*AN: please go back and read chappy 3 if you want... I put the html into it. Sorry for the mistake.
And they lived happily ever after...
Snow closed the book and sighed. Perhaps being betrothed wasn't so bad. Maybe things will turn out like they did in the story's she read. Maybe she will have a 'happily ever after' too. Just like in the stories.
"Are you ready, Snow?" asked her father. Snow stood, she knew she shouldn't have been sitting the way she was, feet crossed under her and bent over the book she was reading. She was happy to find that her papa said nothing nor was her dress in any sort of wrinkle.
Today was the day Snow was to meet Charming, her betrothed. She slowly took a breath, glancing in the mirror once more. Her skin was still as white as snow, her hair was as black as the midnight sky, and her eyes were an odd shade of green blue and her lips so ruby red. She had begun to wonder how she looked the way she did. She looked nothing like her parents, nor her grandparents before her. She had seen the paintings. Only her grandfather had a shade darker of hair, but it was still no match to her raven color locks.
Today she wore sapphire blue; her gown was to her toes in the front and longer in the back and it grazed the ground only slightly. The bodice was tight, as usual, and low cut. On the bodice itself were tiny sapphires and pearls sown down to the waist, and then it fell full and moved gently when she walked. The sleeves were long and tight near the top but opened near her elbows. She wore no jewelry as the dress was jewelry enough. Her waist long hair was only partly pulled up and a few strands laid lazily over one shoulder. She didn't wear any make-up; her father had told her not to.
"You look so lovely, my sweet Snow."
"Thank you, Papa." Snow walked out behind him and they walked together to a different room to meet Charming.
When the servant opened the door for them Snow entered. Charming stood with his back turned to her, looking at a painting of her mother – that had always been Snow's favorite picture of her mother. Her mother was young, sitting on a chair with her hands folded lady-like in her lap. She was wearing a long white and pale blue dress; she looked like an angel. Her blonde hair was pulled up on top of her head in curls and a few strands framed her face. She was beautiful.
Charming's parents stood, his mother was beautiful, long blonde hair was tucked into an elegant bun, a small, odd looking head dress sat on her head. Her husband, King Richard, was dressed in a suit of deep green, his brown hair was cut short and he looked handsome.
Charming's hair was dark brown, and he wore a black suit with navy trim, he turned ever so slowly, and looked with gray eyes that made Snow melt in fear, yet she liked it. He was handsome, very handsome. Strong jaw and nose, it reminded her slightly of Tomas, beautifully shaped eyes and lips and was slightly tanned. He bowed to her gently, not seeming to be too interested. She curtsied and then he took her arm and led her to the ball room. Not a word was spoken between them after being introduced.
It was Snow's 16th birthday, that was the reason for the ball, and the ball was the reason that Charming was there. Snow felt as if he didn't want to be there, he didn't look as if he was overly happy to see her, he looked... bothered.
"You look nice," he said, sounding as if he didn't truly mean it. But it was a complement and Snow knew she had to respond, if he meant it or not.
"Thank you, Sir," she said in the same tone, staring at him until he turned his head to look into her face. Snow just stared at him, studying him, every feature, and every mark. She kept the same look on her face, slightly arrogant yet knowledge filled. A small smile blessed his face, and Snow again felt a strange fearful feeling.
They continued towards the ball room.
*°*°*°*°*
Tomas talked kindly to the women throughout the ball. They were beautiful, but they were beginning to annoy him. Those high pitched giggles and they said the same things over and over again. He saw Snow and Charming enter the room. All eyes fell upon the couple. Tomas inhaled sharply; he had never seen Snow look quite like this, quite this beautiful. He looked away knowing it was only because she was now unavailable, she was out of his reach and that made him want her more. He had thought Snow was more beautiful then any other woman that day he had first laid eyes on her, her only being ten. But her mother told him she was already betrothed, but of course there was always Isabelle. 'Isabelle', anyone but her.
