Queen Grimhilde felt her mood souring as she stared at the now crinkled sheet of parchment. She had plans for Winter White, meet the Prince, seduce him and wed. That was just the start of it all. But alas, the invitation was addressed to her the useless King Aldrich and Snow White. Although it didn't mention her, the Prince was looking for a wife, and the mysterious princess fit right into they're ideal. Of course, Queen Grimhilde couldn't let Snow White attend. Her plans to rid herself of the inconvenience would have to be hurried.

She headed to the mirror once more and stared at her scowling reflection. "Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" She asked. My Queen, you are the fairest here so true. But Snow White is a thousand times more lovely, fair and beautiful than you. The mirror replied. Queen Grimhild tensed. Year after year she'd asked the mirror the same old question. She was the fairest of them all. But she could only see a hag staring at her now, nothing to Snow Whites beauty anymore.

Snow White couldn't remember much, except for icy hands pushing her off the edge of the gold rimmed balcony and down to the grassy fields. Her throat turned raw as she tried to scream, but whoever pushed her had stuck a dirty linen cloth down her throat, silencing her cries for help. Well she was only on the second floor, the land was nothing but pain. Her body hit the floor with a shuddering crack. Then blackness crawled into her vision and the world faded away from her.

Snow White awoke, her mind foggy and her eyes still adjusting. Lush forests and sprouting flowers lay in her path. A boy stood over her, his brow furrowed. Snow White sat up immediately struggling to stand up. "You're awake?!" He said. A shot of pain pulsed through her body. She backed away. In his left palm was a silver dagger that gleamed in the light of early morning. Early morning!? Snow White had been pushed in the late of afternoon, when the air was crisp and shaded her nose a rosy red.

It had been hours since the incident and the ball was this very night. "Unhand me!" Snow White shrieked as his hand curled around her wrist. He felt nothing like the coldness that had pushed her off the balcony and his hands were rather warm, like the sun, a fireplace on a cold winter day. He had angular cheekbones and curly chestnut hair. Though his face was stern with determination, his eyes were afraid, like voids of fear.

Silky black hair surrounded her perfectly shaped face. She wore a satin blue corested dress with a flowy yellow skirt enunciating every curve of her figure. Her lips were shaped like a heart and the corners were turned down in dismay. Eric couldn't let her escape. The Queen never paid too much attention to the death of her servants, but this time was very different. She'd made him watch as Snow White tumbled from the balcony, made him ride into the woods to finish her off, made him promise to bring back her heart and nothing else. And this time, Eric couldn't usher anyone off into the woods, because if he brought back no heart, it wouldn't just be Snow White's life cut short.

"If you don't mind, I have a ball to attend and you happen to be in my way." Snow White said snootily, her voice not shaking one bit. There was no time for small talk. "I'm afraid that's not possible." Eric objected. Snow White's frown deepened. A roar erupted from behind him. A grey wolf walked slowly towards them, it's teeth grinding in anticipation. It pounced on Snow White, tearing it's large gray claw through her dress and into her leg. She cried out in misery, trying to run away with only her bare hands.

Eric was a good boy. He did what he was told and for the most part, always saved himself from a bad situation. He thought he could handle seeing life flee from someone's eyes, but the nausea in his stomach told him otherwise. Snow White's screams echoed through the forest, sending shivers down the spines of anyone near. Eric ran at the wolf, plunging his dagger into its back. The wolf howled in pain. It slumped to the ground, misty eyed, then dead.

Snow White's body shook with horror. The face had turned even paler than before and her eyes were wide and haunted. After all, Snow White was only a fifteen year old princess locked in a castle, she'd seen nothing of the real world. Not yet after all.

The ballroom was larger than Winter had ever seen before. A large crystal chandelier was in the center of the room and royalty from everywhere known were anxiously waiting to be introduced. 

"Queen Grimhilde, King Aldrich and Princess Snow White of The Fourth Kingdom." The courtsmen announced. Winter stepped forwards in a soft blue gown with puffed sleeves, a large skirt and white triangular panel in the center. The prince was everything she hoped for. Tall, handsome, and regal. Winter White had been preparing for this moment all her life, she needed to be perfect.

"My pleasure." Prince Florian said, his crooked yet charming smile making every girl melt on the spot. Winter White's flushed red and curtsied elegantly.

"Queen Dazmel, King Rhenzmay and Princess Orestem Crestle." A beautiful girl with long rose colored hair, a tiny nose and large almond shaped eyes curtsied. Her dress was a nude color with a low neckline and a train with green white and pink flowers adorning it. Cold hands dug into Winter White's throat. "You hear me child. You will make this prince love you." Queen Grimhilde said menacingly, her long red nails drawing blood on poor Winter's delicate skin.

"Of course mother." Winter White said, trying to hide the fear from her voice.

"Hello Prince Florian." Winter White preached. Prince Florian nodded his head. "How is your kingdom doing?" She questioned. "Lovely." he responded. "Care to dance?"

"Of course." Winter White responded, smiling delicately. His arms wrapped around her waist and she placed hers on his shoulders. She could almost feel Queen Grimhilde's stare burning into her back. "Your kingdom?" he probed. "We're doing quite well."

Holding a ball for a bride was never a decision. Just the King and Queen analyzing who was "the right fit". Orestem Crestle seemed to be in the King's good books, but Snow White was certainly in the princess. Silky black hair, beautiful blood red lips and a soft feminine figure. Orestem felt so... rehearsed. Every line felt from a book, every smile was calculated. But, values in place, the King saw Orestem as a Queen to be. The Queen was still set on Duchess Mousy, but that girl was as clingy as honey. Just after they danced, she clung to his arm for the rest of the next three dances.

Not until Snow White arrived did he get away. "Don't you remember, you saved me this dance." Snow winked, dragging Prince Florian away. The night continued this way. Dance dance, false compliments, bit of wine, more dancing and more of the King's gruelling stare. It was almost like Prince Florian had no choice at all. 

------

Any thoughts or questions? I was watching Never Have I Ever well writing the last parts of this chapter so... I got a bit distracted.

Any ships you see coming? Any vocab, grammar, spelling mistakes or ideas?

Thank you for reading!