In a kingdom not far away, there was a little girl named Lillian. She was the youngest daughter of the king. Despite being an expert at causing trouble, she never actually got into any of it.
On her twelfth birthday, the king invited Lillian to the dining room. On the table before the king was a very old wooden box. The king took the box, stood up, approached his daughter, and embraced her, saying, “God gifted you to me eleven years ago, and I am grateful to God for every one of these days.”
Lillian replied, “Why are you crying, Father?” The father answered, “Because this is the most important moment in your life’s history. I will give you a gift, my little one.” Lillian replied eagerly, “A gift? Give me, give me.” The king gave Lillian the box. She began opening it eagerly to learn what was inside. When she saw what was in the box, she paused and hesitated a little, asking in surprise, “An instrument?” The father answered, “It is our family’s lute, Grandfather’s lute, whose music conquered this kingdom.”
“Our family has inherited this lute from generation to generation. On the twelfth birthday of every child, this lute belongs to that child. Today this lute is yours, Lillian.” Lillian said, “It’s magical.” The king smiled a little. Some say that. The princess said, “But how do I use it?” The king smiled. “Why don’t you try to explore it?”
Lillian began playing the lute. At first, the princess couldn’t play it, but she didn’t take long to become a great player. Before long, she became the Princess Poet.
After years passed, Grandfather’s lute could be heard throughout the kingdom at parties. But what the princess loved most was playing for her children and friends in the castle. Everything was going well until Lillian reached her twenty-second year when she saw her father walking with a bearded man. She said, “Who is this, Father?” He said, “It’s Shunki.” She said, “Yes, I know him. He’s the sorcerer, our army’s enemy for centuries.”
The man said, “I’m pleased to meet you, my dear.” She said, “What are you doing with him, Father?” He said, “We signed a peace agreement to end this foolish conflict between generations.” He said to her, “Of course you’ve heard about his son.” She said, “I’m not happy about what’s happening. I was forced to marry Justin, Shunki’s son.” The wedding ceremony was held secretly to celebrate the great alliance between the two kingdoms. The wedding was sad without any music or melodies.
Lillian said, “Why isn’t there any music?” Then she took her lute to play it. At that moment, Shunki stopped her and forcefully took the lute from her. She said to him, “What are you doing, sorcerer?” He said, “Don’t play again because Justin hates music.”
The couple arrived at the castle in a magical carriage. Justin introduced Lillian to the castle. Suddenly, the mythical speaking creature appeared. Justin said, “This is Jax, the mythical speaking creature.” The princess said to him, “Pleased to meet you.” He said to her, “Won’t you play for us? I’ve learned that you’re a talented poet.” The princess said to him, “You know the rules: no music inside the castle.”
Justin said to her, “All right, Lillian. I’ll go to my study. If you need anything, you’ll find me in the library.” Justin left. The creature said to her, “All right, Lillian. What will you play for us now?” She said, “What about Justin?” He said to her, “Forget about him. We’ll go to a place where he can’t hear us.” He took the princess to the garden, and the creature and Lillian became best friends. Every day while Justin studied, they would both go to the garden in the afternoon and sing together.
Justin proved to be a good, understanding, calm, and attentive husband who talked to Lillian about everything. Once she asked him, “Why don’t you like music?” But he never answered this question. He always changed the subject.
And so life passed, every day the same routine. One day, Lillian was playing the lute in her room with Jax. She said, “Justin has taken a lot of time.” He said, “He probably fell asleep among the scrolls and manuscripts.” Lillian began playing and singing. Suddenly, the door opened, and Justin screamed angrily, “What’s happening here?” Jax fled through the window. He said, “What did I tell you before about music? It’s forbidden.” She said, “I know, but it’s my passion and my life, and this is my family’s lute.”
He tried to forcefully take the lute, but she resisted strongly. He took it forcefully, the lute flew forcefully, hit the wall, and shattered into several pieces. He left the room and searched for her in the castle until he found her in her favorite place.
He sat beside her and said, “Do you know why I don’t like music? My mother the queen was a powerful poetess, and her magical power was her beautiful songs. On the day of her death, when I was twelve, she was sick and was playing and singing just like you do. I can’t hear music without remembering her.” Lillian wept and said, “Why didn’t you tell me?” He said to her, “I have a gift for you. It was a lute.” And everything became all right.