As I stood at the king's funeral, it was hard not to think about all the eyes staring at me. But I knew they didn't know. There wasn't a chance they knew, I threw the apple into the fireplace, nothing remained of it.

But the most painful thing in this was Snowhite. The look in her eyes almost made me confess it was me. I took her beloved father. Well, his beloved father didn't have a lot of time for her. This was why he had looked for a babysitter queen. I knew my hand would be full of work, at least until I find a suitable royalty.

A year had passed, and another one. I hardly had a moment to myself, and Snowhite forgot me already. She had a magnificent nanny who took care of her from dawn to evening. She became more and more beautiful every day and I started to notice another wrinkle and one more white hair. I wasn't that old, and yet, I looked so much older.

Like every night, I went to the room with the mirror. It was just one of those days.

"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?"

"Your beauty shines bright, second only to Snowhite."

I bit my lip. At this rate, she'll marry instead of me! She'll take my chance to be a mother! The chance to be loved!

She forgot about me so quickly anyway. Maybe it was time for me to do the same. Without uttering another word, I left the room. Even though it was a late hour and night, I made sure to call the best hunter in the kingdom.

As the dawn rose, he came. his hair and his bristles were brown, his eyes were green and he had a strong body. I almost thought to leave everything and run away with him, but I knew it would be a dumb act. He didn't know and didn't see me as anything but his queen. If I show the slightest affection, he would abuse me, like all of them.

I don't think I was naive. I knew he wouldn't take my hand in marriage, but for the first time in so many years, I had a sparkle I didn't think would return. It brought up something in me. I longed for an adventure, but I had to act restraint.

"I am sorry to bother you at such late house," I said officially "But I have a task I am willing to give only to a hunter with golden hands."

"It is an honor," he kneeled "Though I can't but wonder what a queen wants from a humble hunter."

"First of all, tell me, am I beautiful in your eyes?"

"Immeasurably beautiful," after a few moments he added, "my wife has a heart of gold, but her beauty is be dwarfed compare to yours."

Of course, he was married. How such a handsome guy with a reputation wouldn't be? I probably didn't grow up since the days I thought my future was ahead of me.

"Is it only sweet talk? Tell me the truth."

"Is this why you called me, your majesty?"

"No, No..." I almost whispered, trying to hide my lameness. "Bring me the heart of Snowhite."

The hunter's jaw dropped.

"Your majesty..."

"Your choice... the death of Snowhite or your dear wife," I said in an indifferent tone. I felt like a monster. Maybe that what I was."

"If that is your wish, I will gladly accept," he stood.

"Don't lie to me," I said with a frozen face "I hate lies."

"If that's your wish. I will accept, my queen, even though I feel ashamed being your subject."

My chest burnt. But it was a price I was willing to pay.

As the night fell, he brought me a heart. How repulsive it was. But I thought it was better to see a heart than a dead body. I had enough of those.

After that, I came back to the mirror.

"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?"

"Even if she's out of sight, it is still Snowhite."

I tried to stop the tears... Of course he lied to me, his despicable queen. No wonder everyone called me evil.