The Lady Or The Tiger?

Without hesitation he went to the door on the right and opened it!
It was all quiet in the stadium, everyone looked at the right door when it slowly opened and in there was... nothing!
After a minute of silence the crowd started to shout and ask what kind of a show this really was. They paid to see something terrible or something wonderful, not an empty door!
The king stood up in his chair and there was total silence in the stadium.
"Who did this?", he shouted. "Who dared to take the tiger or the girl away?"
Everyone was still quiet, but then one heard a confident voice next to the king say:
"I did father".
"You?!", asked the king with anger, "You?! How dare you? My own daughter!"
"Father, I love him and he loves me, if I, as a princess, can't marry an ordinary man, I rather not be a princess, I would be miserable my whole life".
This was a shock for all the people; nobody, not even the kings own daughter, had never before dared to stand up against the king.
It was totally quiet in the stadium; every eye was fixed on the king and his daughter, who also looked at each other without saying a word.
Suddenly the king started to laugh. First quietly, but then louder and louder, until all of the people joined in and laughed with him.
The whole crowd were laughing and laughing, the princess and the young man looked questioning on the king, who now was crying with laughter. Then suddenly he got quiet again and looked at the princess. The crowd calmed down and looked at the king, wondering what his next move would be.
"My dear, little girl", he said with a soft voice that the people had never heard before. "You are just like your mother was, she would do the same thing if she was still alive".
"What do you mean?" asked the princess. "I thought you said she was exactly like you; not caring about anything or anybody".
"Oh no, your mother was the most warmest and kindest person on earth, she wouldn't do anyone any harm, ever".
"But..."
"I know, and I am truly sorry that I never told you anything. I was crushed when she died, that's when I changed into the man you see before you. I didn't want to be close to you, in fear that you; everything I have left from your mother, would be taken away from me too".
"I am not going anywhere father", said the princess and they hugged for the first time in her life.
The people cheered and clapped their hands.
"Now", said the king. "Let the wedding begin!"

- THE END - Annalill 15 years old

©Annalill Pollack