Crimson Falling ------> A Queen Of Hearts // Red Riding Hood Retelling

Chapter One

Hey everyone! I took like a 3 month break from writing, but I am back now, and I am starting to get adjusted to an online school schedule, I will try to update this book at least once a week from now on!! Expect roughly 30-40 chapters!! Alright, I love every last one of you!!

 - 19 Years Later -

The water was stained with red. Little droplets of blood had trickled from her delicate finger, dropping straight into the clear glass. She slowly swirled her long finger in the deep crimson mixture and watched the dark blood dissipate into the water, turning the whole goblet into such a beautiful, deep shade, it was as though it was about to consume her.

People may have perceived her as crazy, but no one could deny how each and every one of her actions beheld a certain level of grace. Even that of sitting here and pondering her fate while she slowly bled.

What she had to do tomorrow was her destiny. No matter what terror was happening in her father's kingdom, it was her duty to marry the future ruler. Her father was desperately sick and the palace healer had told her he hadn't but a fortnight or two left to live. She needed to marry, for though she clearly could not save her father, this was the only way to save her kingdom.

Her mother had passed away long ago, and she had no brothers who could bear the throne, so it was up to her to rule alongside her husband.

Her husband. Husband was a strange word for a man she had never seen and only heard of through word of mouth. But once again, this was her duty. And she couldn't very well rule a kingdom without a husband, now could she?

With that thought, she breathed a sigh. This was the way it was, and nothing she could do would change that.

A knock was issued at her bedroom door and she quickly hid the glass of bloody water behind her before calmly saying "Come in," to the person at her door. Her voice was fairly deep for an eighteen year old girl, but beautiful nonetheless, and it held a bit of childhood sweetness still, though the girl herself had never herself had a childhood.

With a creak, the large wooden doors to her bedchamber opened and Giselle, her maid, came scurrying in. "Your Highness," the squeaky maid curtseyed, "Sir Robert will be here shortly, and as he will be your husband we must get you prepared to meet him. You must make a good first impression on him." With a nod, the girl stood up and walked over to the mirror. She sat down on her soft off-white stool and watched Giselle pick up a beautiful embroidered wooden comb. The wood was etched with an elaborate array of roses, carved with such detail, that it was as though they were very real. She could almost smell them.

"Princess Elaine, you needn't worry. You will make a beautiful bride and Queen."

Elaine just stared at herself in the soft reflection of her looking glass. She watched Giselle brush her soft blonde locks, and watched them fall slowly at her shoulders. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of blue. Not quite like the ocean, nor like the clear noon day sky. They seemed more like ice, soft speckles of grey and brown inside the cool blue stare made even the owner of the eyes think of a cold winter day. Her pale skin, blemish free, just donated to the icy image people had when they saw her.

The princess was not eager for the wedding for many reasons, one of which, to point out the obvious, was for lack of familiarity with the groom. However, one of the other reasons was her father. In all that was happening in the kingdom and especially with her father, the last thing she needed to devote attention to was a such a ridiculous ordeal as a wedding she had no particular interest to participate in. Not many knew what princesses did all day, although most would imagine a boring life of luxury, waiting for a prince while sitting around doing nothing but trying on frivolous dresses all day long. Elaine had tried to lead that type of life, and was overcome with boredom. Her life need not be too interesting, that was never of much importance, but her mind need always be at work. Her mind was the most valuable possession she owned, though none would have guessed it.