Chapter 10: The Princess and The Monster
''You— I...I killed you!'' Prince Phillip sputtered, holding back another groan of pain as the thorns circled around his neck, preventing him from breathing correctly.
Maleficent stepped towards him and knelt right before him, her dark empty gaze piercing the prince's brown one with hatred and cruelty. She smirked mirthlessly.
''My, my! Look at that poor, naive prince, thinking he could kill a dragon with a simple blade straight in the heart! Did you really think a sword spiked into a miserable tattered piece of fabric would do a sufficient evidence to spread the news of the glorious death of the Mistress of All Evil in the entire kingdom?'' The wicked fairy inquired quietly, her voice deadly slow, as she approached her staff to the prince's face, enlightening it with a scary green gleam.
The prince didn't answer, for he knew there was no point of doing so. Maleficent was not the one inclined to discussion anyway.
''Of course you didn't know. And do you know why?'' She asked, red lips widening into a mocking smiling.
The young man could do nothing more than shake his head.
''Because you are too stupid to think about anything. Just as you are too vain to see the Princess Aurora doesn't like you. Just as you are too proud to admit she will never be yours.'' She tilted her head backwards as she let out a maniac laugh.
Phillip struggled to try and free himself from the brambles' grip, but he soon gave up as he understood the more he tried to fight, the more the grasp tightened.
''She is my betrothed, she will be mine...'' He said between gritted teeth as he averted the fairy's twinkling eyes.
Maleficent chuckled darkly.
''You are so pathetic I could almost feel sorry for you. if I had a conscience, that is,'' she replied in a neutral tone.
The fairy slowly stood up and aimed her scepter's top at Phillip's throat. ''But unfortunately for you, I don't. That is precisely the reason why I don't care about what might happen to your worthless life.''
''If you kill me, Aurora will never forgive you...'' He tried to defend himself miserably.
Maleficent laughed, and her amusement seemed almost sincere to Phillip who allowed himself to cling to any small hint of hope he had left.
''Do you really think the princess will show you mercy and spare your life when she will learn you almost raped her while she was asleep and defenseless?'' She snapped, her voice as sharp as a knife.
''Princess Aurora is a nice girl, she will understand...'' The prince muttered, as if to convince himself.
Maleficent's face suddenly distorted into a frightening wince of pure despise. She pursed her red blood lips as a threatening glow escaped from her staff's ball.
''Imbecile. You truly have no brain, have you? Aurora does not love you and she never will.''
''But she has to! We are to be married, she will be my wife, and therefore she will be mine!'' He shouted angrily.
''Oh dear. Are you deaf, or just utterly and desperately foolish? The princess will never be yours, for I will take care of this personally,'' the fairy answered dryly.
For a few seconds, the prince remained quiet, trying to figure out what that odd statement could possibly mean. When something as dreadful as obvious came to his mind, he first didn't dare to believe it. But then, he finally understood. There was no other explanation.
''No... I can't believe it! You...you love her. Oh my God! But...that's...insane, outrageous, unnatural! You crazy witch! She will never love you! She can't love you! You will never give her what she wants! She's a princess, and you're a mon— AAH!'' Phillip screamed, trying to break free from his dark chains of thorns, but was soon stopped by a long sharp spine which dug deeply into his neck's flesh, causing a trail of blood to flow down his throat. He moaned in pain.
''One more word and I will break every bone of that repulsive body of yours one by one, before I pull out your nails very, very slowly and burn the last bloody rubbles of your disgusting being to ashes, do you hear me?'' Maleficent spat, aiming her staff at him again, her voice deadly calm.
Prince Phillip widened his eyes in terror as he knew perfectly the wicked fairy was not lying and she would do just as she said if he pronounced one more word. So the only thing he could do was to keep silent and stare at her, frozen in fear, stiffened by an awful sorrow. But he got the answer he wanted. And to know was maybe even worst than to never know...
The wicked fairy was in love with Princess Aurora, he was now sure of that.
Maleficent glared at him, lifting her chin haughtily. She hit the ground with her staff.
''That's what I thought,'' Maleficent sneered. ''Very well, Prince Phillip, it seems we finally reached an agreement. But you must understand that I cannot just let you go and live your pointless life as if nothing ever happened...''
