Reflection of Beauty - Ice Crystals' Prelude

The Prelude of Ice Crystals

It is customary for a good tale to begin at a significant moment, perhaps the peak of our lives. However, everything with a middle has a beginning, and until the end is reached, it is important to understand why things happen the way they do. And this was the prelude to my story.

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The news spread through the streets of the village of Dalia II. It wasn't every day that the monarchs visited that small kingdom, making each visit special in its own way. However, this time was different because the rulers were expecting an heir.

That was a private matter within the palace court—the infertility of the unfortunate queen. Something that, in a way, became noticeable after a few decades, sparking gossip and murmurs among the townsfolk for years, saddening her heart.

But it was different this time; that was no longer an obstacle for Norma. In her womb, a child was being conceived—a miracle that would bring her much happiness.

Her husband longed for a boy, wanting an heir to reign in his place after his death. Even though this might bring concerns to the woman, feeling the movements of her baby relieved her of any unease. Somehow, she felt she knew she was carrying a little girl, and that excited her so much.

In the late afternoon, just before Larila, the star that illuminated that world, set, Norma walked through the forest covered in ice crystals. Oh, yes, winter was her favorite season. She enjoyed running her fingers over the wood of the trees, listening to the icy wind bringing music to that solitary stroll.

She knew the king did not like her walking alone in the woods, especially without any of her ladies-in-waiting, but what could she do? She needed her moments, to fulfill her own desires.

It was no wonder that her kingdom was called Dalia. Even surrounded by snow, such flowers never froze, nor did they cease to bloom. They were always awake, beautiful, and ready to adorn wherever they sprouted.

Despite being an adventurous queen, now with a baby in her womb, she felt fatigued more easily. She leaned her arm against a dark tree, panting. Had it been a good choice to disobey her husband? And now, in this state, how would she return?

But she was not a woman easily shaken. With her blue eyes, resembling the color of the sky, she gazed upon the beauty of her surroundings. The white of the snow, the black of the tree trunks, the red of the dahlias. "Oh, my baby..." she spoke in whispers, "How beautiful it would be if you were as white as the snow, as black as ebony, and as red as the dahlias..."

Since then, that idea didn't leave her thoughts, imagining while embroidering handkerchiefs what the daughter she had dreamed of since her girlhood would be like. It was no secret that the queen was fond of children; she loved each one of them. They were pure, sincere, so innocent...

And soon her time came, the day when she could hold in her arms her own descendant, the apple of her eye. Upon receiving the news that he had become the father of a girl, Harry, the king, cursed his servants and ordered everyone to leave the grand throne room, shouting. He didn't even visit his wife and daughter.

He was so furious, angry at this disgrace, at being humiliated in this way. He had been enchanted by Norma's beauty when she was young, negotiating wealth with the queen's father because he wanted her at all costs. However, he regretted it now. What good was all that grace if she couldn't even fulfill her role?

But that wasn't what shook the woman. Seeing that little face in front of her brought tears of joy to Norma, who named her Snow White. The girl was as white as snow, with rosy cheeks and an angelic expression. Her hair was blue, as dark as ebony, and her lips were red like the dahlias of the kingdom. She was so small, so delicate, a treasure in her mother's life, her ice crystal.