The Trickster – A Clever Princess Outsmarts a Royal Spy | Retold Fable

Once upon a time, in the flourishing Kingdom of Lofter, a beautiful princess was born to the beloved King Lofter II and Queen Camilla. They named their precious daughter Linda, though her full name was Lindsey. From a young age, Princess Linda was not like other royals—she was curious, adventurous, and endlessly eager to explore the world beyond the palace walls.

The castle was filled with jewels, lavish parties, and lessons in etiquette, but Linda longed for the mysteries of the outside world, particularly the dense, whispering woods that bordered the kingdom.

A Strange Encounter in the Woods

One sunny afternoon, tired of palace routines, Linda donned a simple cloak and ventured deep into the forest, hoping to find something new to play with or perhaps a small adventure to pass the day. As she wandered, she heard the steady thwack of an axe cutting through wood. Following the sound, she came upon a young man struggling to chop down a tree. He appeared frustrated and clumsy, as though the axe was foreign to him.

Moved by compassion, Linda approached and asked kindly, “Do you need help with that?”

Startled, the boy stammered, “N-no! I’ll manage. You’re a princess—you shouldn’t be out here in the woods, let alone helping a tree cutter like me.”

Linda tilted her head, sensing that his reaction was more than mere humility. There was something odd about his presence—his movements were awkward, his clothes seemed unusual for a simple woodsman, and worst of all, he appeared anxious to get rid of her.

Though her curiosity burned brighter, Linda respected his wish and left. As she made her way back home, she realized she’d completely forgotten her original purpose of finding something fun. She sighed, irritated with herself for wasting time on what she now called “the stupid tree cutter boy.”

An Unexpected Announcement

Later that evening, her father greeted her cheerfully. “My little Linda, did you enjoy your day?”

Linda, uncertain of how to explain her peculiar encounter, simply smiled and nodded. She felt a twinge of guilt for lying but brushed it aside.

Weeks passed, and one morning, the palace buzzed with excitement. The king gathered everyone in the great hall to make a grand announcement.

“My dear people,” King Lofter II proclaimed, “we have found a suitor for our beloved daughter Linda! A hardworking, handsome young man who will make a fine prince!”

Queen Camilla clapped her hands in joy. “The wedding will be the grandest celebration of the year!”

Linda’s heart sank. She wasn’t ready for marriage, especially not to a stranger. Yet, she held her tongue until she could meet the man in question.

The Betrothal Day Shock

On the day of the grand introduction, Linda stood in the royal gardens, watching the guests gather. Trumpets sounded, and in walked the chosen suitor.

Her jaw dropped in disbelief—it was him. The same awkward boy from the woods pretending to be a tree cutter.

Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. Something wasn’t right, and as she examined his attire, her sharp gaze caught a peculiar symbol stitched into his trousers—the unmistakable crest of the kingdom’s enemy, the Dark Emblem of Varnok, embroidered subtly on his pants.

“Father!” she cried out, pointing. “He’s a trickster! Look at his pants—the enemy’s sign is there!”

The boy paled and tried to shield his legs, but it was too late. The king, skeptical but concerned, demanded the guards to inspect. Sure enough, the mark of Varnok was real and undeniable.

Revealing the Spy

Under heavy guard, the boy confessed. He was not a simple woodsman, nor a humble suitor. He was a spy sent from the enemy kingdom of Varnok, tasked with infiltrating the Lofter royal family by deceiving them into a marriage alliance. His mission was to weaken Lofter from within.

The king, outraged by such treachery, declared that no mercy could be given to a spy who dared to deceive a king and threaten his daughter. The traitor was sentenced to execution, ensuring he would never report back to his vile masters.

A Princess’s Right to Choose

The king, shaken by how close the kingdom came to disaster, turned to Linda and said, “My dear child, it was your sharp mind and keen observation that saved us all. From this day forth, no one shall choose your husband but you. You have proven that your wisdom is equal to your beauty.”

Queen Camilla agreed, adding, “A princess who can see through deception deserves the right to follow her heart.”

Princess Linda smiled. She was relieved, not only to avoid marrying the trickster but also to have earned her independence. She vowed that when she did choose a husband, it would be someone kind, honest, and worthy—not a schemer in disguise.

And so, peace was restored in the Kingdom of Lofter, and Linda’s legend as the clever princess spread far and wide.

Moral of the Story

Always trust your instincts and look beyond appearances. Wisdom and observation are a princess’s greatest assets, for even a charming face may hide the heart of a deceiver.