not because she recognized the prince in her, but because the bird reminded her of her sister. She was sure that Medea must have held for the Prince the lark and now she stood petrified in the garden of the black witch. She had made the mistake, not the prince, but to seek itself in the behavior of the animals. Which animal Daphne might have chosen? Perhaps the beautiful Firebird or even the vain peacock? What animal would choose Heera if they would keep to himself out? It would certainly be neither beautiful nor tame - an animal that no one would pay attention.
She discovered far behind other cages hidden a little brown mouse. She was unimpressive, but too cute to do it justice. Erina would probably rediscovered in this small but clever animal.
Heera went on and came upon a domestic pig, which began to grunt loudly when she was fed in. Nobody wanted to be voluntarily converted into a pig. It would see the witch similar, that's why to enchant Lean into one. But pigs were pack animals and the Prince more of a loner.
Unhappy let Heera down on a chair and closed his eyes. How could she ever see the prince among all these animals? If at least Erina or Amphion had been with her, to comfort her courage. Between all the animal sounds she could hear the triumphant laughter of the black witch. She saw her despair and delighted in her. Heera stood up resolutely and walked through the castle. She let her eyes slide over all cages, waiting for an inner inspiration. The prince was unlike any man she had met him before and so had to be the animal into which the witch had transformed him.
She met chickens, cats, birds and even a monkey, but all these animals had one thing in common: They wanted to be freed from Heera. They courted outright to their attention. As it was already night, Heera reached the entrance hall again. She had gone through the entire castle, without noticing an animal that was different.
Agnes came to meet her. On her face was a satisfied smile. "Do you give up?"
"Never!" Heera said firmly.
"You will not find the prince!"
"I think I'm already close to him," disagreed Heera and looked around again. "You would not hide him in one of the many rooms, but place it where everyone can see him without noticing him. It would please you to see how the girls fail, even though they were already so close to the prince. "
"If you mean," Agnes said, without giving an indication as to whether Heera lay with her assumption correct.
She looked up at the large door through which they had entered the castle. Right there standing on the floor, a lonely cage in which sat an animal, which no one would pay attention: An ugly toad.
She croaked not, did not even look in the direction Heera’s while the girl's heart began to beat violently. Without thinking, she walked up to the cage and picked him up. She saw the little creature in her eyes and tried to recognize some of the princes in it.
Agnes began to laugh. "How I would now see the Queen, if you tell her that her beautiful son was just a toad! On such an idea could only come you. "
"Perhaps it is precisely because the right choice," Heera replied unperturbed.
"Please, then kiss your toad!" Agnes she challenged. Heera opened the door of the cage, but when she wanted to take to the animal, this jumped out and leaped through the open door into the open air.
"Not even a toad wants a kiss from you," she taunted Agnes, but Heera rushed the animal after it, trying to catch, but his skin was so slippery and slimy, it escaped her every time. But exactly this behavior encouraged them that they had made the right choice. The toad was different than the other animals, because they did not bother about them. She even fled from her - just as Heera would have done it.
She ran to the animal through the garden after, past all the statues of the many unfortunate girls, while the spiteful laughter of the witch like lightning and thunder was above her. Finally she found the toad near a tree. Heera sweetly and plunged with all her weight on the animal. Her hands lay tightly around the slimy body as she hit the ground hard. Triumphantly she lifted her prey into the air and looked in the yellow eyes of the toad. They sparkled with anger. If a witch Heera had enchanted, she would have been furious.
Suddenly Agnes appeared right next to her. "Are you really sure that this is your choice? There is no turning back. "
At that moment, the toad spat a green liquid in the face of Heera and kicked wildly with his legs to free himself.
"Certainly," replied Heera satisfied and pressed her lips to the mouth of the toad. For a moment, nothing happened at all, but then she felt the animal slipped from her hands. She feared it dropped to have, but when she tore her eyes, there stood Prince Lean opposite. Her lips were together and they stared at each other, startled. Immediately they broke.
At that moment, the cloud cover broke and the pure light of the moon seemed to bring them down. The cry of a crow made her sit up. Where previously still had stood Agnes, now swung a black bird up in the sky.
"That's the witch!" Shouted Heera, looking for something they could throw off the animal. The crow looked safe distance down to them and croaked: "I curse you, Prince Lean. Your beauty will not only prevent you from finding true love, but also bring hunger, pain and sickness all over Chóraleio. Only a girl who is willing to travel for you seven foreign countries to cross seven mountains and valleys and made seven tasks, break the curse and make you see with the heart. "Then she flew away on the s nobody they would reach more can.
The cloud retreated farther and the light of every star redeemed all the petrified girl. Young men ran out of the gates of the castle - six thousand nine hundred ninety-nine in number. The thorns that had grown around the castle, became beautiful red roses.
