Category : Stories

Sub Category : Fantasy

At sunrise the royal princess was wed to the prince. After the day-long festivities, the kings and queens said their tearful yet jolly goodbyes, and the married couple rode off into the sunset, united as one for the good of two kingdoms – as well as their passionate love for each other. And they all lived happily ever after. 


At least, that was how the story was meant to end. That’s the way all fairy tales end - or do they? Does life ever allow a happily ever after? Neither does this story. I know this, because I was there. 


I was that princess. 


I was the princess promised by my father to a prince of another kingdom, a promise made without my knowledge or approval. The entire court rejoiced. “It is for the kingdom,” they all said. “It is what is best for everyone. It is what is best for you.” The whole court gave me their best wishes, mentioning what a handsome young man he was, how “lucky and blessed among royalty” I was to be beside this young man someday. And that someday was going to be much sooner than I wanted - only a few days away. 


Everyone rushed excitedly to ready the wedding preparations. I was fitted for a dress, Mother and Father approved of the wedding feast, the decorations and flowers were all put into place - and I had no say in any of it. I had no voice, no nothing but a fake smile and empty words. “It is for the best,” I quietly whispered out loud, as daintily, gracefully, and selflessly as any other princess would. “I will do it for my kingdom.”


 In my heart, though, I screamed. “I do not want this, I do not wish to be married!” I would snarl in solitude. “Why can I not rule alone, without a simpering fool of a man to steal what is rightfully mine?” I screamed, I bellowed in rage, and I wept. As soon as a servant knocked or someone sent a message, I dried my eyes, put on my princess face, and no one ever knew I thought of anything else than marrying said princely fool. I wished, more than anything else, that there were a way out of this.


A couple of days before the wedding, I decided to sneak into the visitors’ quarters. I had to see this prince for myself; I had never personally met the young man. If I was to be married to him, I at least wanted a peek at him before the wedding. 


I snuck into the hallway, diving into small, hidden crevices in the walls if I heard servants approaching. Technically I could be there, but if word somehow got to my father or mother, or any of the court, I might be in trouble. It would be highly embarrassing for my parents if it was found that their daughter was sneaking around near the quarters of her husband-to-be.


 I managed to find his room without being discovered, and took a quick look around before cracking open the door. No one was inside. I left the door slightly cracked; should I snoop around some more? But princesses don’t snoop. Well, this one does; so I slipped inside to learn more about this prince. 


The room resembled many other chambers inside the palace. There was a canopied bed in one corner, with a closet for clothes and nightwear on the right side of the bed. On the left, a large window with a view of the sparkling blue ocean beyond the kingdom. I glanced around for anything to give me an idea as to what this prince was like. The desk on the other side of the room held some of his things; one, a pin of a dragon with spread wings inside a circle, entirely gold except for tiny, inset rubies for eyes. I fingered it, then moved on to some other knick-knacks he had left. Before I could investigate further, I heard voices heading my way. I scrambled as fast as I could into the nearest hiding spot; slipping underneath the desk, I held my breath.


The door opened, and two men walked in. 


“Yes, Otto, the architecture in the palace is stunning. We must inquire the name of the architect in our next audience with the king and queen...” A deep voice spoke, sounding incredibly interested in architecture; I didn’t buy it. The door slammed shut, and I jumped. 


“Your Highness, are you well?” The other gentleman asked. So the prince was the first man.


“No, Otto, I am not well, and I will not be well until this whole nasty business is over. That king thinks he is the glory of the kingdom. Well, if I was to be king, and soon enough I will, there will be some changes in the monarchy and the kingdom itself.”


“Yes, sir,” Otto replied enthusiastically.


“As soon as this wedding is over, and I am sure that the whiny princess can give me an heir, I think the king will have a little, ah, accident, from which he will not recover. Then I’ll be king, and no one can stop me.”


“What of the queen, and the princess? They might discover and try to stop your plans.”


“I will deal with them when the time comes. I can always say that one or both are unwell, and need time to rest in a “quiet place,” if you know what I mean. Or I can accuse them of plotting against me and have them executed. The last persons to cause me any trouble will be the queen and the princess, I guarantee that.”


I wanted to stand and shout, wrangle his neck, anything. He wanted what was mine, and he would stop at nothing to get it. Well, he would pay, I would make sure of that.


“All right, Otto, I believe I am ready for a turn about the gardens with the great king. Gather what information you can, what we discussed at length yesterday while I am gone.”


