The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces

In a magnificent kingdom where crystal chandeliers lit grand ballrooms and silk tapestries adorned palace walls, there lived a king who was deeply troubled by a most peculiar mystery involving his twelve beautiful daughters.

The Puzzling Mystery

King Edmund loved his daughters dearly, and each princess was more beautiful and graceful than the last. Princess Aurora, the eldest, had hair like spun gold. Princess Isabella had eyes like sapphires. Princess Rosalind could sing like a nightingale, and Princess Cordelia could dance like a fairy.

All twelve princesses were known throughout the kingdom for their beauty, grace, and accomplishments. But there was one thing about them that baffled everyone in the palace, including the king himself.

Every morning, the princesses would wake up in their shared bedchamber, and their shoes would be completely worn through - the soles full of holes, the silk torn, and the leather scuffed as if they had been dancing all night long.

The King’s Frustration

This happened every single night without exception. No matter what type of shoes the princesses wore to bed - soft slippers, sturdy boots, or delicate dancing shoes - by morning they were always worn to pieces.

King Edmund was perplexed and increasingly worried. “How can this be?” he wondered aloud to his advisors. “I lock their bedchamber door myself each night. I post guards outside. There are no windows large enough to climb through, and yet somehow they are wearing out their shoes every single night.”

The king questioned his daughters repeatedly, but they would only smile mysteriously and claim they had no idea how their shoes became so worn. “We sleep soundly all night, Father,” Princess Aurora would say sweetly. “Perhaps the shoes wear themselves out by magic.”

The Royal Proclamation

Growing more frustrated and concerned about his daughters’ secretive behavior, King Edmund decided to take drastic action. He issued a royal proclamation throughout the kingdom:

“Hear ye, hear ye! His Royal Majesty declares that whoever can discover the secret of the princesses’ worn shoes shall choose one of the princesses to be his bride and shall inherit the kingdom upon the king’s death. However, any man who attempts this challenge and fails after three nights shall forfeit his life.”

The proclamation created a sensation throughout the kingdom and beyond. The reward was magnificent, but the penalty for failure was severe.

The Failed Attempts

Many brave and ambitious young men came to try their luck at solving the mystery. Princes from neighboring kingdoms, wealthy merchants’ sons, and dashing knights all presented themselves at the palace, confident they could discover the secret.

The first to try was Prince Roderick from a distant land. He was young, handsome, and certain of his success. The king showed him to a chamber connected to the princesses’ room, where he could watch their door all night.

Princess Aurora, the eldest, brought Prince Roderick a cup of wine to help him stay alert during his vigil. “This will help you remain awake,” she said with a kind smile.

But the wine was enchanted with a powerful sleeping potion. Within minutes of drinking it, Prince Roderick fell into a deep sleep and didn’t wake until morning. The princesses’ shoes were once again worn to pieces, and he had seen nothing.

More Failures

The same fate befell every young man who attempted the challenge. Night after night, different suitors would arrive with confidence and determination, only to be given the enchanted wine by one of the princesses and fall into an unbreakable sleep.

Prince Alexander tried for three nights and failed each time. Sir Geoffrey, the kingdom’s bravest knight, couldn’t stay awake despite his best efforts. Even the clever Duke Ferdinand, who was known for solving difficult puzzles, succumbed to the magical sleep.

After many failures and the tragic loss of numerous young men who paid with their lives, fewer and fewer suitors came forward to attempt the challenge.

The Old Soldier

One day, an old soldier named Wilhelm came walking along the road that led to the palace. He had served in many wars and had seen much of the world, but now he was too old for fighting and had little money or prospects.

Wilhelm encountered an old woman gathering herbs by the roadside. She looked at him with kind, knowing eyes and asked, “Where are you bound, good soldier?”

“I’m going to the palace,” Wilhelm replied. “I’ve heard about the mystery of the princesses’ shoes, and I thought I might try to solve it. I have nothing left to lose, and perhaps my years of experience might help where youth and strength have failed.”

