This tale beginneth on an ominous morning in May… 

The bridge connecting the said castle and the mainland was raised, and the lake, narrowing like a river at one point, drowsed and shimmered in the morning sun. The castle on the island was surrounded by thick vegetation like in a fairy tale. An early bird, the virtuous lady Anastasia was trying cosmetic substances on her youthful face when a whinny mixed with male voices gave her a start. She went to a tall window looking on a bushy green meadow and, lo (her heart leaped!), there was a tall gentleman riding an alabaster steed. He was surrounded by male companions on chestnuts; they must have been his servants or something. But she took little heed of the chestnuts, outshone by the white steed blazing in the sun and carrying a prince charming, blue-eyed and fair haired...