The Three Black Princesses

In a distant land, where ancient magic still flowed through forgotten castles, there lived a young man named Heinrich who possessed a curious and adventurous spirit. Unlike others who feared the unknown, Heinrich was drawn to mysteries and tales of enchantment.

One day, while wandering through a dense forest, Heinrich came upon a peculiar sight. Before him stood a magnificent castle, its towers reaching toward the clouds, yet it seemed strangely empty and silent. No guards walked the walls, no smoke rose from the chimneys, and no sounds of life echoed from within.

“How curious,” Heinrich murmured to himself, approaching the great wooden doors. “Such a grand castle, yet it appears abandoned.”

As he pushed open the doors, they creaked on their hinges, welcoming him into a grand hall lined with portraits and tapestries. The castle was indeed magnificent, with marble floors that gleamed and crystal chandeliers that sparkled even in the dim light filtering through tall windows.

Heinrich explored room after room, each more beautiful than the last, until he came to a chamber at the very top of the highest tower. There, in the center of the room, he discovered three figures that made him gasp in wonder and sadness.

Three young women sat perfectly still, as if carved from the deepest night itself. Their skin was as black as coal, their hair as dark as midnight, and their eyes, though beautiful, held a depth of sorrow that pierced Heinrich’s heart. They wore gowns of the finest silk, but even these seemed touched by the same dark enchantment.

“Good day, fair ladies,” Heinrich said gently, bowing respectfully. “I am Heinrich, and I mean you no harm. Might I ask what has befallen you?”

The eldest of the three sisters, named Celestine, slowly turned her head toward him. When she spoke, her voice was like the whisper of wind through autumn leaves.

“Young man,” she said sadly, “we are the three princesses of this realm. I am Celestine, and these are my sisters, Miranda and Seraphina. We have been cursed by a wicked sorceress to appear as we do now, black as the darkest night, until someone pure of heart can break the spell that binds us.”

Miranda, the middle sister, added with a sigh, “Many brave knights and princes have come before you, but none could endure what the curse demands. The sorceress’s magic is powerful and cruel.”

Seraphina, the youngest, looked at Heinrich with eyes that sparkled like stars in her dark face. “The curse can only be broken by one who shows us true kindness and love, not for what we appear to be, but for who we are within. He must stay with us for three days and three nights, treating us with the same respect and care he would show any fair princess.”

Heinrich’s heart was immediately filled with compassion for these beautiful souls trapped in their magical prison. “Dear princesses,” he said warmly, “I see not your appearance, but the kindness in your voices and the nobility of your spirits. I would be honored to stay and offer whatever help I can.”

And so Heinrich remained in the castle. Each day, he treated the three black princesses with the utmost respect and kindness. He brought them flowers from the castle garden, speaking to them of the beauty he saw in the blooms and comparing their inner light to the sunshine that made the flowers grow.

“Princess Celestine,” he would say, “your wisdom shines brighter than any external beauty could. When you speak of the history of this castle, I feel as though I’m listening to the most learned scholar in all the land.”

To Miranda, he would comment, “Your gentle nature reminds me of the most soothing melody. Even in your current state, your compassion for others is more beautiful than any song.”

And to young Seraphina, he would say with a smile, “Your spirit sparkles with such joy and hope. No curse could ever dim the light that shines from within you.”

During the evenings, Heinrich would dine with the princesses, always serving them first and ensuring their comfort. He told them stories of his travels and listened intently when they shared tales of their kingdom before the curse.

“Tell me,” Heinrich asked one evening, “what brought this curse upon you?”

Celestine’s eyes grew distant with memory. “A sorceress came to our father’s court, seeking the hand of our brother in marriage. When he refused, declaring his love for another, she flew into a rage. She cursed us, saying that we would remain in this form until someone could love us as we are now, not as we were before.”

“She believed,” Miranda continued, “that no one could ever care for us in this state. She thought our fate would serve as eternal punishment for our brother’s rejection.”

“But she was wrong,” Heinrich said firmly. “Love sees the heart, not the surface. Any man worthy of your affection would recognize your true beauty immediately.”

On the second night, strange things began to happen. The castle itself seemed to test Heinrich’s resolve. Cold winds howled through the halls, and eerie sounds echoed from dark corners. Shadowy figures appeared at the edges of his vision, whispering doubts and fears.