Phillip's heart pounded in his chest, waiting for his sentence he already knew to be ruthless.
''For what you did to the Princess Aurora, I shall punish you,'' Maleficent continued very quietly. ''And I will show no mercy.''
As she spoke, she raised her staff to the sky when the first scream of suffering escaped from Phillip's mouth as he couldn't feel anything but deep pain and agony. Every spine of every thorn was slowly sinking deep into his flesh, piercing his skin with a million holes which quickly filled and overflowed with blood.
Maleficent's mad laugh mixed perfectly with the prince's yells and pleas for mercy, mercy she would never offer the man who once had the misfortune of touching the woman she loved.
When the fairy was satisfied, she finally put down her hands and stared at Phillip with pure disgust. She took a few steps forward and bent over him, her impenetrable gaze meeting the prince's motionless eyes. She could scarcely see his ruined corpse flinch anymore.
''Well, this body is not so appealing, now, isn't it?'' Maleficent chuckled. ''Oh dear. I almost forgot! When you were quite...busy dealing with this beautiful personal garden of mine, I cast a spell on you.''
Phillip managed to open his mouth, but he shut it instantly, for he didn't know if his body would afford him the ability to talk anymore.
''Oh! Nothing to worry about, really! Let's say it was just a little trick of mine... So, let me explain it to you. Every time you will touch a woman's body, you shall feel a pain akin to as many stabs in the heart. That is generous of mine, don't you think? Well, be patient, Ô prince... This is not over yet, and lo! It is just starting to get interesting. Now, listen well, I saved the best for last. On the very day you will use that little toy you cherish most of all and hide preciously between your legs, you shall burn alive...and die. Do you understand?'' She asked cheerfully, even though she perfectly knew there was no need for an answer. She titled her head to the side at the sight of Phillip's closed eyes, for he had no more strength to keep them open.
''Oh, right! I may have not made myself clear enough, let me show you then...'' Maleficent grasped her scepter in her left hand and directed it towards Phillip. ''I have the great pleasure to tell you, Ô charming Prince Phillip, that you shall die the blessed day when you will finally decide to have some fun and use...this.'' With a harsh, swift movement, she crashed her staff's ball between the prince's legs with such violence he screamed in agony, though he didn't think he had still the power in him to cry.
As her spell was cast and Prince Phillip's life doomed, the young poor boy lost consciousness.
Maleficent let out a saracastic laugh.
''How quaint! What a heroe we have here, indeed...'' She added ironically with a flick of her wrist. ''Now get out of my sight, Impostor!''
And Prince Phillip's shattered body vanished into thin air.
Maleficent sighed with an air of exasperation as she finally got rid of that pitiful view.
That Impostor had finally paid dearly for what he had done to her, and most of all to the Princess Aurora. She could have tortured him for a lot longer if she had listened to her brain's most dark and vengeful part, but another small part she wasn't aware of the existence a few days ago had compelled her to focuse on things far more worthy of her attention.
At that thought, the wicked fairy turned her head towards the majestic bed standing in the middle of the tower room. She slowly stepped closer in a grieved silence. As soon as she set gaze on the princess' graceful body lying on blue silky sheets, she felt her heart ache in her chest. She placed herself right next to Aurora's bedside, without taking her eyes off the young lady who seemed so peacefully asleep, not even for half a second.
One could say she was completely mesmerized by what she saw.
Her pretty face was perfectly still, her chest was heaving softly, and her delicate hands were clapsed upon her waist, holding a red rose tightly as if her life depended on it.
Everything about her seemed so pure, so untouched, and yet...
Her attention was suddenly caught by all the little details which proved her she was awfully wrong.
Her golden hair was tangled and spread all around her face, her neck was covered with little red spots, her dress top was torn apart, revealing a small part of her breast.
Maleficent's breath was caught in her throat as she gradually noticed all the traces of the Impostor's unspeakable act. She clenched her fists as she felt her whole body boiling with rage from the inside.
Wretched bastard.
She had been too lenient, she should have ripped off his arms and legs and burn his empty head with her bare hands. But now it was too late.
