Part 2: For Three Years, Every Woman Was Required to Enter a Mysterious Frame—When Everyone Ridiculed One Young Woman, the Prince Ultimately Took a Stand.
For three years, the kingdom observed its prince turn down every prospective bride. Regardless of their beauty, wealth, or education, each young lady encountered the same enigmatic challenge—a tall wooden frame positioned in the center of the throne room. Then, on one remarkable day, a woman whom everyone ridiculed entered the frame, and what followed transformed the kingdom forever.
For three years, the king reiterated the same plea to his son.
“You are the future ruler of this realm. Our citizens require a queen. You cannot delay marriage indefinitely.”
However, the prince remained steadfast in his response.
“I will marry only when I discover someone I genuinely love—not merely because tradition dictates it.”
As the years went by, the king's worry intensified.
Princesses from allied kingdoms arrived with impressive lineages.
Daughters of affluent nobles aspired to join the royal family.
Yet every proposal concluded in the same manner.
The prince graciously declined.
At last, he declared an unconventional challenge.
Once a year, the palace welcomed the kingdom’s most talented young women. Before receiving an invitation, each candidate underwent months of meticulous scrutiny. Their education, decorum, health, etiquette, self-assurance, posture, and even the way they presented themselves were assessed in remarkable detail.
But none of those attributes seemed to matter once they entered the throne room.
In the center stood a massive wooden frame resembling the outline of a human figure.
No one understood its purpose.
Only the prince knew its true significance.
Each contestant was instructed to step inside the frame and remain motionless for several moments.
The prince would observe quietly.
Then, without any explanation, he consistently delivered the same verdict.
“Next.”
Year after year, the peculiar ceremony persisted.
Hundreds of hopeful young women took the test.
Not a single one emerged as the future queen.
Soon, the people throughout the kingdom began to jest that the prince would never marry.
Then another selection day came.
The palace once again filled with graceful young women donned in splendid gowns, each eager to succeed where others had faltered.
They smiled courteously, exchanged compliments, and skillfully concealed their anxiety.
Suddenly, the grand doors swung open.
A young woman entered clad in a simple yet elegant dress.
She appeared distinct from the rest.
Her figure was fuller than what the royal court typically admired, yet she carried herself with quiet poise.
Almost instantly, whispers circulated through the room.
“Is she genuinely here to compete?”
“She must be in the wrong venue.”
“Does she truly believe the prince will select her?”
Soft laughter reverberated through the hall.
Even a few courtiers struggled to stifle their amusement.
The young woman heard every remark.
Yet she chose not to reply.
She simply continued walking with serene dignity.
When her moment finally came, the master of ceremonies hesitated.
“My lady…” he began cautiously. “The frame might be too narrow. Perhaps we should—”
Before he could finish, the prince raised his hand.
“No.”
“Allow her to proceed.”
The entire throne room fell silent.
The young woman approached the wooden frame.
She took a slow breath…
And quietly stepped inside.
A moment later…
Everything changed.
