A Grim Fairy Tale

Chapter Three

Vagatha looked at her reflection in the mirror with utter disgust and revulsion. Disgust and revulsion at the garment she had been forced into wearing, it a very extravagant one made from silk and satin that made her feel as she were a gaudy ornament. She had told her mother repeatedly that she didn't want to wear this dress but per usual, her mother ignored what she preferred. Just like how she ignored her disapproval to the upcoming wedding.

"Stop looking so miserable Vagatha." Her mother said. "There is nothing to feel misery over. I am to be married to a king, I shall be queen, you shall be a princess, we shall live in a castle with servants."

"I do not wish to be a princess Mother. Nor do I wish to live in a castle with servants, I wish to live in the forest with Granny and Papa."

"Vagatha your father is dead and no matter how much you cry about it, he is never coming back. We must move on with our lives. Besides the forest was no place for you. Dark, dirty, and full of wild beasts that could savagely devour you just as they devoured him. This new life will be a safer one for you."

"But what if I'm not happy here?"

"Oh you will be happy. A life of royalty and nobility will have everything you need."

"What about Granny? If we live in a castle she'll be all alone. Why did we have to leave her behind? Why couldn't she come with us?"

"Because she's nothing more than a senile old woman who would only embarrass us. Not to mention you've become far too attached to her, if I didn't know any better I'd swear that you wished she was your mother instead of me."

"Oh no Mother!" She shook her head rapidly. "Not at all. I love Granny but I love you too. I love you very much Mother."

"Then why must you always sound so ungrateful? I have accepted the king's proposal only to give you a better life. To ensure that you do not have to grow up in poverty. Don't you want to have the best of everything?"

"I suppose."

"Well this marriage is the only way that can happen."

"Can we at least visit Granny? Please?"

"Would that make you happy darling?"

"Yes."

"I suppose I could think about arranging a few visits. But that all depends if you behave and do not act in a way that will shame me."

"I won't. I promise."

"We shall see."

She shoved Vagatha away from the glass in order for her to check her own appearance. She always loved to gaze upon her appearance for she was very proud of her beauty. Proud of her physique that looked as if it had been crafted from marble like the statues of Ancient Rome, her rich and smooth olive skin, her neatly combed black hair that would trail down her back when she undid it. Countless men had lusted for her and countless women had envied her, some had even mistaken her for a goddess.

"Look at me dear." She admired. "My cheekbones pine with a gentle roundness, fairly flowing into a frame for a perfect face. My lashes, exquisite lashes that allow me to coil in my lower lids without fear or open them wide and send even the strongest man into a fever. My lips so soft and my skin could be satin."

She then turned her attention from the mirror to her daughter.

"You know you have so much of your father in you." She said. "Sometimes I can almost see him looking out through your eyes."

Vagatha smiled.

"Really?"

"Yes. A pity though, masculine features are not very attractive on a young lady."

Vagatha's smile fell.

Unlike her mother, her looks were not as noticeable or astounding. She inherited her mother's olive skin tone but her hair was not neatly in place, she was frizzled and unkempt brunette with a body was skinny, a face that always bore burning red cheeks, her lips which were the shade of blood. Her mother said that she was rather plain and easily overlooked. But her father had often compared her features to that of wild roses.

Oh her dear father, how she missed him so. It had been two months since she had lost him, since she had made that terrible mistake that led to his demise. Oh if only she had listened to her grandmother. If only she hadn't of been such a naive little fool, then her father would still be alive. Then she wouldn't have been forced to leave her home in the forest or her beloved grandmother.

"Do you really have to marry him? I don't want a new father." Vagatha said.

"That doesn't matter Vagatha. You never really needed a father anyway. No man is fit to raise children."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you can't trust men. They'll lie to you, they'll deceive you, they'll steal what's most precious from you. Worst of all, they'll reject you if you don't live up to their expectations. They're all beasts."

"Granny says that a woman can be just as beastly as a man."

"You pay too much attention to what your grandmother says. You won't get anywhere in the world if you listen to her. Look where she is, a bitter and crabby old woman who is mocked by all. You wouldn't want to end up like that, would you?"

"No Mother."

"Then learn from my example. I know best after all."

"Yes Mother."

"And when we arrive I want you to stand up straight." She told her. "Walk slowly and with grace. Hold your head up high, curtsy when you greet them, do not slouch, and for my sake do not bite your nails. That is a ghastly habit."

"Yes Mother."

"I want everyone to know that you are just as regal and refined as the king's daughter."

"But I'm not regal and refined."

"Not yet. But you will be, as long as you do exactly as I say."

Later the royal coach arrived to escort them to the castle.