Snow White Queen [NaNoWriMo 2018]

Chapter One

Five years later

At first glance, no one would guess that the seven year old princess was a vampire. She was sweet, and caring, and she acted like a human.

But Neva was indeed a vampire, and she was reminded of it every day. How she could never look in the mirror, eat the same food as her family, or go outside during the day without covering every inch of her skin. She wasn't human, and every action her and everyone around her made constantly reminded her of that.

That didn't stop everyone from treating her like a human, as much as they possibly could. It was funny. She was constantly being reminded that she was different, but little actions from her family and the castle staff made her feel less alienated. Like maybe, just maybe, she could lead a normal life.

Neva was an only child. There was much debate on whether or not the king and queen should have a second child, should something happen to render Neva unfit for the throne. The final decision was that, for now, it would be too dangerous to introduce someone new into Neva's life. Right now, she was in control of her vampiric impulses, but that could change if a new baby was added to the mix, and it was too much of a risk to run. But maybe, once Neva was older, they could have a second child.

Neva was very close to her mother. She had vague memories of when she was first Turned of her mother limiting their time together as much as possible, but that didn't last long. Growing up, Neva had spent as much time as she could with her mother.

Cassandra had raised Neva to be kind and compassionate. Even if she was a vampire, even if she wasn't human, Cassandra would not let her daughter be heartless.

And it worked. Many attributed the fact that Neva acted more human than vampire to the how Neva was raised.

Even though Neva couldn't be in sunlight, she spent a good amount of her time outdoors. She had several outfits specially tailored to cover her completely that allowed her to be in sunlight without being burnt

Neva and her mother would often walk together through the vast palace gardens. It was in these gardens that Neva first truly learned compassion.

A rabbit had been trapped in a patch of vines. Cassandra saw the rabbit, and immediately steered Neva towards it.

"What's that?" Neva asked when she noticed what Cassandra had noticed.

"A creature in need," was the only explanation the queen offered.

"What are we doing?"

"Helping it."

"Why?"

"Because it needs help."

At that moment, some nearby bushes rustled, and a small fox padded onto the path. Its sights were set on the rabbit.

"It's stuck. If we don't help it, the fox will get to it."

Neva looked between the rabbit and the fox. She glanced once at her mother, whose face remained impassive, and stepped toward the rabbit.

The fox stopped advancing on the rabbit when Neva stepped closer. She tried not to look at it as she crouched by the rabbit and started untangling the vines that had ensnared it. After a few moments, the rabbit was free, and hurriedly hopped away.

Neva turned to the fox and was about to shoo it away.

"Never intimidate, Neva," Cassandra said. "Fear is never the solution."

Neva lingered a moment longer, considering disregarding her mother's words, but decided against that.

Even if her nature was to kill, she would learn to have compassion. Cassandra would make sure of it.