Hello everyone. Another chapter to be proud of. Before we continue, remember in BoR, Snow couldn't go further into the palace of Floralia because of the pollen while Ross can? This chapter will explain what I think it means. Also, as much as I like the traditional poison red apple, I like the split apple as well. Unlike what Dark Parables did with the Evil Queen, I'm giving her a back story in this chapter as well as her true origin. Enjoy!
Chapter 15: Envy becomes Evil
At the evening, Ross Red quickly ride back to the castle with James on his shoulder. When they were about to arrive, Ross put on his helmet. Of course, waiting near the gates for the Fire Prince was none other than the Queen. To James, this was his first time seeing the royal twin's "unrefined sight of a stepmother" as Ross would put it. He can partly see why, at least, he's assuming it has to do with the way she dressed. The woman was dressed in dark blue that looks ridiculously tight and uncomfortable with the fabric being overly studded with jewels. The neckline of the dress was a bit low that the woman looked like a seductress. Her face was caked with makeup, too much for anyone's liking.
'She apparently like jewelry.' James noted at the large sapphire necklace and earrings on the Queen.
When Ross dismounted from his horse, the Frog Prince quickly jumps off to a nearby stream that will lead to the lake in the garden. Even though he was out of sight, James can hear the conversation between Ross and Galiena. As the two converse, the Crown Prince acts oblivious.
"Well?" the Queen's voice can be heard. "Did you find her?"
"No, I didn't find anything." he lied. "You shouldn't worry about Snow White."
Again, Ross never liked lying, however, he doesn't mind if it was towards the Queen.
'You should be more concern with yourself.' he thought.
However, the Queen interpreted the warning in the wrong way, thinking that the Prince meant that he had dealt with the Princess. The conversation quickly ended and the Queen returned happily to the castle without knowing that tiny detail of the one behind the armor.
Unfortunately, it was after a week that the Queen decided to consult with the magic Truth Mirror.
"Mirror, Mirror, on the wall. Who is the fairest of them all?" she asked confidently.
Alas my Queen, the day when the truth be told,
That my prophecies have kept their hold.
You see, by the end of this week, you shall fail,
As I had warned you of the tale...
This day and the next shall be your final downfall,
And you'll truly see that Snow White shall stay the fairest once and for all!
The Truth Mirror was smirking at her! Smiling at all her failed attempts into getting rid of the Princess!
There was silence in the room when a demonic scream can be heard in the hallways. The Queen was in the last stage of fury! She began ripping the pillows to shreds, throwing all her things across the room, and swatting things off the shelves. One black book in particular dropped on the floor, opening to a certain page where a piece of paper kept it marked. This went unnoticed by the Queen for she was still in her fit of rage.
She was screaming very loudly for about an hour that all the servants outside were wondering what's going on. Most of the maids and guards were hesitant to even check on the Queen out of fear and for her random complaints for privacy. Eventually, the screams died down, still leaving the servants curious and worried.
As for the Queen, she had calmed down, but just a little. Her voice was getting raspy from all that screaming and she had exhausted herself from her rage. Galiena placed her hands on her desk, trying her best to steady herself in her mess covered room. When she took heavy deep breaths, she looked into her own, personally mirror. Only one thing had caught her attention through the looking-glass. At the corner of her eyes as she trailed away from the mirror, the Queen found herself eying the book.
She slowly turned, keeping her eyes glued onto those many pages full of spells. She fell into her knees and looked at the page that the book had opened to. As she picked up the heavy object to have a closer look, the piece of paper had fallen out. Curious, Galiena grabbed for that piece of paper with her other hand to see what was written. Her eyes widen at what were basically in her grasp.
"Oh, how could I've forgotten?" she asked herself.
Those plump red lips then into a dark smile. She headed out the door with the book in her hands. As she makes her way through the hallways, a servant girl came to her.
"Your Majesty, are you alright?" she asked worriedly, but in fear.
"Out of my way, you dirty peasant!" she rudely shoved her aside.
The Queen continued down the hallways until she saw Edric.
"Galiena, what's wrong? I thought I heard you scream." the Mountain King questioned in concern.