“Yes, Your Highness.” The door opened again, then shut, and all was quiet. I waited a few moments more, then shakily rose and sped towards the door. After ensuring no one saw me, I quickly made way to find my father.


I left my father’s quarters, upset, sick, worried, and decidedly annoyed at my pre-determined gender. Or, rather, the way men viewed said predetermined gender. I had tried to tell my father that the prince was seeking the throne at the cost of everyone’s lives...without, of course, letting on that I was sneaking about in his quarters. That would not have gone over well. I simply told him that I overheard him talking to his man of his plans to arrange an accident for my father. I tried to tell him everything, but my own father did not believe me. 


“You’re nervous, I understand. But please, don’t allow your imagination to get the better of you. We don’t want a war, do we?”


“If it comes down to your life, Father, then yes, a war would be necessary. I do not want a murderer for a husband.”


“He is not a murderer. He and I are on the best of terms. We walked through the gardens together, and even had a fascinating conversation about the palace architecture just before you met with me now. Have a care, enjoy your wedding. And try to rest, daughter. Now, you may go.” I knew it was pointless to argue further, and I had just been excused, so I took my leave. 






The day before the wedding was to take place, I found my answer - in other words, an escape from this wedding. I had been strolling through the gardens, nearing the woods beyond. I stared into them in wonder; filled with mysteries and enchantment, it looked in that moment more inviting than any of the grandest rooms of the palace. I envied the creatures of the forest for their freedom to go where they pleased, to do as they pleased, mate when and where they pleased, and all this without having to rule a single kingdom. Or worry about the death of a father. 


I was so distracted in my thoughts that I missed the movement to my side until the last moment. I jumped, startled, until I saw the figure to be a servant lady. The cloth over her head had enough holes around it to show her hair beneath; dark grayish in color, it was matted with dirt and knots. Her brown cloths were in tatters around her hunched body. I was able to look down at her, and I did so in disgust. “How dare you show yourself in such a manner, servant! Wash yourself immediately, and then present yourself to the head mistress for extra chores. Tell her I personally sent you.” That would ensure this horrid woman received the worst chores available. 


The servant actually had the gall to laugh! Actually, it was more like a cackle, but all the same. “Careful what you say, my darling, for things are not always what they seem...and neither are people.” She peered around cautiously, as though ensuring no one was listening. When she was satisfied, she turned to me again and leaned in closer. I immediately stumbled back a few steps. “Don’t come near me or I will call for the guards!” 


“Oh, quit being so dramatic, princess. I’m not here to harm you. I’m here to help. I hear you don’t want to marry that young, handsome prince. Boggles my mind, it does, but I am not hear to ask questions. I am here to offer a deal - I can make all possibility of marriage disappear. Oh, my goodness - is that mullein?” She rushed past me to gawk at, of all things, a plant. Meanwhile, I was shocked by her words and sudden change of subject. 


“Wait, what did you just say, servant?” I practically skipped to her side. 


“Hmm, dear? Oh, mullein? It’s a rare herb, known for its medicinal value. Helps the lungs, cures the coughin’, it does. Very valuable, and I should like some of it for my own garden. Do you mind, princess?” She drew out a small knife from her ratty cloths and began cutting off stalks of the herb. 


“What are you doing?” I demanded. “Why are you stealing from the royal gardens? And why will you not answer my question?” 


“Well, this is a very valuable herb to have, it is. What would happen if these here in your gardens suddenly stopped growing, and you took to coughin’? What then? Wouldn’t it be helpful for me to have some a-growin’ in my own garden? Mullein is so difficult to come by -”


“WILL YOU STOP GOING ON ABOUT THE STUPID PLANT -” I shrieked, then continued in a quieter, more princess-sounding voice - “and tell me what I want to know.”


The woman was silent for a moment, but then she grinned mischievously, showing off a few chipped, yellow teeth that I would never be able to unsee. “All right, dear princess. I will tell you. Simply take this and give to your father, the king.” She handed me a small vial of some dark liquid.


“What is this?” I shook it in her face.


“I’m getting to it, I’m getting to it, don’t be impatient,” she muttered as she waved her hands. “This is a potion of my own making. Make sure this finds its way into your father’s evenin’ ale or stew, and his mind will immediately be made against the wedding. But take caution; no one else can take this but your father, and be warned: don’t take it yourself, not one drop, you hear?”


