So let me start this from a less confusing standpoint. At least I wish I were able too however my whole life seems to be a huge mess. I somehow managed to get through it.

I wasn't your average princess, there really wasn't anything ladylike about me. My parent's humored me for a bit, giving me some freedom here and there. A princess learning how to sword fight and shoot an arrow from a bow seemed unheard of but my mother...my mother was one too. Being on the run for false accusations and literally fighting in the front lines to win back her kingdom did that to her. It didn't make my father run for the hills either. They fought together side by side and won.

Thus I was born into the safe haven that was the Enchanted Forest.

Princess Emma.

I was pretty wild for a princess still, despite how much my mother tried to get me in dresses and balls I was never interested. Still I tried for her, we had a deal. If she let me pick up a sword, I would take whatever princess lessons she'd push on me. My father on the other hand, as I got older he wanted me to do a lot less brute activities and start practicing my lute. I knew my mother felt the same.

"It was fine when you were eight but you're almost sixteen now. Please act more ladylike." he'd tell me.

All through out my childhood my parents had gotten complaints from the parents of my best friend Alexandra. Apparently I was being an influence on her, still so long as she kept her parent's happy she'd come and see me. Alexandra has been my best friend since birth. I was a little older and even though we were so different she still came to visit. I'm sure my parents were hoping she'd be an influence on me.

I walked along the castle halls as the sun was setting, I felt rather pensive. Even though my parents always insisted that there was peace in the Enchanted kingdom once more I wasn't so convinced, I had a feeling that something bad was about to happen.

I knew there was evil in this kingdom and I was always ready to defend myself. I seldom wore large gowns that would slow me down, and I always had a small dagger attached to my leg just incase trouble came knocking. Far too many crooks out there looking to kidnap a princess. A rich one at that.

I came to a big wooden door, upon opening it the dim light of the sunset illuminated stone steps. Stepping inside without a candle I shut the door enveloping myself in pitch black darkness. I took a deep breath, I had always been scared of the dark.

"Come on..." I whispered cautiously taking each step, hugging the wall as I went down.

"Come on!" I said again this time more agitated.

On cue the tiny blue stones began to glow on the ground, leading my way safely.

"There we go" I relaxed walking quicker. It was easier to see now.

I had discovered this location years ago when I was a child, trying to hide from my parents after being scolded so harshly. Thinking back about that time still sent shivers down my spine, alas being the thrill seeker I always have been I never learned my lessons. To this day my parents don't know that I spend so much time here...to just...think.

I sure had a lot of thinking to do.

I sighed and finally arrived at my destination. It wasn't much but it was comforting. A small circular room with only an old golden chair, a dusty vanity which matched the gold seat, and lastly one hair brush. I had never touched that brush, nor bothered to wipe the vanity's mirror yet I still sat in front of it and stared at a blur I assumed was my reflection.

"Dad said we are hosting a ball to find a suitor..." I frowned. I really didn't want to get married. Especially to someone who would want me only for the kingdom I'd be inheriting, and then there is the fact of the matter that I'd have to learn to love someone. No falling in love naturally for Emma.

"Alexandra has mentioned that no one would want to marry such a dangerous princess, and that'd I'd be better off not getting married at all...she's right"

"Still I had to admit it hurt, I would think someone out there would want to make me as their bride" I huffed "Right mirror!?" I leaned in across and wiped the decades worth of dust with my hand.

The eyes that I saw in the mirror did not belong to me.

It took me several seconds to make a proper response, I've never been a screamer, it took a lot to make me do that. I sort of just gasped and was overwhelmed by curiosity and just continued to wipe the mirror even more. I wiped my dirty hand on my basic dress without thinking.

"Wow..."

Before me was the floating head of a man, the whole mirror was glowing ominous blue. I didn't feel threatened, the feeling in the pit of my stomach was excitement. How did I not know this was here!? Did my parents know? They must have...

The floating head cleared his throat "To answer your question. Yes there will be several men who will want to make you there bride"

I let my chin fall to my hands "I know that! but they don't want to marry me because of ...well me...they want to marry me because of my title..."

The floating head agreed "Yes, but you are smart enough to know that difference"

I gave him a half smile "Thanks" I answered him as if forgetting what an amazing discovery I had just made.

"What's your name?" I asked him "Why are you all the way down here? Are you magic?"

The floating head chuckled, it had been several years since he had spoken to someone and the young girl seemed so nice yet somehow so familiar.

"My you're a curious child..."

Instinctively I placed my hand over my mouth and recounted some lessons in manners. "Forgive me for being so rude sir..." It was uncomfortable for me to speak like that, especially to a mirror.

"Its alright. It's been some time since I had been able to speak to someone. I am trapped here in this mirror by my own misuse of magic."

"Oh I see, so you aren't a magic mirror"

The floating head shook his head "I am somewhat magical. I can show you things and can answer limited questions."

"And may I ask what you're doing here?" I was thinking back to all those times I was bearing my soul in front of this mirror. I started to feel a little embarrassed. I wondered why the mirror never responded back to me until now.

Was it because I whipped it with my hand? I looked at the remaining dust in my fingers. Could this be magic?

"I was sealed to be silenced with some fairy dust. If you can contain what you have left maybe it'll come in handy to you.

"Why were you sealed to be silent? Are you evil?" What I really wanted to ask was if he knew all my deep dark secrets that I've spoken in the past.

The floating head chuckled "I was sealed completely so I couldn't hear, see, or speak until you wiped all that dust off of me. I...don't consider myself evil..." He said that last part rather doubtful.

He must be evil otherwise why would he have been silenced in the first place?

I started taking a few steps back, wondering if there was really a way he could hurt me.

