4 Princes

V

"Once inside she made a deadly poisonous apple. On the outside it looked beautiful with red cheeks. Anyone who saw it would be enticed to take a bite."

(Brothers Grimm: Little Snow White)

ELAINA
"ARE YOU SURE THIS will actually kill her?" I peeked around the corner of the kitchen and watched as a witch handed my stepmother an apple.

I couldn't see the witch's face, but I could see her wild grey hair sprouting from her head. Her voice was nasally and gross. "Yes, I'm sure. Once she gives birth, it will kill her. The apple can only kill one person, not 2."

It was a beautiful apple, as red as an apple could be. "How do I give it to her?" My stepmother asked.

The witch cackled, her laugh was so ugly I could hardly stand to listen to it. "You are the chef. Bake the apple into a pie and kill her! The Queen never denies apples."

I wasn't sure who they were planning to kill. I tapped my chin and continued listening despite my fear. "Queen Carmine Snow White Fairisles will have no idea what hit her."

"Indeed she won't." The witch chuckled darkly. I felt my bones shake and rattle. "I hear someone's bones," She breathed out.

I felt something kick my back and I fell onto the floor.

My stepmother snarled at me, showing off white teeth that looked sharpened to a point in the shadows. "It's just my stepdaughter, Ella. She's just a child."

I tried to stand but my strength had disappeared, replaced with weak tears and burning muscles. "You'll never get away with killing Queen Carmine," I managed out.

My stepmother blinked her eyes at me. "If you tell anyone, I'll—"

"Push and shove

The girl believes she's in love

But she'll never be truly happy

After the death of her dear old pappy

Her lips will never be kissed

And Prince Rook will soon be a miss

If she tells of the deal

Behind this secret meal."

The witch laughed, swirling her hands above me as fog poured into the royal kitchen. All my screams were silent as the smoke pushed itself down my throat.

When all was said and done I looked up at the witch. Even at six, I knew what had just happened couldn't have been good.

"You think you're in love with Prince Rook? How silly. A Prince would never fall for a peasant like yourself." My stepmother laughed. "If you ever plan on falling in love, or if you continue to care about precious Prince Rook... do not tell anyone of this information." She put her hand under my chin and grabbed it forcefully. "Do you understand me!?" She screamed.

I cried, my eyes burning. "Yes! Yes, I understand."

"Now be a good Cinderella and go clean the fireplace," She nodded her head to the fireplace across the room. I miserably walked to it.

I wasn't in love with Prince Rook. Was I? I watched him take a crying baby into his arms, promise to protect him, and then walk away. Anyone with a heart of pure gold deserved to be loved. Even Rook, who would grow up to be as cold as the rest of the Princes.

As cold as his uncles and his father.

***

His mother's death happened. It couldn't be reversed. To top it off, the kingdom went for 15 years blaming the death on little Erik, when he had done nothing wrong. To tell them now that they had tortured someone for their entire life for no reason... they'd kill me and call me a liar even if they knew I was right just so the royal family continued to look good in the eyes of the people.