Snow trotted to the kitchen, a basket of apples swinging on her arm. Aguria, the cook, greeted her with a smile. "I thought you would never get back with those apples," she purred, "and you know how much the Queen loves her pie."
Snow nearly rolled her eyes at the mention of the Queen but stopped herself. Her step mother was ruler after all and already hated her. Her father had been killed around a month ago by a raiding army and his wife had taken over the palace.
King White had ruled over the land of Guendolyn for nearly thirty years. His first wife, Snow's mother, had died about five years after Snow's birth. And then five years later he married Grimhilde, a vain and greedy woman who seemed to have no love for her father, but instead his money.
"Do you want any help?" Snow asked.
"No, dear, you need to be off for your sewing lesson soon," she said. This time Snow really did roll her eyes.
"I hate sewing," she mumbled.
"But you're so talented," Aguria said, "you parents would both be so proud."
Snow took a deep breath. She didn't want to cry in the kitchens again. She had spent so much time crying and she was tired of it.
"I guess you're right," Snow said. She gave the apples to Aguria and said her goodbyes before heading out the door. She made her way down the long narrow hallway and up a long staircase that lead her to the third floor.
She paused in front of the door to the Woman's Parlor, dreading the idea of having to do thread work with Lady Chastia and Lady Aphima. Both young women were wards her father had brought in so that Snow could grow up among other highborn ladies. Instead, Snow had grown to hate them. They adored her position and wanted to speak gossip about the land but cared nothing about her as a person.
Finally she got enough nerve to open the door. Her teacher, Miss. Gladys stood in front of Chastia and Aphima eyeing their handiwork. "You're late again Snow," she growled.
"Sorry," she mumbled, taking her seat. She picked up her supplies and began to work, glancing over to see if the other girls had gotten much farther along than she.
"Have you heard anything else about the war?" Chastia asked.
Chastia was fourteen, a year younger than Snow. Her mousy brown hair was often styled in a curled fashion and she was obsessed with Snow's position. Snow knew she wished she could be princess, she'd heard her say it many times before.
"We lost another battle yesterday," Snow told her, "but I don't know many other details."
That was a lie. Snow knew that Borias's men had slain General Saeger but she didn't want to talk about that. She was tired of hearing about death, blood and sword fights.
"I'm pretty sure Snow doesn't want to talk about the war that killed her father," Aphima said, "I'm sure you can think of something better to talk about."
Aphima was fifteen like Snow, with long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. She always wore something pink. Today she wore a white afternoon dress adorned with pink garnishes.
Before either of the girls could ask her questions about other things, a knock sounded at the door. Miss. Gladys walked over and pulled it open.
"They're in the middle of their lessons? Can't it wait?" Gladys growled. The intruder was clearly male for Gladys did not allow them into the Women's Parlor.
She let out a huge sigh, "Well fine then," she said turning her attention to us and slamming the door in the person's face. "Snow, Aphima, the Queen has summoned you to the throne room. Apparently it's urgent."
Snow knew that only Gladys would get angry with the Queen for disrupting lessons. She was strong willed and Snow often worried the old woman would get herself into trouble.
Snow and Aphima stood up and Chastia let out a whine, "Why didn't she summon me?"
"Shush girl and get back to work," Gladys growled, causing Aphima and Snow to giggle.
The two girls quickly left the room. The Queen had taken a liking to Lady Aphima for whatever reason and Snow found she was often summoned along with her. Chastia was always left out. She often wondered if the girl would get sent back to her family now that King White was dead.
The girls entered the Throne Room and saw the Queen conversing with a young dark haired man. Snow knew he had to be about eighteen years old. He was lean and well muscled but looked of royal blood.
"This is Lord Antoni," the Queen said, "he is going to be staying here for awhile. He had interest in perhaps marrying one of you."
Aphima glanced towards Snow with excitement. But Snow didn't share it. This man was interested in marrying her? How she knew this day would come, but she had hoped it would be somebody she knew.
"It's a pleasure," he said. He bowed down before Snow.
"As it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Snow White and this is Lady Aphima Braoli."
Antoni looked over her once again as if sizing her up before his gaze fell upon Aphima. She thought she saw a moment of bewilderment on his face but it quickly dispeared.
"Well it's been a long day," the Queen said. She instructed a servant to show Antoni to the guest room and the girls were dismissed.
Ares left the throne room following behind the old man that was to show him to his chambers. He glanced back to see that the young blonde was following him. Good. They needed to talk.
His disguise as Lord Antoni worked perfectly. Of course, if the real Lord Antoni were to appear that could cause problems but Ares found it unlikely. He had made sure that the lord was engaged in the battle.
"Here we are, sir," the servant said pausing before a plain door, "I can help you unpack your things-"
"No be on your way," he said, "I can handle it."
He watched the servant waddle off before speaking. "Why don't you come in and make yourself comfortable Aphima. It seems we have a bit to talk about."
The young girl came out from behind the pillar she was hiding behind, a smirk on her face. "I knew you would turn up eventually," she said before ducking into his room.
