A fost odinioar\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat care avea trei fete, dintre care cea mai mare era frumoas\u0103, cea mijlocie \u015fi mai frumoas\u0103, iar cea mai t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103, Ileana, at\u00e2ta de frumoas\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2t \u015fi Sf\u00e2ntul Soare se oprea \u00een cale ca s-o vad\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 se desf\u0103teze de frumuse\u0163ea ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi \u00eemp\u0103ratul primi carte \u015fi veste de la vecinul s\u0103u \u00eemp\u0103rat mare \u015fi puternic, cum c\u0103, iaca, nu e bine, \u015fi are s\u0103 se bat\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul pentru o mare pricin\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103. \u00cemp\u0103ratul se puse la sfat cu b\u0103tr\u00e2nii \u0163\u0103rii \u015fi, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 cum c\u0103 nu e \u00eencotro, porunci voinicilor s\u0103 \u00eencalece pe arm\u0103sari, s\u0103-\u015fi apuce armele \u015fi s\u0103 se preg\u0103teasc\u0103 de b\u0103taia cea grozav\u0103 ce-avea s\u0103 se fac\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 fie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai \u00eenainte de a \u00eenc\u0103leca \u015fi el \u00eensu\u015fi, \u00eemp\u0103ratul chem\u0103 pe fiicele sale la \u015fine, le gr\u0103i vorbe bl\u00e2nde \u015fi p\u0103rinte\u015fti \u015fi dete apoi la fiecare c\u00e2te o floare frumoas\u0103, c\u00e2te o p\u0103s\u0103ric\u0103 vesel\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2te un m\u0103r fraged.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A c\u0103rei floare se va vesteji, a c\u0103rei p\u0103s\u0103ric\u0103 se va \u00eentrista \u015fi al c\u0103rei m\u0103r va putrezi, despre aceea voi \u015fti c\u0103 nu \u015fi-a p\u0103zit credin\u0163a, gr\u0103i \u00eemp\u0103ratul cel \u00een\u0163elept.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenc\u0103lec\u0103 apoi pe cal, zise “s\u0103n\u0103tate bun\u0103” \u015fi porni cu voinicii s\u0103i \u00een calea cea mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd cei trei feciori ai \u00eemp\u0103ratului vecin primir\u0103 vestea c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul a pornit \u00een cale \u015fi c\u0103 s-a dep\u0103rtat de acas\u0103, ei se \u00een\u0163eleser\u0103 \u00eentre sine \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103lecar\u0103, ca s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la cetatea cea cu trei fete de \u00eemp\u0103rat s\u0103 r\u0103peasc\u0103 credin\u0163a fetelor \u015fi s\u0103-i fac\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului sup\u0103rare. Cel mai b\u0103tr\u00e2n dintre feciori, voinic \u015fi viteaz \u015fi frumos merse \u00eenainte, ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce e \u015fi cum, \u015fi apoi s\u0103 aduc\u0103 veste \u015fi s\u0103 spuie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i a stat voinicul pe sub ziduri f\u0103r\u0103 ca vreuna din fete s\u0103 se fi ar\u0103tat la fereastr\u0103. \u00cen crepetul zorilor celei de-a patra zi el pierdu r\u0103bdarea, \u00ee\u015fi \u00eent\u0103ri inima \u015fi b\u0103tu la fereastra celei mai mari dintre fetele de \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce e? cine e? \u015fi ce vrea? \u00eentreb\u0103 fata trezit\u0103 din somnul cel mai dulce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu sunt, surioar\u0103! gr\u0103i feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat. Voinic \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc, ce stau de trei zile cu dragoste la tine la fereastr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata cea de \u00eemp\u0103rat nici nu se apropie de fereastra, ci gr\u0103i cu glas \u00een\u0163elept:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mergi pe calea pe care ai venit: flori s\u0103-\u0163i creasc\u0103 \u00een cale \u015fi spini s\u0103-\u0163i r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 pe urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i, feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat iar\u0103\u015fi b\u0103tu la fereastr\u0103. Acuma fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat se apropie de fereastr\u0103 \u015fi gr\u0103i