𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄━︎━︎E. Grimhilde ✓︎

❝︎PROLOGUE❞︎

▌𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 ━︎━︎ 𝐀 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐌𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑 castle, her soft footsteps barely making a sound as she glided along the floor with grace. This had gone on long enough, she decided. Her niece was only seven years old, and yet the White Queen feared for her life. Iracebeth, the Red Queen, or Queen of Hearts as she preferred, was a cruel woman. How she could ever procreate was something Mirana thought she would never have to worry about, and yet she did.

She couldn't even begin to imagine the horrible life her niece was experiencing through the hands of her sister and seeing as Mirana herself had no children, the thought of bringing her niece to live with her was exciting. The problem was, she had to get approved first.

The King and Queen of Auradon would surely understand, Mirana thought, making her way to the castle. She made her way up the steps, a guard bringing her to where she needed to go.

"The White Queen requests your attention, your majesty." The guard said.

"Bring her in," Beast said.

Mirana entered the room, giving them both a bow as they copied her actions―︎she too was a Queen after all. She straightened herself, delicately folding her hands together as she looked at them.

"Mirana," Belle greeted with a smile, "it's so good to see you again. But tell me, why leave Wonderland just to come all the way to us? Is something the matter?"

"Belle, Beast, I've come to make a request." She took a few steps forwards, gently pushing her white hair from her face. "You know of my sister, and you know she has a daughter. Well, I've decided I want her to come live with me."

"Mirana—"

"I know you think poorly of the Isle, a place my sister was banished to because she was too much of a threat in Wonderland. You requested her to be sent there, and I let you. However, I do not feel it is fair for my niece to be over there. I want her to come live and stay with me, and when she's old enough to come to Auradon Prep if you would allow it. I would not ask such a heavy favor if I had no other choice, but I fear for her life. You know as well as I that Iracebeth is no sane woman, one who with no doubt in my mind has poor judgement when it comes to being a mother. So, please, I ask—no, I beg—of you to let my niece stay with me to have a chance at a better life. To have a good home."

When Mirana finished, she looked at them expectantly. She was know to be a pure queen, full of kindness and love, one would not expect her to request such a thing. Thats why the King and Queen of Auradon were taken by surprise.

"We cannot simply walk onto the Isle without expecting to be attacked." Beast argued.

Mirana lifted her chin. "I asked you this out of respect for you. Whether you approve or not, my niece will be living with me. You are not the only one here with magic, my King."

Beast sighed and Belle gently placed a hand on his arm. "Surely it will do no harm." Belle softly spoke to her husband. "Wouldn't you do the same?"

The King clenched his jaw for a moment before another sigh left his lips. "Fine. You may retrieve your niece and when she is old enough she can come to Auradon Prep. But if she is any trouble, Mirana, she will not be welcomed."

Mirana nodded. "Understood." She gave a slight bow. "Your Highness."

The next day, Mirana made her way into the Isle of the Lost. She made her way to her sister's bright red home, knocking on the door before entering. Iracebeth was nowhere to be found whereas seven year old Ilaria was sitting on the floor, coloring.

Ilaria turned her head. "Hello."

Mirana gave her a soft smile. "You must be Ilaria."

Ilaria frowned. "How do you know my name?" She carefully stood, hands reaching for the closest thing to a weapon she could find. Mirana's heart instantly broke at the sight.

"I'm not here to hurt you, sweetheart. I'm your aunt." She glanced around d the home, keeping her face neutral at the broken pieces of furniture lying around, the peeling paint on the walls, and the dust beginning to collect in a few corners from being untouched. "Where is your mother?"

"She tells me not to bother her."

Mirana nodded. "I see." She walked further into the home, spotting a staircase and heading for it.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Ilaria called. "She has a tendency to cut off heads when she's bothered."

Mirana hummed but continued towards the stairs anyways. She came to a stop at a red door. "Sister, I know you're in there." There was a pause. "I've come to take Ilaria from you."

The door opened. Iracebeth stood there, bright red hair curling at her shoulders, a permanent frown on her face. "If you wish. That brat is nothing but a nuisance anyways, I don't have time or patience for her anymore. Go on and take her. I couldn't care less."

Mirana frowned. "She is your daughter."

Iracebeth let out a maniacal laugh. "Please! No daughter of my would cry over scrapping her knee or getting cut up by some kids. I raised her better than that."

Anger seeped into her veins, but Mirana kept calm. "She is but a child, sister."

Iracebeth rolled her eyes and shut the door. Mirana walked down the stairs, Ilaria instantly turning to her. Mirana kneeled in front of the little girl, pushing the red hair behind her ear. "We're gonna go on a little field trip, alright."

Ilaria frowned. "To where?"

"How would you like to live with me? I have a castle and it does get quite lonely being there by myself."

"But. . . this is my home."

Mirana gave her a sad smile. "I know, darling. But I'm going to take you to a new home. A good home. One where you are free to do what you wish without being scared of facing the consequences." She stood, holding out her hand.

Ilaria stared at her hand for a moment, glancing towards the stairs before hesitantly taking her aunts hand and letting her lead her away from her home and to a place where she could be safe. Well, for now.