He looked over at his sister; he felt a slight pity for her. He had wished that Adele would open her eyes and see that she was beautiful. Mother constantly said that she needed to lose weight which Adele translated to: 'you're fat' and Mother would also complement Isabelle's lovely golden hair in front of Adele, this Adele took as: 'I wish my daughter had the same', needless to say Adele felt less then what she was. And Mother denying her dream to practice magic didn't help any either. Tomas also knew of Adele's crush on the knight Angel. Another thought crossed his mind, Angel would be here. He was King Richard's Knight!
The dances began and Snow twirled around with her soon to be husband.
"I meant what I said you know," Charming said as he stepped back and bowed as was the dance. "You do look very beautiful." He stepped forward and took hold of her hand and they walked in a circle. Snows long blue gown flowing beautifully behind her. One hand was in his, the other holding the side of her gown slightly up. Her long black hair and fair skin accented by the dress.
"And I truly meant it when I thanked you." Snow said, smiling devilishly. She curtsied and he bowed again.
"In life, my beautiful, what do you want?"
"Happiness." Snow replied looking deep into his eyes.
"And in a husband, dear princess, what do you want?"
"Might I be so bold to ask you the same thing?"
"I do not want a husband, Snow." Charming said, a slight grin on his face. Snow glared at him.
"You know what I meant." Charming did not answer her; he only danced with her in silence until the dance was over.
"Excuse me for a moment, my Lady." he said bowing and retired towards the door. He needed air.
Charming couldn't deny that Snow was beautiful, he wouldn't even try. But the fact that he was marrying her because she was rich and beautiful: it wasn't what he wanted. He wanted more. Selfish? Maybe. Ignorant? Sure. Right? Without a doubt.
"Are you alright?" Snow asked walking up behind him. He turned and looked at her, she was so willing. Willing to marry a man she didn't know. Did she want him only for his money, of course not? For his name? Why? It bothered him so much he did ask, a little more forcefully then he had intended to.
Snow was taken aback at his behavior. She had never thought of it before. She looked down at her small white hands, her slender fingers wringing through the others in nervousness.
"Because Papa told me to." She replied honestly, looking up into his face. He saw something in her face, something he didn't expect to see, he saw fear.
"'Because Papa told me to' that is your reason? Do you not have a mind of your own, Princess?" he hissed.
Snow stared at him opened mouth; soon anger filled her beautiful face.
"And, Prince, what exactly do you think you're doing it for!" Snow knew his parents had talked to her father about it, it was how it always was; he didn't even know her beforehand. She turned and began to walk back inside. Charming quickly grabbed her arm.
"Don't go in there angry with me, it will cause a seen and upset your father." he demanded. Snow took a step closer to him, putting her face near to his.
"And what the hell do you care if I cause a seen or upset papa." she said in a tone low and angry.
It was now Charming who was taken aback. He stared at her for a long time. She turned and walked inside; before she entered she called over her shoulder to him.
"I won't look mad inside, but when you come in and are beside me, don't speak to me." she walked inside.
Charming watched after her, rather impressed by her attitude. Most women would have burst into tears, but not Snow, she had a spark of life behind her spoilt princess façade.
***
"Princess Snow, may I have this dance?" asked Tomas. Snow accepted and Charming walked in just in time to see. His heart leaped to his throat yet he didn't know why. He cared nothing for her, she was right; he was marrying her because his parents said he would. He had no right to say the things that he did, it was wrong of him.
Such a hypocrite, he thought to himself. He watched her dance, she was so beautiful. He could live with that, he could live with that beauty even if there was a lack of something... a lack of something his Adele had once told him about when he spent time at the kingdom of King Tomas and Queen Lillian... a lack of love.
'Love' was never really a word that came into the minds of royalty. Power, wealth and beauty were all they cared for. Adele was something different though, a sweet child. He had once asked what she would want in life and she said 'Love'. Snow had said 'happiness'; did she truly mean 'love' and just didn't know the word for it? Charming ran his fingers through his brown hair and sat down. It didn't matter really, he would marry her, bring an heir to the throne, create a powerful kingdom for the generations to come and pray that his children married for this mysterious cause...
...this so called 'love'...
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