She waved her hand above the princess' body, and everything returned to its beautiful normality. Her dress was immaculate again, her perfect hair gently falling on her shoulders and cleavage, her neck as white and pure as a baby's skin.
Maleficent smiled as she laid eyes on Aurora in all her natural beauty and purety she loved so much about her. Without thinking, she took the princess' hand and held it in her own.
As she watched Aurora's pretty face, she sighed.
''The princess shall grow in grace and beauty,
Loved by all who will meet her.''
Yes, indeed! Her curse had worked quite well...too well. She never thought she would meet her victim one day. When she put that curse on her, she didn't care about what the princess would look like. Back then, it was none of her business. All she wanted was the child's death. And by doing so, she had no idea she was about to curse herself.
And now, where all of this had lead her?
Once again, the prophecy was right. All of this had obviously lead her to her undoing. Very well, now the good fairies must be happy! She had finally gone straight to her own downfall, how smart of her!
And here she was, at the princess' bedside, fighting against herself to handle this indomitable desire, preventing herself from kissing her.
Oh! Surely she had wanted it, no...she had craved for it since a quite long time by now. And she did have plenty occasions to do so, but she just didn't. She first thought it was part of the game, another pleasing way of torturing the princess, but the truth was that she tortured herself as well. And now, she finally understood why.
She never touched Aurora's lips because she was afraid. Afraid of the consequences of such an insane act. How would it feel like? What would happen of her? Would she just disappear? Or would she burn alive and die into a burst of green flames? And most of all, would she ever be able to stop?
Yes, the Mistress of All Evil could manipulate, torment, torture, destroy and kill everyone if she wished, but she was not able to kiss a sweet young princess. How ironic.
She couldn't take her eyes off Aurora's lips.
As red as the rose.
She felt something like a strong invicible flame burning inside her chest. Her mouth went dry and she suddenly found hard to breath.
What is happening to me?
It was as if Aurora's lips were calling for her.
As if she needed her lips to breath.
Every part of her body was drawing her towards the beautiful girl lying on the bed. Before she even realized it, the fairy was now bent over Aurora's face.
She slowly rested her forehead against the princess' and closed her eyes, sighing.
It was so hard to fight... She had tried to ignore that thought for almost a thousand years. She knew that one day, she would have to fight against it. She had thought she was strong enough to resist her lust, but now that she was facing the object of her deepest and craziest desire, she finally understood she had been wrong all along.
Now, she couldn't handle it anymore. She couldn't go back anymore. She pulled back slightly and leant closer to the princess. She stopped, their faces only inches apart. Maleficent couldn't help but stare at Aurora's lips one last time. They seemed to shake so scarcely she was not sure if she was dreaming or not. Then, she felt her own lips trembling as well. She placed two hesitant fingers upon her mouth.
How strange.
Suddenly, her brain lost control of her body as her thoughts and her fears were definitely silenced. She broke the unbearable distance which still separated her from the princess...
She pressed her lips on Aurora's.
Her lips were warm and soft, like silk.
Maleficent had the feeling she could stay just like this for all eternity. An enjoyable warmth overwhelmed her. At this very moment, she thought that if she had a heart, it would have melted under the princess' touch.
When she could not bear the indestructible fire consuming her from head to toe, tearing her body apart from the inside, she parted from the appealing, delicious lips and sat on the bed, panting for air.
She felt empty and cold, as she had always been before her lips met Princess Aurora's.
She should have known, she would never forget that feeling that was devoring her from now on. She should have known she would not be able to stop, and yet...
''Maleficent...'' A sweet whisper sent chills down her spine, forcing her to come back to her senses.
She turned her head to see Aurora's face radiating with grace as she smiled at her.
''Aurora...'' She murmured, her voice suddenly hoarse.
She had so many things to tell the princess since she had thought she had lost her forever. But now she was right in front of her, alive and awake, and she couldn't say a single word.
Aurora's purple eyes locked into Maleficent's and without averting her gaze once, she slowly straightened up and, bending towards the older woman, she stretched a hand towards her. She placed her white hand on the fairy's cheek and stroked it smoothly. She leant in closer and cupped Maleficent's face with both of her small hands.