“Why would I want to take this? And why should I give it to my father to take? I do not know you, and I do not trust you.” And though I may come at odds with my father in many things, not the least of which concerning my marriage, he is still my father, and I still love him. 


“Eh, if I wanted him dead he would be right now, princess. And that goes for you, too. This is for you, to help you get what you want: sole rule of the throne.”


I narrowed my eyes. “Why should I believe you?”


“Believe what you want, girlie, but know that when this is over I intend to request a few favors from the crown, and I expect you to grant me what I wish. If you do not, the consequences will be dire.” 


I carefully took the small container from her hands, studying it. Should I trust this witch, or should I continue living life the way I was, doing what everyone else wanted, giving in to others’ demands while smiling demurely, pretending to be happy when I am anything but...simply allowing myself to be wed to a monster...blast, the witch knew she had me even before I knew I had made the decision. 


“All right. I’ll try it. Just know that if this does not work, I will immediately have you sent to be executed.”


She twisted her hair around her forefinger. “You flatter yourself, dearie, and grossly underestimate me. Now, off with you. Go end that wedding of yours!” 


I scurried away, hiding the potion into the folds of my dress. How to get it into my father’s food or drink without his knowledge? 


I was a dreadful wreck the rest of the afternoon leading up to dinner. I requested to take supper within my own quarters so as to avoid all talk of marriage and the following day. If this potion from the witch lady worked, there would be no wedding. I wondered how it would actually work; she didn’t tell me any specifics, which worried me further. But then I thought of the alternative - marriage. Especially marriage to an evil, conniving monster like this particular prince. Anything would be better than that, I thought. 


And so I slipped downstairs to my father’s favorite sitting room after dinner. He enjoyed his ale by the fire there, on a large velvet chair. I used to sit there on his lap; now I avoid him at every opportunity. He thinks I’m the perfect princess - quiet, pliable, and obedient. I’m afraid that if I spend too much time in his presence I will explode and reveal that I am everything he doesn’t want me to be. 


As usual, he sat there, watching the flames flicker, the room dim in their orange light. He turned when he heard me approaching, and, hastily wiping at his eyes, he beckoned me into the room. “My darling daughter, please enter!”


I walked hesitantly into the room, being careful to hide the vial in my skirts. “Hello, Father. My apologies for earlier. I was...unwell.”


“Are you feeling better, my dear? Still feeling those wedding jitters, are we?” He laughed, a feeble attempt at joviality. I averted my gaze, feeling the familiar anger and helplessness rising inside. 


He mistook my silence as agreement. “When your mother and I married, I was so worried and - well, terrified really. What if the alliance didn’t work out? What if she and I couldn’t get along? I didn’t know how to even be a husband. But it all ended well for the two of us. We care for each other, and the kingdom has prospered under our rule. It worked out for us; it will work out for you, too.”


I stood there, stunned. I sat down on a nearby divan, trying to collect my thoughts. Father himself, in all his certainty and confidence? When he strode into a room, people took notice, and not simply because he was king. I have seen other kings and their men in their visits to our court, and our visits to theirs. My father is different. Strong, commanding, and proud - everything I was but could not be as a princess. Only kings - men - have the right to be assertive here; that’s why it shocked me that my father admitted his fears from youth. 


Now, what to do? I glanced down at my fists, balled into my gown so as to hide the vial. Should I still give him this? Or could I possibly convince him that this marriage would not be for the best? I decided to try from another angle. 


“Father, I still feel uneasy about the marriage. What if there were a better alliance elsewhere, one we might miss for this one?”


“Daughter, I appreciate your political mind. You will need that when you are queen. But don’t you worry yourself about the match; a more favorable one could not be found in all the kingdoms of the world!” 


That did it for me. “Very well, then, Father. Let us talk of smaller matters. Shall I pour us some wine?” I moved to a nearby desk, pouring two glasses of the vintage wine. Then I held the vial before me, careful to keep it hidden from my father’s eyes. I stared at it for a moment, my resolve fading once more. I shut my eyes. I cannot do it, I think to myself. It would not be right to give my father an unknown potion. What if it were to kill him in the end? My attempt at saving his life would then cause the very thing I wished to avoid. No, I simply could not. 


Brave words, my dear, but can you hold on to your resolve once you see this? I almost dropped the vial, gasping when I heard the voice of the witch in my mind. Before I could send a replying thought, visions of the prince throttled my mind. Yes, the prince I was to marry - I saw him in my head, and me, a little, meek child at his side. A shell of a girl, my smile never reaching my eyes. His grin, however, was malicious. He stalked the palace, paraded in the streets. Conquered kingdoms, slaughtered poor innocents. 


