A STORY
It was a beautiful sunny day. Fishermen launched their boats for another day's catch. The island buzzed with visitors, a great opportunity for the locals to improve their business prospects. The boats were moving in and out of the harbor and the fishermen congregated at the harbor to examine their catch. Others shouted greetings across the waters to their comrades. While gluttonously devouring the leftover fish seagulls mixed their cheerful shrills with fishermen's bellows.
Disguised as an ordinary peasant girl princess Ilenia slipped mixed with crowds taking part in the island's daily activities.
The sun was marauding through the barren sky in solitude; it's regular companions, the clouds, moved into a different territory that day. The fiery ball reached its zenith and began to sink into the other side of the sea. While Ilenia's eyes still feasted on nature's ever-changing beauty a small boat obscured her vision. She had noticed that a stream of excitement passed through her body, but could not explain why.
And then she managed to identify the source of the 'intruder' for someone with real interest was watching her. As the boat came closer to the shore she kept swaying her eyes between the fiery horizon and the boatman. Then she understood the cause of the unexpected tingle in her toes.
The sea kept pulling the fiery ball down into its belly while trying so desperately to cling to the girl casting on her its last reddish rays. Clad in its flickering vanishing light she stood radiant and still.
The boatman strenuously tried to turn his head in another direction, but to no avail. Nothing existed except the living sculpture of the girl standing on the shore… frozen... still... breathtaking.
Their eyes met and locked together as in a mystical bond and both ends seemed to hold on to this invisible cord. Then the silence was broken.
"Hello" - the man waved. "Hello" - was the reply.
"Beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Yes, but too bad that it's almost over".
"Yeah", the man carried on, "But actually, I'm glad that my day's work is almost over. I am tired and hungry."
"Aaah, I see", the princess responded.
"Are you a visitor on the island?" he asked.
"Yes".
"For the first time?"
"Yes".
"How do you like it?"
"Oh, very much. It is very picturesque."
"I agree", he continued and then stopped the boat, came to the shore and said,
"My name is Iconeus, but they call me Ico. What is your name?"
"Ilenia, but you can call me Ila"
"Okay, Ila. It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise", she replied.
They kept on exchanging words and glances as they were watching the last of the blazing sky. Painter's red and yellow-tipped brushes now moved over the endless body of navy-blue water constantly changing shapes with the oncoming waves. Now their ears, instead of their eyes began to feast on the waves' pulse.
First stars began to twinkle and silence started to rue for the night.
"Would you like to ride with me to the harbor?" Ico asked. After a pause Ila replied,
"Well, why not."
"Great, hop in."
Once the boat docked the two slowly strolled toward the town.
That evening Ico and Ila agreed to have a meal together. Ila then revealed her true identity, and as everyone has already guessed... they fell in love.
Time passed. Ico and Ila exchanged letters. Winter arrived and the sea became cold and turbulent. The people of the island prepared for the off-season. Consumed with his love for Ila Ico became restless for how could a simple fisherman resolve the fact that the two never mix? All these thoughts made him only hate all societal structures, which he was forced to respect. In his world nothing else existed only his darling. Also Ilenia could not bear it and her suffering became unbearable.
Ila was engaged to some spoiled princely brat she really despised. Her father was busying himself with the marriage arrangements. Time was mercilessly moving on and the king was growing impatient. Spring, which was the season for wedding feasts, was at the door. Ilenia could not bear the separation anymore and decided to travel back to Dietan.

"Ilenia, my darling! I missed you so much. I cannot live without you. I am consumed with love for you. I would rather die than live without you." Ico kept embracing Ila, kissing her tears of utter happiness. She was again in the arms of her beloved.
"Let's run away to a distant country!" - she whispered.
"But what about your father and the kingdom?"
"I don't care, I just want to be with you," she insisted. But Iconeus was not ready for this. He didn't have any money; position… no future, and now he holds the future queen.
"Oh, If only I was born to a royal family. Why did I have to fall in love with a princess? An orphan who does not even know his parents, loved by a king's daughter?" Ico despaired.