In her fake sweet tone, she replied, "Oh, don't worry about me, dear."
She was about to leave, but the King stops her.
"Please, if something is wrong then please tell me." he pleaded.
"Nothing is wrong, dear. Although..." she trailed off. As she stared into those naive blue eyes of his, in a whisper, she added, "I think you should be more concern with yourself, you don't look too well, Edric."
Suddenly, the King like something just hit him.
"Oh... I-I'm sorry, Galiena... I-I suddenly... I suddenly feel so..." the King was swaying, placing a hand on his forehead. Everything seemed to be moving around that it was giving him a terrible headache.
"You should get some sleep, Edric." the Queen suggested in a seductive way.
"I-I think I should..."
"Yes, for Ross and for... Her."
Edric just gave a nod before leaving to retire to his room. Now with no one else in her way, the Queen made her way into the gardens.
At the tranquil garden, James was swimming in the lake when he heard footsteps approaching. He quickly submerge underwater, but poke his head out to see what was going on. There, he saw the Queen! She was standing in front of Snow's apple tree. What was she doing?
Galiena stared at the fruits that hung on the branches. She had recalled a girl befriending Snow White and gave the Princess this apple tree. A splendid tree indeed! The flowers have blossomed in pink and white, the apples were ripe! One thing that was different about this tree was mostly the fruits. There were red apples, yet there are also white ones. A tree full of red and white apples, who knew?
"Ha, such childish memories of those two from this tree. It's sickening..." the Queen thought out loud.
She pulled out a small bottle and poured a purple liquid on the soil. The potion spread to the tree as the roots began to die. It went up to the branches, poisoning everything. Immediately, the green leaves and flowers wilt away, leaving the apples to rot and fall to the ground. All of the fruits that couldn't stand the poison fell near her feet, but the Queen didn't care. She smiled when only two apples left have not been poisoned. A white one and a red one.
'White as snow... Red like blood...'
She picked the two fruits from the dying tree and placed them in her basket. Satisfied, she left to return to the palace, leaving the Frog Prince suspicious.
Back in her room, the Queen started her planning. She had ordered her guards to do certain tasks. The first group was to find the Princess and the seven traitorous dwarfs, the second was to detain the Crown Prince for... Let's just say personally reasons. However, let's be serious, she isn't just going to wait for them. There was just one more thing left to do...
In the evening, as she had dinner with the King, the Queen couldn't help, but notice that sad look on his face.
"Edric, dear, what's wrong?" she spoke.
Startled at the fact that his wife is concerned for him, he answered while trying to put up a smile, "I'm just... I'm worried."
"About what?" Galiena asked, moving her seat closer to her husband.
He sighed, "I don't know where is Snow. She has been gone for three years, even Ross hasn't mentioned anything about her. I feel like he's hiding something from me..."
The Queen tried her best to keep up the act, though hearing the names of her stepson and stepdaughter made her want to throw someone out the window.
"Edric..." she called out slowly. "Maybe... They don't like me..."
"What?"
"I'm not sure you've noticed, but Ross and Snow has been keeping secrets from you."
"But why? They-" he closed his eyes. "They've never kept anything from me before..."
"I know it's hard, but I'm sure that... Ever since Brunhilda died, they never wanted me to join the family in the first place." she faked her sadness. "I just could never replace their mother... Nor am I fit to play the part."
"Don't say that, of course not. You've tried your best." Edric comforted her.
That got Galiena confused. That last part was the only thing that was true. Was he being modest? Then again, how else did you think she got him to not notice the change over those three years?
"I just don't know what I did wrong." the Queen started to cry.
"If anyone's to blame, it's me." Edric stressed.
'That will soon be true...' she noted.
"Edric, you should eat your soup... Before it get's cold." she changed the subject.
"Oh, yes." the King agreed as he ate absent-mindedly.
What he didn't notice was that sneaking grin creeping up on the Queen's lips. Her eyes beamed at the sound of the spoon clanging against the floor and a nasty cough escaping the King's throat. Edric quickly stood up, he hand on his chest as he violently coughed. He felt a sharp cold feeling piercing his heart.
She yelled in horror, "Dear, this soup is poisoned! There's magic in it! It's ice magic!"