Worst of all, I saw him kill my father. I saw them together, laughing. My father did not see the knife that would finish him. I saw myself and my mother distraught, grieving, and the way my mother died only a fortnight after my father. 


And I saw that the prince never stopped smiling. 


Vision after vision after vision - they kept coming, faster and faster, each lasting barely a second but every one seemed an eternity in my mind. I closed my eyes against them and balled my hands into fists, but nothing worked. Finally the visions stopped, but the witch’s voice returned. 


So, what do you say, my young princess? Do we still have a deal? Or will you resign Daddy Dearest to his fate? 


If I marry the prince tomorrow, I reply in my head, then these visions will come true, with no way to change -


Absolutely not, the witch cut me off. Trying to change the future is tricky business, and oftentimes one ends up orchestrating the very event that was to be avoided in the beginning. Do you wish for that fate, because if so I will just take back that potion...


I’ll do it.


Good, my little princess. Now, I am going to leave you be for now, and trust you to do the right thing. Just remember - no matter what, do not drink that potion. Unless you want to die.


What? I scream as loud as possible into my mind. 


Oh, my. Did I not tell you? If you take this potion, you will die a horrible, torturous, and terrific death of my own invention. 


No! You did not tell me anything of the sort! You only warned me and spoke vaguely. Why did you not tell me this? I don’t want to touch something that could kill me! I cannot give this to my father; if it would kill me, then what - 


It won’t kill your father, she spoke - thought? - with a tired voice. I give my word. If he does not take that potion, or if you take it yourself, then everything you’ve attempted so far will be for naught. Your desire to protect your father and mother, your kingdom...forget it. You will not be here to help any of them. So make sure your father drinks this, or it’s the end for you. Till tomorrow, princess! 


Wait, wait, wait, you can’t just leave my brain after saying something like that to me! I demand more answers! But it was too late; I could feel her absence from my mind; it was a creepy feeling to have another presence there with me. After what she just told me, though, I didn’t care anymore. I wanted answers. Finding no more, I stared down at the potion once more. “Damn you,” I whispered, not even knowing the exact person I was cursing. Maybe I cursed myself - but I was already cursed. Quickly, before I could think any more about it, I unscrewed the small glass bottle and poured the dark liquid inside one of the wine glasses. 


All this somehow happened in a matter of seconds - I suppose the witch used her magic, so my father asked nothing as I returned to his side of the room, sat down beside him, and handed him his glass. He sipped it, nodding in approval. “Good year, love. Do you know the date?”


“I don’t recall, Father. I shall ask the kitchen staff tomorrow.” Though I most likely would not have such an opportunity. 


I sipped my wine in silence, making a face at the taste. I simply reveled in the feel of the fire and my father’s presence; I would not have either for much longer, and I wanted to enjoy both a little longer. So we sat in that warm parlor, my father and I, chatting about everything and nothing. Finally, when the wine began to get to me, I stood and curtseyed to my father. “I enjoyed our talk very much, father, but I must retire for the night.”


“Of course my dear,” he rumbled. “I have kept you up far too late, and had you far too tipsy on the night before your wedding. Rest well, and I will see you tomorrow.” He looked at me long and hard, then said, “You will be a married woman within a day; I cannot believe how the time has flown. Whatever I have said or done, whatever arguments we’ve had in the past, know that I love you. Always have, always will, my daughter.”


Tears threatened my eyes. “And I love you, Father. I want you to know that. No matter what happens, my issues and faults were never your fault.” I curtseyed once more, then quickly scrambled out the door so I could let my tears fall in solitude. I left him there, pretending I did not notice the extra shine in his eyes or the deep stare he gave the fire pit once more, as he had done before I entered the room much earlier. 


After entering my chambers, I opted out of changing into nightclothes and fell onto my bed straightaway, still in my dress from earlier. I allowed my tears to flow freely one last time, then allowed the darkness of sleep to claim me. 


I dreamed of my father that night. He screamed and begged for help, so unlike the man, father, and king I knew. The prince lurked behind him, grinning, a dagger held high. I moved to help, to cry out and warn my father, but as soon as I tried to run forward I realized I couldn’t move. Turning around, I saw myself - a bitter, laughing, and evil girl. “You shouldn’t have done that, my princess. Now you’ve set me free...” 