"...then why were you sealed...?"

The head sighed "Because I belonged to the evil queen"

The evil queen. That's right she lived in this castle for a long time. Remembering her caused all the blood to leave my face.

I had unsealed something magical that belonged to her!

"Be calm child. I wont cause you harm"

I shook my head and kept walking backwards. "She caused so much damage to this kingdom...we are still recuperating from all she's done"

"If you belong to her...then I should smash you to pieces right now!"

I caught site of the brush covered in cob webs and made a reach for it.

Sighing once more the mirror said without fear "Don't you think I would be in pieces already? Why do you think I was sealed instead of broken? The magic that incased me in here was my own. I'm trapped here forever"

I was unsure why but his words made me so sad...

"I'm sorry..." was all I was able to speak. I felt so much pity for him, and here I was upset over finding a suitor.

"It's alright. I'm already accustomed to it. Now I am able to roam through whatever mirror I wish so that I may gaze upon my beloved queen once more."

"You're in love with her?" I asked "The evil Queen?"

The head nodded "She wasn't always evil...in the end I just want her to find her happy ending. She was really hurt when she was young, by your mother actually."

That took me by surprise, I almost laughed at him. "My mother is the kindest woman on earth she couldn't possibly hurt anyone...well anyone who wasn't asking for it. Anyways I know all about Snow White and the Evil Queen, so you don't have to tell me."

I admit I was a little rude to the mirror, but there was no way the Evil Queen had good in her. I was curious how the mirror was going to find her though.

"Are you going to go to her now?" I asked.

The mirror nodded

"Are you going to be a spy for her? Is there going to be another war again?"

"A lot of difficulties will be coming your way young Emma. I wont be her spy, I just wish to see her once more."

"How'd you know my name..." I mumbled realizing all the questions I've been asking must be aggravating him.

"I hope you realize the Evil Queen is banished and branded. I don't think there will be any mirrors where she is"

"I'll find my way. Farewell young Emma, I warn you not to dabble in magic too much. There will be trouble if you do. Trouble I can't predict you will be able to overcome."

"Wait!" I said "Will you visit me again...please"

The floating head nodded and he was gone.

Afterwards the ominous glow that was around the mirror vanished and I was left staring back at my own eyes, immediately catching site of the fairy dust hand print I had on my skirt.

"Oh no" I gasped "If Father catches site of this stain I'll get in trouble!"

I dashed up the stone steps and was out the wooden door in seconds.

The sun had set already and several maids had already begun lighting the halls with lamps. Some too busy to see me dashing to my room.

"Your highness you're going to be late for dinner" one of the older maids called after me.

"Just going to go clean myself up first!" I answered nervously.

I had made it to my room and immediately pulled out another gown, looked at my fairy dust hand print and groaned. This was my favorite dress, it was so simple.

I sighed and pulled out my dagger and tore the fabric that had the hand print and stuffing the magical scrap in a jar.

"He said it'd come in handy..." I hid the jar beneath my bed.

Feeling rushed I pulled on the dress I had just lied out, still buttoning it on my way to the dining room.

"You're late" said my father who was already eating his meal, without even looking in my direction. I frowned, I guess he was still mad at me for running out after he told me about the ball.

"My apologies" I curtsied and took my seat besides my mother, who made more of an effort to speak to me.

"I never thought I'd see you in that gown" she told me with a bright perfect smile.

There was so much tension in the room.

"James" she addressed my father "Doesn't she look lovely?"

He stayed silent for a moment and then spoke "I'm sure many suitors would find you lovely in that. Not just your parents"

"I see" I answered him lightly "I suppose you're right. This gown really does bring out my best features, features that would attract many suitors. This gown really shows off my riches doesn't it?"

My father scowled at me from across the table and I simply giggled as did my mother.

"She gets that from you" she told him.

I loved my mother so much! Even if she claimed to not be on my side, I felt like she was.

My father sighed in defeat and brushed his hands through his hair.

"I can't take you both on...that's not fair to me"

We all laughed together, I felt a little better. I could feel that my parents were still agitated with me but they still loved me.

"Father..." I began "I have been giving a lot of thought to what you told me. I agree to have a ball but please don't present it as...you know...as its intent to find a suitor."

My parents never bothered to lie to me. They knew there was no point, I could always tell when someone lied to me. I just didn't understand why...why on earth they wanted me to get married so soon.

"I'm sorry Emma.." My mother was the one speaking this time. She was sincere.

"Lets make a deal!" she said.

At this my fathers eyes quickly darted to my mother. Did he seem worried?

"You meet with the suitors but you don't have to make a decision until your eighteenth birthday! How does that sound?"

There was something behind her words...something that worried me...but what I couldn't distrust anything my mother said.

"You agree that its best to learn your options now. Get to know them." she smiled.

"In the end maybe you'll lock eyes with someone and feel what your father and I felt. Love at first site" She reached out for his hand and encircled her fingers around his.

Both grossed out and amused I laughed "I don't believe in that stuff but alright it's a deal" I smiled, as if everything was okay...but it wasn't.

That night I didn't feel like sleeping. I just sat on my window sill thinking. I felt like my parents were hiding something from me. I could always tell when someone told me a lie, sometimes I wish I couldn't.

"Is there a place out there where I wont grow and maybe I could get out of this deal?" I buried my face in my arms.

Tomorrow was my sixtieth birthday. There wasn't going to be any balls to celebrate. Instead I was going hunting with my father. He never let me go with him, but I wore him down enough and I had the proper training to do it. I could tell he was uncomfortable but it was my birthday after all.

This is something I can worry about later.

I took one last glance at the night sky and retired to my bed.

"What are they hiding from me?" I asked the darkness.