But the prince looked at Heera. In his hand the compass whose needle pointed incessantly at the girl in front of him was.
Follow the path of your heart.
The day of decision
The Prince had come and had to make a choice that could hardly be more difficult. Five girls were left, but only three could reach the next round. All were equally nice and each talented in their own way.
One was the voice of a nightingale.
A had curls of pure gold.
Had one foot, you could dance at every step.
One who had a heart bigger than any other.
One had the courage to say what she thought.
15
After the black witch had left her castle, it was the north wind have been easy,, not only the five chosen girls, but also all other carry off of the island. The storm and the fog that had prevailed usually around the castle were no longer there. They were happy to have come with their lives and displaced the threat of the witch, but no one doubted that they would one day return to take revenge.
As Lean returned to the castle with the girls, the joy was great. They were welcomed by the people through backslapping, hugs and kisses. All were glad get back her beloved Prince. But no one was pleased more than his mother. You already ran to meet him in the courtyard and threw himself laughing and crying at the same time in his arms. King Egeas came and laughed heartily. Niobe strewn her son in front of the entire court with kisses, so it seemed to him already embarrassing. When she had finished caressing her son, she overcame at Heera and put her hands around the face of the brave girl. "You wonderful child, how can I ever thank you?" She asked with tears in her eyes. "A queen you're not, but a great hero."
Heera blushed at her words, and she felt like all they saw. She
had always hated to stand at the center. "That's what I liked to do," she said, hoping that it would be the queen so be good, but they clapped their hands and said, "We want to celebrate a great feast to celebrate the return of my son" To Heera she said: "We will certainly find a way to reward you for your courage. Let's go into the throne room! "
She took Heera like a sister by the arm and pulled her with him into the castle. They were followed by the King, as well as Lean and the chosen girl. Egeas sat down on his throne, while his wife and son took their places on either side of him. Around them reigned bright light. It was necessary to organize a ceremony as soon as possible.
"Heera, forgive us if we have behaved towards you are rude. You got a big mouth work, but wear your heart in the right place. Without your courage, we would have lost our son forever. Please tell us how we can show gratitude with you, "asked the king. Even Lean bowed to her. "I'll be forever in your debt. There must be something but what we can make you happy. "
Heera thought that they might ask him to marry her sister, but she did not think he chose Medea, because he felt obliged. He had to decide for them voluntarily.
As Heera remained silent, Niobe spoke again: "How about this? We are your parents ascribe a county. You will want for nothing! "
The offer was generous and enticing. Exactly what Heera had always wanted for her parents. Her father could put your feet up and would not have to toil all day in the field. Her mother could wrap himself in fine clothes and take part in the noble society. Elena would someday marry a nobleman and would not have to worry about their future. Even Medea would find a good man, if Lean unexpectedly should decide against it. Unsure, she watched her sister, who nodded enthusiastically. She glanced at Lean, who also made a sympathetic impression. No one would blame her if she would accept the offer. But something in Heera fought against. When she came in to the proposal from the queen, they would lose any chance of Lean. She had just realized that she was ever able to feel something like love. If they would no longer accept as friendship for Lean, she would never be able to break the spell that had turned him to the toad. She was in love - for the first time in their lives.
"There is something I wish I had more than one county," she heard herself say. She did not know whether they did the right thing and did not rule it out that she would be angry in a few days already at their own stupidity, but at that moment she could not help. When you love something, you are not on. No matter how difficult or hopeless the situation might be also. You had to listen to her heart.
"What do you want more than a safe life you could?" Asked Egeas surprise.
"I want to return to the elect are," she said, not daring to look at the prince there. In her back she felt the burning gaze of her sister and the other girls.
"But you're already retired!" Niobe exclaimed indignantly.
"I do not expect I'll be right in the next round. I merely ask, yet get a chance. "She forced herself to look Lean. His eyes reflected confusion. "Even if you decide against me, I would not blame you. I just want a second chance! "Startled, she noticed that her usually strong and firm voice had begun to tremble. This was new for them.
"But you would return home with empty hands," Niobe said blankly. "Do not be stupid and accept my offer! As it will be a Countess for you to find another man."
"I do not want another" muttered Heera and ashamed doing so. It was hard to stand up for her own feelings and knowing that no one understood her decision. What would say their parents when they found out what had done Heera? She could already hear her mother's allegations. What would Medea done in their place? Had she accepted the offer for the sake of her family? No one would have expected of her because everyone knew that they had always dreamed of marrying the prince one day. She was the ideal queen.
