Chapter Ten
The Queen merely stared at him as if she had swallowed a sour lemon. Eyes wide, the white of the eyes seemed to turn a shade of red, and her fists shook. "What did you say?"
There was venom in her words and he did not know why. He raised his brow at her. "I only asked, what does Snow White look like?"
She suddenly marched over to him, grabbed him by his ear and dragged him along. "Come with me."
Like a child having done something wrong, Queen Grimhilde pulled Adam by his ear through the dungeons and to the next floor until they had gotten to a window where she finally released him.
"That," She hissed as she pointed towards the window, "is Snow White!"
He hesitantly stepped forward and saw several of the maids huddled together washing bed sheets, laughing and gossiping. There were four all together: A curly redhead with green eyes, a brunette with blue eyes, a platinum blonde with brown eyes, and the one he recognized was his scullery maid that he had become acquainted with.
Well, she wasn't his scullery maid since he had no ownership of her, but he definitely enjoyed seeing her and speaking with her. Of the four she was the smallest and worked the hardest. Although they appeared to be working together, he noticed that she was working by herself while the other three worked together on their laundry. How strange.
"Which one? There are three of them down there."
"It is obvious," she shoved him aside and pointed again out the window. "The one with raven black hair, red ruby lips, and skin as white as snow; Snow White!"
She spoke the name so loudly that the maids all stopped, but the one that fell and seemed to shake was the little scullery maid he had met. In the two times that they met, she never once mentioned her name. She got his, but she never admitted to what her name was.
"I should have known. . ." His hands clenched into fists as he stepped back from the window. For some reason he found it rather difficult to breathe as if he were having an anxiety attack of sorts. His hand went to his chest and he began to count his breaths.
Inhale, One. . .
Two. . .
Three. . .
"Yes, that insufferable ball of sunshine and kindness is Snow White." She hissed.
Exhale, Four. . .
Five. . .
Six. . .
"She uses her kindness as a weapon and seduces the males into liking her. She has more allies in this castle than I do in my own home country!" She slammed her fist against the window seal.
Inhale, Seven. . .
Eight. . .
Nine. . .
"If only I hadn't swore to her father. . ."
Exhale, Ten. . .
Eleven . . .
Twelve. . .
"What did you swear?" He asked after finally getting his breathing under control.
"I swore to that man that I personally would not lay a hand on his daughter's head." She glared and her red lips turned into a snarl. "I would have drained her of her blood ages ago had I not sworn I wouldn't!"
"What is so special about you going back on a swear?" She did it all too easily in her old age. She lived by no limitations, not even swears or oaths.
"When you are a witch and you swear or make an oath," She snatched his wrist and dug her nails into his flesh. His eyes widened. "It will kill you if you do not keep it."
"Why did you make it?" he tried to gently take his wrist back, but in the process revealed a small sliver of his wrist between his gloves and the sleeves.
"It was his dying wish before I drank his blood and began this pilgrimage of black magic!" her grip became tighter.
"Your Highness" he stared down at his wrist. "I recommend that you let go - "
"So since I cannot kill her, I shall have you kill her -!" she cackled and the tips of her fingers touched the slightest hair of exposed skin on his wrist. She yelped and leapt back in pain and held her hand. "What did you do?!" He hand shook and was steaming as if it were melting.
"I did not do anything intentional." He tugged down the sleeve of his shirt and returned it into his gloves. "You touched my skin. You made my skin poisonous. Anything that I touch with my bare skin immediately receives a high dosage of toxic poison that it will kill anything."
"How marvelous," she chuckled and circled him. Her hand still shook and steamed, but in just a few short minutes it seemed to have healed over. He did not like the fact that her hand and simply healed so quickly. "You're poisonous?"
"Yes. . ." She circled him like a vulture.
"Marvelous," a smile grew on her face, an evil smile. "Simply marvelous. My, Adam, it appears that you are not useless at all~!"
He did not like the sound of that at all. Another cackle escaped her and her mood completely changed. "Well, my dear nephew," she patted his cheek. "It appears that you will most definitely be useful to me after all."
