Ileana Simziana or Ileana Sînziana (also translated to English as The Princess Who Would be a Prince, Iliane of the Golden Tresses, and Helena Goldengarland) is a Romanian fairy tale written by Petre Ispirescu bewteen 1872 and 1886.
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived an emperor. This emperor had two daughters, and no sons. Once a powerful king, he found himself owing fealty to another emperor after defeat in a great battle. His daughers, ever supportive, tried to cheer their father up after his defeat.
His youngest daughter said, “we can fight back!”
To which the King replied, “We cannot.”