cu glas bl\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162i-am zis s\u0103 mergi pe calea pe care ai venit: spini s\u0103-\u0163i creasc\u0103-n cale \u015fi flori s\u0103-\u0163i r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 pe urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenc\u0103 trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i stete feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat la fereastra fetei. \u00cen crepetul zorilor celei de-a zecea zi, adic\u0103 dup\u0103 ce au trecut de trei ori c\u00e2te trei zile \u015fi de trei ori c\u00e2te trei nop\u0163i el \u00ee\u015fi netezi p\u0103rul \u015fi b\u0103tu, acum de-a treia oara la fereastr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce e? cine e? \u015fi ce voie\u015fte? \u00eentreb\u0103 fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat, acuma mai r\u0103stit dec\u00e2t \u00een celelalte r\u00e2nduri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu sunt, surioar\u0103! gr\u0103i feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat. De trei ori c\u00e2te trei zile stau cu dor la tine la fereastr\u0103; vreau s\u0103-\u0163i v\u0103d fa\u0163a, s\u0103-\u0163i privesc ochii \u015fi s\u0103 aud cum curg vorbele de pe buzele tale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat deschise fereastra, privi cu sup\u0103rare la voinicul cel frumos, apoi gr\u0103i cu glas neauzit:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu \u0163i-a\u015f privi \u00een fa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi \u0163i-a\u015f gr\u0103i o vorb\u0103: mergi mai-nainte la sora mea cea mijlocie, \u015fi numai dup\u0103 aceea vino la mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am s\u0103 trimit pe frate-meu cel mijlociu, gr\u0103i feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat. S\u0103-mi dai \u00eens\u0103 o s\u0103rutare pentru ca s\u0103-mi fie calea mai u\u015foar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei nici n-a zis bine p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi fur\u0103 un s\u0103rutat de la fata cea frumoas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 n-ai parte de altul! zise fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fterg\u00e2ndu-se pe buze cu m\u00e2neca cea \u0163esut\u0103 cu alti\u0163e. Mergi pe calea pe care ai venit: flori s\u0103-\u0163i creasc\u0103 \u00een cale \u015fi flori s\u0103-\u0163i r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 pe urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat merse la fra\u0163ii s\u0103i, le spuse cum \u015fi ce, \u015fi cel mijlociu porni \u00een cale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce feciorul cel mijlociu stete de nou\u0103 ori c\u00e2te nou\u0103 zile \u015fi de nou\u0103 ori c\u00e2te nou\u0103 nop\u0163i la fereastra fetei celei mijlocii \u015fi b\u0103tu de a treia oar\u0103 la fereastra ei \u2013 ea deschise fereastra \u015fi \u00eei gr\u0103i cu glas dr\u0103g\u0103stos:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu \u0163i-a\u015f privi \u00een fa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi \u0163i-a\u015f gr\u0103i o vorb\u0103: s\u0103 mergi \u00eens\u0103 la sora mea cea mai t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103 \u015fi numai dup\u0103 aceea vino la mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am s\u0103 trimit pe frate-meu cel mai t\u00e2n\u0103r gr\u0103i feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat. S\u0103-mi dai o s\u0103rutare ca s\u0103 pot merge mai iute. \u015ei nici nu zise p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi fur\u0103 un s\u0103rut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu ai parte de altul! gr\u0103i \u015fi aceast\u0103 fat\u0103. Mergi \u00een calea pe care-ai venit: flori s\u0103-\u0163i creasc\u0103 \u00een cale \u015fi flori s\u0103-\u0163i r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 pe urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat merse la fra\u0163ii s\u0103i, le spuse cum \u015fi ce \u015fi, acum de-a treia oara porni cel mai t\u00e2n\u0103r fecior de \u00eemp\u0103rat. C\u00e2nd el sosi la cetatea cea cu trei fete, Ileana sta la fereastr\u0103 \u015fi, cum sta ea \u00eel v\u0103zu \u015fi-i gr\u0103i cu glas vesel:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cel voinic frumos cu fa\u0163\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat, ce cale \u0163i-ai ales de m\u00e2ni a\u015fa de \u00eenfocat?