The wicked fairy froze instantly, for she didn't know what exactly the princess had in mind, nor what she was supposed to do.
''Aurora, I...'' Maleficent muttered quietly. For the first time in forever, she, the Mistress of All Evil, was at loss of words. In other circumstances, she would have laughed at herself, but now she was not really in a mood for that.
Her miserable attempt to speak was soon cut off by soft lips against her own. She stayed still for a second, but as she felt thin but yet firm arms wrapping around her neck, drawing her even closer, she couldn't resist her anymore. She gave herself into the kiss and all the desires she had always forbidden herself to feel.
She grabbed the princess' hair fiercely with one hand as she took her by the waist with her other hand, forcing Aurora to press her slim body against Maleficent's.
She let go of all the lust and fury she had concealed inside that cold stiff body of hers for too long. She deepened the kiss as her tongue took possession of the princess' mouth. She felt the grip of Aurora's arms aroung her neck tightening sharply, preventing her from stopping that delicious and passionate embrace at any cost. She smiled against Aurora's lips while she dug her red fingernails into the girl' dress.
Finally, Aurora put her warm hand on Maleficent's cheek and pulled back, just so she could rest her forehead on Maleficent's. She was struggling to breath, which caused Maleficent to smirk, enjoying the feeling of Princess Aurora's body quivering against hers.
The princess gently traced a finger on the wicked fairy's cheekbones, and closed her eyes, smiling.
''Maleficent...I...'' She tried to speak between ragged breaths, short of air. ''Oh. If only...you knew...how long...I have...craved...for that...''
Maleficent chuckled lightly. She placed a cool green hand on the princess's cheek while her other hand was stroking her hair tenderly.
''Oh, sweet Aurora...'' She replied smoothly. ''Trust me, I know...''
Aurora looked up and her purple eyes met Maleficent's dark ones.
''Maleficent...?'' Her mouth was trembling, she bit her lower lip as she quickly averted her gaze.
The wicked fairy cupped the young girl's chin in her elegant hand, locking her twinkling eyes with the princess' scared, shy ones.
''What is it, princess?'' She asked in a soft voice, arching an eyebrow.
''I...I believe I...'' The princess began hesitantly.
Maleficent placed a finger upon the girl's lips.
Aurora interrupted herself. She watched the wicked fairy as her gracious features gradually tensed into a grin of hatred when she heard a too well-known voice coming from the staircase.
''Get away from her!'' Aurora recognized Flora's authoritative voice.
''Don't touch her, witch!'' Merryweather yelled.
The three fairies were facing the two women sitting on the bed, their bodies only inches apart. As soon as they realized how close they were, the fairies gasped in shock in unison. But they soon forgot their disbelief as she instantly wielded their wands towards the only source of all their troubles.
Fauna stared at them blankly as she saw Maleficent's hand slowly sliding down Aurora's chin. She looked at the fairy as she stood up, all her classy and graceful moves carefully watched by the princess who seemed lost in bliss.
Maleficent stood between the good fairies and Aurora, as if she wanted to protect her from the women who had raised her and cherished her since her early childhood.
Thus, Fauna understood. As the thought finally occured to her mind, her jaw dropped, she put her wand down, speechless.
Maleficent did not wish any harm to their little Rose. And there was a very simple reason for that.
The wicked fairy was in love with the princess Aurora.
She didn't know how this was even possible but she could see it in her endless, black pupils which had always hidden all the feelings the tall woman was keeping inside her tormented self. But for the first time in forever, Maleficent's gleaming eyes betrayed her.
So Mother was right all along... She knew. She told me to make sure it will happen...and now I must grant her wish.
She let her wand fall to the ground and locked her gaze with Maleficent's. The fairy frowned in incomprehension.
Meanwhile, Flora had aimed her magic weapon towards the fairy, ready to strike first.
As she grasped her staff, Maleficent stretched a hand towards the three intruders.
''Stand back, you fools!'' She shouted as the good fairies were pushed back, hitting the ground all at the same time.
While the three old women were struggling to straighten up, a third person entered the room.
Maleficent's blood turned into ice. An unspeakable fire storm started raging inside her whole body as she felt herself overwhelmed by a boundless fury.