The Wise Woman’s Gift

The old woman smiled mysteriously. “You seem like a good man, Wilhelm. Let me give you some advice that might save your life.”

She reached into her herb basket and pulled out a flowing cloak that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly light. “This is a cloak of invisibility,” she explained. “When you wear it, no one will be able to see you.”

Wilhelm stared at the magical cloak in amazement.

“Also,” the old woman continued, “when the princesses offer you wine, do not drink it. Only pretend to drink, and then pretend to fall asleep. The wine contains a powerful sleeping potion that has defeated all who came before you.”

Arriving at the Palace

Wilhelm thanked the old woman and continued to the palace, where he presented himself to King Edmund. The king looked at the weathered old soldier with some surprise.

“You wish to attempt the challenge?” the king asked. “Many young and strong men have tried and failed. Are you certain you want to risk your life for this?”

“Your Majesty,” Wilhelm replied respectfully, “I have already risked my life many times in service to my country. If I can solve this mystery and perhaps find happiness in my old age, it would be worth the risk.”

King Edmund admired the soldier’s courage and granted him permission to try.

The First Night

That evening, Wilhelm was shown to the chamber next to the princesses’ room. As night fell, Princess Aurora came to him with a cup of wine, just as she had done with all the others.

“Good evening, brave soldier,” she said with her sweetest smile. “Please drink this wine to help you stay alert during your watch.”

Wilhelm took the cup and lifted it to his lips, but remembering the old woman’s warning, he only pretended to drink. Instead, he let the wine trickle into his beard and clothes while making it appear that he was swallowing it.

Feigning Sleep

After a few minutes, Wilhelm lay down on his bed and began to snore loudly, pretending to be in a deep, enchanted sleep. Through barely opened eyes, he watched the princesses’ chamber door.

Soon, he heard the soft sounds of the princesses moving about in their room. There was whispering and the rustle of silk dresses. Then he heard Princess Aurora say quietly, “The old soldier sleeps as soundly as all the others. Come, sisters, let us prepare for the night’s festivities.”

Wilhelm’s heart raced with excitement. At last, he was about to discover the secret that had eluded so many others.

The Secret Revealed

Wilhelm slipped on the cloak of invisibility and quietly entered the princesses’ chamber. What he saw amazed him: the twelve princesses were dressing in their most beautiful gowns, styling their hair, and putting on their finest jewelry, as if preparing for a grand ball.

Princess Aurora went to her bed and knocked three times on the headboard. Suddenly, the bed sank down into the floor like a trap door, revealing a hidden staircase that descended into darkness.

One by one, the princesses began descending the secret staircase, with Princess Aurora leading the way and Princess Evangeline, the youngest, bringing up the rear.

The Magical Journey

Wilhelm, still invisible under his cloak, followed closely behind the princesses as they made their way down the long, winding staircase. The stairs seemed to descend for miles into the earth, lit by mysterious glowing gems embedded in the walls.

As they walked, Wilhelm was careful to stay far enough behind the youngest princess so that she wouldn’t accidentally bump into him and discover his presence.

Finally, they emerged into the most beautiful underground realm Wilhelm had ever imagined. It was like a fairy kingdom, with crystal palaces, silver fountains, and gardens filled with trees that sparkled like jewels.

The Silver Forest

The first part of their journey took them through a forest where all the trees had leaves of pure silver that chimed like bells when the wind touched them. Wilhelm was so amazed by the beauty that he decided to take a small branch as proof of what he had seen.

As he broke off a tiny silver twig, Princess Evangeline stopped and looked around nervously. “Sisters,” she called softly, “did you hear that sound? I think someone might be following us.”

Princess Aurora laughed gently. “Don’t be silly, Evangeline. It was just the wind in the silver leaves. You worry too much. Come along, or we’ll be late for the ball.”

The Golden Forest

Next, they passed through an even more magnificent forest where the trees bore leaves of pure gold that glowed with warm, honey-colored light. Again, Wilhelm carefully broke off a small golden branch to take with him as evidence.