"Nephew?" He repeated. "I am not your nephew, I am your - "
"I know what you are." She slapped his face in impatience. "However, for the sake of gossip amongst the servants, you shall be known as my nephew. It is definitely easier trying to explain to people than saying that you are my creation from some sort of future that should not happen."
"True . . ."
"I have decided it then." She turned with a dramatic flare of her cape. "You shall receive your requests, I shall have my servants prepare a room for you. You will return to me this afternoon. In the meantime," she looked over her shoulder. "Why don't you go find some way to entertain yourself?"
She left with her velvety robes and cape billowing behind her and much to Adam's relief, left him alone. He fell back against the wall and ran his hand through his hair. He had no idea what he needed to do. The Queen was all too willing to meet his demands now that she knew what he was capable of. He should be happy, but there was some part of him that ached and itched at the thought of actually giving the Queen what she wanted. What's worse is that he knew who Snow White was, and he did not want to kill her; yet. His head swam and he felt sick, but he pushed himself up on the wall and made himself would not let some little girl get in the way of his mission, especially since that girl was his mission now.
He made himself walk down the long hallway where he eventually ventured into the large library that the scullery maid - Snow White - had previously told him about. Upon entering, he could only stop and gape at the room filled to the brim with books. It was only a single story room, but it seemed to stretch the full length of the castle! He had never seen so many books in one place before. The library in the Anti-World in the Evil Queen's castle had moldy books that she often used for the fires. Other than the books she required for him to read for her special studies, he had not read anything beyond that.
Ever so quietly, he walked the long rows of shelves of books and could not choose where to begin. There was everything from philosophy, theology, biology, history, fiction, and poetry all of varying sizes that he greatly wished to devour. Alas, there was not enough time for him to actually read them all, but he would most definitely start somewhere. Of the most complicatedly simple things he decided to start with was poetry. As an art poetry was both beautiful, but boring. It was the depth in the words that he wanted to study and see why poetry was so moving.
His gloved hand found a thin, black poetry book by Rainer Maria Rilke.
"What is necessary, after all, is only this:
Solitude, vast inner solitude.
To walk inside yourself and meet no one for hours -
That is what you must be able to attain."
"What an interesting thought. . ." he murmured as he continued to scan over the next few pages. This particular writing style was much easier to read than he anticipated. Poetry could be difficult depending on the culture as well as verse of the poetry and it was something he often decided to read before bed rather than for pleasure. Still, it was rather interesting to see what writers could come up with.
"Looks like you managed to find your way here without my help," a soft giggle came from behind him and he swung his arm out. He was glad that she was so short compared to him, otherwise she more than likely would have had a bloody nose and a mouthful of apple poison running through her system.
He relaxed his arm and clutched the book to himself. He had not heard her footsteps, nor did he sense her approaching him. It was one of his worst flaws when it came to reading, he always tuned the rest of the world out. It got him in trouble many times before with the Evil Queen.
"You were so quiet. . ." He cleared his throat and awkwardly tried to find his place in the book again, but he just kept turning to random pages. He'd find where he was eventually.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" she put her tiny hands over those plumps red lips. "I didn't mean to scare you, I just tried to be quiet so I wouldn't disturb your reading."
He merely looked at her and did not know what exactly to say. At this very moment all he had to do was reach out, touch any part of her skin, and she would melt away and the Evil Queen would get her Happy Ending faster. Actually, now that he thought about it, killing her now would be too obvious and would cause conflict for the Evil Queen; it was almost the right motivation that he needed. . . No, that would be too messy and would cause more trouble than conflict.
"Are you mad?" Those big brown eyes pleaded for forgiveness. There was an odd pang in his chest, and he didn't like it and he scowled more. "I really didn't want to disturb you I just - "
"No, I'm not mad about that," he shook his head and snapped the book closed and looked at her. "I just didn't hear you come in. . ."
"I'm sorry," those big brown eyes were so sincere. "I get in trouble if I am heard, so I have to be extra quiet." She looked down and twiddled her fingers together. Adam, for some odd reason, looked down at her feet and noticed that her shoes had no soles on the bottoms of them. She wore mismatched stockings and her soft leather black shoes had no soles, no bottoms to them. Her little feet turned in as if they were embarrassed to be in such a state.
