Bedazzled

Chapter 1

When Regina hopes she didn't make a fool of herself in front of Narnia's Monarchs and Lucy found new storytelling partner.

^*^

Regina couldn't stop rearranging her shabby dress. She kept looking at her reflection in the castle window. This was her first time meeting Narnia's Royal Family. She knew them, of course. Regina's mother, Snow White—yeah you are right, that legendary Snow White—, always read her the fairy tale from all of the realm. Her mother drilled her how to survive this bizarre multi-universe.

"Lady Regina White. Please enter the courtroom." A faun, Mr. Tumnus, with auburn hair and fur called her. Regina was not fashion-expert, but she knew that wearing a scarf in this weather will melt her. Not to mention the goat fur. She held her tongue, she had no business against faun's fashion statement.

Regina straightened her dress once more and followed Mr. Tumnus. Standing in front of the throne made her felt conscious of the way she dressed, or underdressed. A dull shapeless grey dress, which was her best dress. If anyone noticed, she looked like a potato shack compared to the Royal Family. She was too nervous to notice how enormous the courtroom was or big ivory pillars, glass roof, some court attendance here and there, royal guards in every shape and kind. The only things she was aware of is the four thrones and three people who occupied it.

She recognized High King Peter first. Blonde hair, tan skin, broad shoulder, and warm blue eyes in goldie tunic. The most shocking fact was Peter's face didn't age even a day from the last time Regina saw his photo on her mother's album. On that photo, Peter was celebrating her parent's wedding. Fifty years ago.

On Peter's right side, his brother, King Edmund sat. He had black hair, pale skin, and sharp brown eyes. Edmund was examining her and he didn't bother to mask it. In the left end of the thrones, Queen Lucy sat. Auburn hair, freckles, cheerful smile, and tingling blue eyes.

"Welcome to Narnia, Princess Regina White." Peter greeted Regina with a deep, formal voice.

"Just Regina is fine, Your Majesty. My mother gave up the royal title long ago."

"Lady Regina, I apologize on Queen Susan behalf. She is busy preparing for the ball." Peter gave her an apologetic look.

Actually, Regina was a little relieved when she noticed Susan's absence. She didn't hate her, of course. She just felt a little less intimidated. "No need to apologize, Your Majesty. I am deeply grateful that Your Majesty, King Edmund, and Queen Lucy manage to meet me, despite the short notice."

"It's okay Regina. Thanks to you we can escape for a few minutes." Lucy chirped. Her cheerful voice calmed Regina's nerve.

"Well, it's my pleasure, Queen Lucy."

"So, what's bring you here?" Edmund asked.

"As I mentioned in my letter, my king, King Owen of Swan Lake received a prophecy. In the future, the king of Swan Lake will be saved with an apple, planted by a cat, across a great lake. I intend to ask help from a Narnian cat to plant the orchard and a dryad to escalate the growth." Regina saw a questioning look across the Narnian's Royalty. "I know the prophecy is not rhymed well. It just the translation from the original language."

"Original language?"

"Yes, Queen Lucy. The original language is in Teutonic. I am not sure I can pronounce it right."

"Why Narnia?" Edmund asked.

Regina knew how suspicious things is around Narnia after the White Witch era so she could understand King Edmund's concern. "There were two realms which have a talking-intelligent cat. Narnia and Far Far Away, that was where Puss in Boots live. But Narnia was the only realm which has dryad. So, King Owen sent me here."

"What did your king has for us?"

"Ed!" Peter and Lucy warn their brothers at the same time.

"It is alright, Your Majesty. My King offered gold and jewelry, please name your price. Or you can choose our alliance and I can offer a little bit of entertainment."

"What kind of entertainment?" Lucy voice her interest.

"I am an illusionist."

"Is that magic thing?" Now Lucy almost on her throne edge.

"Even better." Regina smiled. She drew her hands, the doors and windows slammed shut. Next, the curtain was drawn out. Dark and cold seeped into the courtroom. All the guards on alert, even Peter and Edmund put their hands on their sword's hilt.

Regina took the illusion pendant from her pocket. It shaped like a glowing bluish seashell. A lot of holograph creatures came out from the seashell, bird, butterfly, cat, rabbit, mermaid, fish, and many others. The creatures shared a bluish glow with the pendant and performed a dance in the mid-air.

Regina noted every Narnian expression on her magical display. Delight, wonder, excitement. The suspicion still there, but not as strong as the first time. It was enough, for now.

"Up," Regina commanded. The creatures fled into the glass roof and exploded as beautiful as a firework. She opened the curtains, windows, and doors. Everyone in the courtroom clapped their hands.

"That was amazing!" Lucy's eyes literally lited up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. The pleasure is mine." Regina bowed.

"Pete, why don't we ask Lady Regina to perform on the ball?"

"It is a good idea, Lu."

"Then excuse us. Let's go, Lady Regina!" Lucy bolted up from her throne and grabbed Regina's arm. She steered Regina out from courtroom while chatting excitedly.

"I don't trust her," Edmund whispered when they out from earshot.

"Why is that, Brother?" Peter asked.

"Her illusion feels like White Witch's magic."

"Let's pay close attention. We don't need another witch." Peter agreed.

'Oh, shit.' Regina thought.

*^*