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat v\u0103zu fa\u0163a Ilenei \u015fi auzi vorba ei, el stete locului, privi la ea \u015fi gr\u0103i cu glas voinicesc:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am pornit c\u0103tre soare, ca s\u0103-i fur o raz\u0103, s\u0103-i \u00eencredin\u0163ez sora \u015fi s-o duc acas\u0103 s\u0103 mi-o fac mireas\u0103. Acum, surioar\u0103, m\u0103 opresc \u00een cale s\u0103 privesc la tine, \u00een raza fe\u0163ei tale, \u015fi s\u0103-\u0163i zic o vorb\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103-\u0163i fur o vorb\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ileana \u00eei r\u0103spunse cu \u00een\u0163elepciune:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De \u0163i-ar fi n\u0103ravul cum \u00ee\u0163i este vorba, de \u0163i-ar fi sufletul cum \u00ee\u0163i este fa\u0163a, m\u00e2ndre \u015fi frumoase, bl\u00e2nde \u015fi dr\u0103g\u0103stoase, te-a\u015f chema \u00een cas\u0103, te-a\u015f pune la mas\u0103 \u015fi te-as osp\u0103ta \u015fi te-a\u015f s\u0103ruta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat s\u0103ri de pe cal c\u00e2nd auzi aceste vorbe, apoi gr\u0103i cu glas voinicesc:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u0103-mi este n\u0103ravul cum \u00eemi auzi vorba, c\u0103-mi este sufletul precum \u00eemi vezi fa\u0163a: las\u0103-m\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103, pune-m\u0103 la mas\u0103 \u015fi din zori \u00een sear\u0103 r\u0103u s\u0103 nu-\u0163i par\u0103; \u015fi nici nu-\u015fi gr\u0103i vorba, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi s\u0103ri pe fereastr\u0103 \u015fi peste fereastr\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103 \u015fi \u00een cas\u0103 la mas\u0103, \u015fi la mas\u0103 tocmai \u00een frunte, unde \u015fedea \u00eemp\u0103ratul c\u00e2nd era mire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0-Ei! Stai! gr\u0103i Ileana. S\u0103 vad mai \u00eenainte: e\u015fti ce-ar fi s\u0103 fii? \u015ei numai dup-aceea s\u0103 gr\u0103im vorba \u015fi s\u0103 gust\u0103m pomana \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eencepem dragostea. Po\u0163i tu face s\u0103-nfloreasc\u0103 din brusture trandafir?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba! gr\u0103i feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Atunci floarea ta este scaiul! zise Ileana cea \u00een\u0163eleapt\u0103. Po\u0163i tu face ca s\u0103 c\u00e2nte liliacul \u00een glas frumos?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba! gr\u0103i feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Atunci ziua ta e noaptea! zise Ileana cea \u00een\u0163eleapt\u0103. Po\u0163i tu face s\u0103 rodeasc\u0103 m\u0103r pe iarba lupului?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pot! gr\u0103i feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 El s\u0103 fie pomana ta! zise Ileana cea frumoas\u0103 \u015fi \u015fireat\u0103. Asaz\u0103-te la mas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat se a\u015fez\u0103 la masa. Ei, dar Ileana e Ileana cea \u015fireat\u0103! El nu se a\u015fez\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 bine, \u015fi iat\u0103 c\u0103 \u015fi c\u0103zu, cu scaun cu tot \u00een pivni\u0163a cea ad\u00e2nc\u0103 \u00een care era ascuns\u0103 comoara \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acuma Ileana \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige: “primejdie”, \u015fi c\u00e2nd se adunar\u0103 to\u0163i arga\u0163ii ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce e \u015fi pentru ce, ea le spuse c\u0103 a auzit troncote prin pivni\u0163\u0103 \u015fi se teme cum c\u0103 a intrat cineva \u00een pivni\u0163\u0103 ca s\u0103 fure comoara \u00eemp\u0103ratului. Multe vorbe n-au f\u0103cut arga\u0163ii, ci pe loc deschiser\u0103 u\u015fa cea de fier \u015fi intrar\u0103 \u00een pivni\u0163\u0103 \u015fi aflar\u0103 pe feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi cu ru\u015fine \u00cel scoaser\u0103 la judecat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ileana spuse judecata:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dou\u0103sprezece fete pedepsite s\u0103-l scoat\u0103 afar\u0103 din \u0163ar\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2nd vor ajunge cu el la marginea \u0163\u0103rii fiecare s\u0103-i dea c\u00e2te un s\u0103rutat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa s-a poruncit, a\u015fa s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat a sosit acas\u0103 la fra\u0163ii s\u0103i, le-a spus toat\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplarea \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce le-a spus-o, mare sup\u0103rare a intrat \u00een sufletele lor. Ei au trimis dar\u0103 vorb\u0103 la cele dou\u0103 mai mari fete de \u00eemp\u0103rat, ca ele s\u0103 fac\u0103 ce vor face ca s\u0103 trimit\u0103 cumva pe Ileana la curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului celui cu trei feciori, pentru ca ei s\u0103 se poat\u0103 r\u0103zbuna asupra ei pentru batjocura ce a pus pe capul lor. C\u00e2nd cea mai mare fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat primi cuv\u00e2ntul feciorilor de \u00eemp\u0103rat, ea se f\u0103cu bolnav\u0103, chema pe Ileana la sine la pat \u015fi \u00eei spuse c\u0103 ea, numai a\u015fa se va putea \u00eens\u0103n\u0103to\u015fi, dac\u0103 Ileana \u00eei va aduce m\u00e2ncare de pe vatra feciorilor de \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ileana, de dragul surori sale, le f\u0103cea toate; ea lua a\u015fadar cofi\u0163a \u015fi porni c\u0103tre curtea celor trei feciori de \u00eemp\u0103rat, ca s\u0103 mearg\u0103 s\u0103 cear\u0103 sau s\u0103 ieie \u015fi s\u0103 aduc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sosind la curte, Ileana intr\u0103 \u00een ruptul sufletului \u00een curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 \u015fi gr\u0103i c\u0103tre buc\u0103tarul cel mare:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pentru numele lui Dumnezeu! n-auzi tu cum te strig\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul? Mergi iute, ca s\u0103 vezi ce \u015fi pentru ce \u015fi care pricin\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Buc\u0103tarul \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 picioarele pe umeri \u015fi se dep\u0103rt\u0103 \u2013 ca \u015fi la porunca \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 adic\u0103. Ileana r\u0103mase singur\u0103 \u00een cuhne, \u00ee\u015fi umplu vasele de bucate, v\u0103rs\u0103 apoi pe jos toate bucatele cele scumpe ce stau la foc \u015fi dup\u0103 aceea se feri din cale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce feciorii de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00een\u0163eleser\u0103 \u015fi despre asta batjocur\u0103, ei se sup\u0103rar\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 mai tare dec\u00e2t ce-au fost p\u00e2n\u0103 acuma, trimiser\u0103 din nou vorb\u0103 la cele doua surori \u015fi se preg\u0103tir\u0103 din nou de r\u0103zbunare. Abia primi sora cea mijlocie cuv\u00e2ntul voinicilor, ea se f\u0103cu bolnav\u0103, chema pe Ileana la sine la pat \u015fi \u00eei spuse c\u0103 numai a\u015fa se va \u00eens\u0103n\u0103to\u015fi, dac\u0103 va gusta din vinul ce se afla \u00een pivni\u0163ele feciorilor de \u00eemp\u0103rat. Ileana pentru sora sa le f\u0103cea pe toate; lua dar cofi\u0163a \u015fi porni ca s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u2013 \u015fi s\u0103 vin\u0103. Sosind la curte, ea intr\u0103 \u00een ruptul sufletului \u00een pivni\u0163\u0103 \u015fi gr\u0103i c\u0103tre pivnicerul cel mare:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pentru numele lui Dumnezeu! n-auzi cum te strig\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa? Fugi \u015fi vezi cum, ce \u015fi pentru ce pricin\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pivnicerul \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 picioarele pe umeri \u015fi se dep\u0103rt\u0103 ca la porunca \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei adic\u0103. Ileana \u00ee\u015fi umplu vasele cu vin, v\u0103rs\u0103 ce-a mai r\u0103mas prin pivni\u0163\u0103, \u015fi apoi porni c\u0103tre cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorii de \u00eemp\u0103rat trimiser\u0103 acuma d-a treia oara veste la cele dou\u0103 fete de \u00eemp\u0103rat ca ele s\u0103 trimit\u0103 pe Ileana cum n-au trimis-o \u00eenc\u0103. Fetele de \u00eemp\u0103rat se f\u0103cur\u0103 acuma am\u00e2ndou\u0103 bolnave, chemar\u0103 pe sora lor la sine \u015fi \u00eei spuser\u0103 c\u0103 ele numai atunci se vor \u00eens\u0103n\u0103to\u015fi, dac\u0103 Ileana le va aduce doua mere de la feciorii cei de \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dragi surorile mele \u2013 gr\u0103i Ileana c\u0103tre ele \u2013 pentru voi m\u0103 duc \u015fi \u00een foc, \u015fi \u00een ap\u0103; cu at\u00e2ta mai bucuroas\u0103 la voinicii cei \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti! \u015ei lu\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea cofi\u0163a \u015fi porni, ca s\u0103 mearg\u0103, s\u0103 afle, s\u0103 ia, s\u0103 aduc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 scape pe dragele surorile sale de la moarte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce-a \u00een\u0163eles feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat cel mai t\u00e2n\u0103r cum c\u0103 Ileana are s\u0103 vin\u0103 la el \u00een gradin\u0103 ca s\u0103 fure merele cele de aur, el porunci ca, dac\u0103 va auzi cineva vaiete \u00een gradin\u0103, nimeni s\u0103 nu cuteze s\u0103 intre, ci s\u0103 lase pe cel ce s-ar v\u0103ita ca s\u0103 se vaiete \u00een pace. Lu\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea cu\u0163ite mari, \u015fi s\u0103bii, \u015fi suli\u0163e \u015fi fel de fel de lucruri \u015fi le ascunse \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt, pe sub m\u0103rul cel cu poame de aur; le ascunse a\u015fa, ca numai v\u00e2rful ascu\u0163it s\u0103 ias\u0103 din p\u0103m\u00e2nt. Dup\u0103 ce a g\u0103tit tot, el se ascunse \u00eentr-un tufi\u015f, a\u015ftept\u00e2nd sosirea Ilenei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ileana sosi la poarta gr\u0103dinii \u015fi c\u00e2nd ea v\u0103zu leii cei mari ce stau paz\u0103 la intrare, le arunc\u0103 c\u00e2te o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 de carne; leii \u00eencepur\u0103 a se bate, iar Ileana merse la m\u0103r, p\u0103\u015fi \u00eencet printre cu\u0163ite, s\u0103bii, suli\u0163e \u015fi alte lucruri \u015fi se sui \u00een pom.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-\u0163i fie de bine, surioar\u0103! gr\u0103i feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat acuma. \u00cemi pare bine c\u0103 te vad la casa mea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A mea s\u0103 fie bucuria! r\u0103spunse Ileana, c\u0103 am voinic \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc, \u015fi frumos \u015fi viteaz, de tovar\u0103\u015f. Aide, sui-te \u00een pom \u015fi-mi ajut\u0103 s\u0103 culeg mere pentru dragele surorile mele, c\u0103 le-au cerut cu limb\u0103 de moarte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat nici nu dorea mai mult, el avea de g\u00e2nd ca s\u0103 trag\u0103 pe Ileana din pom \u00eentre cu\u0163ite.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 E\u015fti bun\u0103, tu, Ileano, gr\u0103i el, fii dar \u00eenc\u0103 mai bun\u0103 \u015fi-mi d\u0103 m\u00e2na de m\u0103 ajut\u0103 s\u0103 urc \u00een pom!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“R\u0103u e g\u00e2ndul t\u0103u \u2013 \u00ee\u015fi g\u00e2ndi Ileana \u2013 dar parte s\u0103 ai de el!” \u00eei dete apoi m\u00e2na, \u00eel ridic\u0103 pe trupin\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la cracuri, \u00eel l\u0103s\u0103 apoi ca s\u0103 cad\u0103 \u00eentre cu\u0163ite, \u015fi s\u0103bii, \u015fi suli\u0163e \u015fi fel de fel de alte lucruri ce erau g\u0103tite spre pierzarea ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na-\u0163i, gr\u0103i dup\u0103 aceea, s\u0103 \u015ftii \u015fi tu ce ai avut de g\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Voinicul cel r\u0103u la suflet \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige \u015fi s\u0103 se vaiete: hei! dar nimeni nu venea s\u0103-i ajute, ci-l l\u0103sau ca, dup\u0103 porunca lui, s\u0103 se vaiete \u00een pace \u015fi s\u0103 sufere \u015fi s\u0103 rabde ustur\u0103turile cele grozave.