AN: This idea popped into my mind during a somewhat hard time in my life. The seven deadly sins have always been a favourite of mine, being that everyone can relate to one or the other.
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon A Time, nor any of the characters mentioned. I do not own the ideology of the seven deadly sins.
Of Pride & Envy
Lust
Power was something Cora Mills knew well. It called out for her, pulling her, entrancing her with all its promises. With power she would want for nothing. She would have all that she desired. Be it fame, riches, control. Born to poor millers, this all seemed like a mere dream, wistfully thinking. She remembers going to the royal palace with her parents and seeing all the food they ate, all the fine clothes they wore and how happy they looked. These people who did nothing, who were just lucky to have been born into luxury.
Envy
It wasn't fair! She, who works with her parents in the mill, to only have barley enough to survive. She, who works all day and all night hoping that the harvest will be in their favor least they starve to death. Yet they all eat on their silver plates without a care, never having to worry about such trivial things. No, it wasn't fair at all.
Pride
Her pride shall be her downfall, of this she is certain. For when that royal, Eva, tripped her, wasting all her flour, then proceeded to make her bow and apologize for dirtying her shoe, Cora felt her anger and humiliation rise. It is her pride alone that leads to her boasting of what she did not have; the power to spin straw into gold.
Greed
She had been right. Her pride had been her been her downfall, but her greed caught her before the drop. For it is her greed for power, for wealth, that saves her. Her burning desire for more to soothe her addiction whilst she savour every taste. She didn't expect many to understand but him, she expected. Surely he understands her greed more so than any. People like them are lead by it, the need to dominate, to obtain power, because they were once without such pleasures. And yet…he seems surprised when she informs of her choice. Of course she chooses power, she couldn't afford to lose it. She couldn't afford to fall once more because of her emotions. Emotions make you weak. They cloud your judgement, leaving you blind to the bigger picture. Emotions were weaknesses to be exploited, he knows this. He uses the desperation of the weak willed to get what he wanted. But she was not weak! She was powerful and resourceful and she would not be a relentless slave to love. She was powerful and yet he looks at her in disgust as if she were a mere fool.
"True love is the greatest magic of them all"
He says and she looks at him in utter contempt. Fool. She had been mistaken, he doesn't understand. He is weak.
"Love is a weakness"
Perhaps years later, she would say otherwise but she doubts it. Because though her pride may be her downfall, she trusts that her greed will catch her before the drop.