The Evil and Fairest

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔬𝔫𝔢 (Narcissa)

Narcissa looked at herself in her vanity. No, my ROYAL vanity, Narcissa reminded herself, smiling. Two of her maidens groomed her and prepped her for her wedding ceremony. She was to be wed to King Leopold, King of Gwendolyn. It was a dream that Narcissa never dared to think of. She had come so far from watching the royal palace's silhouette from being in the castle.

"Queen N-Narcissa," a servant with a tray of goods, "w-would you like an apple tart?"

Narcissa looked at the servant with bored eyes. She was a chubby girl who was clearly new. On her wedding of all days!

"Close, maid,"

The maiden set the tray on a table and lurched forward, uncertain. Narcissa leaned in close, chuckling in the girl's ear.

"Don't stutter, it'll make you look dumb and ugly," Narcissa advised, her eyebrows narrowing. "And, of course, you're no beauty, but you'll marry some man who'll love you one day. But you're smart, I pray to God hope so, but you're not ugly, are you?"

"No, Your Highness!" the girl said in a loud, clear voice. I smiled, leaning back into my chair to let the other maids comb my hair.

"Much better, and I would like an apple tart,"

Narcissa felt almost scared when she was in the empty marriage hall. None of the court members or wedding guests were there yet. It was as empty as a hollow tree other than Princess Khione playing on the floor. Her new nanny was nowhere in sight. Khione. What an odd name, that's what Narcissa thought. She would become Khione's new stepmother, her birth mother died of childbirth. Narcissa swallowed hard the memories of her dying mother and her abusive father.

She instead focused on herself. She wore a shiny pearl necklace, and a royal white dress with lace covering it. Puffy sleeves adored her slim arms and the golden lining was perfect.

"Wee!" Khione struggled to stand up with her wooden horse toy. She was a very beautiful toddler, pale as snow, with black hair as dark as ebony wood, and blood-red lips. Her chubby cheeks were rosy and her eyes were full of joy. It horribly reminded Narcissa of herself when she was still young, and it pained her to know that Khione could look at herself in a mirror without being ashamed.

No, you should be happy for the child, not jealous, Narcissa thought angrily, She's having the childhood you never could have! But it still angered Narcissa, seeing how a child could be so happy and pretty without knowing the terrors of the real world. Narcissa clenched her teeth and her hands balled into fists. Khione was a gorgeous, spoiled girl who was perhaps more stunning than herself. No, Narcissa yelled in her head, No, Khione would never be better than me! I'll always be more pretty, fairer ---

She was interrupted but her soon-to-be husband, King Leopold. He was wearing a regal suit and crown, with a warm smile on his face. All Narcissa had on her face was some makeup and a shocked expression.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you, darling," Leopold said, slipping his hands into Narcissa. She shook her head.

"Not all my king,"

It felt strange, Narcissa felt shy when her husband came by. Narcissa did love him, but it didn't always warm her heart as other married women have described true love to her. Bah! Narcissa huffed. It WAS true love because Leopold loves me!

"F-Father!" Khione blurted, realizing her father was there. She scrambled to her chubby feet and strumbled over to him, wabbling. Narcissa tried not to roll her eyes in fury. Khione always just had to steal the spotlight from Narcissa, it was annoying.

"My baby girl!" Leopold grabbed Khione by her dress and lifted her in the air. Khione laughed, giggling. Narcissa looked up at the glowing, joyful child. Narcissa felt a sharp pain in her chest. She took a step back, panting shallowly. Narcissa gripped her pearl necklace, as she tried to calm down. Panic rose in her mind as she couldn't stop thinking about her father. You're an ugly brat, a very, very girl! That nagging voice wouldn't stop echoing in her ears. Narcissa's grip on her pearl necklace tightened. No one wants to marry an ugly girl.

Shatter. The pearl necklace broke off and clattered on the marble-tiled floor. Narcissa shrieked, staggering back. Guards, whom Narcissa didn't even notice were in the room, jumped forward with their swords at the ready.

"Your Majesty!" a guard bellowed, running to her side. He had tanned skin and shining armor, and just past his helmet, you could see his brown hair. Narcissa blushed and stood straight. She didn't know this guard very well, but she knew his name was Sir Humbert and he was a great huntsman.

"Are you okay?" he asked, offering his hand.

"Yes, Sir Humbert," Narcissa replied, calming herself, "it was just an error by a certainly foolish jewelry maker,"

Leopold, who was too busy playing with Khione to even notice before, turned around.

"Well, don't just stand there, Sir Humbert!" Leopold said hastily. "Go fetch a maid to find another, better pearl necklace!"

"Yes, My King!" he said back, saluting before marching off. Narcissa felt a lovely tingle but pushed that thought away.

"Unruly jewelry," Narcissa complained to her husband, "so cheap that it breaks off with a snap---how unruly---"

"Yes, darlin', you said that already,"

Narcissa was taken aback. She felt as if she was scolded for no good reason. Narcissa shot glares at Khione as she was skipping across the floor. Leopold always focused his energy on her and didn't even bother to ask Narcissa if she was okay, unlike Sir Humbert. Leopold loved Narcissa, she was sure of it, but sometimes, he would ignore Narcissa as if she was just thin air.

"Leopold!" she roared. Narcissa gasped and cupped her mouth. It was so improper and unladylike! Leopold widened his eyes, also stunned.

Narcissa bowed, pleading for forgiveness.

"I am so sorry, My King, I promise to never do that again and be a good wife," she begged. Leopold scowled at her, turning his back on her. Narcissa was hurt, just wanting to sob and cry.

"I think it's best if I wait in my chamber until the wedding guests arrive, My King," Narcissa said softly, holding back the tears.

"Yes, I think it's best as well," Leopold said, waving his hand in the air, "two guards will escort you, Narcissa,"

Narcissa started to pace away, furious, with two guards marching after her. Sometimes, Narcissa would pay little attention to them, but today, she was in a fit of fury. This should be my day to shine, my day where I am loved! Narcissa thought in her mind, huffing and puffing as she sped-walked down the halls. Stupid Khione, the 'Show White' girl! I'll show her who's the prettiest in all of Gwendolyn! I shall be the fairest of them all!