“Why do you stay?” the shadows hissed. “These are not true princesses. They are creatures of darkness. Flee while you can!”

But Heinrich stood firm, remaining by the princesses’ side. “I care not what illusions or fears you present,” he declared to the magical forces around them. “These ladies have shown me nothing but grace and kindness. Their hearts are pure, and that is all that matters to me.”

On the final night, the greatest test came. As Heinrich sat with the princesses in their tower chamber, the sorceress herself appeared in a swirl of black smoke and green fire.

“Foolish boy!” she shrieked, her voice like the crack of thunder. “Do you not see what stands before you? These are creatures of my making, dark and cursed. How can you bear to look upon them?”

Heinrich rose to his feet, standing protectively before the three sisters. “I see three noble princesses who have endured a terrible injustice with grace and dignity. If this is your test, sorceress, then know that my answer is unchanged. I would be honored to call any of these ladies my friend, my companion, or even my beloved.”

The sorceress’s eyes blazed with fury, but as Heinrich spoke these words with complete sincerity, something magical began to happen. A warm, golden light started to emanate from the three princesses, growing brighter and brighter until it filled the entire chamber.

“No!” the sorceress cried, but her voice was already fading. “This cannot be! No one could truly love…”

But her words were lost as the golden light reached its peak. Heinrich shielded his eyes, and when the brilliance finally faded, he gasped in wonder.

Before him stood three of the most beautiful princesses he had ever seen. Celestine’s hair flowed like spun gold, her skin was fair as morning light, and her eyes sparkled like sapphires. Miranda’s auburn tresses cascaded over her shoulders, her complexion was like fresh cream, and her eyes were the color of emeralds. Seraphina, the youngest, had hair like burnished copper, skin that glowed with health, and eyes that danced like amber in sunlight.

But even more beautiful than their transformed appearance was the joy that radiated from their faces.

“Heinrich!” Seraphina exclaimed, tears of happiness streaming down her cheeks. “You have freed us! Your kindness and true sight have broken the curse!”

“You saw our hearts when others saw only the curse,” Miranda said, taking his hand gratefully. “You spoke to our souls when others fled in fear.”

Celestine approached him with dignity and grace. “Noble Heinrich, you have proven that love is indeed more powerful than any magic. By treating us with respect and caring for us as we were, you have returned us to who we are meant to be.”

Heinrich felt overwhelmed with joy, but also with a bittersweet realization. Now that the princesses were restored to their true beauty, surely they would return to their royal duties and he would return to his simple life.

“I am so happy that you are free,” he said sincerely. “You deserve all the joy and love that life can offer.”

But Seraphina stepped forward, her eyes bright with affection. “Heinrich, during these three days, I have come to see your true heart. You are the kindest, bravest man I have ever known. Would you… would you consider staying here with us? With me?”

Heinrich’s heart leaped with joy, but he looked uncertainly at her sisters. “I would be honored beyond measure, Princess Seraphina, but what of your sisters? What of your kingdom?”

Celestine laughed, a sound like silver bells. “Dear Heinrich, our brother has long managed the kingdom well. We are free to choose our own paths now.”

“And,” Miranda added with a knowing smile, “I believe my sisters and I may have found our own paths to happiness. There are three brothers in a neighboring kingdom who have long sought our hands in marriage. Good men, like you, who will love us for who we are.”

And so it was that Heinrich married the youngest princess, Seraphina, in a wedding that was celebrated throughout the land. Her sisters, Celestine and Miranda, indeed found love with the noble brothers from the neighboring kingdom, and all three couples lived in happiness and peace.

The wicked sorceress was never seen again, her power broken by the force of true love and kindness. The castle, once empty and echoing, became filled with laughter, music, and the sounds of a life well-lived.

Heinrich learned that day that the greatest magic in the world is not found in spells or curses, but in the power of seeing with the heart rather than the eyes. And whenever young people asked him for advice on love, he would always tell them:

“Look beyond the surface, for true beauty lies in kindness, wisdom, and a generous spirit. Love that is real will see past any appearance to the soul that lies beneath.”

And they all lived happily ever after, in a kingdom where love conquered all and where true sight was valued above all earthly treasures.

Moral: True love sees the heart rather than the appearance, and kindness has the power to break even the strongest curses.