Once more, Princess Evangeline heard the slight sound and expressed her concern to her sisters, but they assured her it was nothing and urged her to hurry along.

The Diamond Forest

The third forest was the most spectacular of all, with trees that bore leaves of pure diamond that sparkled and threw rainbows of light in all directions. The beauty was so overwhelming that Wilhelm felt he must be dreaming.

He took another small branch from one of the diamond trees, being as quiet as possible, but sensitive Princess Evangeline still noticed the faint sound.

“I’m certain someone is following us,” she whispered urgently to her sisters.

“Evangeline, dear,” said Princess Cordelia kindly, “you always hear things that aren’t there. There’s no one following us. The sound is just the diamond leaves tinkling together.”

The Underground Lake

Beyond the three magical forests lay a vast underground lake with water as clear as crystal and as smooth as glass. Twelve magnificent boats waited at the shore, each one more beautiful than the last, with silver oars and silk cushions.

In each boat stood a handsome prince, waiting to escort one of the princesses across the lake. These were enchanted princes from various kingdoms who had been drawn to this magical realm and now lived there under a spell.

Wilhelm watched as each princess stepped gracefully into a boat with her prince. He quickly and carefully climbed into the boat with Princess Evangeline and the youngest prince, Prince Felix.

The Mysterious Palace

Prince Felix began rowing across the lake, but Wilhelm’s invisible weight made the boat heavier than usual. “Strange,” the prince commented, “the boat seems heavier tonight, and I’m more tired than usual.”

Princess Evangeline looked worried again. “Perhaps it’s a sign that something is different tonight. Maybe we should turn back.”

But Prince Felix just laughed. “You worry too much, dear princess. I’m probably just tired from yesterday’s festivities.”

On the far side of the lake stood a magnificent palace made of crystal and gold, with towers that reached toward the cavern ceiling and windows that glowed with warm, inviting light.

The Grand Ball

Inside the palace, the most wonderful ball Wilhelm had ever seen was taking place. The ballroom was enormous, with a ceiling painted to look like a starry sky and floors made of polished marble that reflected the light of a thousand candles.

An orchestra of skilled musicians played the most beautiful music, and couples danced with grace and elegance that seemed almost magical. The twelve princesses danced with their enchanted princes, spinning and whirling with joy and abandon.

Wilhelm watched in amazement as the princesses danced song after song, never seeming to tire. Their feet moved constantly across the marble floor, and he could see how their delicate shoes were being worn down by all the dancing.

The Night of Dancing

The dancing continued for hours, with the princesses changing partners occasionally but never stopping to rest. They danced waltzes, mazurkas, and courtly dances that Wilhelm had never seen before.

As he watched, Wilhelm could see the princesses’ shoes beginning to show wear from all the dancing. The silk began to fray, the soles began to thin, and small holes started to appear in the delicate footwear.

“So this is the secret,” Wilhelm thought to himself. “Every night, the princesses come to this magical underground kingdom to dance at an enchanted ball, and that’s how their shoes get worn to pieces.”

The Return Journey

As dawn approached in the world above, the music began to slow, and the enchanted princes escorted the princesses back to their boats. Wilhelm carefully followed, once again making Princess Evangeline’s boat heavier than usual.

“The boat is definitely heavier tonight,” Prince Felix observed as he rowed them back across the crystal lake. “And I’m much more tired than I should be.”

Princess Evangeline still felt uneasy, but her sisters continued to dismiss her concerns.

They retraced their steps through the diamond forest, the golden forest, and the silver forest, with Wilhelm following invisibly behind them. By the time they reached the secret staircase, the princesses’ shoes were completely worn through, just as they were every morning.

Back to the Palace

The princesses climbed the long staircase back to their chamber in the palace above. Once they were all inside, Princess Aurora knocked on the headboard again, and the bed rose back into place, completely concealing the secret entrance.

The princesses quickly changed out of their ball gowns and into their nightgowns, hiding all evidence of their nocturnal adventure. Within minutes, they were all lying in their beds, pretending to sleep.