I struggled, but her strength overpowered mine, and I could only watch in horror as the prince struck with his knife, my father crumpling to the floor; the other me cackled and drew her own knife as I screamed myself...


Awake. 


I shot up off my pillow, sweating and panting. My eyes almost popped out of their sockets, and my heart was beating madly, so I put a hand to my chest. 


But then I remembered: I was to be married today. 


That thought cued the servants into action. The two girls who had served me for years now knocked, threw open the doors, and began readying me for the dreaded day. 


So the potion had not worked after all. That witch and her lies; why would she lie about such a thing? She must have had a plan, but then I ruined it for her. I hoped. Well, the best I could do now was go ahead and marry the swine prince and hope to prevent any attempts on my father’s life. It was the only option, besides running away. And I couldn’t run away; that would break my father’s heart. 


As the servants drew the curtains to reveal a gray day that would soon turn stormy, I left the warmth and safety of my covers. As I stood, however, I felt...something. I did not know what, except that it burned - though not in a bad way. It was a good feeling. It gave me comfort and made me stronger, more courageous. 


So I allowed the servants to help me into my wedding dress; they tied the corset tight, they put my hair into a tightly, elaborately braided bun and placed a small circlet upon my forehead. The veil went on last.


I was then led right outside the throne room; there, I met my father and mother. I curtseyed to them both, and they hugged me in return, for once foregoing royal propriety. 


“We are so proud of you,” my mother murmured.


“Look at you. A royal queen - soon you will understand what this feels like - sending away children to live their own lives. I look forward to having grandchildren to spoil! But look, it’s time, my daughter. Let us away down the aisle toward your future. Shall we?” He offered me his arm.


I did not want this; no, more than anything I wanted to escape this dreadful scene and return to the parlor of last night with my father.


 “Yes, Father,” I took his arm and began the slow and torturous walk down the aisle. 


Step after step, I kept my head up but my eyes down. I did not want to look any well-wishers of the court in the eye, and I certainly did not want to look upon the prince until the last moment. 
It was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other. 


 Then my mind once again flooded me with the images. 


The prince and the dagger. 
My father on the floor, bleeding. 
My mother weeping, barely living a fortnight more.
Myself, a husk of a human, a shell.
Used by the prince for one purpose.
The kingdom in ruins, unnecessary war killing innocents.
The prince murdering in cold blood, an evil glint in his eyes.


My mind flashed from one vision to another. Faster and faster they came, worse than the night before, until I could not take it. All the while the burning sensation increased until it became a throbbing in my chest and in my palms. Suddenly, I realized what the burning was, and what I was going to do. 


I halted, my father continuing forward until he realized I had stopped. He slowed also, giving me a questioning look. “Are you all right, daughter?” 


“No, Father. I cannot do this. I am sorry to disappoint you, and I wouldn’t but for the sake of your life.”


His face darkened. “We have been over this. You will marry the prince; he is good and will make a great king, and you a great queen. Do not worry yourself. Now, come. People are beginning to wonder at you.” 


Once I would have stepped forward to grab his arm once again, resume the walk down the aisle, and marry myself to a man I knew would do terrible things. But not now. Not with the throbbing and pulsing life inside of me, spreading now from my chest and palms to every fiber of my being. 


“NO!” I screamed, flinging my arms out from my side. A strange, yellow light burst out of my palms and into the air, crumbling some part of the throne room’s ceiling. It made a rumbling noise, then tumbled down, crashing into the floor below, right into the walkway where I had only moments before trod.  The crowd of court members looked on, astonished and silent at the scene, before mass chaos erupted. Everyone shouted at once, turning this way and that like ants, running for the doors. But I was not finished. No, not a chance. 


“STOP!” I shouted once more, shooting bright light above our heads for attention. 


Just like that, the members of the court stopped the commotion and paused. Every pair of eyes stared at me in awe, terror, and fear of what I would do next. As they should. 


Once I would have hated having all eyes on me, but not anymore, not with the magic burning through my veins, heady as a drug. 


I allowed the dramatic silence to continue a little longer while I reflected upon what I wanted to say first. Then I looked around the room and made eye contact with each person in turn. “I suppose you all wonder why I’ve gathered you here...oh, wait, it was all of you that had me here! Every one of you had a part to play in this arranged marriage, even though you all knew how I feel about such a thing. Every one of you stood by and watched with glee and joy as I was to be wed to a MONSTER!” I flung my arm around to point at the prince, still standing at the altar, gaping stupidly. 