''I told you...she will...never...be yours...'' Prince Phillip growled, painfully limping on his weak bloody, broken legs.
Without an after thought, she raised her scepter towards him and struck him right in the belly, causing him to fall to the ground.
''You are nothing to me but the wretched impostor who tried to rape the Princess Aurora as you failed in waking her up!'' She yelled as she got closer to him, menacing, ready to beat him again and again, until he let out his last torturous breath.
''W-What...?'' A husky voice she knew too well cried in her back, soon followed by three other voices.
''What did you just say...?'' Flora echoed, suddenly losing all her determination.
''You heard me perfectly well, Flora. You know I am not used to repeat myself,'' Maleficent declared coolly.
''Oooh! Come on, ladies! We are not going to believe that wicked witch! We know she's trying to manipulate us!''
Flora seemed to regain her senses as she shook her head dismissively.
''Of course. If someone here were to rape Rose, we all know who that would be...''
''NO!'' Aurora suddenly got up and ran towards Maleficent, placing herself right before her to face her aunts. ''She would never rape me, for she would never hurt me in any way, I know that! You don't understand a thing, like always! You never understood a thing! You—'' She couldn't hold back her sobs anymore. She took a step back so she could lean against Maleficent's chest who placed her thin hands upon the princess' shoulders, trying to comfort her.
Merryweather tried to speak, but her mouth shut in astonishment.
''You— What spell did you put on her?'' She threatened her with her magic wand.
''I believe it was a sleeping curse, if I remember well.'' The fairy rolled her eyes, sighing in exasperation. ''But I suppose you are quite aware of that already...''
''Oh! Stop mocking us, now! Tell us the truth, you mischevious creature!'' The blue fairy fought back viciously.
Maleficent was about to reply, but she stopped herself when Aurora's hand held her own in a soothing way. The young girl took a step forward.
''If you don't want to believe her, then I shall tell you the truth myself. During all my life, I've been dreaming of so much more than this provincial life, I've been dreaming of adventure, danger... I've been dreaming about her, for all these years! And one day, I met her in the woods. She fascinated me, I couldn't help but be attracted to her. So when you left me alone, I ran away and I went to the Forbidden Mountains, to her. But when I found her, she told me everything. Everything you never had the courage to tell me, and I...I thought...I thought... She didn't want me. So I came back, you brought me here, in that huge scary castle, and I understood I would never see her again. You thought it was because of the boy, that boy!'' She gestured towards Phillip who was still lying on the ground. ''But the truth is it has never been about him. It was all about her. I was so desperate I pricked my finger of my own free will! And do you know why this is so funny? Because she tried to stop me, but she couldn't! I didn't listen to her. I fell asleep, and then I woke up. And do you know who was sitting next to me, smiling at me, holding my hand? It was her. She kissed me, and I woke up. She saved me. Not Phillip. Now, you can say I'm getting mad if you wish, but don't ever say she cast a spell on me. The only curse she put on me, you know it very well, and she broke it herself.''
Her aunts stared at her, their eyes widening in pure horror for Flora and Merryweather, and shock for Fauna.
Maleficent froze, uncertain about how she should react to Aurora's violent burst of emotions.
But a hoarse voice finally broke that awkward silence.
''Aurora... You know you can't be with her. You are my betrothed, and you are a princess. You can't have a future with her... She can't give you anything you need, not the way your family can, not the way I can!'' Phillip tried to reason her without great conviction.
''Rose, dear,'' Flora came to her and grabbed her hands, ''Prince Phillip is right, you can't love her. It is impossible.''
''I am not Rose!'' Aurora screamed, withdrawing her hands from Flora's fiercely. ''My name is Aurora, Princess Aurora. And I don't care!''
''Well, uh... Aurora, listen to me. You must know she is not capable of any sort of empathy. Everybody knows that, dear, that is just the way she is! She's evil...''
''Flora!'' Fauna cut her off, for the first time in forever. ''How can you say that? You know it is not true. Nothing in the world is that simple. No one is completely good, nor completely evil...'' She added, looking up at Maleficent shyly. The dark fairy answered with nothing but furrowed eyebrows.
