In the kingdom of Camelot, there lived a king who had aged and was preparing to die. He had only one son named Fred. His wife had died a long time ago when he was waging a war with the neighboring kingdoms. She had fallen heavily ill and had eventually died.

He called for his son. Fred was in his early twenties at that time.

“My son, you are going to be king after me, I am dying already and it will not take long before I leave this world,“ he said as he coughed weakly.

“Father! It will sadden me to rule the kingdom without you by my side,” Fred said sadly.

“I can’t cheat death my son. Now that I’m still alive , let us do the necessary thing, you need a wife to help you bare great children that will rule after you,“ the king said.

“I will be honored if you make that decision of picking the ideal wife for me,“ Fred said as he clasped his father’s hands in his.

“We will fix a royal ball and invite all the maidens in the kingdom to the palace. I am sure you will choose wisely,“ the king said.

“Okay, it’s a great thing to hear that from you,“ Fred said.

~~~

The next day the town crier announced the gathering of the maidens in the palace for the royal ball.

The maidens, all dressed in magnificent and outstanding dresses. they were very nervous and anxious as they looked at one another, each comparing the latter’s dress and jewelries with theirs. They all wanted to be the prince’s bride. That position came with a great respect and authority.

At a corner however, sitting on one of the oak wood bench was a girl in a shabby dress. It was Lola, one of the fairest damsels in the kingdom. She happened to be in the palace that day, not because of the royal ball, but because she had to see the king on some issues regarding the land her family used to farm on. Ever since her parents had died, she had been staying with her uncle who was also in the farming business. He had to stop due to a fatal injury he sustained on his back and the village miscreants had decided to use that as an opportunity to seize her family’s land, since she had no one to fight for her. So she had come to the palace to ask for the prince’s help since the king was so ill.

All the maidens in the palace were all set waiting for the prince to arrive.

“He is so handsome!” they all exclaimed as the prince entered.

The party began swiftly.

Lola became happy upon seeing the prince, knowing full well that he was caring and kind to the poor.

The prince scanned through all the maidens in the palace but he couldn’t quite pick who to choose. Something about them seemed off to him. He then turned towards where Lola was sitting and was taken aback.

He walked towards her. 

“May I have this dance?” he said, not minding how shabby she was dressed. He was mesmerized by her beauty and modesty. There in his mind, he determined to make her his bride.

Everyone began to whisper after learning that the prince had chosen his bride.

“That ugly girl?! Is the prince blind?“ they all said to one another.

~~~

The king saw how shabby Lola looked. He looked confused as to why his son chose her instead of the other maidens.

“My son when I asked you to choose a bride, I didn’t mean you should choose anyhow person,“ the king said angrily.

Lola felt sad upon hearing the king speak like that. The people around the palace were also speaking ill of her.

“Look!” she said as she released herself from the prince’s hold.Somewhere, destiny is speaking. That’s what she believed.

As she turned her back to leave the palace, she heard the Prince speak and that made her hesitate.

“Please father, grant me your blessings to marry her,“ he said pointing at Lola as he continued. “I knew she was the one meant for me, my heart has said it all, she may look unkempt but she has a beautiful smile that can melt everyone‘s heart and her luminous face. She is the one I love,“ he said as he held Lola‘s hand.

“If that’s what you want, I won’t deny you that happiness,“ the king said as he stood up. “Everyone my son has finally found his bride.“

The maids took Lola inside and had her clothes changed. Now she looked like a queen. Her beauty sparkled to everyone’s greatest surprise.

“Wow she looks so superb,“ everyone exclaimed.

It’s a dream come true for Lola as she was smiling and joined  the prince on the stage as they danced looking like a lovely couple.

After the marriage ceremony of the prince and Lola, the king died and the prince reigned as the new king of Camelot. He ruled as his father had and he was a great king. He loved his wife a lot and they lived happily ever after.