“You see, I am not the perfect princess you all thought I was. Meek, demure. ‘Yes, my lord. No, my lord. Thank you so much for humbling me to the point of high embarrassment, my lord.’ That is not who I am, and I am here now to take myself and my dignity back.”


I began walking aimlessly then. People immediately drew back, fearful of their puny lives, I suppose. Well, no matter. I wouldn’t kill anyone. Not just yet, anyway. 


“I want you all to know that I would have gladly married this scum of the earth. Well, not gladly, but I would have done it anyway, once.” I pointed once more to the prince and continued, “but, as I am not the perfect princess everyone believed me to be, I snuck around near the prince’s quarters. I wanted to see the horrid man before I was to be married to him. Wouldn’t you give your own daughters that, at least?” I spun around and glared at each of the men in the court; they each suddenly found something incredibly interesting on the floor. 


“I found a handsome prince, yes,” I went on. “Charming, with a nice voice, full of passion. But not a passion for romance or for bettering the kingdoms. No. This prince would kill and conquer. Yes, my prince, I heard every word you spoke to, ah, Otto, wasn’t it?” The prince had the decency to look at me in shock. He almost tried to speak, but I cut him off. 


“No, I am not finished speaking. While I hid under the desk in your quarters you spoke of an accident involving my father, and of having the kingdom all to yourself. I would be a meek little wife, a puppet queen to give you what is rightfully mine! Well, that will not happen. I will not allow my father’s death or my rule to be taken from me, you can be sure of that, my prince.”


The prince attempted to regain some of his cockiness; he took a deep breath, then cleared his throat. I remembered the dragon pin that was on his vest, from when I snuck into his chambers; he fingered it absentmindedly, nervously. “Lovely princess, I think you are mistaken. I only have friendship and love toward your father, and intend naught but peace for the kingdom. I do hope you come back to us, princess. We need our queen.”


“I can see through all your bluster and bravado, you no-account scumbag.” 


“Who do you think the court will believe?” He rounded on me. “The ravings of a mad little girl, or the strong words of a prince who is ready and able to assume the throne?” He straightened his neckerchief and gave a satisfied smile.


“These folk can believe what they want, but I know the truth and I will not allow you to get away with your crimes. What you would do will not be!” The anger burned in me so much now that I could not stop it if I tried. I was close to him now, by the throne and the altar. I raised my hand and the bright light shot forth once more, aimed directly at the prince. The bright light faded, leaving the prince as he was before - only a little more motionless. 


The crowd gasped as they looked upon the strangeness of his still figure, standing as he had before. He moved not a muscle which was strange because he looked as though he could move any moment. Too creepy. I flung my palm out once more and when the light cleared, he was turned into stone. Still creepy but not as bad as before. 


The crowd gasped again in fear. I stood near the stony prince, looking down at everyone. “Oh, don’t worry. He’s not dead; I could reverse the process in a heartbeat if I wished. But I don’t because if I did, he would murder my father. That doesn’t sound very nice, does it?”


Then my father was before me. “Please, daughter, stop this madness. You know I love you and only want what’s best for you, don’t you?”


I gazed down at him. “Yes, Father. No matter what our differences have been, I have always loved you and known your love for me. You just never understood me, that’s all.” 


Suddenly there were hands grabbing me, spears surrounding me, guards trying to hold me. “What - stop! He’s the villain, that’s why I turned him to stone! He was to kill my father! Please, you don’t understand! Just listen to me!” 


“Don’t try your magic on us, witch. We don’t want to have to throw you upon a pyre, now do we?” A scratchy voice whispered in my ear.


“Father, help me, please!” I screamed. 


He looked up sadly at the scene I caused. “Be gentle with her, please. She is still my daughter and a princess.”


The guards lessened their tight grips upon me as I stared down at my father. “You tricked me! I thought you said you loved me!”


He looked away. “And I do, love. But we have to get you to a safe place while we try to - understand your newfound powers. Do you know where they came from?”


I shrugged my shoulders in a very un-princess-y way. “I don’t know. And if I did know, I probably wouldn’t tell a soul.”


“Very well, then. Guards, return her to her quarters. She is my daughter and will be treated as such, but she must be in isolation for now until we figure out a solution.”


A solution...for his problem child. 