However, Edric couldn't hear. Everything was being distorted. He heard everything echoing, his vision is getting foggy, and just like that, he collapsed to the floor. The last thing he heard before everything went black was a scream calling out for help.
"Edric... Edric... Edric..."
The Mountain King slowly opened his eyes. He couldn't see straight until a few seconds later when everything cleared. He saw his wife placing a cool towel on his sweating forehead.
"Galiena?" he weakly called out.
"Shh..." she place a finger on his lips for silence. "Take it easy, Edric."
"Okay." he closed his eyes to concentrate what had happened. He opened them again when Galiena hold his hand.
"Dear, only one person can control ice. It's your daughter, Snow White." she calmly spoke.
"But... Why?" he questioned.
"Because..." she paused as if she was suffering a heartbreak. "She was trying to poison you!"
"No, not Snow White." he denies it.
"She must be! Why else would she..." the Queen stopped to think. Her eyes widen as if she has solved the puzzle, "Unless... She was doing this for Ross... So he can rule the kingdom!"
"I don't believe it, I won't believe it. Why would they do this? What drives them to take actions that have gone too far?" oddly, Edric started to feel doubts like he never had before...
Galiena suddenly burst into tears, "Because Ross hates me! He and Snow White both do! She ran away from home because she couldn't stand being in the same palace with me! As for Ross, he wanted to become the next King to get rid of me! However," she paused, now speaking in a softer tone. "He needed to looked innocent, so he had Snow as he accomplice- to poison you."
"No," Edric tried to get up from bed. "I..."
"Shh... But don't worry." the Queen pushed Edric down, placing a hand on his cheek. "I'll take care of both of them."
She forced him to stare into her dark brown eyes until she noticed that her spell has been complete! The King was now fully bewitched! It had taken three years, but he finally succumbed to her spell at long last! Now the Queen has a perfect excuse to blame the royal twins for a false offense.
Leaving her husband in his room, she immediately fled to go to one certain place. Her spell room.
In that old dusky spell room of hers, the Queen placed the black book on a stand as she followed the recipe. What would she have done if she never had encountered this powerful spell? Cutting both apples into halves, each shall contain a potion of their own. The white half shall have a healing potion to cure the King of his illness while the red half will have a poisonous curse that puts its victim to sleep. Both potion were created from two plants she never heard of. Memories of the past came back to her.
On that day...
In her youth, she was once a peasant girl, not a royal at all. Pretty, but not of royal blood. She had to work with the gooses in the fields until opportunity came for her. A Princess she was to accompanied to a neighboring kingdom got worse luck when her charm had fallen into the stream. That charm was precious to the Princess, a trinket said to ward off any evil. Such a petty thing to wept about. The maid, now in control, initially planned to drown the Princess, knowing well that the girl can't swim.
However, the poor girl pleaded for her life. Another opportunity has presented itself. The maid smiled. She instructed the Princess to swap clothes and threatened her life if she dares to speak the truth to anyone.
"How could you? I thought we were friends!" the girl cried and whimpered.
A smile formed on the older girl's face, "It's my turn to play the part of the Princess!"
In the end, the true Princess unintentionally revealed the truth. The Prince whom the maid was to marry rejected her. For that spoken truth, it cost the Princess her life in the hands of her once childhood friend.
Knowing that she'll be hunted down, she stole the Princess' charm to keep up the facade. However, the maid soon discovered the secret of the charm. Under the use of "evil" for so long, its pure magic became corrupted, giving the maid what she had truly desired for a very long time. Never-ending beauty. So the peasant girl transformed from a wretched maid to a beautiful Princess! And soon one day... It's Queen she shall be.
In her new life, the Princess once met a woman. A cloaked figure to be exact. Her face was well hidden, that the Princess almost didn't notice that large scar on her face. With her is a staff in one of her hands and a basket in the other.
"I see you have accomplish what I failed to have..."
"What do you mean?" Galiena questioned.
"Though, beware. In time, those chosen by the Goddess Flora will have beauty that surpasses yours."
"Ha, I know I'm already the fairest. I don't need your warnings." the Princess brushed off the warning.