''Maleficent may be evil, but at least she didn't spend the last sixteen years lying to me and treating me like a silly weak child!'' The princess lifted her chin defiantly.
Maleficent couldn't help but smirk.
Fair point, princess. It seems my bad influence on you is starting to show up now. Even though it pleases me in a way you cannot possibly imagine, I am afraid it won't please everyone here...
As her three poor aunts were glaring at her painfully, Aurora smiled as well, as if she had read Maleficent's mind.
The wicked fairy knew she better didn't interfere. Moreover, it seemed Aurora was handling it quite well, and that without her and her famous persuasive manners. So she did nothing more than observe the scene she was witnessing in silence, before a well-known despicable voice made itself heard not far from her.
''If you had a conscience, you would let her go...'' The voice came from her back.
Maleficent left the four women arguing loudly behind her as she turned around to face the man she called the Impostor.
''I should have killed you while I still had the chance.'' She stated emotionlessly.
His appalling, shattered face raised what seemed like an amused grin.
''I guess it's too late now... I suppose you won't kill me just in front of her so innocent eyes, right?'' He mocked her.
Maleficent pointed her staff at him in a sharp gesture. Phillip fell to his knees, his face turning to crimson red. He placed his hands around his throat, smothering, trying desperately to catch a breath.
''Don't test me, Ô Prince,'' the dark fairy hissed coldly.
''If...you...love her...then...let her go! You know...you can't...give her...what...she...wants.'' The prince managed to articulate between two miserable coughs.
Maleficent finally brought back her scepter to her side, releasing her magical grip around the man's neck. He fell to the ground, coughing pitifully.
He looked up at her, neutral.
''You know I am right. You may be ruthless, but you're not stupid. You can't give her the kindness she needs, you can't give her the affection she wants... You are not capable of love, you know that, don't you, Maleficent? You took so much from her, already... So at least, show mercy on that poor innocent girl and let her live her life!''
The wicked fairy raised an eyebrow as she glared at him with pure disdain.
''Who are you to tell me what I must do, you silly prince?'' She snapped, gritting her teeth.
Phillip laughed mirthlessly.
''No one to you, I suppose. But I am to be her husband, and her king. Do you really think she would rather live a miserable life of dirt and decay with you than a glorious life of a beloved queen and mother?''
''Well, that is not for you to choose, foolish boy. Ask Princess Aurora. Go ahead, ask her. And we shall see who she will choose...'' Maleficent responded haughtily, looking at her fingernails in a weary motion.
''Oh! But I would never make that terrible mistake... Don't worry, I know perfectly who she would choose if I asked her right now. That was not what I was proposing you.''
''Then what do you suggest, Ô clever Prince?'' She chuckled insidiously, her dark, impenetrable gaze locking with Phillip's brown eyes.
''What I suggest you is quite simple. If you love her, and I know you do.'' Maleficent's eyes shone with a threatening gleam. ''Let her have a happy life. You have nothing to offer her but torment and despair. You have no heart, and we both know she will die trying to find it...''
''SILENCE !'' She howled, raising a threatening hand towards him.
Maleficent couldn't bear to listen to this nonsense anymore. She turned her back on him as her staff knocked the ground full force.
The Impostor was right. She had nothing to give Aurora. She would destroy the tiny part of joy still living inside her heart. What monster would she be if she did that to the only woman she had ever loved?
The worst.
This wretched bastard was right about everything. And for once, she realized the three stupid fairies had been right all along as well. The only way to protect Aurora was to keep the young girl away from her. She had to let her go.
Sweet Aurora, for centuries I have known you will one day lead me to my downfall. However, I never thought that would be by giving up on you right now. Now it is too late for me, but you still have a chance to be happy...
But that must be without me.
She turned around to focus on the princess' conversation.
''I don't care about what you think, nor what is right, I am done listening to you three! I'm leaving with Maleficent, whether you like it or not!'' Aurora was bravely defying her aunts' orders.
''But dear, you must understand that is not possible... You are betrothed to someone else.'' Merryweather objected quietly.
''Yes, and for that very reason, you must never see that fairy again.'' Flora added, patting Aurora's hand sadly.
