Chapter 72

There were many young men in the kingdom, it seemed, who desired to marry a beautiful princess, and live in the castle, and be king hereafter. But none of them succeeded in the task, and they were all of them put to death.

And the princesses continued to dance merrily until the dawn, every night.

* * * *

The woodcutter’s handsome face was solemn as he recalled the tale. “So you’ve a yen to marry a princess?” He raised one dark eyebrow.

The soldier took a moment to admire the young man’s figure as he stood there, his hands on his hips, sweat running down his finely-sculpted chest, before answering the woodcutter’s question. “No, I’ve no desire for a princess. But I find I’m strangely inclined to live in a castle, and be king hereafter.”

“Ah, there’s many a man has had such a wish, and all of them lie buried at the foot of the tallest tower. I’m thinking ‘twould be a shame to see you there too, that handsome head cut from your shoulders.”