Red shifted a little in the dress. The corset was tighter than she was used to, and displayed more of her cleavage than she normally would. But it was clean and nice, and the bath had been glorious. Snow emerged from the room in a cream gown with lace trim...
"How much gold is that worth..." Red said stunned.
"A lot no doubt. Regina has high standards for lace. When I was a girl she used to do this amazing work in the winter. I wanted her to teach me ..."
"I take it that didn't happen?"
"She stopped making lace... I ... guess she picked up other hobbies." Snow trailed off, lost in the past for a moment?
"Like becoming an evil sorceress?" Red asked?
Snow shifted uncomfortably.
"Or are we pretending that's not true while we pretend to be her guests?"
"It's just ... being in the castle again, I feel like I've gone back in time. Like I'll turn the corner and be able to stop her from... whatever did this to her."
Red took Snow by the shoulders. "You need to stop thinking about how to save the mad woman and start thinking about how to save ourselves."
"I know... " But Red wondered if she did.
They were escorted to a dining hall where there was a long table set up for dinner. Venison and root vegetables, roasted squash soup and Red's stomach betrayed her with a growl.
"Eat dears. I imagine living in the forest like vermin doesn't afford many good meals." The Queen entered followed by two guards but she held up a hand and they stepped back outside before she took a seat at the head of the table. "A good scrubbing did you well Snow."
Snow tilted her head, "Why are we playing this game Regina?"
The queen smiled, picking up her wine glass. "Perhaps I enjoy playing with my food."
Red suppressed a shiver.
"Perhaps, but that's not the reason."
The Evil Queen smiled, "Did you really ignore the lessons with your tutor? You are a fool Snow, but not stupid."
"You think that you can use my presence here to show that I'm a criminal."
"You are," The Queen's eyes were practically ablaze.
"The charges are lies," Snow said with more confidence than Red expected, "You know that Regina."
"You destroyed my life."
A sadness crossed her friends face, and to her surprise Snow didn't dispute the accusation. "And the entire kingdom must suffer for that?"
"They suffer because they refuse to love me as they should." The Queen said with anger and frustration.
"And I'm sure they'll learn to love you once you've burned the last village," Red wasn't even sure she had said it aloud until she notice that both the royals were staring at her.
But slowly the Queen smiled. "She's a brave one. I should be glad not to have to kill such a magnificent beast."
Snow put her hand on Red's to stop her from responding. "This is about ... politics."
"There are some political advantages of having you here for this festival." The Evil Queen admitted.
Snow tilted her head, "No matter how much you try to make this look like I'm a criminal Regina, it won't make the people love you."
"The people were never going to love me." Regina said with a low growl looking at her. "They never gave me a chance from the moment I married your father."
"That's not true Regina..." Snow said quietly.
"Such a naive little princess. I thought perhaps the harsh realities of the world outside this castle would have taught you something by now."
Snow looked right at her stepmother. "They have. It's taught me that there is always hope. Even in the darkest places."
Were it not for the words Red thought it might be a curse. And the near animal growl from the queen told her she wasn't the only one to think so.
Still, Snow seemed emboldened by the Queen's anger. Or perhaps confident now that Regina was for whatever her reasons going to keep the peace.
"I'd like to visit my father's grave."
"A footman can take you in the morning." The Queen said still staring at the bandit princess.
"Thank you, Regina."
And the thanks was too much, because the Evil Queen rose from her chair and stalked off without a word, clearly having not gotten what she wanted out of the conversation.
"Do you think the food is poisoned?" Red said quietly.
"No..." Snow said as she took meat and vegetables. "Poisoned food isn't her style. She wants me to admit my guilt before she punishes me."
Red raised an eyebrow, "For ruining he life."
"Yes."
"She's a mad woman." Red shook her head but took food herself, her mouth watering enough to let her forget fears of poison.
"She is a mad woman. That doesn't mean she's wrong," Snow said quietly.
The next morning was brisk, and Snow was up early, dressed and nervous. Red had asked if she wanted company to visit her parents and she'd gladly taken it. "I don't even know where Regina put him..."
"Your father is buried next to your mother, Your Highness." The footman, or page really, he couldn't have been more than sixteen said. Snow raised an eyebrow. It was the first time anyone in the castle had used her title. Still the two young women followed him down to the small grave yard where Snow's ancestors lay. Both her mother's and her father's graves were tidy and clean. She set down a snowbelle on her mother's tombstone and stepped back. After a time she spoke.
"At least she's taken good care of him in death."
"Even if she sent him to death?" The boy spoke again, quietly, having looked to make sure they were alone.
Snow turned surprised at the forwardness. "You should be careful. Saying such things might be your head."
"The witch is out riding, away from her mirror so she can't spy on us, Your Highness. It's safe."
"Safe for what?" Red said stepping slightly forward as if to protect her friend from the unknown danger.
"There are some of us still loyal to you. In the court and the army. We wanted you to know that the Evil Queen's days usurping your throne are numbered."
"What do you mean?" Snow asked, afraid of the answer even if she shouldn't be.
"We plan to kill the Queen save the kingdom."
Snow White stood under the falling autumn leaves by her father's grave and the words brought her not joy but a feeling of terrible nausea.
"Excuse me..." she said quietly, looking at Red.
"We'll find a way to talk to you again, Princess Snow."
Snow nodded absently and took hold of Red's hand gripping it tightly and it was all her strength of resolve not to run away from the conspirator but to calmly walk back to the castle.
Red whispered, "That ... wasn't what you expected. You aren't happy."
"No," Snow said quietly, "No ... happy is not the word I would use."