Long ago, in a distant empire beyond many seas and endless forests, there ruled a mighty and wealthy sovereign, Tsar Ardin Velich. His palaces gleamed with silver doors, golden ceilings, and crystal windows, and his warriors were as numerous as the stars. Yet despite all his splendour, the Tsar was restless, for he could not find a bride whose beauty and wisdom matched his own.

One day, foreign merchants arrived at the palace, bringing news of a faraway island called Buzan, ruled by a proud and powerful king. There, they said, lived Princess Helena, famed as the most beautiful and clever maiden beneath the sun. But the journey to Buzan would take ten years by sea, and the king guarded his daughter fiercely, swearing no suitor would ever win her hand.

The Tsar pondered long on this, until one day, while hunting in the wide fields, he came upon seven brothers, all handsome, red-cheeked peasants — and, most curiously, all named Simeon. When he spoke with them, he discovered that each possessed an extraordinary gift: one could build a column to the heavens, another could see across the entire world, a third could craft magical ships swifter than the wind, a fourth could hide vessels beneath the sea, a fifth could forge a self-shooting gun, a sixth could catch anything that fell, and the seventh — the most secretive — was a master thief, able to take anything without leaving a trace.

Hearing this, Tsar Ardin summoned the brothers to his service and devised a daring plan to win Helena. The third Simeon built a magnificent ship, laden with bolts of velvet, shining pearls, and dazzling jewels, and the brothers sailed to Buzan disguised as wealthy merchants. When they arrived, they presented their treasures to Helena and tempted her aboard their ship with promises of wonders greater still.

The moment she stepped on deck, the fourth Simeon struck the prow, plunging the ship deep beneath the sea, vanishing from the sight of her guards.

Realising she had been taken, the clever princess used magic to transform herself — first into a white swan, then a silver fish, and finally a tiny mouse. Yet each time, the Simeons outmatched her: the fifth Simeon’s magic gunbrought down the swan, and the sixth Simeon caught her in every form until she stood again as a woman, defeated but unharmed.

After seven days at sea, the ship returned safely to Tsar Ardin’s realm. When Helena stepped ashore, the Tsar welcomed her with reverence, offering her the freedom to return to her father — but she chose to remain and become his Tsaritza.

A grand wedding followed, with feasts lasting seven days and nights. The Simeons were richly rewarded, though they asked only for freedom from taxes and judgment, and even the seventh brother, once shunned for his thieving skill, was pardoned. When news reached Buzan, Helena’s father sent his blessing, and peace reigned between the two kingdoms.

And so, through the courage, cleverness, and unity of the seven brothers, the Tsar won his bride, and harmony was restored.