The next day Ico and Ila went to visit an old man, a bookbinder named Pharius. Pharius was someone Ico had known since his childhood, almost like his own father. He was a kind, upright man, wise and generous.

"Pharius, it is good to see you", Ico greeted the old man. "Oh, Ico. I am so glad to see you, my son. And who is the lady?" "This is Ilenia, the woman I love." "Bless you my child", Pharius reached toward Ila and kissed her hand.
"Woman you love, huh? I don't blame you. She's beautiful. What brings you here, my son?"
"I need your advice," Ico carried on. "Ilenia is a princess." Pharius lowered his head, his glasses slid down to the tip of his nose, eyebrows raised and with eyes wide open he replied; "A princess? You want to marry a princess?" His eyes wandered from Ico to Ila and back to Ico. It seemed that eternity just passed and no one said a word.
"A king's daughter and a fisherman. That's an impossible union. Not in this day and age. I have no advice, sorry."
Their hearts weighted a tone.
"We will run away!" Ila exclaimed. "We will leave this crazy world of impossibilities. Love has no borders, no limits, no social barriers; love will never be isolated and imprisoned. Never! Never!" Her passions were aroused by the injustice of this world and she could not stop herself. Pharius interrupted her "Ila, Ila, wait. I understand how you feel. This world is not a prefect place for lovers, yet love is found in these imperfect surroundings. Love is a diamond found in dirt, and when it is found its price becomes more precious because of the dirt it was found in. If we walked on earth made of diamonds, how could we appreciate them? Because of the seeming impossibility your love is more precious. Only a few are willing to pay the price."
After a pause Pharius continued, "I am connected with royalties and dignitaries. Per-haps we can do something. Perhaps we can even arrange a royal wedding and if the truth comes out you can always run, but then already as one."
"What are you trying to say Pharius?" Ico insisted.
"Leave it to me", he replied. "Come back to me next week. Then you will know".
A week passed and Pharius presented his brilliant idea. "I have arranged for you to be a paper prince just for the wedding."
"What!" Ico exclaimed nervously.
"Yes, a prince", chuckled Pharius. Ico shook his head. "I do not understand". But Pharius carried on. "I have prepared special garments and royal entourage for you to make you look exactly like a prince. I even have people who would not hesitate to play the role of high dignitaries in the royal palace. Just for you. For true love! What do you say?"
"Wow. I am shocked. I don't know what to say. Is this possible?"
"Of course, neither of you cares for the social status anyway. All you care about is your love for each other. Isn't that a fact?"
"Yeah, we do not care" Ila added.
"Well?"
A pause.
"Let's do it." And they all laughed.
Upon hearing the good news, king Hileous was anxious to meet his future son-in-law, the prince Iconius. Ico arrived with his entourage dressed in exquisitely tailored clothes, handsome, strong and bright looking. The young man made quite an impression on the king.
The date was set.
The wedding day arrived. The capital resounded with music and joyful noise. Iconius and Ilenia were became one, and the feast carried on throughout the entire night. Pharius was the new prince's advisor and without him Ico would not dare to engage in any conversation and especially with the king and now his father in law. The wedding celebrations finally ended. The newly-weds departed for their honeymoon to one of her father's castles in the mountains. The bookbinder had to return to his island and Ico's entourage with him.

Soon their honeymoon was over and the young couple returned to the capital. The royal dowry was quickly spent and the fisherman prince had to look for income. The royal palace did not feel like home to Ico. The cost and presence of servants and strange faces was not to Ico's liking. The trickery was weighing them down causing tension between the lovers. Ico wanted to depart for his island and to go back to fishing, but now he would have to have the royal company with him. It was hard to hide anything.
Their secret was not yet discovered so they secretly left for Dietan leaving an obscure note simply stating that they had to leave the province of Balomeos. The king was not happy about their sudden departure. After a while he sent spies throughout other provinces.
Ico and Ila enjoyed the island living humbly from fishing; Pharius was their frequent visitor. Very soon the king of Balomeos received the devastating message: "Your son-in-law is just a simple fisherman on the Island of Dietan." The king arranged for his trip. Following the tip he stood at the doorstep of Ico and Ilenia. His face frozen with anger he shouted: "You tricked me! You impostor! You stole my daughter! You will pay for this!" Ico trembled while Ila huddled behind him.
"Take him!" The king ordered. One of the swordsmen grabbed Ico, bound his hands and led him outside. Ila was picked up by the other soldier and carried to the royal carriage. The prisoners were taken back to Balomeos.

