Once upon a time in a vast desert kingdom, ruled a wise and kind King and Queen. They were beloved by their people and ruled with fairness and love. Their happiness knew no bounds when they were blessed with a beautiful daughter, whom they named Selene. Selene, with her golden hair shimmering like the desert sands, was the joy of her parents' hearts.
As the years passed, the Queen's health began to decline. Despite all the efforts of the kingdom's best healers, her condition worsened. On her deathbed, the Queen made a heartfelt request to the King, "My dear husband, promise me that you will remarry. Find the most beautiful girl in the world, someone as beautiful as I once was. Do this not for yourself, but for our Selene. She deserves a mother’s love and care."
The King, with tears in his eyes, promised the Queen that he would take great care of their daughter. "I will never marry another, for my heart belongs to you. But I will ensure Selene has all the love she needs," he vowed. The Queen smiled weakly and whispered her love before closing her eyes forever.
The King's grief was immeasurable. He struggled to rule the kingdom and often found himself lost in sorrow. The palace, once filled with laughter and joy, grew silent. People stopped visiting, for without the Queen, the palace felt empty.
One day, the King called upon his loyal servant. "Find the most beautiful girl in the city and bring her to me," he commanded. "For the sake of my people and my daughter, we need a new Queen." The servant scoured the city and brought back many beautiful maidens, but none could compare to the late Queen.
Selene, who had grown into a radiant young woman, was deeply loved by all. She resembled her mother with her grace and beauty. The King realized that perhaps Selene was destined to be the queen. He approached her with his thoughts, but Selene had her own plans.
"Dad," Selene said, holding three shimmering fabrics, "I will marry only when I have three magical dresses. One that shines like the sun, one as beautiful as the stars, and one as captivating as the moon. And I need a small, enchanted box to keep them in."
The King, determined to fulfill Selene's wishes, embarked on a quest to find these magical items. With great effort, he gathered the radiant dresses and the enchanted box. But when he presented them to Selene, she hesitated. "I cannot marry without knowing the heart of the man I wed," she said.
One night, Selene left the palace, running far away to seek her own destiny. Exhausted, she fell asleep under the moonlit sky. By chance, a prince from a distant land found her. Captivated by her beauty, he took her to his palace, not knowing she was a princess.
In the new kingdom, Selene worked at a modest inn, hiding her true identity. She became known for her kindness and grace. One day, there was a grand celebration at the palace, and Selene, donning her beautiful dresses, caught the eye of the prince. He was enchanted by her beauty and elegance, and they danced together, lost in the moment.
After the celebration, Selene returned to her humble duties. The prince, intrigued by this mysterious maiden, discovered her true identity. He was amazed by her humility and strength. "You are not meant for the kitchen, but to rule by my side," he declared.
As the story of Selene's bravery and grace spread, the prince proposed to her. They returned to her father's kingdom, where the prince and Selene were married in a grand ceremony. The King, now joyful and at peace, blessed their union.
Together, Selene and her prince ruled both kingdoms with wisdom and love, ensuring that the legacy of the desert mermaid would be remembered for generations to come.
