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Once upon a time, there was a kind and fair princess who went by the name Saileach, one who’s beauty surpasses even a goddess’. Her hair as golden as the sun itself, her skin as delicate as a feather, and eyes shimmering like diamonds in the rough. Many suitors would throw themselves at her feet for her hand in marriage, but she would always decline each and every one. They only sought after her beauty rather than her own heart, and Saileach didn’t want to be taken advantage of just for her wealth and looks.
One day, Saileach was at her lonesome wandering through the woods lost in thought, wondering if she was simply destined to never be betrothed for the rest of her life. Until suddenly, strange rustling came from the bushes. And out of nowhere, a large carp jumped out from one of the bushes, startling the princess as it flopped helplessly on the ground. Its golden scales shimmered in the vast darkness of the forest as it started suffocating and dying.
What a poor thing! This fish can’t last long out of water! Saileach thought to herself in a panic, as she scooped up the carp into her hands and hurriedly rushed back to her castle nearby. It was a much easier option than wandering the dark forest aimlessly hoping to find a body of water after all.
Along the way back, the fish continued to squirm in the princess’ arms, flopping about in a frenzy and getting her all wet and dirty as it tried to slip out of her grasp. But that didn’t matter to Saileach; the life of this dying fish came first no matter how difficult the fish made it.
Eventually the carp slowly stopped struggling and rested calmly in the princess’ delicate arms. Though Saileach feared it was already too late by the time she brought him to her royal garden’s pond, she breathed a sigh of relief as she watched the fish swim about just fine. But then it did something Saileach would have never expected it to ever do: It began to speak to her.
“Oh thank you so much, miss! If it weren’t for you, my soul would have visited the heavens… You have my utmost gratitude.” It said with the voice of a mature man.
Saileach couldn’t help but be frightened by this new revelation, yelping in shock. Since when could fish talk?! “I… You… You can speak…?”
“Ah- Yes, but don’t be frightened! I promise I can provide you an explanation…” The carp reassured her, just realizing how strange it is for an animal to be talking to a human like this to the princess.
Saileach stared back at the fish and nodded hesitantly, sitting down on a nearby rock to listen to its tale and explain everything to her. She’s still wondering why he randomly jumped out of a bush in the middle of the forest.
The carp cleared its throat (somehow) as it began its tale. Apparently its name is Lee, and used to be a prince from this far away kingdom. One day, he was subjected to a curse by a witch, where he would transform into a carp forever as a punishment for not being a good enough ruler for his kingdom. The witch then banished him for good, sending him into a lake in the middle of the woods far away from his home. Realizing his mistake, he didn’t want to abandon his kingdom, so he leaped out of the lake he was in and bounced his way through the vast woods where he eventually found Saileach.
“That’s horrible…” The princess muttered in heartbreak, intrigued by Lee’s tale. “So… are you just going to stay as a fish forever then..?”
“Most likely so, yes. The only way for me to transform back into my true self is by… receiving a true love’s kiss, as the witch told me.” Lee sighs solemnly at his last few words. “But that could never happen… No one could ever want to kiss a carp like me.”
“Oh… I’m so sorry…” Saileach said with sorrow, sympathizing with Lee’s plight. But as she watches the carp swim sorrowfully around the pond, she soon gets an idea.
“...May I kiss you?”
Lee blinked in surprise at the princess’ sudden offer. “A kiss? Well, it… I’m honored, princess, but…”
“It wouldn’t hurt to try, wouldn’t it? Besides, if you’re so willing to turn back into your original self and return home, I at least want to help.”
The carp pondered this for a moment, before eventually nodding his head slightly in agreement. “...I suppose it’s worth a try, then. Thank you, princess. You truly are the kindest soul I’ve ever known.“
With his approval, Saileach then picked up the carp from her pond with her own two hands. She lifted him up to her face, and slowly closed her eyes as her soft lips eventually met that of Lee’s, a light glow emanating from the carp as they kissed. The two stayed as such for a moment or two, before they eventually pulled away and opened their eyes.
When Saileach opened her eyes again, she was surprised to see Lee’s true form, for it wasn't anything she expected. In fact, he wasn’t even human at all. And yet… something about it was strangely alluring to the princess. Maybe it was the black curly hair wet from the water he’s swimming in, or the slit amber eyes that stared back at her in amazement, his gaze making her heart beat like no other suitor could. But whatever it was, it didn’t distract her from the realization staring back in front of her.
“You… You actually broke the curse…” Lee gasped in astonishment, before chuckling as he soon realized his true form was revealed to her. “...Heh, I don’t look handsome to you at all, do I?”
“No. You’re perfect.” She smiled, before pulling Lee in for an actual kiss on his lips.
So then they got married and lived happily ever after. The end.