Royal Blood

Little Snow-White Pt. II

"AND WHY MUST I be like that?" cried Vermeil to her reflection to the mirror.

Her chamber was dark. The only source of light was the moon that was shining through the window.

"Young ones are always the most naive." Her reflection laughed. "Because you are a faerie, silly. We simply must be the fairest one of all."

"Faerie," Vermeil groaned. "Right."

Her reflection raised her eyebrows. "You should not take beauty as a simple matter. No one can surpass your charm, or else-"

"Or else what?"

"Or else you will turn green. And if that prettier girl is still around you for seven days, you will vanish."

"Vanish? Just like that? Fade into thin air?"

"Correct. This is serious." Her reflection smiled. "Fortunately, every faerie is given a magic mirror to help them maintain their youth."

"What do you mean by 'given'? I am pretty certain that I deluded a huntsman into believing that he was my brother to deliver me the best mirror ever existed."

"And why did you do that?"

"Because I very much love to gaze upon my own elegance."

"See? I knew you already have the natural instinct for beauty that every faerie has."

"All right, then. Prove to me such thing."

"This mirror is a reflection of your own soul. In other words, you must hold on to it as though you hold on to your dear life. The mirror shall always speak the truth. Ask me anything."

Vermeil gulped. She slowly chanted,
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, 
Who in this land is fairest of all?"

To this the mirror answered:

"You, my queen, are fairest of all."

Vermeil's shrugged. "Well, I suppose I can try my best to be the fairest one of all. I mean, I am pretty beautiful myself."

"It may not be that easy, though, dear."

"What? Why?"

"You know that young princess, that step-daughter of yours?"

"Little Snow White?"

"Yes, that one. She is a threat to your very existence."

"But, she is practically the sweetest and purest child I have ever met!"

"And can surpass your beauty one day."

Vermeil went quiet. "What... do you suggest?"

"Get rid of her, obviously."

Vermeil gasped. "Never! Why would I?"

"Why would you not?"

"Because!"

"Because what?"

"Because she does not deserve it! She has done no harm! She is just an innocent, little girl, and-"

"And?"

"And I love her."

"Faeries do not love."

Vermeil's eyebrows furrowed. "But, that would make you-"

"Make you what?"

"Evil."

Her reflection's lips turned down. "Little Snow White might take your life when she grows up someday. That is evil. You must, Vermeil, sooner or later, learn to be an Evil Queen."