Snow looked at her reflection in the mirror as her maid, Sarah, finished cinching up the back of her dress. She tried to force a smile on her face, but Sarah, also being her best friend could easily see that something was wrong.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

Snow let out a sigh. "It's just strange having a suitor in the castle," she said, "my father isn't even here to tell me anything about him and I could never ask the Queen."

"Oh, my lady, all will be well. You're a princess and you do not have to marry this Lord Antoni if you don't want to," she said.

"You're right," she said, "I shouldn't get all worked up over nothing." She walked over to her window, gazing out at the courtyard below. The sun was over the horizon and she should be heading down to the dining hall to dine with her step-mother and other nobility in the castle.

The previous evening, at dinner, Lord Antoni had asked if she would like spend the afternoon with him. She had agreed knowing full well if she didn't her step-mother would be very displeased.

A knock sounded at the door, bringing Snow away from her thoughts and the window. Sarah opened the door and there stood, Lady Aphima.

"I thought we might like to walk together," she said pleasantly.

"I suppose that will be alright," Snow said, as she made her way to the door.

The two began to walk down the hallway and Sarah followed closely at their heels. "I wanted to warn you about Lord Antoni," Aphima said.

"Oh?" Snow asked. She wondered how Aphima would know anything of the Lord. Normally both she and Chastia asked her about other nobility.

"He's a very scandalous man," she whispered. It was obvious she didn't want anyone to hear their conversation. "He has been caught being indecent with many women," she said, "I'm surprised your mother would even allow him in the palace."

"But surely these are just rumors," Snow said. She tried to ignore the fact that Aphima had called the Queen her mother. She was a bit concerned though. What if Aphima was right?

"Maybe so but you do have to admit that it's a bit strange that a perfectly healthy man would be here when a war is going on," she said.

Snow hadn't thought of that. Most of the able-bodied men were out fighting against Borias's army, so why wasn't Antoni?

"I just want you to be careful," Aphima said, "I wouldn't want to see you get hurt."

"Thanks for the warning," she told the girl, "it means a lot."

And then they had arrived at the dining hall. Snow took her seat and Sarah made sure everything was to her liking before leaving.

Across the table Lord Antoni examined her with dark eyes and despite Aphima's warning, butterflies flittered in her stomach. He wasn't a bad looking man.

The Queen arrived shortly thereafter and took her seat at the head of the table. She wore an ornate purple gown, much too revealing for her age. Snow almost wondered if she was trying to snatch up Antoni for herself, but he hardly noticed the Queen. His eyes remained on her and his meal.

Snow ate in silence as the people around her talked about idle gossip. It was almost as if a war wasn't currently happening. They still had plenty to eat and the Queen certainly wasn't wearing her mourning clothes anymore. Snow almost felt as if her father would walk through the door at any moment.

Snow took a deep breath, keeping herself together. It would do her no good to cry and look weak in front of Antoni or anyone else for that matter. The Queen already thought so little of her.

"Snow," Antoni said, "perhaps we could take a walk through the garden?"

"That would be most wonderful," she told him, forcing a smile on her face.

The Queen glanced at her, Snow thought she saw a bit of hatred in her eyes but it was gone instantly. She nodded her approval and Snow got to her feet.

"We are done eating, we might as well head out now," Snow said, eager to be out of the castle and breathing fresh air.

Antoni nodded his approval, following after her as they made their way out of the dining hall. He linked his arm through hers once they were on their way to the garden, walking as a man and woman ought to properly walk.

"I'm sorry that I have arrived so suddenly and so soon after your father's death," he whispered.

"Your timing is not ideal, but I'm coming of an age where I have to think about marriage," she said, "it's to be expected."

"Yes, that is true," Antoni said, "I had to come see if the rumors were true about the fair Snow White and I haven't been disappointed."

Snow felt a blush spread across her cheeks. "You're kind, sir."

They paused before the exterior doors as the guards pulled them open. Antoni murmured a thank-you and they were on their way. Once out in the garden and away from the guards watching eyes, Snow couldn't help herself anymore. She needed to know more about Antoni and about what Aphima had said.

"Why are you here when there is a war going on?" Snow asked, "Surely you should be fighting? You are an able-bodied man."

"You're right," he said, "and I was at war. I fought alongside your father."

"You did? Then why are you here?"

"Before your father died he asked me to come here," he said, "He knows the war will reach the palace and he wants you to be able to defend yourself."

