Swan Lake

Daughter of the king of darkness

Ruiz looked around in his dungeon, it was gloomy and cold, like the night blizzard that blew from its walls. From here there was one way - to the scaffold, there was no other way out for the one who aroused the hatred and anger of Rothbert. A cruel and bloody death awaited him, but he was guilty of only one crime.

A year ago, he was young, handsome, rich and noble like no one else, but today he could only wait until his blonde head rolled down to the feet of the one he loved and who gave him into the hands of death.

Rothbert was merciless, especially towards those who could provoke his anger. His cruel hand struck without mercy, but he had a beautiful daughter. Ruiz has asked himself many times how a demon's heart can have an angel's face.

Everything passed, rushed away like the wind, the luxurious palace was replaced by a gloomy dungeon, an hour of fun and amusement became a moment of waiting for death, only he himself remained invariably true to a distant dream. The young nobleman was condemned to death, condemned for betrayal, evil machinations and witchcraft, and he was guilty of only one thing - his love.

The guards entered the cell. She was commanded by Edwin, the chief of all devilish forces and the first nobleman in the court of Rothbert, ruthless and cruel, like his master.

“It's time,” he muttered through clenched teeth, “the hour of reckoning has come for your disobedience.”

Edwin surveyed the prisoner with an appraising glance. How glad he would have been to execute the proud handsome Prince Christian with the same ease and mercilessness.

He went up to Ruiz and grabbed him by the collar of his clothes.

“Now I will get even with you, scoundrel,” he said, “you thought that your stupid brother could win Odile's heart, you should first learn how to use a sword, at least, like the robber who fled from me last night.”

Ruiz raised his head proudly.

“The rogue who entered the fray with you is a real hero. Only someone like him can win the heart of Princess Odile. You are not even worthy of her maidservant.”

Edwin wanted to hit him, but changed his mind.

“Take him away,” he ordered, and the guards dragged Ruiz to the place of execution.

The square was crowded with curious people. Execution was one of the favorite pastimes for commoners. Ruiz closed his eyes for a moment before the face of impending death. Suddenly he felt someone's presence next to him, someone was standing next to him, except for the guards. It was a monk with a long hood down over his face. He raised his head so that only Ruiz could see it. A black-masked face flashed under the hood. He raised his hand, studded with beads, to his lips in a sign of silence. It was hope, and a huge risk. The courage of the masked man was amazing. One hand of the imaginary monk was already lying on the handle of the sword, imperceptible under the cassock. It all happened in an instant. The executioner was dead, and the monk's brown robes fell onto the steps of the scaffold, revealing a black cloak and the stately figure of a masked robber. Another moment, and Christian jumped on one horse, Ruiz on another, and they rushed out of the city.

Christian stayed far outside the city, at the seething waterfall.

He jumped off his horse and landed on a stone, splashes of water reached his face, the freshness of the waterfall was intoxicating. His sword was in blood, but this was not the first time in his life, and he knew that the main danger was yet to come. Christian promised his brother that he would do his best, and tonight he was to enter Rothbert's castle under a false name, hiding his origin. One could only hope that Rothbert would not recognize him. Anyone who knew how to do it could change their appearance for a while, and life taught Christian everything.

Christian looked at the stream of the waterfall. He saw before him the face of a black swan, the face of his eternal love.

“Forgive me, but I followed you,” Ruiz's voice came from behind him.

“And I thought that only death always followed me,” Christian chuckled bitterly.

“You saved my life,” Ruiz said. “I'm grateful to you.”

“Take your gratitude with you and quickly flee from here before the king's guards return,” said the prince.

“I admire you,” began the young man, “I dreamed of being the same hero, but only fate gives such courage.”

Christian sighed heavily and whispered:

“I have nothing to hide,” he admitted, and threw off the black mask from his face.

“King Rothbert is cruel,” said Ruiz suddenly, “he will execute anyone who can threaten his power in any way. But he's not just killing for that.”

“Why were you sentenced to death?” Christian asked unexpectedly.

“For one single crime, but I admit it,” Ruiz replied boldly.

“And for what?”

“Like my brother, I died because of my love for Princess Odile.”

“What?” started Christian, he could not believe his words, “repeat!”

“He loved her, he suffered, but I just recently understood all his feelings.”

“Do you know Princess Odile well?” Christian asked, his heart trembling.

“I saw her only once in my life,” came the answer, “she amazes everyone, but she is a black swan. I do not know if it is true that she is bewitched, I cannot judge it, but it seems to me that it is.”

“If only,” Christian whispered, “if I could see her.”

“It’s impossible, it’s always guarded by a golden dragon. He will not let anyone near her, they say he is also in love with her.”

“We’ll see that,” Christian said boldly. “I’m going to her immediately.”

He thrust his sword into the scabbard with force and rushed to his horse, nothing could stop him.

“Wait!” Ruiz grabbed him by the shoulder, “you cannot go there alone, they will kill you.”

“I'm not afraid!”

“Take me with you,” the young man pleaded, “I really want to go there, but only as much as possible, how we can deceive the king.”

“I came for this.”

“You’re not a simple outlaw,” Ruiz whispered.

He looked into Christian's face, there could be no doubt.

“You're a prince, aren't you? Ruiz asked. Christian nodded his head back.

“ Today there is a ball in the castle.”