The next day, as usual, Pharius came to visit Ico and Ila. He quickly learned from the neighbors what had taken place the day before. One part of his plan had failed and the couple had no chance of escape. It was too late. Beset with guilt, sleep eluded him that night.
Weeks past. Ico was in prison and Ila was put into seclusion. Suddenly a guest was announced.
"Your Majesty, Pharius, the bookbinder, wishes to see you." Pharius is allowed to enter and to present the purpose of his unexpected visit.
Pharius had barely crossed the threshold when the king shouted.
"Pharius, you conspiring thief! You are responsible for this disaster. I could have you executed on the spot. How dare you to come to my palace!"
"Please. May I be heard? Pharius interrupted the king. "With your permission, please let me speak."
"Well, what!" King roared back angrily.
"Would your Majesty listen with patience to the words of wisdom, not of a wise man, but a bookbinder?" Thus Pharius introduced his monologue.
"Your majesty can see how anyone can be fooled by appearance, at least for a season though the truth will always come out at the end. Nevertheless, your majesty was impressed by the looks and the presentation of the young lad and for a while Iconius found favor in king's eyes, even kindled a warm feeling in your heart. Didn't he my lord? But upon learning the deception your fury took pre-eminence, not because of the humble status of Ico, but rather that you were tricked and your royal pride hurt."
After a short pause Pharius continued. "I have documents with me proving the birth-place and the family tree of Iconeus. When he was just a baby I rescued him form a burning palace in today's non-existent province of Cataloris. During the war, the kingdom of Sutaleos fell to the enemy. The palaces and castles were burned down and people were exiled. Then ruler of Sutaleos and his wife were taken. Before their departure, however, they managed to hide their son, leaving him in care of the Providence. The king and queen of Sutaleos are somewhere in exile and any knowledge of them has been lost."
"Those of us who survived scavenged the burned down palaces and estates. In one of the palaces I found almost suffocated by the smoke a baby boy. My heart went out to him. I settled in Dietan and learned my trade, raising Ico as my own son. I never revealed his real identity and I never would have done so had he not fallen in love with the princess. Ico, in his ignorance, followed my plan. The truth of the matter is that he is a real prince, al-though he still does not know it. Don't you think that someone should tell him?" Pharius ended his tale.
The king was very moved by the bookbinder's story and then examined the presented to him documents, and then replied, "You are a bookbinder. You have the skill to forge any document. Why should I believe you?"
"I have gone through much trouble to obtain these documents from different survivors who were servants at the royal palace. Here are their attestation marks." Pharius continued. "Your majesty. You are free to make up his mind to believe or doubt me. I cannot force my lord to believe me. Ico's kingdom does not exist. The royal couple may even be dead. All that is left is my story and these documents which are real."
Both parties remained silent. Gentle cool breeze swept through the chamber. The king took a deep breath and sort of sighed with a relief, bellowed, "Bring the prisoner!"

"Pharius!" Ico cried with joy upon seeing his old friend. "I am so happy to see you!"
Pharius knelt down on one of his knees and responded, "Your Highness, Pharius the Bookbinder at your service."
Ico opened his mouth in disbelief. "What are you doing? What's going on?"
King Hileos rose from his seat and approached Iconeus, threw his arms around Ico's neck and kissed him and with trembling voice said, "my son."
The prince was immediately brought into the king's chamber. The Queen rushed in after hearing the good news.
Soon the scene was that of hugging and kissing with tears of joy.
"This calls for a feast!" Thundered the king.