War of Hearts

01 - Snow White Sisters

Between summer-hearth and winter-sun came the autumnal breeze. It whispered as if it is a beautiful story Ever Angel longs to hear. The impending autumn reminded her about her own life which was as beautiful and lonely as the golden autumn.

The autumn breeze had a way of moving Ever's snow-white hair, tousling it into buoyant curls. It carried with it the fragrance of the earth, soft after the washing of the rain, a sweet and steady sense of joy. As it danced with the canopies of flame, it lit both eyes and soul, and even more, like a mother's lullaby, a comforting delight.

Ever Angel, the heir to the throne of Angelic was walking unusually slowly as if her brain was struggling to direct her legs to take the next step. Her voluminous dress dragged behind her, the deep navy blue of the royalty clashing with the orange hues around her.

"Ev," a high feminine voice called Ever.

Anxiously, Ever spun around to discover her sister, Elizabeth Angel standing behind her. Elizabeth looked so much like Ever. They had the same snowy hair with raven black eyes, Elizabeth was a few inches taller than Ever but it's barely noticeable. She wore a dress of silk and brocade, which glittered under the autumn sun with shades of turquoise, complimenting her perfectly with it's lower neckline and puffy sleeves. Unlike Ever, Elizabeth was the social darling of the Capital, everywhere she went she had a friend; she even had connections with Angels of other lands. Elizabeth was kind and clever, an undying beacon that called the masses onto her, charming and compassionate, regal but humble. It was as if she knew she was born to be a queen of Angels, one who helped others, using her brain to fix whatever needed fixing. She had the confidence of a warrior and the grace of a swan. Ever loved her, they all did.

But Ever was the eldest, so by ancient laws she was the heir to the throne. The socially awkward, extremely delicate Ever Angel was going to be the ruler of the Kingdom of Angels. Ever sighed, desperation gnawing her heart. There have been millions of times she wished Elizabeth to be Queen, not her.

"What're you doing here?" Elizabeth asked as she approached Ever. "Mum's furious about you skipping the last family dinner before the regime. What were you thinking?!"

The autumn breeze tousled Elizabeth's hair, warming her cheeks with a rosy tinge. The warmth that had been in the wind just last week had either evaporated into the sky or leached into the earth. It gave life to the long grass at the side of the road, still yellowing from the high August sun.

"I didn't mean to," Ever spoke sluggishly, with the burden of a kingdom seeping into her very bones. "I just needed some time for myself before the regime."

Elizabeth placed her cold palm on Ever's left cheek, caressing. "Ev, everything's going to be alright. You're going to make it."

Ever nodded, but her heart said otherwise. Heavens and hells, her heart knew otherwise.

"You're going to be the best queen to ever have queened, you just wait," Elizabeth remarked with a wink, squeezing Ever's cheek. Her lips had tilted into a mischievous smirk.

Ever snorted indelicately, "Mother would flog you for that atrocious grammar."

Elizabeth cackled, "She have to catch me first, I might not look it but these skirts do nothing to hinder my speed should the situation arise."

However, the brief merriment died as she looked into Elizabeth's eyes, "Eli," She whispered, "After the regime, I am to marry a man who I know nothing about and take control of a land which is unknown to me, even after living there for all my life. The life I long to live would be farther from me than ever. I-"

Elizabeth cut her off by taking her hand back from Ever, "Dear sister, what is this life you dream of? Hiding behind the musty books in the library with Julian? Seclusion, with only one person being your gateway to the world?" She placed her hands on Ever's shoulders and continued, "You are a queen, Ever. You were born to be a queen. You're clever, well versed and extremely intelligent. The first born of the Queen, heir to the throne. Monarchy is your destiny. Be what you are. Don't push yourself to be someone you're not destined to be. This is your land, born and raised. And it's beautiful, I might even say surreal, with the kindest people, unseen riches and exotic animals. Why do you make it unknown to you all the time? Why don't you go out and bask in her warmth?"

Ever stared at her sister, silently, not knowing how to respond.

Elizabeth smiled softly, "I don't understand why you don't want to get married. I for one, cannot wait to take a husband. Think of all the naughties."

Ever laughed lightly, blushing, gazing at her sister who had never grown up and who would never grow up.

Elizabeth continued, pulling herself closer to her sister. She looked thoughtful all of a sudden and Ever stiffened unwillingly. "I am a bit confused, though. You do not favor the company of men except for one. Do you not like them? What is so special about Julian for him to be the only man you keep company with?" Her eyes narrowed, and that vixen smirk came out again.

Ever cursed inwardly.

"Tell me, my darling sister," Elizabeth crooned, "Are you in love with him?"

Ever blushed, her pale skin turning pink. "Oh what nonsense. Eli, we're best friends. I spend time with him because I like the stories he writes."

"Stories, hmmm."

"You should read them, they are phenomenal."

"Very well." The girl grew somber, her smile vanishing, "It is for the best you don't harbor romantic inclination towards him. A woman of our stature cannot be life bound with a man like him, you know?"

"Of course I do silly pigeon. I'm lucky that I don't like him like that. I am not a fan of heartbreak."

"Ever," Elizabeth embraced her, "Do not worry. You're going to be the greatest Queen this realm had ever seen, you just wait."

Ever's eyes prickled, "I wish I had a fraction of the confidence you have of me."

"Well," The smile was back on her sister's face again. "I have enough for both of us, I believe. Now, shall we go back before mother gets an aneurysm? You know she would be cranky afterwards."

"Oh lord, please tell her I was having a dress emergency. I would rather not add more misery to this day than strictly necessary."

"Understood. I'll tell her you wanted to get Julian's opinion on it before coming."

"Are you insane? I thought the plan was to prevent her from dying."

They walked toward the palace, holding each other's hands, bantering like they were but children, smiling with the autumn breeze.