Snow White's Crown

Prologue

Once upon a time, in a kingdom named Verdentia rich with promise and prosperity, a little princess was born. From the very moment she took her first breath, the kingdom rejoiced. Her birth was marked by celebrations that lasted days, for she was not just any child—she was the hope of the future, the embodiment of grace, beauty, and strength. With her mother's delicate features and her father's fierce intelligence, she was destined for greatness. People whispered tales of how this little princess, with her eyes bright as the summer sky and a smile as warm as the sun, would one day become a queen to rule with both wisdom and compassion, bringing peace and prosperity to the realm.

As she grew, the people's love for her only deepened. The palace halls echoed with her laughter; a sound so pure that it could melt even the hardest of hearts. She was a curious and joyful child, always eager to learn, yet her true love was the gardens of the royal estate. Each day, after her lessons, she would race barefoot through the vibrant flower beds, her golden hair trailing behind her like a glowing ribbon in the wind. The trees, tall and ancient, seemed to bow to her presence, and the birds would often perch close to where she sat, as if enchanted by the aura of kindness that radiated from her very being. The flowers seemed to bloom brighter where she walked, and the animals of the palace grounds followed her wherever she went.

Her life, filled with innocence and joy, was a picture of serenity. The princess was adored not just by her family, but by every soul in the kingdom. Her laughter brought light to even the darkest of days, and her future was spoken of with reverence—she would be a queen for the ages, a ruler with a heart as pure as gold.

But as the fates would have it, no season of peace and happiness can last forever. Evil often creeps into the light, slow and unnoticed, until it strikes with the full force of its malevolence.

It began on the day of her fourteenth birthday, a day that had been filled with joy and celebration. The grand banquet hall was awash with the sounds of music and laughter, the clinking of glasses and the warm embrace of merriment. The kingdom had come alive to honor their beloved princess. Nobles, courtiers, and servants alike had all gathered to present her with gifts. Beautiful gowns, rare jewels, intricate works of art—tokens of their love and admiration for the girl who was the kingdom's future.

Amidst the joyous chaos, her uncle—her mother's brother, who had always been her favorite—approached her with a gift of his own. It was a small box, delicately wrapped in fine paper, the ribbon shimmering in the glow of the chandelier lights. She had beamed at him, her eyes twinkling with gratitude as she accepted the present. He had kissed her forehead, his face a mask of warmth and affection, but beneath the surface, something darker stirred—something the princess, in her youthful innocence, could not have known.

Later that evening, as the celebrations wound down and the palace grew quieter, the horrors began to unfold.

The moon hung high in the sky when the princess was woken by the sound of muffled screams. Confused and disoriented, she threw back her blankets and rushed from her room, her heart pounding in her chest. As she descended the grand staircase, she noticed the eerie silence that had replaced the earlier revelry. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, and a chill ran down her spine.

She followed the trail of crimson smudges on the marble floor, her feet carrying her toward the great hall. When she finally arrived, her heart shattered at the sight before her. The hall, once filled with laughter and music, was now drenched in death. Blood pooled on the floor like spilled wine, and the bodies of those she had known her entire life—the lords and ladies who had fawned over her, the servants who had cared for her—lay lifeless in their seats, their eyes wide with terror. The room was a massacre.