𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕃𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣. ⏱

20. The Ocean II

-Oh! You scared me, miss! Who are you? I don't remember we had a new maid here - The golden haired woman asked, looking at Mirana with curiosity. Queen Elsemere was young at this time, wearing her big light-cream dress and gold jewellery. The two of them were standing in the kitchen, as Mirana knew it was her mother's favourite place. She loved baking and was spending a lot of time there every day.

-Please! Don't be alarmed! I'm Mirana from the future. You have to believe me! - The White Queen approached her slowly.
-You...you do look familiar, but…- Elsemere was looking at her suspiciously.
-Ask me anything you want, but it's me, I swear - Mirana said desperately with teary eyes. But she had nothing to worry about, because one look in her deep-brown eyes told her mother she wasn't trying to trick her.

-It is you! Oh my…! - The woman almost ran to her, taking her hands in hers.
-Yes, although Time said you will not remember my presence here - Mirana explained and smiled, seeing her mother so young again.
-But you came here anyway, it has to be immensely important!
-It is. I messed up so terribly and now got my chance to make it right. Just don't let anyone see us. Especially the young ME.

The Queens closed the door very carefully and sat at the kitchen table. The same table Mirana and Iracebeth were sitting at, arguing about the tarts.

-I haven't told you and father something and it made me and Iracebeth fight for many years - The White Queen started, before she would lose her voice out of stress.
-What was it? - Queen Elsemere remained calm and supportive as always.
-Remember Racie's fall? I lied. I ate the tarts. I put the crumbs under Iracebeth's bed. It was my fault she ran away - Mirana said in one breath.
-It's fine, Dear. It doesn't matter - Elsemere replied and it made the White Queen confused.
- It was an accident, you didn't want your sister to get hurt. You were a child and you lied out of fear of consequences. Yes, it was terrible to lie, but it wasn't as big a sin as you feel it was. I… I think it was my fault too. I assumed that Iracebeth was more likely to lie than you - The Queen looked at her daughter's hand which she was holding.

-I wanted to be perfect for you, mother - Mirana's voice interrupted the silence between them.

-Oh…- The woman stroked Mirana's cheek - Why would I ever wish you to be 'perfect', while the imperfections are making the world the most beautiful? You were always enough for me. You and your sister. I wish I had told you this before.

The White Queen bursted in tears.

***

The ocean was so quiet under the surface of the water. It was so peaceful here, under the angry and restless waves up there. Time could swear he had a feeling as if his body was warming up again and the frosty ropes got more loose, but it was just a lie of his half-sleeping mind.

***

-The reason why your sister lost her crown wasn't because of your lie, it was because of her malice through the years. - Queen Elsemere continued - She has chosen to turn her feelings of unjust and heaviness into anger and hate.
I guess I haven't taught you two how to communicate. You wouldn't have to bury your feelings inside. You didn't know how to cope with them. You were so different… I tried to treat you equally but it was a mistake. Your needs varied - The more the Queen was saying the more Mirana seemed to cry, as if her mother were touching the right spots of her heart. She made her hear what she wished to hear as a child.

-I know you're sorry, Mirana. I just hope your sister knows it too.
-She does and we are good now, but I felt It wasn't enough - The tears were falling down to Mirana's dress.

You haven't seen her like this before, but she's a human. A beautiful yet not perfect creature.

Sometimes it's hard to remember that we all do have fears, doubts and dreams.
We all hope for something. We want to feel loved, wanted and safe.