“Yes,” Christian managed, “and I have to go there.”

“But how?”

“Of course, not under my real name. My enemy will destroy me if he finds out. I decided to go to the castle, but only under a different name.”

“What?”

“Under the name of a Spanish aristocrat. You can accompany me, but first we have to change our appearance. Of course, not in the way that devils change, but in a peculiar way.”

“So we're going?” Ruiz asked.

“If you are recognized, we will have to fight,” the prince warned.

“I'm ready,” his new friend replied boldly.

“The princess’s birthday should be a special day, because she’s a princess of the dark forces,” Christian said to himself.

“I'm afraid it will be difficult to get close to her,” burst out from Ruiz, “but I can't believe that such beauty can hide evil, she is truly incomparable.”

“Have you seen her only once?”

“Yes, but that was enough, I didn't even have time to look into her eyes or say a word, the guards of the kingdom of darkness guard her, like the golden dragon.”

"Is he really a demon?"

“Yes, I would say even worse. To see him, one must surrender oneself into the hands of death. He hits without pity or mercy. He is a real devil, like his master. I have experienced his steel fangs. It was he who sentenced me to death.”

Christian threw off his black cloak, now they had to change and go to the ball. All was not yet lost, and the prince was going to fight for Odile's love with the golden dragon and even with Rothbert himself.

Odile sat at an elegant dressing table in front of a round mirror. The glass of the mirror looked like crystal made by elves. Her reflection in him sparkled like a ray of light, but the light was scorching, like the wondrous eyes of the princess.

Today, on her birthday, she was the most beautiful of all, but what beauty could do without luxury. Before her lay golden combs, jewels and furs. Swan girls scurried around her, combing her long black hair and weaving flowers into it.

Odile looked in the mirror, even it could not reflect all the beauty of the black swan. Her soul remained cold and indifferent to all but one, but she vowed never to remember him again. She promised herself to be proud and unyielding, like her father, but could she tell her heart to forget earthly love, the handsome prince who suffered because of her in a far away world.

She was bewitched, now the coldness of ice shone in her eyes, and no distant love could warm her.

All the most distinguished people of the kingdom were invited to the ball in the castle.

Christian and Ruiz made it to the castle with no difficulty. No one suspected them, and they mingled with the crowd of guests.

“Today we are celebrating the birthday of Her Highness the Princess, you will soon see her,” announced the lord of the kingdom of evil, who was tasked with welcoming the guests.

Christian froze, Odile stood in front of him in a luxurious dark scarlet dress, decorated with black flowers and with a gold diadem on her black head. Surprise flashed in her eyes. She couldn't recognize him now, but she did. They looked at each other for a minute and could not take their enchanted eyes off. The black swan and the earthly prince met again. They found each other again, but each was afraid to confess their love.

Odile looked at him, it was him, there was no doubt, the one whom she loved and lost, the one who rushed from the mortal world into the kingdom of darkness, in order, at the cost of his life, to look at her for the last time.

Odile did not know what to do and held out her hand for a kiss.

“I am delighted, Your Highness,” Christian whispered.

“Sorry,” Odile said in a soft, beautiful voice, and Christian watched as, moving away from him, she found herself in a circle of admiring young people. The one he always hated approached her, but now it was too early to reveal all the cards. Edwin was dressed in gold and handsome, but his gaze harbored such evil that could not be in the eyes of a mere mortal. He immediately stood out against the background of the crowd, sharply and vividly different from all the others, the appearance of a golden dragon was immediately noticeable on him. Not surprisingly, at the sight of him, Ruiz rather covered his face and rushed off to carry out the non-existent orders of Christian.

Left alone, Christian was convinced that Rothbert's castle was indeed the most beautiful in the world. The ballrooms seemed unique. Torch lights burned on the walls, and dark flowers adorned vases on festive tables.

The ball was noisy and the fun did not stop. In the huge castle, joyful laughter was heard for the first time in many years.

It was not easy for Christian to restrain himself, because his worst enemy was nearby. He planned to do something that could cost him his life.

The prince went up to the dancers and stopped next to the astonished Odile and one of her gentlemen.

“Sorry,” he said dryly, “but now my dance.”

He grabbed the princess's hand and entered the circle of dancers with her.

Odile did not know what was wrong with her, but the warmth of a human appeared in the hand of the never knowing princess, radiating the magical charm of earthly love.

Edwin fought his way through the crowd, he was furious. For the first time in his life, he saw a worthy rival.

“You shouldn't have come here,” Odile blurted.

“I couldn't leave you,” Christian replied.

“But you risk your life and the fate of your kingdom,” Odile said, “too powerful forces are guarding me, and I belong to a dark world.”

“I don’t care,” Christian said. “I was ready to cross the centuries to find you.”

“Leave immediately,” she asked, “you must leave, if you are recognized, then death threatens both of us.”

“I cannot leave,” he replied, “I have been looking for you for too long and I could not find you. When I see you now, I will not trade this moment for anything.”

“You almost died here many years ago, then we were almost children, and now I can tell you…”

“You do not love me?”

“I can't say that.”

“Then forgive me for everything, but I could not help but come here.”

He wanted to say something else, but Edwin was already approaching them. Christian hastened to leave, and Odile looked after him for a long time. The black swan had no right to love a person, but she loved a mere mortal and could not order her heart to be silent.