She was just 15 then and did not know what was happening.  She was told by the councils that her father engaged in a war with the colonists who wanted to conquer their land.  They advised the princess to escape for her own safety.  Therefore, she went to a far away country called Salamid ruled by King Herod.

She is the only one foreigner in that land.  She disguised herself as a peasant and applied for a job in a palace as a kitchen helper.  She let everyone in the palace called her Lyka.  In their language, it means deep water.  But, her real name is Sheeba that means waves.

The only thing she brought to Salamid is a fine crystal jewel that is given by her mother on her 12^th birthday.  It signifies that she is the next ruler of her kingdom named Saladin.

When she went to the farm to milk the cow, she met the 18 years old lad reading a book during his pastime. His name is Roman.  He is the son of the vegetable vendor in the market.  Their hut is near by the stable.

Roman is a fine young man.  He is an intellectual and his skills fit to be the next successor of the king.  He would join the princes in an obstacle race to find the fire jewel that is lost by the king in the forest of doom.

He said, “I am the real first born son of King Herod. But, my mother who is the former queen was falsely accused for adultery.  The king thought I am not his son. And, we are banished from his palace.”

She replied as she showed her crystal jewel, “The right successor can only obtain a jewel like this.  The one who can hold this without his hand getting burnt is the right person who will succeed to the throne of the king.”

He said, “I can prove it to you.”   And, he tried to hold the jewel from her palm as he felt the freezing cold coming from the jewel.  The jewel keeps shining like it is nothing happened to his body.

She said, “You are truly a prince, the son who will succeed to King Herod’s throne.”

He replied, “So, that means you are the successor to your father’s kingdom since you have this jewel.”

She said, “Can you keep this a secret? I don’t want let anybody know.  My life will be at risks. I don’t want the enemies will know.”

Chapter Two: The Test of Fire 

Two weeks after she went back to her kingdom.  Their kingdom won in the battle.  There is peace once again in Saladin.  It is two weeks after she noticed that she is bearing a child by Roman.

But, she could not go back to Salamid because she s doing with the affairs of her father in governing their kingdom.  As a successor, she should be fully trained in leadership skills.  And, her father forbids her not to go back to Salamid again because her life will be in danger.

She wrote Roman a letter about her condition, but she did not receive any reply from him.   On the other hand, Roman is preparing for the race.  As he traveled to the forest of doom, he did not receive any letter from Sheeba because it is forbidden by King Herod’s order.  King Herod has fallen for the beauty of Queen Sheeba and wants her to become one of his concubines.  He is a tyrant ruler of Salamid and very jealous of his son Roman.

Fortunately, Roman won the obstacle race.  He held the jewel that is found in the middle of forest of doom.  However, the king had just shook his head and said, “The jewel you are holding is only a decoy.  You have got to learn many things before to attain the throne of success.  The real jewel is in my palm.  Only a foolish king can lose his crystal jewel.”

He put the jewel at the burning coals.  He faced Roman and said, “If you are my real son, could you get that jewel without burning your hands?”

Roman wants to prove to the king that he is the right successor to his throne so he tried to get the jewel from the burning coals.  His hand was hurt but he is able to get the jewel.  And, he used the power of the jewel to heal his wounded hand.

King Herod said, “You are truly my son.  But, you only get the glory not your real happiness.”

Roman puzzled, “What do you mean?”

King Herod exclaimed, “I hope you are happy with your accomplished ambition.  But, your love one Lyka seems out of the picture because you are too busy following your dreams.”

Roman explained, “I can find her.  I will use all my power to find her.”

King Herod, “Where can you find her?  As I have known, you do not know anything about her or where you could find her.  What a foolish lad!”

Chapter Three: The Test of Time

King Herod trained Prince Roman to become a king of Salamid.  He trained him how to have a critical tactic in every situation because that is the weakness of Prince Roman.  However, the prince was raged by insanity of losing Lyka.  He tried to use all his power to find her. 

Four years after King Herod died; King Roman leads Salamid in prosperity.  As a king, he gets all the treasures he could ask for except the true happiness of finding his true love.  On the other hand, Queen Sheeba also administers her country in prosperity.  She obtained the everlasting youthful beauty as she is carrying her crystal jewel. Yet, she is not happy.  She never mention to her child Eidelweis about her real father.

The king is still searching for Queen Sheeba as she traveled to various countries.  She became severe ill because of depression.  Now, he needs a successor to his throne. 

A loyal man of the palace held to him the documents of the late king including the letters of Queen Sheeba.  The king read the letters and discovered that where he could find her.

He quickly traveled to Saladin to find his true love.

He first found the little princess playing in the garden.  He first tested her if she is the right heiress to his throne.  He showed to her the magnificent glowing fire jewel to the burning coal.  It is up to the four years old to get it.

He said, “If you can get that, it will be yours.”

The princess replied, “But, I don’t want to get burnt.  I already have one given by my grandfather at my birthday last year before he died.”

She showed to him the sparkling crystal jewel, which is as same as the jewel of Queen Sheeba.

He assumed, “That’s wonderful!  But, you will be more powerful if you will have them both.  You will become more powerful.  You can do anything you want.”

She replied, “My mama said I should be contented at my crystal jewel.”

He chuckled, “You are a smart little girl. What is your name?”

She replied, “Eidelweis.  In our language, it means love.  I am loved by my mother.  Who are you, stranger?”

He replied, “My name is King Roman.  I am the greatest king of Salamid.  I am looking for my love named Sheeba.”

She exclaimed, “Sheeba is the name of my mother.   Are you referring to my mother because she did not mention that I have a father?”

While Queen Sheeba is listening to their conversations at their back without any notice, she joined in finally and said, “Because I thought I lost him forever. Now, he came here to find us.”

The End