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ileana \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 merele, le duse acas\u0103, le dete la surorile ei, se \u00eentoarse dup\u0103 aceea la curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi le spuse arga\u0163ilor ca s\u0103 mearg\u0103 s\u0103 scape pe domnul lor din primejdia cea mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat, batjocorit ca vai de el, trimise dup\u0103 cea mai vestit\u0103 vr\u0103jitoare din \u0163ar\u0103, ca s\u0103 vina s\u0103-i fac\u0103 de leac \u015fi s\u0103-i vindece r\u0103nile. Ileana s-a dus \u00eens\u0103 mai \u00eenainte la vr\u0103jitoare \u015fi i-a dat bani mul\u0163i ca s-o lase pe ea, pe Ileana, s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u00een locul vr\u0103jitoarei. A\u015fa ajunse Ileana ca vr\u0103jitoare la curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului; ea porunci apoi ca s\u0103 se ia pielea unui bivol \u015fi s\u0103 se pun\u0103 trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i \u00een mur\u0103tur\u0103 s\u0103rat\u0103, \u015fi dup\u0103 aceea s-o scoat\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eenveleasc\u0103 \u00een ea pe feciorul cel r\u0103nit. Ustur\u0103turile feciorului de \u00eemp\u0103rat se f\u0103cur\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 mai stra\u015fnice, durerile lui \u00eenc\u0103 mai nesufente. C\u00e2nd el v\u0103zu dar cum c-acuma nu e bine, trimise dup\u0103 un pop\u0103, ca, mai \u00eenainte de-a muri, s\u0103-si u\u015fureze sufletul \u015fi s\u0103 se \u00eemp\u0103rt\u0103\u015feasc\u0103. Dar Ileana nici acuma nu dormea; ea merse la pop\u0103, \u00eei dete mul\u0163i bani \u015fi f\u0103cu ca el s\u0103 o trimit\u0103 pe ea \u00een locul lui. A\u015fa ajunse Ileana ca popa la curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd Ileana ajunse la patul feciorului de \u00eemp\u0103rat, el era pe pragul mor\u0163ii; nu mai erau \u00een el dec\u00e2t trei r\u0103sufl\u0103ri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 F\u0103tul meu, gr\u0103i Ileana popit\u0103, m-ai chemat la tine ca s\u0103-\u0163i m\u0103rturise\u015fti p\u0103catele, G\u00e2nde\u015fte dar la ceasul mor\u0163ii \u015fi spune-mi ce-\u0163i zace la inim\u0103. E\u015fti sup\u0103rat pe cineva ori ba?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba! pe nimeni! gr\u0103i feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat, pe nimeni, afar\u0103 de Ileana, fata cea t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103 a \u00eemp\u0103ratului vecin \u015fi o ur\u0103sc cu dor \u015fi dragoste, vorbi mai departe feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat. Daca ar fi s\u0103 nu mor \u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eens\u0103n\u0103to\u015fesc, m\u0103 duc s-o pe\u0163esc la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u015fi dac\u0103 n-o pieri \u00een noaptea cea dint\u00e2i, atunci ea s\u0103-mi fie so\u0163ie credincioas\u0103 \u015fi dup\u0103 lege!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ileana ascult\u0103 aceste vorbe, zise \u00eenc\u0103 \u015fi ea pu\u0163ine \u015fi apoi merse acas\u0103. Aici \u00een\u0163elese c\u0103 surorile ei pl\u00e2ng \u015fi se vaiet\u0103 pentru c\u0103 au sim\u0163it c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul are s\u0103 soseasc\u0103 acas\u0103 de la lupta cea mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bucurie s-ave\u0163i, le zise Ileana c\u00e2nd auzi c\u0103 tat\u0103l nostru cel bun are s\u0103 vina acas\u0103 \u00eentreg \u015fi s\u0103n\u0103tos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hei! c\u0103 noi ne-am bucura, r\u0103spunser\u0103, dac\u0103 nu ne-ar fi vestejit floarea, nu ne-ar fi putrezit m\u0103rul \u015fi nu ni s-ar fi sup\u0103rat p\u0103s\u0103rica; dar acum e vai \u015fi amar de capul nostru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd Ileana auzi astfel de vorbe, ea merse la sine \u00een cas\u0103 \u015fi afl\u0103 c\u0103 floarea e \u00eenc\u0103 aburit\u0103 de rou\u0103, c\u0103 pas\u0103rea e fl\u0103m\u00e2nd\u0103 \u015fi c\u0103 m\u0103rul numai nu zice “m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103-m\u0103, surioar\u0103”. Ca s\u0103 le ajute dar dragilor surorilor ei, ea dete la una dintre ele floarea, la alta dete p\u0103s\u0103rica, iar sie-\u015fi \u0163inu numai m\u0103rul cel fraged. A\u015fa a\u015ftept\u0103 sosirea \u00eemp\u0103ratului celui aspru la porunc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, \u00eendat\u0103 ce sosi acas\u0103, intr\u0103 la fata cea mai mare \u015fi o \u00eentreb\u0103 de floare, de p\u0103s\u0103ric\u0103 \u015fi de m\u0103r. Ea \u00eei arat\u0103 numai floarea; \u015fi asta era \u00eens\u0103 pe jum\u0103tate vestejit\u0103. \u00cemp\u0103ratul nu zise nimic, ci merse la fiica-sa cea mijlocie. Asta-i arat\u0103 numai p\u0103s\u0103rica; \u015fi asta era \u00eens\u0103 pe jum\u0103tate \u00eentristat\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103ratul iar\u0103\u015fi nu zise nimic, ci merse f\u0103r\u0103 vorb\u0103 la fiic\u0103-sa cea mai mic\u0103, la Ileana cea \u00een\u0163eleapt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd \u00eemp\u0103ratul v\u0103zu m\u0103rul pe dulapul Ilenei, el era s\u0103-l m\u0103n\u00e2nce cu ochii de frumos ce era.