Parlous:

~> obsolete: dangerously shrewd or cunning
~> full of danger or risk

This is based off the prompt, "Break it Down" That was published in the book Contestville. (I know there was a post about this but I can't remember who or where I saw it 🤣 )

Anyways... Enjoy!

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Happily ever after was never meant to be. In a world with little magic how could you ever believe in a kind and caring fairy godmother? There's always something to be given in exchange for a favour.

Making such a straightforward proposal was always a risk. 80% of the time I was turned down. So I opted for the better choice. I'd be the sweet and loving fairy everyone looked for. I'd do a favour for the truly desperate. Then when I feel like collecting I'll show them who I really am.

It's quite the vicious cycle really. Mostly because I have to keep up appearances and I can't let my... victims live long enough to expose me. They need to share my loving and caring story and when I collect they can't have time to share the truth. Those few that do manage to escape are mostly deemed mad.

Poor little Ella's mother was not so lucky to survive. And poor little Ella was too young to understand the true meaning behind her mother's last words. Oh what a deliciously violent cycle I have created. The true strength behind my power. False hope and a delusional belief in happily ever after.

You all know poor Ella's story, but allow me to enlighten you further. The dutchess and her daughter's truly loved Ella. The beautiful little girl had a way of warming others cold hearts. "Have courage and be kind." Blagh what a load of nonse. If only Ella had courage in herself and stayed kind.

But without her father she had no courage. Even if she was kind she wasn't kind enough. That's how I was able to infect the hearts and minds of the dutchess and her children. After all a little chaos never really hurt anyone.

"Where there is kindness, there is goodness. And where there's goodness, there is magic." But who ever said it was only good magic. Maybe if Ella's mother had been clearer Ella wouldn't have wound up at my mercy. Perhaps now that Ella knows the truth she might be able to save her own children from my grasps.

It's time for me to collect on my favour. I made Ella a queen and now she needs to pay her dues. I'm not sure what I want from her yet but I'll find out soon enough. You see I can't just take what I choose. I take what's more important to the person.

"Fairy godmother? You're here! I thought I wasn't going to see you again." Ella beamed.

"Of course I'm here dear." I smiled.

My smile wavered a bit when I saw her stomach. I told myself that it didn't matter. I will use this meeting as a way to find out what I will take. She lead me to her seating area. A buttler scurried around making sure we were seen to. I looked at him with a himt of excitement. My next victim even if he didn't know it yet.

"Why are you here?" Ella asked.

"Just to check up on you my dear. How are things going? You know all that." I smiled.

Oh how I loathed royalty. Those same entitled people who banished my baby brother. Ella smiled as she rested back in her seat. The wife of the man whose cousin destroyed my family. What better way to get back at them than destroying their family.

"Oh it's wonderful! I have the most wonderful family. My husband is so great. The kindest and gentlest man I've ever met. And my children are so much like him." Ella said proudly. "They all mean the world to me."

"So you are glad to be rich now?" I asked tentatively.

"Oh no. The money is of no concern to me. It's my family that's most important. I believe my daughter will grow up to be a wonderful woman. Kind and caring." Ella smiled.

I smiled back at her. She had unknowingly given me exactly what I wanted. Once her child was born I would collect. I may not be a good "fairy" but I still had a heart and children were off limits.

*~*~*~*

"Ella. I have come to collect."

"What? Fairy godmother I don't understand."

"Do you really believe that such good fortune comes without consequences? You are so naive." I scoffed.

Ella stared at me wide eyed. My friendly and loving demeanour had fallen away. My pennants was due and I was here to collect.

You see the thing with my powers is that I can only be summoned by the most desperate of wishes. Simply wishing for a happy life is not enough. You need to be broken and begging. Otherwise I wouldn't be an evil "fairy".

"But you were..."

"Oh Ella you should have known. Having the courage and strength within yourself to make your life better was the only way to avoid summoning me. But you didn't. Your heart was not kind enough and your courage was broken. Now I have come to collect what I'm owed."

"Well then what is it? My life?" Ella asked.

"Yes. Everything you hold dear. Tomorrow your husband will die." I shrugged.

"No! You can't!" Ella yelled.

She really shouldn't have tried to stop me. Well now she'll be arrested and despised by her children until the day she dies. Her life and reputation ruined because she didn't want to heed my warning.

How lovely it is that her oldest believes she went mad with delusions of magic and fairies. The lovely daughter whose kind and caring heart is slowly turning black with hate and malicious intent.

Dear buttler your day will be soon. I saw how your heart longed to be free. And under the rule of an over entitled 12 year old girl you too shall reach your breaking point. You too shall desperately call out for my assistance. I shall answer with a smile and a gentle hand. Your fate was sealed the day you saw me.

(1000 Words)