A Grim Fairy Tale

Chapter Eighty-One

As they descended the stairs, Charlotte felt a swirl of anxiety and determination. Her conversation with Alastor had brought clarity to her thoughts, yet the weight of the truth still loomed heavily over her.

At the bottom, Vagatha awaited them, her expression a mix of relief and concern.

"Is everything alright?" she asked, her eyes darting between Charlotte and Alastor.

"Yes, everything's fine." Charlotte replied, forcing a smile. "Just a little misunderstanding that we've cleared up."

Vagatha sensed the tension in the air but chose not to press further. Instead, she stepped forward and enveloped Charlotte in another hug.

"I'm just so glad you're safe." Vagatha murmured, her voice muffled against Charlotte's shoulder. "I was so worried about you."

Charlotte hugged her sister tightly, feeling the warmth of their bond.

"I know, and I'm sorry for worrying you. I promise I won't do anything reckless again."

"Good." Vagatha said, pulling back to meet Charlotte's gaze with a serious expression. "We need to stick together, especially with everything that's been happening."

Alastor cleared his throat, drawing their attention.

"Speaking of sticking together, mind introducing us to your traveling companions, Vagatha?"

He gestured toward Anthony and Cherri.

"Oh right." Vagatha said. "Everyone, this is Anthony, he's a prince and this is Cherri; I think she's a forest nymph or something?"

"Dryad." Cherri corrected.

"Right. Sorry."

"Prince Anthony." Charlotte interjected. "Would that be Prince Anthony of Poland?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Anthony replied.

"Well then, it's nice to finally meet you, Your Highness." She said, curtsying. "My father often spoke of us meeting one day."

"Your father?"

"King Percival of Germany."

"Oh... Oh, then that means you're Princess Charlotte."

"Yes."

"My lady," he said, bowing toward her. "Wait a minute, if you're Princess Charlotte, then that makes you..."

He turned to Vagatha, who was starting to look a little bashful.

"Holy shit! You're a princess!" he gasped.

"No," Vagatha protested. "Not really. I'm not the king's daughter; I'm his stepdaughter. There's no royal blood in me."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think it mattered."

"I told you I was a prince."

"No, you lied about being a prince, terribly, I might add, and I figured it out."

Charlotte watched the exchange with a mix of amusement and curiosity. Vagatha had always been the more humble of the two, often downplaying her own significance.

"Honestly, Vagatha," Charlotte chimed in, a teasing smile on her face, "you should have seen the look on his face. It was priceless!"

Vagatha rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "I just didn't want to make a big deal out of it. I'm still just me."

"Just you, who happens to have royal connections," Anthony said, still looking a bit awestruck. "That's pretty impressive, even if you're not a princess by blood."