Then, to their delight, some boats came with both men and women sailors. They threw lines for the men to grab onto. They were rowed to shore and given clean clothes to wear. Then, they were questioned.
“Who are you, and why have you come?” the captain asked.
Rupertexplained their plight. “I am Rupert, king of the small kingdom with three cities and twelve villages. These are my men. We were traveling to the palace of the warlord of the northern mountains, to ask for his daughter Bellona’s hand in marriage. Unfortunately, we were betrayed, for she would have us destroyed for her father’s
defeat. We have lost everything but our lives and the lives of these sorry horses you see before you. all our gifts and money are gone.
We would be so grateful to you if would lend us money and passage back to our kingdom. I will repay you double for your kindness.”
“I am sorry to hear of your plight,” the captain replied.
“Our king is holding a birthday party in honor of her Highness Princess Germaine. I am certain she would be delighted to have you as guests. We will take you to her guest chambers so that you may refresh yourselves.”
Stunned, Rupert barely managed to thank the captain. One of the pages was sent into the palace to report the travelers’ arrival. Soon a retinue came out to meet him, with the veiled princess in front. Rupert blushed when he saw the princess in her royal regalia, for he was wearing soaked clothes and his boots squelched with seawater.
Thankfully the men had some time to change into finer clothing. That night many young nobles brought ifts to the princess, including fine horses, jewels, and delicacies from their countries. Rupert thought about trinkets he had commissioned, surely the princess would have loved the earrings with the little monkeys. He regretted that he did not listen to the wisdom of his physician, but rather took a shortcut by agreeing to marry Bellona. At least, he thought, the children got the fruits, and the two horses were alive.
As the various young princes surrounded the princes, asking her to dance and presenting her with gifts, Rupert wandered about, not knowing what to do with himself. Then the words of his minister came back to him. He did not know how he would manage to carry out that advice of sharing the princess’s heart for the needy. The princess seemed to have everything she needed, and if she were to want anything she only need to ask her father or one of these suitors. They would fall over one another to bring it to her. In the great hall, where everyone was dressed in fine clothes and grew up on the best their countries had to offer, no one seemed to be in need.
Then he saw another princess who did not come from a rich kingdom, for her dress was simple and she wore only a string of pearls around her neck. He invited her to dance. As Rupert was dancing, he saw the butler dragging his feet, forcing his weary face to smile. Therefore, after the dance finished, Rupert offered to help the butler pass out drinks. The butler had recently twisted his ankle and was limping, about to spill the cups he was holding. In this way, by noticing and meeting the needs around him, the night passed by quickly for Rupert.
Unfortunately, the long night spent preparing for the party, combined with the stress of travel, proved too much for Ruper’t fragile health. He woke up with a raging headache, the world seemed to be spinning before him, and he could hardly stand. His hands were shaking as he tried to hold the warm cup of tea a maid brought to him, and he spilled it on the servant girl’s dress. Rupert appologized profusely but fainted before he could hear the maiden’s response.
During the day, Rupert spent his time in bed, drifting between waking and sleeping, roused occasionally to eat a piece of bread or drink some tonic. The servant girl’s gentle hands swathed his burning forehead, wiping his sweat away. Rupert could hear the festivities from his room, the music, dancing, laughter. He thought how much the maiden must have desired to be outside with the noble ladies and gentlemen, serving delicacies, rather than tending to him. He thought how much he would like to be outside enjoying the festivities himself, instead of lying in bed. If not to dance with the princess, he could at least go up to thank her for her hospitality. He was deeply grateful for the maid who tended to him with the utmost care. Soon his affection for her began to grow, and he wished that he could come to know who she was as a person. Though she was not attractive in appearance, he was drawn to her by her kindness and patience.
The next morning, Rupert woke up feeling refreshed. Although he was not completely well, Rupert was determined to join the party and hear of the princess’s decision. Because he was still wobbly on his legs, two of his men came to suppolt the king as he walked, one on each side. When they reached the throne room, they saw that
all the suitors were standing, waiting in anticipation for the princess’s announcement. As was his custom, the old king asked the princess if she had met her true love, to which she replied, “Yes, father, I love King Rupert”. The princess unveiled her face, and Rupert realized that she was the maiden who tended to him all yesterday, while the festivities went on. He was deeply moved and wept. The other suitors cried, “Not fair! Not fair!” They realized that hard as they tried to be gallant yesterday, it was to no use because the princess was not among them at all.
After they were married, Germaine went with Rupert back to his kingdom. A strong alliance was formed between the two countries, and a highway was constructed to encourage free trade and travel. The couple lived in love and unity, and in a year a son was born. Prince Don was a bright boy who smiled far more than he cried, and the king and queen determined that they would raise him to be noble, wise, and kind. Rupert felt that his life was perfect. His country enjoyed peace and prosperity, he loved his wife and son, and he was no longer lonely. He wished that he could hold onto each second that tick by. Yet since he could not, he determined to make the most of every moment. He was right to do so, for good times have a habit of ending far too soon.