"Beauty is what you have... Yes, but deep down, it's all an illusion." the old woman mused. "Falsely given to you because of that corrupted charm in your hands."
"What?"
"You'll understand, but..." she reached to her basket. "Here."
"What are those?" the Princess asked haughtily.
"These two potions are made from two flowers that will one day play a key role. Both rare. You may need them once you discover your threat." the old woman answered.
"What do they do?"
"The white one has the power to heal, what's basically life. The other can be really deadly. Perhaps, you can used that one to eliminate the person whom you hate?" the crone suggested.
"Wait, ma'am." she stopped the beggar woman. "Who are you?"
"Someone who is like you. Craving for eternal beauty, yet a threat is always in our way. However, I'm not out to get that threat."
"Then what are you looking for?"
"Revenge against Her... The very person who robbed me of the thing I loved most!" she cried out loud. It took her a moment to calm down. "However, if it's my name you wished to know, then I shall tell you. I am G..."
The Queen stared down at the apple pieces in her hands. What was it that these two flowers she once called them? Lilac Bellflower and... Deadly Nightbloom? And the woman, what was her name again? Oh well, the Queen doesn't care that much for the pesky detail. Not as long as she has what is required to finally get rid of Snow White! This time... For good.
The apple halves is pure genius! Both sides have the flower's magic imbued in them. A life for a life, fair trade. Once a half is bitten, the magic will be gone. So both sides can only be used once.
When the Queen walked away from the Spell Room and returned to her own room, one of her guards was waiting for her.
"You have news?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. We've found Snow White and the seven dwarfs. We have also brought them back as you've instructed."
"Was the job difficult?"
"The Princess was forced to submit so she could save those bunch of scum." he answered in disgust.
"Very well, have those little men chained and make sure that the Princess feels... 'Welcomed'. After all, this is her home." Galiena was about to walk away.
"Where are you going, Your Majesty?"
"To pay a little someone a visit." she answered.
As the one with the temper, Ross has always found himself in situations whenever it's between him and his stepmother... But in this case, it was a new one. He was just in his room, rubbing Leo's tummy when out of nowhere, without reason, the Queen's guards barged through the door and threw him into this cell! Talk about the funny definition of time out... Then again, the Queen's ways of thinking was never really understood to the Fire Prince. All he knows is that she had ordered him to get locked up. Why?
The Crown Prince could have think of a thousand scenarios that is... Until he heard the sound of footsteps getting close. There, behind those iron bars, is the face of whom he HATES the most.
"You!"
"Have you calm that temper of your?" she mocked him.
"What is this?! Why have you locked me in here?! What are you planning?!" he demanded.
The Queen backs away, "There's no need to yell. You're going to make me go deaf."
"Then I'll gladly add some burn marks to go along with your pathetic makeup!" Ross threatened.
"Oh, how scary." Galiena replied in a childish way. In her normal tone, she added, "And don't you dare think of using your sword. My guards have already confiscated it."
"Why you little-"
"Ah, ah, ah. Now is that anyway to speak in front of your stepmother, your Queen?" she asked in a cocky way.
"You are not my stepmother and you are so definitely not my Queen." Ross countered.
"Oh, why Ross must you be so... Harsh?" the Queen faked sadness. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Anyway, the reason why you're here is because I'm putting you in your place. And soon, Snow White will join you."
"Snow?" Ross muttered quietly. "What are you planning to do with her?!"
"Oh, you'll see. As Crown Prince, you have the honor to witness it all. The crimes that you and your sister did behind the King's back!" she replied. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."
The Queen left the imprisoned man with a laugh as the Fire Prince shouted insults behind her back.
Morning came by very quickly. James, on Leo's back, had been searching for Prince Ross since yesterday, but he was never found. The Frog Prince began to worry. If the Crown Prince isn't anywhere in the palace, then where can he be? A chirp can be heard and James looked up to see Aquila flying in circles.
The Frog Prince jumped onto Aquila as she takes him to where he needed to be. As they passed the deserted village, something had caught James' eyes.
"Wait, stop!" he instructed Aquila as the eagle halted in midair.
