Princess Isabel’s father, the King, died. His brother Julian came to the throne. King Julian’s wife was a good witch who made spells and potions to help her husband rule properly and she could recognize when someone was telling a lie.
The Queen loved Princess Isabel and taught her all the magic that she knew. So, Isabel too grew up into a bright young sorceress.
One day, a young man was brought before the King. It seemed he had been caught in the market holding a very costly tiara studded with diamonds and rubies. The jeweller who caught him said he had been trying to steal it, whereas the thief denied it.
“So, what were you doing in the market? And why are you carrying this tiara?” asked the King.
“It is mine,” replied the young man.
The jeweller said, “Sir, look at his clothes! Does he look like a person who owns a jewelled tiara like this?”
“You must explain, O young man!” said the King.
The Queen looked at the young man and knew he was telling the truth, but there was no proof. So, she whispered to Isabel to find out the truth somehow.
Isabel went to her father and spoke quietly to him. The King told the jeweller to return to his shop and asked the young man to stay in the palace that day while he decided the matter. The young man was given a room and asked not to leave it. Dinner was served to him and Princess Isabel gave him some enchanted wine to drink. No one could tell a lie if he drank it.
The young man told her that he was a prince from a neighbouring kingdom and, hearing of her beauty and wisdom, he had come with lots of gifts to win her hand in marriage.
“Can you prove this, sir?” asked Isabel.
The Prince went to the window and whistled. Out of the darkness came a beautiful white horse followed by four armed guards. Each of them carried a large bag with him. Isabel invited them into the palace. In the morning, she told the King and the Queen the Prince’s story. His guard was called in. They carried messages from the Prince’s father and much gold, jewels and silk.
The King called the jeweller and asked him why he had lied. He hung his head in shame, but the kind Prince asked for the jeweller’s pardon.
A grand feast was held to celebrate the wedding of the Prince and Princess Isabel. She wore the magnificent tiara and they danced all night!