"Why didn't you tell me your name?" he asked suddenly, hoping to change the subject. He was curious though as to why she would not tell him her name. She more than likely would not like the fact that he found out what her name was, but still. . .
"I-I'm sorry?" She looked up and her head tilted to the left a little.
"Your name." He placed the book back on the shelf and did his best to shield his face of agitation from her. "Why haven't you told me your name?"
"Oh." Her lips pursed into a thin line and she twisted her fingers and looked away again. "Because. . . I'm not supposed to . ."
He did not like that answer, nor did he like the fact she now would not look him in the eye.
"I'm sorry, I've interrupted you, and I should just go - " She tried to run away, but Adam did not like that. He grabbed her wrist and kept her from running away. She looked back at him with a flushed face and eyes that were getting pink around the edges.
"Because why?" he stepped forward, and she shrank back and looked up at him. "Why are you not supposed to tell me your name?"
"Because I'm not supposed to tell people who I am." Her lower lip quivered and those big brown eyes brimmed with tears. "The staff get into trouble if they talk about me, or if I talk to others. Everyone gets hurt because of me. . . I don't know what your relation is to the Queen, but I don't want you to get in trouble either. . ."
"What?" He raised an eyebrow at her. Being who the Evil Queen was, it was not surprising that this was her course of action, but it was still odd to consider her so volatile at such an early age. . .
"My stepmother, the Queen." Those eyes were wide in fear. "She hurts the staff when too many people know about me. Regardless of who you are, she'll hurt you too."
"Queen Grimhilde, is your step mother?" he blinked. He had completely forgotten that they were mother and daughter, even if not by blood. Unlike all of the strange ways that the Evil Queen had told him of how she wanted to kill her, Adam had rarely been told the full story of Snow White.
"Yes," she nodded and that look of fear remained in her eyes. "She is the most beautiful person I have ever seen, but she can be so cruel when her temper gets the better of her. . . I would know."
She cast her eyes to the ground again and Adam could not help but feel annoyed. No one knew of the queen's wrath like he did.
"What do you mean you know of her temper?" he slowly released her wrist and her hand now free, clutched her arm. She hugged herself as though she were cold and still would not look at him.
"She has given me many lashes for things I did not know vexed her. . ." Her voice was above a whisper. "I'm not allowed to have friends, I'm not allowed to socialize with the staff, I'm not even allowed to be taught to read!"
Her small face went into her little hands and small sniffles escaped from her. Adam had no idea what to do. He did not want to make her cry, not because he felt bad, but because crying was annoying. He hated the noises of crying infants and children, now he could add crying women to his list of things he did not like to hear. It tempted him to kill her much faster now. . .
"How can you not be able to read?" he asked as she sniveled and rubbed her face. He pulled his handkerchief from his breast pocket and handed it to her. She stopped her sniveling for a few moments, blinked at his gesture, and gently took it and dabbed at her eyes. She touched it to the corners of her eyes ever so carefully, almost as if she were scared of getting dirty.
"My step mother," she sniveled and twisted the handkerchief in her hands, "has forbidden me from reading or learning how to read."
"You can't be serious," his brow furrowed. "How old are you?"
"Eighteen. . ." she whispered and dropped her head.
"How long has the edict been in place?"
"Since I was five or six, I believe."
Adam could not stop his eyes from widening. She could not read, the Queen decreed that she was not allowed to read. He understood why because if she could read, she could read the mail, the letters that came in detailing of her poisons that she ordered not to mention the body count that she kept. If she could read, she could use all of the evidence that was around her against the Evil Queen. Having the ability to read and comprehend the text was a power higher than most magic spells that could make the difference in any kingdom.
Very clever you old hag, very clever. . .
"Well that is not good." He grunted and dragged his hand through his hair. "That is not good at all. . .We're going to have to change that."
"I beg your pardon?" she blinked away a few tears and had finally stopped crying. Her eyes were pink as well as her nose, but even with a tear stained face she was still lovely to look at.
"My dear Snow White," She flinched and flushed as he said her name. "I am going to tell you this now so that way you will know for future reference." He stood in front of her and looked her in the eye, "I do not like to repeat myself and you are going to need to properly listen."
