The Lynx Queen – A Magical and Dark Retelling of Cinderella

Once upon a time, in a distant land shrouded by thick forests and winding rivers, there lived a kind and prosperous man named Nojus. He had a loving wife, Lina, and together they raised their only daughter, Justina, a girl blessed with beauty, grace, and a heart as pure as crystal spring water. Their life was full of peace and plenty, for Justina also had a benevolent fairy godmother, Ruta, who tutored her in all arts of knowledge and decorum.

But Ruta, though graceful in appearance, carried envy deep in her soul. She coveted Nojus for herself and desired to replace Lina as the lady of the house. Determined to secure her place, she schemed against the gentle Lina.

“Good sister,” Ruta one day said with false sweetness, “come walk with me in the garden to admire the wildflowers.”

Unsuspecting, Lina agreed. Yet deep within the garden, Ruta whispered an ancient spell and, with a cruel flick of her hand, transformed Lina into a bear. In a terrified state, the bear fled into the dense woods, leaving her home, husband, and daughter behind.

When Nojus and Justina realized Lina had vanished, they were grief-stricken. Nojus searched the forests for days but found no trace of his beloved wife. Ruta, pretending to console the family, offered her comfort to Justina, her words like honey but her heart cold with triumph.

Seeing Ruta’s supposed kindness, Nojus believed she would make a suitable wife and mother. In time, he married Ruta, though his heart remained weighed down by sorrow.

A Cruel Step-Family

A year passed, and Ruta gave birth to a daughter named Natasha, whose beauty rivaled the stars. But with Natasha’s birth, Ruta’s true nature emerged. She turned cruel and cold towards Justina, forcing her to do the household chores, reducing her to a servant in her own home. Natasha, spoiled and jealous, mocked and tormented Justina, delighting in her misery. Meanwhile, Nojus remained unaware, working far away in distant markets.

Years slipped by, and one day while doing laundry in the woods, Justina wept quietly. Suddenly, a massive bear emerged from the shadows. Fear seized her, but the bear spoke softly.

“Do not fear, sweet daughter. I am your mother, Lina. I have been cursed but I watch over you still.”

Justina embraced the bear, her heart swelling with joy. Lina helped her with her chores and visited her often, her gentle presence soothing her daughter’s loneliness.

But Ruta, sharp-eyed and suspicious, noticed Justina’s newfound happiness and followed her into the woods. Upon discovering the bear’s identity, her wickedness flared. She instructed Nojus to hunt the bear, lying that its magnificent fur would fetch a grand price. Heartbroken but obedient, Nojus slew the bear. Before she died, Lina whispered to Justina:

“Bury my bones at the edge of the forest, child. From them, your deliverance will grow.”

Justina obeyed, and from that sacred spot, a tree of lingonberries grew, its berries plump and scarlet, unlike any seen before.

The King’s Search for the Lingonberries

One day, the King of the land passed by and was captivated by the tree. He commanded his servants to pick its berries, but no one could pluck even one. Frustrated, he ordered the villagers to try, yet all failed.

“Is there no one left?” the King demanded.

Ruta, with a sneer, said, “Only my lowly stepdaughter remains.”

So Justina was summoned, and when she touched the tree, the berries dropped effortlessly into her hands. The King was struck by her beauty, grace, and humble heart. He declared:

“This girl shall be my bride.”

Ruta and Natasha boiled with envy but pretended delight. As the wedding procession was prepared, Justina, Ruta, and Natasha traveled to the palace together. Along the way, Ruta feigned thirst and stopped at a well. There, she and Natasha seized Justina, threw a lynx pelt over her, and cursed her into the form of a lynx.

“She’ll never marry the King now,” Ruta sneered. “Natasha shall take her place.”

At the palace, Ruta claimed Justina had run away. With no alternative, the grieving King agreed to marry Natasha, though his heart mourned the girl from the berry tree.

The Lynx’s Lament

Meanwhile, Justina, trapped in her lynx form, fled deep into a cave and wept bitterly. As night fell, a vision of her mother appeared, radiant and glowing.

“My daughter,” Lina’s spirit said, “you suffer now, but joy will soon find you. By day, you wear the lynx’s skin, but by night, you will regain your human form. Be patient, and seek the berry tree — there lies your salvation.”

The next morning, Justina awoke as a lynx again. But that night, she stood as a human beneath the moonlight. She ventured to the berry tree, crying out:

“Mother, grant me a gown of silk and shoes of pearl, so I may attend the palace ball!”

From the heavens, a gown as light as starlight and slippers of pearl descended, and Justina dressed in splendor. She ran to the King’s grand ball, where her beauty and grace astonished everyone. The King instantly recognized the soul of the girl he loved and danced with her the whole night.

But as dawn approached, Justina fled, returning to her lynx form. Before leaving, she handed the King a single pearl slipper.

“Find me by this token,” she whispered.

Reunion and Justice

The King, determined, searched the entire kingdom, trying the slipper on every maiden, but it fit none. Despondent, he wandered the forest and stumbled upon the berry tree. There, he saw a lynx approach, shedding its pelt as the sun set — and Justina stood revealed.

The King seized the lynx pelt and cast it into the fire, breaking the curse forever. He embraced Justina, pledging his heart to her.

Together, they confronted Nojus, revealing the entire truth of Ruta and Natasha’s treachery. Enraged by the deception and cruelty, the King returned to the palace with Justina and Nojus. Ruta and Natasha, trembling in fear, were seized and condemned. As punishment, they were impaled on iron pikes, their wickedness ended for good.

At last, Nojus was reunited with his daughter in happiness, and Justina married the King in a grand celebration. She became a beloved queen, known throughout the land as The Lynx Queen, her strength and grace inspiring generations to come.

✅ Moral of the Story

Patience, kindness, and courage can break even the most powerful curses. Greed and envy, though potent, will always bring ruin to the wicked.