Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?' And then," Anastasia continued as Snow sat on the edge of the well, her eyes wide, "the mirror told her that she was the fairest one of all! Can you believe it?"
Snow shook her head, awestruck. "That's amazing, Stasia!"
Anastasia nodded. "I plan to return tonight."
"What for?"
Anastasia thought for a moment. "To do three things." She counted them off on her fingers. "First, to kill the Evil Queen, then to ask the mirror for advice: first about what to do for your city, which is to be attacked in two days, and then to ask about my father."
Snow's face wrinkled. "Your... father?" She asked, having not heard much about Anastasia's relations.
Anastasia looked away. "He's been seduced by the Queen. She must be using the same magic she's using with the mirror. It's been horrible. He even said he'd kill me for her sake." Anastasia wiped the tears from her eyes, determined not to cry once more.
"Oh, Stasia, that's horrible," Snow said, putting an arm around her friend.
Anastasia shook her head sadly. "I need to get him back. And the mirror is the only thing that I can think of to help me."
Snow nodded. "If he's truthful about killing you, then nothing you say will help. I would agree. You should confront the Magic Mirror."
Anastasia shivered.
"Stasia?" Snow asked, her voice expressing concern.
"I'm fine," Anastasia said. "I'm ready. I'll return to the throne room tonight."
***
Sneaking out that night was much easier because Anastasia didn't need to make any extra trips to the kitchen. Instead, she headed straight into the throne room, where the Queen stood in front of the mirror.
Quietly pressing herself against a nearby pillar, Anastasia peeked around it to hear what the Queen said.
"Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?" She asked, and for some reason, Anastasia mouthed the words along with her.
"Famed is thy beauty, Majesty. But hold, a lovely maiden I see. Rags cannot hide her gentle grace. Alas, she is more fair than thee."
"Alas for her!" The Evil Queen shouted in anger. "Reveal her name!"
"Lips red as the rose."
No.
"Hair black as ebony."
No.
"Skin white as snow."
No.
The Evil Queen shook with rage. "Snow White," she said, and Anastasia's heart froze.
YOU ARE READING
Ehrhart
General FictionAnastasia is the daughter of the Evil Queen's feared huntsman. One day she goes to the well to get water for the palace stablehands and meets a beautiful maiden known as Snow White. The adventure that follows introduces the huntsman's daughter to ne...