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde ai pus floarea \u015fi ce ai f\u0103cut cu p\u0103s\u0103rica? \u00eentreb\u0103 el pe Ileana.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ileana nici nu r\u0103spunse, ci fugi la surorile sale \u015fi aduse o floare proasp\u0103t\u0103 \u015fi o pas\u0103re vesel\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mare s\u0103 cre\u015fti, fata mea! gr\u0103i \u00eemp\u0103ratul, acum vad c\u0103 \u0163i-ai p\u0103zit credin\u0163a.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De la Ileana \u00eemp\u0103ratul iar\u0103\u015fi merse la fiica-sa cea mijlocie \u015fi apoi la cea mare. Dup\u0103 ce el le \u00eentreb\u0103 de cele trei lucruri ce le-a \u00eencredin\u0163at, ele \u00ee\u015fi aduser\u0103 cu grab\u0103 pas\u0103rea, floarea \u015fi m\u0103rul de la Ileana. Hei! dar bunul Dumnezeu nu r\u0103bda minciuna: la ele floarea era ve\u015fted\u0103; pas\u0103rea era trist\u0103 \u015fi numai m\u0103rul era proasp\u0103t, fraged, rumen \u015fi \u00eembietor la fa\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd \u00eemp\u0103ratul o v\u0103zu aceasta, el \u00een\u0163elese toat\u0103 treaba; porunci dar ca pe cele dou\u0103 fete mai mari s\u0103 le \u00eengroape p\u00e2n\u2019 la s\u00e2ni\u015fori \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi a\u015fa s\u0103 le lase ca s\u0103 vesteasc\u0103 asprimea pedepsei \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei, iar pe Ileana o l\u0103ud\u0103 \u015fi o s\u0103rut\u0103 \u015fi mult\u0103 vorb\u0103 bun\u0103 \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 f\u0103cu cu ea, zic\u00e2ndu-i:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mult noroc s\u0103 ai, fata mea, c\u0103ci tu \u0163i-ai p\u0103zit credin\u0163a.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce feciorul cel mai t\u00e2n\u0103r al \u00eemp\u0103ratului vecin s-a \u00eens\u0103n\u0103to\u015fit, el \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi porni ca s\u0103 vina \u015fi s\u0103 pe\u0163easc\u0103 pe Ileana, \u00cemp\u0103ratul cel b\u0103tr\u00e2n, tata Ilenei, \u00eei zise cu vorb\u0103 p\u0103rinteasc\u0103, c\u00e2nd el \u00ee\u015fi spuse g\u00e2ndul care l-a f\u0103cut s\u0103 porneasc\u0103 \u00een cale:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 F\u0103tul meu, voinice, mergi \u015fi \u00eentreab\u0103 pe Ileana; cum c\u0103 dore\u015fte, cu ajutorul lui Dumnezeu, a\u015fa are s\u0103 fie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar Ileana nu zise nici o vorb\u0103, ci l\u0103s\u0103 ca voinicul cel p\u0103\u0163it s\u0103 o s\u0103rute. Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul pricepu toat\u0103 treaba \u015fi gr\u0103i:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dragi copiii mei, bag seama a\u015fa a fost dat, ca voi s\u0103 v\u0103 fi\u0163i so\u0163 \u015fi so\u0163ie; s\u0103 v\u0103 fie dar\u0103 de bine!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mult\u0103 vreme n-a trecut p\u00e2n\u0103 ce Ileana se cunun\u0103 cu feciorul cel voinic, \u00eenc\u00e2t i-a mers vestea \u00een \u015fepte tari\u2026 Hei! dar Ileana n-a uitat vorba \u015fi g\u00e2ndul cel r\u0103u al feciorului de \u00eemp\u0103rat: ea \u015ftia c\u0103 \u00een cea dint\u00e2i noapte dup\u0103 cununie are s\u0103 o primejduiasc\u0103. Porunci dar\u0103 ca s\u0103 se fac\u0103 o p\u0103pu\u015f\u0103 de zahar tocmai at\u00e2t de mare cum era ea \u00eens\u0103\u015fi, cu fa\u0163\u0103, cu ochi, cu buze, cu toat\u0103 f\u0103ptura Ilenei\u2026 \u015fi c\u00e2nd p\u0103pu\u015fa fu g\u0103tit\u0103, ea o ascunse \u00een patul \u00een care ea avea s\u0103 se culce \u00een acea noapte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sara, c\u00e2nd cuscrii \u015fi corinteii s-au fost a\u015fezat la