.

Chapter 5
House of the Mirror

In the realm of magic… Somewhere…

"Ridiculous… Utterly ridiculous." thought Spiegel, staring at the horizon full of floating mirrors and glass shards. "Who does she think she is?" he sulked out of bitter jealousy, for he was reminded of his current situation as a Gifter. Indignation was the only emotion he was feeling. He was practically the weakest amongst his peers. Series of troublesome circumstances that occurred five years ago had rendered him neglected, abandoned, forgotten. Topped with that damned purple fairy finding herself the perfect Chosen. He gritted his teeth so hard, they could have cracked if he was a mortal.

Spiegel was the being that resided within the Magic Mirror of Secrets. The mirror had been the heirloom of the house of Schoen for centuries. Each eldest daughter of the main family would possess the mirror as per tradition. The women that had wielded the mirror were under a plethora of different pursuits, they were warriors, explorers, handmaidens, alchemists, spies, witches; just to name a few. He had serviced them with his magic in ways that they deemed useful. He was the sole reason that their name had come into prominence for ages. But, their legacy had died down to obscurity in the recent centuries.

A Gifter always needed a Chosen. That's how their magics worked. A pact between them sustained a Gifter's existence. It had been the primary source of their power. Their magics were fueled by their purpose for mortals. So, he didn't really care who his Chosen was. As long as he had one, it didn't matter.

Though, one cannot say that he didn't enjoy the glory of the Schoens. There was a time when the house's influence was prominent on the kingdom of Zuerdefleux, they were the word of mouth of the folk. They were dependent on the house, as if they were the actual royalty. And it all played into Spiegel's benefit: the house aided the folk, the folk would rely on them, the house aided them some more, the cycle would continue; while using his magic in the process, giving him purpose to mortals, feeding into his power. It was an ecosystem between Gifter, Chosen, and the common folk; where he was clearly on top.

He craved the exercise of his abilities, parched for it even. He had felt frail, due to the lack of action.

His eyes darted to each and every mirror in front of him. Those mirrors served as monitors which viewed places in the mortal realm. They displayed places and people within the walls of his old owners' castle. He had always looked at these monitors, even if it never fruited towards anything. He didn't really have much of a choice. At least he had a means to look forward to something in his currently useless existence.

A certain mirror took his interest.

It viewed a woman blossoming with innocent beauty. She adorned a dress coated with bright and vibrant colors, bringing out her innocent glow. Her skin, as white as snow. Her hair, as black as ebony. Her lips, as red as the rose. Her grace, so gentle, can never be hidden by rags. Spiegel knew exactly who she was.

Snow White, stepdaughter of his former master, daughter of his late master before her. The only living inheritor to his power.

The recent history of the house of Schoen had been a story of their rise to power, their submission to the public's abuse of their power, their decline in influence, giving in to the need of their secrecy.

Their generosity had contributed to their rise to power as the rulers of the Zwerdefleux. The house had always given the people what they needed. But in the midst of a famine with a very complacent king in rule, the charity of house Schoen would have a stronger impact on the people. The house kept the people healthy enough to fend for themselves, think for themselves, fight for themselves. With the people being capable of those things, and a neglectful ruler which had been proven unneeded. Revolt was bound to happen.

And a revolt there was, a successful one at that. But given the amount of shere power of the house that had supported them possessed, their victory was assured. It didn't even require that much effort and sacrifice. Despite everything else, they were still grateful to the house for their contribution; "As they should have been," Spiegel thought. And to express their gratitude, it had been decided that the family of Spiegel would rule over the kingdom. Thus, Zwerdefleux and its people flourished under their rule.

It had been good times... But, like how history commonly cycled, weak and evil men follow. As generations came after the revolt, the people became increasingly dependent on the Schoens' magic. Every day had been a feast of purpose for Spiegel. The people growing spoiled played to his favor. Though the now royal family stayed generous, they were bound to grow exhausted. It had affected how the kingdom was run. The royalty had been so occupied with granting the wishes of their subjects, other aspects of ruling the kingdom were overlooked. Political schemers took advantage at the situation, and exploited the system. They established charters that taxed those who wished upon the royalty. Complaints of the public were inevitable, but they made sure it didn't reach the royals' ears. This system had been kept secret for years, until house Schoen caught wind of it.

To say that the house went furious, was an understatement. Those involved were executed immediately after the fact. The audience for wishers were closed indefinitely. A royal statement about the citizens growing dependent on the royal family had been addressed. It demanded the people to learn to fend for themselves, to become independent of the Mirror's power. Some understood the situation, and stayed loyal. Most, however, were appalled and demanded it back. They protested, rioted, attempted assassinations. Yet the royal family stood strong, the wishing never returned. Acts of dissent became less and less as generations passed. Those who were loyal stayed silent, even to their descendants. Those in opposition slowly turned skeptical of their ambition. Word of the royal family's magic had dissolved into just mere legends, tall-tales, myths.

The absence of wishes starved him. But he couldn't do anything about it, for he could only act upon his Chosen's behest.

The Schoen name had been reduced to just being a political name. Long gone, the days their reign with the gifts of magic. The house had been abased into fighting amongst themselves on which branch of the family should stay on top. They used his power against their own family, plotted for their kins' demise.

He only had to work with crumbs of purpose. The few of his activities were connived by those who wished. Everything had to be done in secret. He found it disgusting. Well, wishes of his Chosen were still wishes of his Chosen. He could never complain as much as he liked to.

Grimhilde's folly was the worst to come from the recent disgraces of his Chosens. He could not fathom how wicked this woman had been. Her heart was as black, as the purest of tar. She had snuck to him for the vilest of wishes, she knew of his starvation. And she used it to her advantage. Her sister, the late Queen Eve had died by the Mirror's power. The witch was responsible for the late queen's death, he was merely the weapon; as he always claimed. Then to try to murder her stepdaughter, for reasons as trivial as beauty; it was reason for him to regret having her as his Chosen. And he wasn't picky on his sustenance.

His existence to only serve the house Schoen; being shackled to this purpose by his pride and tradition, and not of magical laws, had been bizarre for the man in the mirror. A magical being with loyalty and pride to match no other; to fall slowly, steadily, and surely, from power and glory enviable; to starvation and ruin undesirable.

As much as he hated to admit, he hoped what Lenore said to be true. A quick surge of power couldn't hurt. Maybe, perhaps, it was. After being feeble for a few years, he did feel a little rejuvenated as of recent. And with the last living Schoen in front of him, there was opportunity. He had an idea.

Perhaps, he could reach out to her. Maybe, she would be the key to his rise from the rot. "That will show that purple annoyance."

Author's Notes:

Yes... Spiegel is the magical being inside the Magic Mirror in Snow White. And he's currently an embodiment of PJSalt.

Quite short ain't it? This chapter just serves as an exposition to the "Mirror Man"'s character. Plus World-Build on the history of Snow White's kingdom. The kingdom was named Zwerdefleux (original name).

I decided to have Snow White, Grimhilde, and her royal family be members of House Schoen. Therefore, making Grimhilde Snow White's biological aunt. I named Snow White's mother, Eve (based on the name in "Once Upon a Time")

Also...

Snow White joins in with grace! *cue Smash Brawl them song*

Find the most JoJo influenced line.