My palms burned again. “I don’t think you want to be near me now,” I said to the men surrounding me. “Stay away or something bad will happen.”


“Don’t even think about it,” the guard nearest me whispered. He drew up his sword in warning. I wished it could stop what would come next - that I myself could stop what would come next. I was out of control, with no idea how to keep this newfound power inside. And so, I tried to resist; I did not want to harm anyone. Teach them a little lesson and to fear me a bit, yes, but to actually hurt them...no, I did not want that. But the bright, burning light demanded release, and it shot out even stronger than before. Again and again it shot from my palms. 


More chaos ensued. People screamed, guards ducked and tried to grab me, but then the bright light would blind my vision. I did not know what was happening. 


“Stop, please, please stop!” I whispered over and over. Eventually I was yelling the words to myself, but my power continued its spree throughout the hall. 


When it was over, I saw nothing, no one. I was alone in the throne room. Utter silence ensued; I ran to the spot where my father stood only moments before. 


“Father!” The tears ran freely; who was there to see them flow? I sank to my knees in despair. 


“I warned you, princess, and this is what you did.”


I looked up to find a beautiful woman standing before me. Her black gown hugged her figure, and only a few stray black curls slipped out of her strange headdress. I stood up. “Who are you?” 


Does this ring a bell? She asked my mind.


“You -” I could not speak, rage white hot inside me.


“Yes, me. I told you, but did you listen? Oh, no. All I asked for was a nice little princess who would do my bidding, hand her father the wine mixed with the potion so that I could take over, but what do I get? A rebellious little thing who wants her own revenge. I did not reckon for the darkness inside you, princess.”


“I don’t have darkness inside of me...” my sentence faltered.


Are you really sure about that? The voice speaking inside my head was not the witch, however.


It was my own. 


“No,” I whispered.


Oh, yes, princess. When you tried to avoid your fate you brought me out, thereby assisting your fate in coming to pass anyway. What you tried to avoid still came to be - and it is all your fault. 


“No, I did not do this! I did not....” 


But I knew it was true. 


“I drank the potion. But I thought I would die, and this whole mess would be over. There would be no wedding, the prince would not control the kingdom, and my father would be safe. He and Mother could have still had children; it was not too late for them to have another heir. I thought...”


“You thought drinking the potion would cause your death,” the witch said aloud. “This, I told you so that you would not drink the potion and would be powerless so that I could...use the king for my own agendas. As a puppet controlled by its master, if you will. Now, princess, I have underestimated your pain and therefore, you have foiled my plans. But really, who gave you the potion? Right, I did. Then ultimately I, myself, am to blame. But princess, I will not stop here. I will find ways to control you, control your power, and ultimately, the kingdom.” 


“That’s a long speech for the evil villain,” I noted. “But you can keep coming at me, do whatever you like. I will rule my kingdom the way I wish, the way I always wanted. I won’t allow anyone to take what is rightfully mine. So, in a way, witch, you did give me what I wanted. Just not the life of my father with it.” 


“Darling, you truly think you have no evil within you? Who murdered the entire court, her own father even, in cold blood?”


“That was an accident, and you know it.”


“Oh, was it now? How about the other princess, the dark girl? What does she have to say, I wonder?”


Before I could respond, another voice, my own but not my own, rose up to my lips and took control. “It is good to be queen,” she spoke throatily, as she stole my limbs as well as my voice, forcing me to sit on the throne behind. Light surrounded me, and when it faded I saw that the other me - the one who now had control - had replaced my white wedding gown with something darker. I wore a black gown decorated with lace, a plunging neckline, and layers of black fabric at the feet, made to resemble mist, or something as mysterious and formidable. 


On my head lay a heavy crown. The other me arranged it in a sideways tilt, then let down my intricate bun, my dark blonde hair flowing down my waist in waves. Gone was the flowing white veil; in its place was a thin black cape. 


Somehow the darker me had also conjured the golden dragon pin; she fastened it to her - our - chest. I sensed she wore it as a trophy of the conquered prince. When she glanced down to look at it in pride, I noticed the dragon’s ruby eyes glowed a bright, shining red, the reddish hue glowing upon the golden dragon’s body. 


My voice. 
My body.
 Another me. Not me - but me all the same. Wasn’t it? I could not control her - but did I really want the good princess to be in control? She was no longer in power anyway; the good little princess was no more. In truth, I had taken the potion, and as the witch said I did die. 


The Dark Queen has risen.