In a kingdom bright and cheery, lived a King with a rather weary worry. He had twelve daughters, each as lovely as a summer's day, but every single morning, something very strange was at play.

Their dancing shoes, brand new the night before, would be found by their beds, completely worn and torn! Holes in the soles, ribbons snapped in two – as if they’d danced for miles, which they couldn't possibly do, or so the King thought.

"Where on earth do they go?" the King would sigh, scratching his royal head up high. He locked their bedroom door at night, but still, the shoes were a terrible sight!

So, the King made a grand announcement: "Whoever can discover where my daughters dance each night shall choose one for his wife and, one day, share my throne!"

Many princes came, eager for the chance. They’d watch the princesses’ door, but by morning, they’d be in a sleepy trance, and the shoes? Danced to bits, of course!

One day, a kind old soldier, with not much but his courage, heard the King's call. On his way to the palace, he met a little old woman. "Good day, soldier," she said with a smile. "I know why you're here. Take this cloak," she offered, handing him a soft, grey piece of cloth. "It will make you invisible. And when the princesses offer you a drink at night, don't sip it! Just pretend to fall asleep."

The soldier thanked her and went to the palace. He was given a room next to the princesses. That evening, the eldest princess brought him a cup of sweet wine. The soldier remembered the old woman’s words. He took a sip, but secretly let it trickle into a little sponge he had hidden. Then, he leaned back and began to snore, very, very loudly.

The twelve princesses giggled. "He's asleep!" they whispered. They dressed in their finest gowns, their eyes sparkling with excitement. The eldest clapped her hands, and a secret trapdoor opened in the floor!

One by one, they tiptoed down the stairs. The soldier, now wrapped in his invisible cloak, quietly followed. He accidentally stepped on the hem of the youngest princess's gown. "Oh!" she cried. "Did someone pull my dress?"
"Don't be silly," said the eldest. "You just caught it on a nail."

Down they went, into a wondrous passage. Soon, they walked through an avenue of trees with leaves of shining silver. The soldier, unseen, snapped off a tiny silver twig as proof. The youngest princess heard the snap. "What was that sound?" she asked, a little scared.
"Oh, it's just the princes of the castle we're going to, shouting for joy!" said the eldest.

Next, they passed through trees with leaves of glittering gold. The soldier took a tiny golden leaf. Then, they walked through trees whose leaves sparkled like diamonds. He carefully plucked a tiny diamond-studded leaf. Each time, the youngest princess heard a little crackle or snap, but her sisters just told her not to worry.

At last, they reached a wide, shimmering lake. Twelve little boats were waiting, and in each boat sat a handsome prince. Each princess found her prince, and they rowed across the lake to a magnificent, brightly lit castle. The soldier managed to hop into the boat with the youngest princess and her prince.

Inside the castle, music played, and the princesses danced and twirled with the princes all night long. They danced until their shoes were full of holes and their feet were tired, but their hearts were happy.

Just before dawn, they rowed back across the lake, walked through the diamond, gold, and silver trees, and climbed back up the secret stairs. The soldier hurried ahead and was snoring in his bed when they peeked in.

This happened for two more nights. Each night, the soldier followed, collected a token – a golden cup from the feast one night, a jeweled ribbon the next – and returned to snore.

On the third morning, the King called the soldier. "Well?" he asked. "Have you discovered my daughters' secret?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," said the soldier. He told the King everything and showed him the silver twig, the golden leaf, the diamond-studded leaf, the golden cup, and the jeweled ribbon.

The King called his daughters. When they saw the tokens, their cheeks turned pink. They knew their secret was out!
"Is this true?" asked the King.
The princesses nodded. "Yes, Papa," they admitted.

The King was so happy the mystery was solved. He asked the soldier, "Which princess will you choose for your wife?"
The soldier, who was brave and kind, looked at the twelve princesses. He chose the eldest, for he admired her spirit.

They had a grand wedding, and everyone celebrated. And the twelve princesses? They still loved to dance, but now, their father knew all about their magical midnight adventures!

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