''But...no! No! That is not fair! I...I...'' Aurora's eyes were suddenly veiled with tears starting to run down her cheeks.
''Aurora, dear, you know this is not going to end well. She is...'' Fauna tried to convince her, but failed for she knew there was nothing to say.
''Yes, she is a beast,'' Flora nodded. ''She might have told you she cares for you, but that is not true. She will hurt you, she will never love you. You must understand that, for your own good.''
''That is— That is not... That is not true!'' The young girl shook her head frenetically.
Maleficent watched the princess as she suppressed her tears, trying to resist her aunts' arguments with all her strength. She knew she had to go to her, comfort her, ease her pain, destroy it, like she used to destroy everything that ever crossed her way... She had to tell her that she cared, tell her she loved her...but she couldn't.
''You know it is, dear. She will never care for anyone but herself. She is cruel, she is heartless, she is a...monster.'' Merryweather repeated those words with despise and hate, like a cursed chorus of a damned song.
The dark fairy groaned throatily. Everyone turned towards her. The three foolish fairies stared at her in fear, the prince just looked down, too tired to fight.
Her frightening gaze met Princess Aurora's.
You see, my princess, I have already broken your heart...
''Listen well now, you poor simple fools! You want me to be the beast you think I am? You want to see a monster? Very well! Then a monster I shall be!'' She claimed as her hypnotizing voice resounded in the large room endlessly.
I never thought I would one day call myself a coward...
She allowed herself one last glance at Aurora, full of regret and remorse.
May you forgive me one day, my love...
She outstretched her hands to the sky and she vanished into a burst of green flames, leaving only an intoxicating echo of a maniac laugh behind her.
Phillip smiled as he finally let himself lie down on the cold floor, exhausted.
The three good fairies looked at each other mournfully and quickly reported their attention to their little Briar Rose.
Aurora had sunk to the floor. On her kneels, on the cold stone floor, she burst into tears.
''I knew this was not going to end well... We only have one way to fix this.'' Flora sighed as she faced the green fairy, taking her hand. ''Fauna, you still know how to do this, don't you?''
Fauna kept quiet for a while, averting her sister's gaze. Finally she nodded, leaning towards Aurora to help her stand up.
''Don't worry, dear. I am going to ease your pain. Now calm yourself and lie down.'' She gently dragged the princess towards the bed.
Aurora was too weak and desperate to resist her aunt's tender touch. So she obeyed.
''I am going to erase the pain from your mind...'' Fauna began, putting a cold, tiny hand on the young girl's forehead.
Princess Aurora looked blankly at her, and finally, she understood. Her eyes widened, she took Fauna's hand, shaking it tightly.
''No... Please... Don't do that...'' Tears were now soiling her cheeks, which broke the green fairy's heart. ''I want...I want to remember... Please, don't... I beg you, aunt Fauna...''
Fauna smiled sadly.
''Don't worry, dear. I know what I must do. Just calm down, don't be afraid,'' Fauna waved her wand above Aurora's head.
The princess closed her eyes, her muscles relaxed, and she fell asleep as a light green glow was getting into her brain.
Fauna sighed again as she felt tears escaping from her own eyes. She wiped them away roughly.
Don't worry, Mother. I will do it. She will remember. She will go to her, one day...
She turned towards her sisters who were now healing Prince Phillip.
Everything is going to be fine, she told herself.
She opened her eyes to see a handsome man smiling at her, holding her hands tightly.
She felt utterly lost for a short while.
Where am I? Who is he? What is he doing here? What does he want?
Two voices were fighting inside her mind. A sweet calm voice she could recognize as her own and a low mesmerizing voice she was certain she had already heard, a thousand times...
He is Prince Phillip, he saved you.
He is the Impostor, he merely killed your only love and tried to rape you.
You love him!
You hate him!
Kiss him!
Slap him!
She tried to ignore those conflicting thoughts to figure out the most appropriate behavior that was expected, and worthy of her. Something normal, something understandable, something logical.
Something not absolutely nice, yet not totally mean. Something in between.
So Princess Aurora smiled.
And all the voices in her mind were reduced to silence for ever.