The next day, the minstrel appeared in the court. The Princess recognised him instantly though she had never seen him before. He was tall and his eyes when they met hers were kind. He held in his hand a beautiful rose, not a blue rose but a handsome white rose. He held the rose out to the Princess. Through the blue stain glass windows, the rays of the setting sun touched the petals of the white rose.
“The blue rose,” he said simply. The Princess was happy. The Emperor was angry. The Princess said, “I see a young man who has always been honest and true. In his hand he holds a gift of love. And it is blue.” The old Emperor took his daughter’s hand and he took the hand of the minstrel as well and joined them. The Princess married the minstrel and they lived happily ever after.