On one of the board, there was a new decree that the Frog Prince isn't familiar with.
"Due to the treason against King Edric, watch the execution of Prince Ross Red and Princess Snow White!" James read the paper out loud in shock. There was more. "By order of Queen Galiena..."
He immediately told the eagle to fly higher so they can find where the execution will take place. Up ahead, on the southern parts of the mountain, there seemed to be another kingdom... Aquila flew down to drop James there. He continued the way on foot... Or webbed feet.
This kingdom looked somewhat like the Mountain Kingdom, except it's more abandoned. Yet the structure was well-preserved. Over these few years, James have learned the tradition of the Mountain Kingdom Royal Family. When the first-born of each generation is to take the throne, they would build a new kingdom on a different area of the mountain. And apparently, this one used to belong to the Old King, Darek. King Edric's father.
The Frog Prince continued hopping, hearing the sounds of a crowd as he gets more closer. On the castle wall, the cursed man looked down in horror at the sight in front of him. Many of the villagers were ordered to watch, even the children. Their reaction was no different from James.
At the center of the courtyard, on a wooden platform, is the Queen, dressed in that same dress of hers. The only difference was that she had a crown that looked like it's was decorated out of bones, figuratively. A staff was in her right hand and there seemed to be a charm at the center. James was sure that he would have paid more attention to the Queen if something else had not caught his attention. A figure was walking up to the Queen, keeping her distance. She wore a beautiful golden-yellow dress with hints of red. A perfect color to express the warm sun in the serenity of spring. Her expression looked like a mixture of fear, nervousness, and concern.
"Snow!" James called out, but no one can hear him from that distance.
To the left side, Prince Ross Red was struggling as the Queen's guards prevents him from intervening.
Smiling, the Queen rise her arms in the air.
"My dearest subjects of the Mountain Kingdom. Today has been a complete and utterly tragic day for all of us to be here. Crown Prince Ross Red and Princess Snow White has committed great treason that mustn't go unpunished!" gesturing to the right, she shouted, "Behold, your King, Edric!"
On cue, the Mountain King steps up into view. Everyone except for the Queen was in complete shock.
"Oh, Father!" Snow White cried, her hands covering her mouth in horror, tears in the brim of her sad blue eyes.
Edric's skin is almost, if not completely, pale blue. Frost can be seen everywhere from where he stood. His face seemed expressionless and his eyes lost that warmth he always have, becoming dull and blank. Around his chest, there seemed to be a cold layer of ice.
"What has she done to you!" Ross yelled.
Satisfied at everyone's reaction, the Queen continued, "Fear not for I have a cure for our beloved King." she then presents an apple. White on one half, red on the other. "With this apple of life and death!"
The Snow Princess' eyes widen in recognition, "That's-"
"This white half brings life- it can cure any illness. However, this red half is imbued with a curse that shall put the victim to a death-like sleep, never to awake again." the Queen warned. "A cure of justice and punishment."
"Father snapped out of it!" Ross pleaded, but it was no good.
"He can't Ross, not after you had Snow poisoning his food for you." the Queen lied, making up false stories.
"What are you saying?!" the Prince demanded an answer.
"You and your sister have commit treason." noticing Snow White's pitiful eyes, the Queen added, "Don't deny it. I know you two hated me. The two of you would send messages to plan a devious plot against me!"
"No, you're wrong." the Snow Princess whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks for she knew what's about to come next.
"If I had planned anything, I would have confronted you myself! Not do this ridiculous plot! I'm not a coward like you!" the Fire Prince yelled in anger. "What's worse, you involved my father and sister into this all because you're jealous of her!"
"Ross..."
"Silence!" the Queen screeched. Turning her full attention to the Crown Prince, Galiena added, "Although I would like to put you to sleep too for your lack of obedience, it was your sister who commit treason the most." turning her attention onto the Princess, she addressed to her stepdaughter, "So, Snow White, which half do you choose? The one to save your father? Or do you intend to save yourself?"
"Snow, you can't! Don't listen to her tricks!" Ross shouted.
