Hello readers, this is my second attempt at a Snow White story and I'm hoping to make this one a heck of a lot better than my first try was. As always, standard disclaimer applies. Enjoy!

Mia21

Princess Kaoru, called Snow White by the people of her kingdom as her skin was very pale, like snow, sat at her desk reading a book and munching on grapes. When she finished the chapter she was on, she stood and stretched, then changed into her nightgown, blew out the lamp, and climbed into bed.

But Kaoru couldn't sleep that night. After lying in bed for more than an hour, staring at the ceiling, she decided that she might as well get up and do something more worthwhile than simply lying in bed. She dressed in short breeches and a loose blouse, realizing that her father had been right, anytime was a good time for sword practice.

It was in moments like this that Kaoru missed her father the most. It had been nearly three years since King Koshijiro had taken sick and died, and there was still never a morning where she didn't hope to see him at breakfast.

Picking up her bokken, Kaoru left her chambers and began to head down the second floor corridor towards the main staircase. Passing by her stepmother's chambers, Kaoru was surprised to hear a voice coming from behind the slightly open door. "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"

Even though Kaoru knew it was highly inappropriate to eavesdrop, she found herself pausing and moving closer. Peering in, she saw her stepmother, Chizuru, standing in front of a tall, oblong, gold-framed mirror that was hanging on the wall in only her transparent white nightgown.

Trying her best not to stare at her stepmother's only partially covered body, Kaoru was shocked when the mirror's surface clouded over and a man's face appeared in the mirror. "My Queen, you are beautiful tis true, but Snow White is fairer far than you."

The mirror's answer made the Queen lose her composure. Screaming like a wild woman, she picked up a vase near her right hand. The face in the mirror began laughing. "I don't think you want to do that My Queen, you know what breaking the mirror will mean."

Eyes narrowed, Chizuru took a deep breath before replacing the vase on the table. "You're just lucky my magic is tied to the mirror," Chizuru told him. "Now the reason I called you is that it is past time to find a way to get rid of Snow White. The Law says that she can become Queen when she turns twenty-one, which is only a few months away. Any bright ideas?"

The mirror was silent for a moment, before saying, "To bring her life to early end, poison is your newest friend. In her drink or in her food, she'll be dead and you'll be Queen for good."

Watching, Kaoru put her hand over her mouth and slowly backed away from her stepmother's door. She'd always disregarded the rumors that Chizuru was a witch, but she had just now been confronted with the truth. Her stepmother was definitely a witch, and hoped to kill her and keep Akita's throne permanently. Realizing that she had to get out of there as soon as possible, Kaoru changed direction and began heading towards the servants' quarters. She knew that most of the maids had retired for the evening, but the one she wanted to speak to, Tae, tended to stay up late.

Kaoru knew that Tae could tell her about the most desirable bachelor kings and princes on the continent beyond Akita, and she knew now that if she were ever to become Queen and surpass her stepmother, she'd need help.

After taking a deep breath and gathering her courage, Kaoru knocked and didn't have long to wait. The door opened and Tae looked shocked to see the young princess.

"My lady? Is everything alright?" she asked, looking a little apprehensive.

"Yes, it's fine. Can I talk to you for a bit?" Kaoru wondered. The maid nodded and gestured for her to come inside. The room was basic, as expected of staff quarters, but Kaoru could see that Tae had added her own touches everywhere she could, the bed had carvings of wheat, as did the dresser and the bookshelves.

"My lady-"

"No, Tae, just call me Kaoru. Now please, sit down."

Tae smiled widely and nodded.

"What is it that you need Kaoru?" Tae asked.

"Please tell me, who is the most desirable bachelor on all of Iwakura? I am coming of age soon and I want to take over the throne as is my right. But I have realized that my stepmother may prove a bit of a problem and I need a husband to stand next to me and back me."

Surprisingly, Tae simply nodded. Of course, she tended to know everything about everyone in the castle, including Chizuru.

"Getting engaged is a good idea as it could buy you some much needed time." Tae said before smiling rather wickedly. "I think you should go after the Prince of Aomori, Kenshin, and that would solve all of your problems. His father, King Hiko, is the only man your stepmother has ever truly wanted, and he would never even look twice at her. Marrying his son would show her that she can't win."

Kaoru knew that Aomori was a land of winter located west of Akita, near the Hakkoda Mountain range.

"I've never heard Chizuru mention either of them." Kaoru said.

"That's because she's been trying to get close to King Hiko since they were introduced here in the castle at some event back when your father was still alive. King Hiko was polite, but wanted nothing more to do with her. It took your stepmother quite some time to recover from the shock of being refused, but she has never stopped lusting after him or trying to get close to him. Trust me, if you have them on your side, your stepmother won't dare harm you. I'll arrange for a carriage to take you to Aomori while your stepmother is away from Akita." Tae answered.

"Thank you Tae." Kaoru said, squeezing her hand.

So I know that wasn't too long but there will be more chapters to follow, I promise! And please, PLEASE review. I need the feedback as this is a second try!