Wilhelm slipped back to his own chamber, carefully hiding the silver, gold, and diamond branches he had collected as proof of his incredible journey.

The Second and Third Nights

Wilhelm repeated his invisible surveillance for the next two nights, following the princesses on their magical journeys and watching them dance until their shoes were worn to pieces. Each night, he collected additional proof of where they had been.

By the third night, he had a clear understanding of the entire process and plenty of evidence to convince King Edmund of the truth.

The Revelation

On the morning after the third night, King Edmund summoned Wilhelm to the throne room, expecting to hear another tale of failure.

“Well, soldier,” the king said wearily, “have you discovered the secret of my daughters’ worn shoes, or must I add another name to the list of those who have failed?”

Wilhelm stepped forward confidently. “Your Majesty, I have indeed discovered the secret, and I have proof of what I have seen.”

The king’s eyes widened with surprise and hope. “Tell me everything.”

The Proof

Wilhelm began to recount his incredible story, describing the secret staircase, the three magical forests, the underground lake, the crystal palace, and the grand ball where the princesses danced every night.

As he spoke, he produced the silver, gold, and diamond branches he had collected as evidence. The branches sparkled and glowed with otherworldly beauty, clearly not from any earthly tree.

King Edmund examined the magical branches with amazement. “These are certainly not from any forest in our kingdom,” he agreed. “But this story is so fantastic… how can I be certain it’s true?”

Confirmation from the Princesses

“Perhaps,” Wilhelm suggested, “you should ask the princesses themselves if my story is accurate.”

King Edmund summoned all twelve of his daughters to the throne room. When they arrived and saw Wilhelm standing there with the magical branches, their faces showed that they knew their secret had been discovered.

“My daughters,” the king said solemnly, “this soldier claims that every night you descend through a secret passage to an underground kingdom where you dance at an enchanted ball until your shoes are worn to pieces. Is this true?”

The princesses looked at each other, and Princess Aurora stepped forward. “Yes, Father,” she admitted quietly. “It is true. We are sorry for deceiving you, but the underground kingdom is so beautiful, and the dancing brings us such joy.”

The King’s Decision

King Edmund was amazed and somewhat relieved that the mystery was finally solved, though he was also concerned about his daughters’ nightly adventures.

“Wilhelm,” the king said, “you have succeeded where all others failed. According to my proclamation, you may choose one of my daughters to be your bride, and you shall inherit my kingdom.”

Wilhelm looked at the twelve beautiful princesses and considered his choice carefully. Princess Aurora was lovely and graceful, but she had been the one who gave the enchanted wine to all the previous suitors.

Wilhelm’s Choice

After thinking for a moment, Wilhelm said, “Your Majesty, if I may, I would choose Princess Evangeline, the youngest. Throughout our underground journeys, she was the only one who sensed that something was different, showing wisdom and intuition beyond her years.”

Princess Evangeline blushed prettily and curtsied gracefully. “I would be honored to marry such a brave and clever man,” she said softly.

The Happy Ending

Wilhelm and Princess Evangeline were married in a magnificent ceremony, with all the kingdom celebrating the solution to the great mystery. The other princesses were allowed to continue their nightly visits to the underground kingdom, but now they did so with their father’s knowledge and blessing.

Wilhelm proved to be a wise and just ruler, and when he eventually inherited the kingdom, he governed with the same courage and wisdom he had shown in solving the mystery of the dancing shoes.

The Moral of the Story

The tale of the shoes that were danced to pieces became famous throughout the land, teaching several important lessons. It showed that sometimes experience and wisdom are more valuable than youth and strength, and that careful observation and patience can solve even the most mysterious puzzles.

The story also reminded people that secrets, while sometimes harmless, can cause worry and concern for those who love us, and that honesty and openness in families lead to greater happiness and understanding.

And so Wilhelm and Princess Evangeline lived happily ever after, with the magical underground kingdom serving as a wonderful place for royal celebrations and the most beautiful dancing in all the world.