Among those who departed for the war was Philip Faulkenstein. He set out, leaving behind him his guest, who promised to follow within three days, to fight by his side.
“Before I go,” he declared, “I must receive a certain message.”
Two days later the message came. In the meantime the knight had won Guda’s love and her promise to wait for him until his return. So Guda was left alone in the Castle of Gutenfels. Many hours she spent thinking about her absent lover and wishing for his return.
At last the war was ended and her brother came back, yet Guda was not happy. She began to grow anxious, for she had received no tidings from her knight.
Weeks passed by. The anxious days stole the color from her cheeks. At last she withdrew to her chamber in sorrow, for she was sure that her knight was dead. She did not even wish to appear when the new Emperor, Richard of Cornwall came to visit her brother at the castle.
When the Imperial Guest came he was clad from head to foot in heavy armor. He refused even to raise his vizor.
“I have come,” he said, “on a personal errand. I have often heard of the great beauty of your sister Guda and I wish to make her Empress.”
Philip was overjoyed at the prospect of such a happy marriage for his sister. Joyfully he bore the Emperor’s offer to her.
“Alas, my brother,” she said, “it is impossible for me to accept the Emperor’s love; mine belongs to another.”
When her reply was carried to the Emperor, he listened calmly, without the least sign of displeasure.
“May I,” he said, “have the pleasure of beholding the lady? Perhaps I may be able to win a more favorable answer.”
With vizor still lowered, and speaking in muffled tones, the Emperor addressed Guda.
“Why, fair lady, do you refuse the suit of your Emperor? Forget your former lover; he is either dead or faithless.”
“Sire,” she replied, “you do me the greatest honor in the world, yet can I not accept it. I must remain true to him to whom I have given my love. He may be dead, but I am sure he is not faithless.”
At this the Emperor threw up his vizor and clasped Guda in his arms. As she looked into his bright face, she recognized him who had won her love as a simple knight.
She no longer refused to listen to his suit. Soon afterward she married Richard Cornwall and became Empress of Germany.