The Princess had her eyes closed to think of the little choice she had. She didn't want to see the scene as it plays out in front of her, waiting for her so it can continue. However, she already know what her decision will be. If she was going to save her family, she was going to have to make the right move. She's no hero. The title of 'Princess' doesn't matter much to her. She was making her choice as a loving daughter, a girl who wished to have everything as peaceful as it can be.
Opening her eyes, she addressed to her brother, "I'm sorry, Ross... But I won't involved Father into this matter any longer. I won't risk his life for mine."
"Snow!" Ross protested.
"What are you saying, Princess?!" the dwarf in a yellow cap, Jasper, yelled.
Ignoring her brother and her seven little friends' small cries for her to stop, Snow looked at her stepmother.
"I will do as you want." she answered quietly.
A wider smile spread across the Queen's face as she approached Snow White, "Good." taking out a knife, she cut the apple into two and gave the Princess the red half. "May you have a goodnight rest."
As she handed the red half to Snow White, the Princess hold the Queen's hand. Galiena was initially surprised, but remained eye contact with her stepdaughter. Her brown eyes staring into those icy blue.
"If... If you have what you want, Stepmother... If my downfall leads to your satisfaction, then I begged of you, used the white half to save my father." the Princess pleaded.
"Snow!" Ross continued to argued.
"Please."
Looking into those pleading, yet determined eyes, the Queen answered, "I promise." she pulled her hand from the Princess' grip and made the girl hold firmly on the poisoned half. "You have my words."
Before taking the apple, Snow White turned her gaze onto the King, "Father, if I had to live a life pretending that you were alright, it would hurt me to know that you're not. That is why I don't mind dying so long as I know that your life shall be spared. I'll gladly part with mine for you to keep yours. That is all that matters to me. I love you, Father."
The King didn't respond, but felt a little spark. Something felt warm in his chest...
The last person she spoke to was her brother as she turned to faced him, "Ross, I know you never liked her and the two of you never get along, but please find it somewhere in your heart to forgive her."
"Snow..." the Fire Prince trailed off, speechless.
Giving one last smile, she added, "Take care of Father for me."
She turned away from her brother to face the Queen. She was about to take a bite...
"Snow, don't!" James yelled.
He was sure that she couldn't hear him. However, to his surprise, she did. She stopped to see him on the castle wall. She smiled at him. That beautiful smile, so tender and full of warmth. And her blue eyes, so innocent and pure. Such a gaze would have left anyone off guard. It took him a second to realize that her assuring smile was for him only! Not just because she saw him as a friend, but someone much more. It was usually him who can make her smile the most.
She moved her lips to say something, but James couldn't hear because it was as quiet and soft as a whisper. However, he was certain he knew what the words were.
I'm sorry, James. I love you...
The Princess resumed to take a bite on the red half. She coughed immediately as the poison immediately took effect. Looking at her friends, she smiled as she closed her eyes, possibly forever. The Princess fell backwards until her body hit the wooden floor with a thud. The apple half has fallen from her hand and landed next to the King, who simple stared at it blankly.
The Queen watched it all in delight, unable to contain her excitement.
'Red as blood... White as snow... Dark as night...' she thought. 'You have fallen, my dear Snow White!'
"SNOW!"
Dun dun dun! What?! A CLIFFHANGER! So sorry for leaving you guys on the edge.
1) In case you didn't understand the flashback story, Galiena was a servant girl who was best friends with the Princess in The Goose Girl. Like in the story, they swap places, and the Prince (in some version, he became King if I remember correctly) find out the truth. The twist is that the true Princess died. And why did you think I had the Truth Mirror smirking when the Queen found out the truth? Did you see what I did, eh?
2)Darek is German for ruler of people.
3) Remember in the second game, you saw a puppet Snow White dressed in a yellow dress with a flower necklace? I'm assuming that's what she wore when she "died".
4)Yeah, I found it strange that Snow could not go further into Floralia, but Ross can. So I thought "why is the pollen dangerous to her more than Ross?". That is where I put a twist on the apple. What if the poison was created from the Deadly Nightshade? It would make sense why the pollen was much more dangerous to her than to Ross.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review. I REALLY want to know your thoughts about it. And I'll see you next week... Who knows, you may see me sooner...