Her big brown eyes blinked and she gave a quick nod.
"My dear Snow White," he repeated and felt his eyebrow twitch. "I am going to teach you how to read."
Her tiny hands went over her mouth as a small gasp escaped from her. She looked so happy at the thought then an odd look crossed her face and she shook her head.
"But you can't! If the Queen finds out that you are trying to teach me how to read, then she'll hurt you!"
"I'm not scared of my. . .aunt." He grimaced at calling the old hag his aunt. He hated the idea of that woman being his blood relative. Although she created him, it was not by natural means and the hate that he had been born with held deep feelings of hate towards her. "I know exactly what that woman is capable of and I know exactly what she would do to me if she found out what I intend to do."
"Your aunt?" Her eyes almost seemed to glimmer with excitement. "Then that would mean, you and I are cousins?"
"It's complicated. . ." He dragged his hand down the back of his neck. "I'm not a legitimate nephew. . .Just a family friend who grew up calling her aunt. . ."
His nose wrinkled at the thought of spinning this tale more than it needed to be. However, he did not want to be associated with her more than being a henchman and Recruit.
"Oh. . ." Her shoulders drooped and she held her elbow. "So we're not really family then."
"No," he shook his head. "No we're not. But, it is probably better that way." Her head tilted to the side again and her eyebrow arched as if she were going to as a question. "We can continue the relations at another time. We're getting off track. The baker, do you see him every day?"
"Yes," she nodded. "I always visit him in the mornings to drop off apples in exchange for my apple tarts."
"I am currently looking for lodging in town," he explained. "Tomorrow when you go to the baker I will meet you outside and take you to my lodging and we shall begin your reading lessons."
"Why would we have them there?" She was ever so full of naïve and innocent questions; how much damage had the old hag done to her? "Would it not be easier to have them here?"
"Even walls have eyes and ears, Snow White," he sighed. "Besides, I don't like being in this castle because it has too much. . .negative energy." He was wary of saying evil energy in case it would scare her off; then again her step mother was the Evil Queen, she should be used to the evil energy that haunted the castle.
"We could always go to my secret apple trees," she offered, but Adam shook his head.
"No, I won't ask that of you. That is your oasis here in such a prison you are forced to be in." He crossed his arms. "No, I won't take that from you. You will meet me in town and I shall take you back to my lodging place and we shall begin your lessons then."
"Very well," a soft smile began to curl on her face. Her little hands grasped his left hand and she gave it a squeeze. "Thank you very much."
"Don't thank me yet," he gingerly pulled his hand free from her. "I show no mercy in my teachings."
"Still, I will look forward to it." That smile only grew on her face and he could see how white her teeth were.
"Just try not to tell anyone," He dragged his hand down the back of his neck. "I will see you tomorrow then."
Not knowing what else to say, he turned on his heel and decided to leave.
"You're just leaving?" She scurried after him.
"Yes." He tried to quicken his pace, but she somehow managed to keep up with her small legs.
"Won't you stay for dinner?" She yanked on the coat tails of his coat and made him stop. "You were invited here by the Queen, were you not? Are you not going to dine with her?"
"The Queen does not eat with peasants." He looked over his shoulder and snatched his coat back. "I already had an appointment that I must return to."
"Oh. " Her shoulders drooped again, and she twisted her fingers as she held out his handkerchief to him. "Then I shall see you in the morning."
He glanced at the handkerchief in her hand and saw that her hand trembled slightly as she held it out to him.
"Keep it." She blinked in surprise. "Think of it as leverage of seeing me in the morning to return it. It'll guarantee our meeting."
Her smile returned and she clutched the handkerchief to her.
"Tomorrow then."
"Tomorrow." Before she could continue to bother him with more conversation, he left the library. His footsteps were quick as he rushed from the library and made his way back to the dungeon.
Author's Note:
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you're enjoying it so far!
Please leave me a review and let me know how I'm doing! I would love to hear about who your favorite characters are! Have you ever heard of the Disney Villain Recruiters? Please check them out on Pinterest and let me know what you think! If you've invested into the story this long, hopefully you've been checking them out. ^_^
Thanks so much for coming along the journey with me!
Ko-fi/Sarahthewriter
