A Grim Fairy Tale

Chapter Thirty-Four

When Desdemona heard the mirror's answer, she was overcome with more jealousy than she had felt in a long time. From the very moment she saw her stepdaughter dance at the wedding feast all those years ago, she had greatly feared that someday the young princess would surpass her as the most beautiful woman in the land. And at long last that dreadful day had come despite her best efforts to prevent it.

"The child?!" She screeched at the looking glass. "How can this be?! How could that pathetic little child be lovelier than I?"

"That so-called little child is a grown woman now." The mirror replied. "Nineteen years of age, she would be married by now if her father had not left for war."

"Even so, she has grown up in the forest, working in the dirt and wearing rags like a common peasant. How could she possibly outshine me?"

"Evangeline was a woman enchanted to draw beauty from her warm and gentle heart. The more kindness and love she gave, the more beautiful became, and she passed on this trait to her daughter. So while Charlotte did grow up in the forest, working like a peasant, she remained kind and loving which in turn made her beauty shine ten fold with each passing year."

"Then I command you to enhance my own beauty."

"No good. Illusory magic can only do so much. It can make you beautiful but never as beautiful as one who's beauty shines from within."

"Then what do you suppose I do about her?"

"You could pride yourself on something other than physical beauty. Perhaps something less fleeting?"

"Listen to me you insipid pain in the glass!" She snapped. "In case you have forgotten, my power and my strength comes from my beauty. If my beauty goes then so does everything that I am!"

"I didn't forget. After all I did warn you, years ago that making beauty the source of your magic would be a mistake. Not my fault that you didn't listen."

Desdemona but back a snarl.

"I've got it. Instead of making myself more beautiful, I'll just make Charlotte hideous."

"I'm afraid that cannot be done either." The mirror said. "All magic has it's limits, including dark magic. It cannot take away the beauty of someone like Charlotte. She is too kind, too innocent. After all, have you ever seen any maiden so pure of heart?"

"And have you ever seen a cracked mirror?"

"Careful, shatter me and you shatter your illusions as well."

Knock-knock!

"What?!" Desdemona practically roared at whoever knocked at her door.

"A thousand apologies your majesty but your guests have been asking to see you." The servant said.

"Tell them that I shall return in a moment! Now leave!" She dismissed.

"Yes my lady!" The servant replied with fear in his tone.

As soon as he was gone, the queen turned back to the mirror.

"We'll discuss this later."

And then she returned to the room.

Meanwhile back outside the castle, poor Charlotte was still in tears after what she had witnessed. She couldn't believe how much things had changed in the kingdom. She couldn't believe how many people were cold, starving, homeless, and ill because of her stepmother's taxes. Then imprisoning or killing them if they couldn't pay. And what exactly was she doing stealing away all the women in the kingdom? What had she done? Or rather why was she doing this?