Once inside the room, Ares changed into his true form and so did Aphima. The young girl transformed into the scantily clad goddess of love, Aphrodite.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he growled at his sister.
"I could ask you the same," she growled, "you bring this war here and kill the Queen's husband and now you're here to—what exactly are you here for?"
"Like I would tell you," he said, "this war was just begging to happen, sis, I had to act upon it!"
"You made the Queen lose her love," Aphrodite said, "her eyes downcast."
"I didn't realize she was so fond of King White," he said, "it's not what I heard."
"Not King White, Borias," she whispered.
Ares frowned. He did remember Borias mentioning a woman but he had seemed all too happy to leave her for the promises of riches.
"And that's how she married the King, you set this up didn't you? As a way to make her feel better?"
"Yes," she growled, "and you're messing it up! So uncool!"
"Hades said Grimhilde was bad news, sis," he said, "and I hate to say it, but I think he's right."
"So what are you here to kill her?" she asked.
"Not me," he said, "but someone will."
"Who? This palace is filled with quiet servants and boring young women. What could you possibly find here that could kill a Queen?"
"A step-daughter," he said.
Aphrodite let out a laugh. "Snow is a quiet peace loving little girl. She looks like a ghost when you so much as mention the war," she said, "she would never kill anyone."
"I'm the god of war," he said, "I can make anyone into a warrior."
"I won't let you kill her," Aphrodite said.
"We'll see about that," Ares said.
"It will be a shame if Snow White has to die," said Aphrodite, "there was a handsome prince in the neighboring kingdom that would have made her a great husband…"
"I'm not afraid of you and your empty threats Aphrodite," he said.
"I know but Snow White should," she said. And like that she re-materialized into Lady Aphima and walked out his door.
Ares let out a sigh. He wasn't expecting this difficulty and wondered how much Aphrodite might interfere with his plans.
Aphrodite knocked on the door to the Queen's chambers. The Queen knew who she really was and it didn't matter if she disturbed. The awesome, beautiful goddess of love trumped a queen every time.
The door was pulled open and Grimhilde peaked out, a smile forming on her face. "Come in," she purred.
Aphrodite walked in, changing into her real form. "Gosh I don't understand how you mortals can stand to wear these awful dresses," she cursed.
"It's the price we pay for beauty," said Grimhilde. She had changed into her evening gown and Aphrodite knew she didn't have long before the Queen headed down for her dinner.
"I have a gift for you," she told the Queen. She waved her hand and gorgeous mirror appeared on the wall.
The Queen laughed, "I'll admit it's beautiful but I have thousands of mirrors."
"Do you have any that talk?" she purred. The Queen walked over to the mirror and examined it.
"How does an inatimate object speak?"
"It's magic, it speaks when spoken to," she said, "as a witch I would think you'd be familiar with such things."
"Yes, yes of course," the Queen said, "I forget that I don't need to play dumb around you."
"Go ahead ask it a question," said Aphrodite, "just utter the words Mirror, Mirror on the wall and ask it anything."
The Queen thought for a moment. "Mirror, mirror on the wall how should I wear my hair this evening?"
A mans face appeared in the mirror. The Queen let out a gasp and jumped back. "Calm down, sweetheart," said the mirror, "I think you should wear your hair down to dinner. It's so long and beautiful."
"Well thank-you," the Queen said but the face was already gone.
Aphrodite smiled. "That man was sentenced to serve his afterlife in a mirror. Crime really doesn't end well for most people," she said, "perhaps you'd like to ask it something else? Maybe something about Snow?"
The Queen looked confused, "Why would I ask about that soft-spoken child?"
Aphrodite let out a sigh. "I told you this war was caused by my brother, Ares," she said, "and now he has plans to turn Snow into a warrior so she can kill you."
The Queen let out a laugh, "Snow's never so much as picked up a sword," she said, "I couldn't imagine her becoming a warrior."
"I'm of the same mindset," said Aphrodite, "but Ares is very persuasive and I've seen him do some incredible things."
Aphrodite thought about revealing that her brother was here now disguised as Lord Antoni but bit her tongue. Revealing his disguise would do nothing to stop his plans.
"I'm not all that worried," the Queen said, "the kingdom loves me. I'm beautiful and I lead them well. They wouldn't turn on me for Snow White."
"I don't know," Aphrodite said, "I've heard many whisper that Snow is the most beautiful woman in the land."
In a rage the Queen turned to the mirror, "Mirror, mirror on the wall who's the fairest one of all?"
The face appeared and said, "Snow White."
The Queen let out a scream, punching the mirror and causing it to shatter. "We have to get rid of that rat," she cried, "we must kill Snow White."
"As much as I promote love instead of violence you might be right," Aphrodite said.
"I know of a huntsman that would be perfect for the job. He's often at the inn. Could you go speak to him for me?" the Queen asked.
"Oh of course," she purred, "men have a way of doing whatever I ask of them."