"What are you saying?" Snow asked. Was her father really that confident about losing the war? Had he really thought she was in danger?

"I'm saying that your father wanted you to learn to fight," he said.

She let out a laugh, "You're joking right? Ladies do not fight."

He smiled, "Some do," he said, "many learn how to wield a sword and you can to."

"Are you sure this is what my father wanted?" Snow asked. She felt confused. Her father had always been against violence.

Antoni paused, turning to face her. He placed his hands gently on her forearms, his brown eyes looking into hers with much seriousness. "I have much respect for the King and would never lie about something like this," he said.

In that moment Snow knew he was telling the truth. He would have to be an amazing liar to look her in the eye and say what he said.

"Fine," she said, "when will we begin?"

After their walk Snow rushed up to her room and had Sarah help her out of her dress. She told Sarah what Antoni had told her and Sarah seemed delighted.

"So he's not really here to court you?"

"I guess not," Snow said. Her heart sank a little. Why did that bother her? She hardly knew the man.

She was supposed to meet Antoni in a secret spot in the woods in half an hour so they could begin training. They had agreed on the spot so the queen would not find out. Snow wasn't sure how the Queen would react if she knew that Snow was doing a non-lady like activity.

Sarah had brought some of her own clothes for Snow to wear since she didn't have any pants, only dresses or skirts. Plus this way, if the clothes were to get ruined it wouldn't matter to the Queen.

Snow quickly dressed sliding a dress over the top of them. She and Sarah often went for strolls through the woods and knew the Queen would not be suspicious.

The two girls hurried out the door and down the stairs, nearly knocking Aphima to the ground as they rounded a corner. "Watch it will you?" Aphima growled. Her eyes widened then, realizing she had spoken to the princess in such a manner. "I mean maybe you should be more careful. Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"I'm just eager to go for a walk," said Snow.

"It's always like this with her," Sarah said with a shrug.

Aphima had a strange look on her face like she didn't believe them, but Snow didn't have to time to care. She and Sarah quickly mumbled goodbye before heading away and out the castle doors.

They followed Snow's usual path into the forest and into her favorite spot. Antoni was waiting in the clearing. He sat upon a rock carefully examining a stick in his hand.

"About time you showed up," he joked.

"Well I'm sorry some of us have to keep up appearances," she said.

Sarah helped her take the dress off, leaving her in the simple clothes underneath.

"I'm ready to begin," she said.

Antoni tossed her a stick and she just barely caught it. "Nice reflexes," he said with a smile.

"A stick?" she asked with confusion, "I thought you were teaching me to fight with a sword?"

"We have to start with sticks so you don't hurt yourself as badly," he said, "now try to block my attacks."

He lunged towards her with the stick and Snow didn't have time to block it. He hit her hard in the ribs. "Ow!" she cried.

"You have to block it or it's going to hurt," he said.

"You could be more gentle!" she growled.

"Your enemies are not going to be gentle," he said, "it looks like we have a long ways to go.

He lunged at her again, this time she was quick to block his stick. "Or maybe you shouldn't underestimate me."

Antoni looked shocked and Snow was surprised herself. She had never felt such a fire within her and yet she didn't want to extinguish it.

Instead she jumped forward, trying to hit Antoni with her stick but he blocked it.

"Perhaps training you will be more fun than I thought," he said.

Aphrodite rushed to the Queen's room knocking on the door. She didn't know what Snow was up to but knew Ares was behind it.

The Queen pulled open her door, ushering Aphrodite inside. "Where did you put the mirror?" Aphrodite asked.

"In the trash, it was broken," the Queen said.

Aphrodite waved her fingers and the mirror rematerialized on the wall. "Mirror, mirror on the wall show us Snow White."

This time the face didn't appear and a forest clearing materialized. Snow White was fighting sticks with Antoni.

"What is this?" Hissed the Queen.

"Clearly she's training to kill you," Aphrodite growled.

"That's Ares isn't it? You let another god walk into my palace?" The Queen said turning to Aphrodite.

"I wasn't going to tell you yet, but yes," Aphrodite said, "clearly we need to talk to this huntsman sooner rather than later."

"Yes, we need to make sure that Ares is far away from her that day," she said, "I'll have to distract him."

"Invite him to lunch with you tomorrow," she said, "I'll talk to the huntsman and make sure Snow White is in the woods where no one will see anything."

"Excellent," said the Queen.