Heera had never dreamed of getting married at all, and she could even now not imagine one day to sit on the throne, but she did not want to lose Lean. There was something moving inside her that she had changed. Maybe they would fail, but she was ready to fight him. Even against her own sister.
"If that's what you wish for, you should get a second chance," Lean said and went to meet Heera. She looked at him the same uncertainty she felt. Her request came in as surprising as for herself. She had not planned. He graduated as a friend in her arms and whispered close to her ear so only she could hear, "Thank you."
Erina could hardly concentrate on the words that were spoken in the ballroom. In addition to the throne stood on a small table, protected under a glass dome the golden rose, which she had bought for the Queen. Two petals were already wilted on the ground. How much time it remained until she had to return to the terrible beast? But strangely, the thought frightened them less than they would have expected. If Lean would decide against them, they would at least have a place where they could go. It was still better to live with a beast on a warm fireplace when freezing to death alone in the street.
The next day were the celebrations in full swing. Already the evening the prince should announce which three girls he had chosen for the next round. All feverishly against its decision. As a special surprise, he had invited the families of the five remaining elect, which it actually had only three. Erina had no family and Medea and Heera were sisters. Since Heera had decided the previous day for continuing to fight the prince, Medea had not spoken with her. She had locked herself in her room and refused to talk to Heera, but as now their common parents together with her little sister Elena entered the castle, with two girls the joy was boundless. Medea fell into her mother's arms, while her little sister Heera highly raised in the air, so they shouted aloud with joy. The father concluded his three daughters and his wife in his arms and held her for several seconds. He was glad that the family was now reunited.
"You look like princesses," said Elena was happy and looked between her older sisters back and forth. "The prince is sure you choose both on."
Heera threw Medea a conciliatory look, but they acted as if she had not heard what Elena had said. She took her mother by the hand and said, "Come, help me choose a dress for the ball. The Queen can bring me one for you and Elena. "
The mother was immediately very enthusiastic and wanted to go already with Medea, but then she stopped again and turned to their elders. She stroked Heera lovingly on the cheek. "I'm very proud of you. Now that you've become a proper lady. Also need help in choosing your dress? "
Heera grinned at her, amused. "I might not wear my pants, but that's why I'm far from being a doll. Just go with Medea. She needs you more than I do. "
The mother stroked her a stubborn streak from her forehead, kissed her and walked with her two younger daughters. The father was left with Heera. You noticed how he looked at her critically. Embarrassed, she looked at him. The bad conscience gnawed at her.
"Your mother is right. You look different! "He said, but gave no sign whether he approved of their development. "You protected your sister and not only that, even the prince you've saved. The whole empire talks about your exploits. "
"I did not do it for fame," said Heera clear.
"You did it out of love," the father said, without that they would have to explain more. "I see it in your eyes. Not even you can defend yourself against it. "
Heera felt caught and could no longer hold back her tears. She began to sob and her father threw in his arms. "Father, I miss you for a better life," she confessed, weeping.
He held it by yourself in order to look her in the eye can. "For God's W Illen, what's happened? I've seen you cry last five years, "the father full custody uttered.
Heera confessed to him that she had turned down the offer of a county for her family to continue to fight the prince's heart. She expected that her father would despise them for it, but he only smiled.
"My dear child, I am incredibly proud of you. Only now you are truly fearless. "
"Then why do I feel weaker than ever?" Sniffed Heera. "When the prince chooses both against me and Medea, we will have nothing. I could turn all of our li
ves for the better. " Although she had one wish him free, but they would never have dared to for an entire county to be desired, although it would lean her certainly not denied. But she had the vague feeling that she would need to request again and wanted to keep him until she felt that the time had come to redeem him.
"Do not worry. We have always managed to make ends meet, and nothing will change even now. In addition, the Prince would be an idiot if he would decide against you. "
Heera drew outrage in a breath. "But Father, how sayest thou about the prince! He is our future king! "
Theo started laughing and Heera coincided with. He used it must always admonish to respect for the royal family. "Prince or not, he should be lucky to have won your heart."
"What about Medea? She will hate me if he should decide for me and against her. "
"Your sister is over there to get over. You are a family and that will prevail in the end. "
"Are you really? Medea is already mad at me. "
"You would not forgive her if the prince would choose it?"
"But of course, I would be happy even for them."
"Your sister there is no other way, it's just not used to, that you are a competition for them. Take her through the motions is not evil, it does not mean that. "
Heera felt encouraged by the words of her father and nodded confidently. She wiped the tears from her face and poked him playfully in the ribs. "I hope you brought enough hunger. The food at the castle is delicious! "
There were only a few minutes, until the elect would enter the ballroom. Medea stood ready dressed in front of the mirror in her room. Elena and her mother had already proceeded.
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