odihn\u0103 \u015fi Ileana s-a fost culcat \u00een pat, feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat gr\u0103i c\u0103tre mireasa lui:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Drag\u0103 Ileana, s\u0103 mai a\u015ftep\u0163i pu\u0163intel, c\u0103 eu vin \u00eendat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ie\u015fi dup\u0103 aceea din cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ileana nu se g\u00e2ndi mult, ci s\u0103ri din pat, l\u0103s\u0103 p\u0103pu\u015fa cea de zah\u0103r \u00een locul s\u0103u \u015fi se ascunse sub o perdea ce sta la capul patului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ileana nici nu se ascunsese bine, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi intr\u0103 \u00een casa cu o sabie ascu\u0163it\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-mi spui acuma, Ileana draga mea, gr\u0103i el, tu m-ai aruncat pe mine \u00een pivni\u0163\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu! gr\u0103i Ileana de sub perdea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat dete o dat\u0103 cu sabia peste s\u00e2ni\u015forii p\u0103pu\u015fii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu m-ai scos cu batjocura din \u0163ar\u0103? \u00eentreb\u0103 el de-a doua oar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu! gr\u0103i Ileana.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat dete peste fa\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu mi-ai v\u0103rsat m\u00e2nc\u0103rile? \u00eentreb\u0103 feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat de-a treia oar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu! gr\u0103i Ileana.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat dete cu spada de sus \u00een jos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu mi-ai v\u0103rsat vinul? \u00eentreb\u0103 feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat de-a patra oar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu! gr\u0103i Ileana.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat dete cu spada o dat\u0103 cruci\u015f \u015fi o dat\u0103 curmezi\u015f. Iar Ileana \u00eencepu a r\u0103sufla aburi de moarte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu m-ai aruncat \u00een cu\u0163ite? \u00eentreb\u0103 feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat de-a cincea oar\u0103, \u015fi mai \u00een urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu! gr\u0103i Ileana.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00eempunse acuma cu sabia \u00een inima Ilenei, \u00eencepu apoi s\u0103 dea \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, \u015fi cruci\u015f, \u015fi curmezi\u015f, \u015fi \u00een lung, \u015fi \u00een lat, s\u0103 dea din toate puterile ce avea, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00eei curgeau lacr\u0103mile p\u00e2r\u0103u. C\u00e2nd se apropiar\u0103 zorile de ziu\u0103, el \u00eencepu s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 din toat\u0103 inima. O dat\u0103 \u00eei s\u0103ri o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 de zah\u0103r \u00een gur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hei! Ileana! dulce ai fost vie, dar dulce e\u015fti \u015fi moart\u0103! zise el pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd \u00eenc\u0103 mai tare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dulce, z\u0103u! gr\u0103i Ileana, ie\u015find de sub perdea, dar pe de-o sut\u0103 \u015fi de o mie de ori mai dulce am s\u0103 fiu de aci \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat stete \u00eempietrit de bucurie c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu pe Ileana \u00eentreag\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103n\u0103toas\u0103. El o cuprinse \u00een bra\u0163e, \u015fi de aci \u00eenainte tr\u0103ir\u0103 mul\u0163i ani ferici\u0163i \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ir\u0103 peste \u0163ar\u0103 cu pace \u015fi cu noroc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A fost odinioar\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat care avea trei fete, dintre care cea mai mare era frumoas\u0103, cea mijlocie \u015fi mai frumoas\u0103, iar cea mai t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103, Ileana, at\u00e2ta de frumoas\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2t … <\/p>\n