PHASE 0: AUDITIONS

Applicant #28: The Red Bride

APPLICANT #28: THE RED BRIDE

Every story we've read and loved has always had two sides; two classifications of characters; the good and evil; the protagonist and the antagonist. We're always sided the protagonist, the good side, without knowing the real story behind the actions of the villains. Every character has its own story. Some of these stories are neglected, forgotten, and thrown to nothingness.

Every villain has a story of their own, where they are the protagonist. And I will tell one of the most popular antagonists we hated - the story of the Red Bride, also known as the Queen of Hearts in Wonderland.

Long time ago, there was only one kingdom ruling the Wonderland. In this kingdom, the king and queen have two daughters - Iracebeth and Mirana. Iracebeth was three years older than Mirana.

Iracebeth and Mirana lived their childhood happily. They grew together, close to each other. They care, protect and understand one another. They're always together; you cannot separate them because they have trust. They were partners in crime.

Time flew fast. Iracebeth was proclaimed as the crowned princess on her eighteenth birthday. She's next in line to rule the kingdom of Wonderland. The proclamation was done on the wide green garden of their castle.

Iracebeth bowed her head to the creatures attending the celebration. "Thank you for entrusting me as your crowned princess. I promise, I will keep the serenity of Wonderland," she stated, turning her head to every direction where there's a member of their kingdom. She gazed her eyes to her highly honored parents. She smiled.

Mirana approached Iracebeth, hugging her tightly. "I know you will be the one who will lead the kingdom next to our parents. Uhmm... Before I forgot, I have something for you, Ira," she said, holding Iracebeth's hand. She dragged her sister, entering the maze garden situated on the right side of the green garden.

Walking fast, Iracebeth followed her sister's lead. She tried to stop herself from chuckling. It looked like that Mirana was more excited than her on whatever her sister would let her see. After a minute of walk-running, they had reached the center of the maze. Her eyes grew wide, fresh warm tears pass on her cheeks. She hugged her sister, overjoyed.

"Surprise!" smiling widely, Mirana uttered. "Do you like it?" she asked, still smiling.

Iracebeth nodded her head. She loosened her arms around Mirana's body. She took strides towards the six feet tall plant. Its twigs and leaves were being cut forming a heart. White roses were starting to bloom. She touched one of the white rose buds. "I don't like it, Mira. I love it. You really do know what I love."

The following days putted Iracebeth under pressure. Princes from other kingdoms came to Wonderland, one by one; introducing their selves to her and inviting her to marry them. She needed to choose one from them. She knew that it would rude if she would reject them instantly. She had no choice but to let them down. And if she couldn't choose one from them, she would be forced to marry the Prince of Hearts, the crowned Prince from the neighboring kingdom on the east. What would she do if she really doesn't feel any feeling of love towards the princes? She doesn't want to marry someone she doesn't love. For her, it was unfair on her part.

It was almost dusk. There's only one Prince left; kneeling; bowing his head in front of her and her parents, the king and queen. The Prince had a pointed ears. His hair was shaded with light green. His skin was in between of fair and pale complexion. He's an elf. And he wore a blend of gold and silver armor; a red cape was hanging behind him from his broad shoulders. "I hope I'm not late to ask you to marry me, Princess Iracebeth," he said, raising his gaze.

Iracebeth remained silent. She held her breath. She was struck by the Prince. She felt something she couldn't explain in one precise word; her heart beated faster; she saw small sparks of light around the Prince's face. She fell in love at first sight. She accepted the Prince's offer wholeheartedly.

Since the day she lend her heart to the Prince, the Prince never left her; making her happy as much as he can. He did all the things he couldn't imagine he can do just to express his love towards Iracebeth. He was truly madly in love with her. He waited for this moment to come since the very first time his eyes landed on her when both of was still in the age of fifteen. He thought he was late and couldn't be the one to get the answer - yes- of Iracebeth because he was the last one to ask her.

Few days passed, their wedding was set on the day of the first full moon. And that day came fast as expected. The ceremony started peacefully in solemnity. But it did not last. Just before the wedding end with a perfect true love's kiss, someone shot an arrow on the nape of the Prince making him to fall on his knees.

Everyone was shocked.

"Please, don't leave me," Iracebeth mumbled, hugging her beloved, tears falling. Blood stained her white wedding dress.

Mirana sneered, walking towards Iracebeth.

Iracebeth glared. The way her sister laughed, she knew that her sister was the one behind this. "I thought you're happy for us, Mira. W-why did you do this?"

"I know we're close to each other, Ira. But, I am also in love with that Prince. And I cannot accept the fact that you will leave happily together after this wedding. If I can't be with him, it's better you don't have him too," Mirana replied.

And that was the reason why the Queen of Hearts is called as the Red Bride. And everything on her changed especially her attitude.