The sky was beginning to light when the pain finally died down. Fiona was too exhausted to care when in the morning it was. She was laying in sweat soaked sheets, her hair a damp mess. Lillian had been speaking soothingly to her all night, gently stroking her hair.
"You look better now, darling." She wiped the sweat from her forehead once more with a cold cloth which finally felt refreshing to the princess.
Fiona sighed. Her whole body ached terribly, her head hurt and her throat felt raw.
"Here." Her mother gave her a glass of water, as if reading her mind.
"Thank you, mom." Fiona gently lifted herself into a sitting position. "You must be exhausted too."
Lillian looked at her, smiling. "I missed out on being your mother for far too long, I will happily do it whenever you need me, no matter how little sleep I get." Fiona smiled appreciatively at her. "Now I didn't expect this until you were birthing a child, but life throws unexpected things at you." There was a twinkle in her eye. "We should know, hm?"
Fiona laughed. "Right… Mom?" she asked. "You don't think it'll come back, do you?"
"I don't know, Fiona." She blinked at the ground. "We'll have to wait and see."
The princess nodded shakily.
As her mother left to get some sleep, the Fairy Godmother's words hit her again. She had the brain capacity to really think about it now. She had been incredibly negative about Prince Charming, since the journey back from the tower. She had only vaguely listened to what he was saying, rather than delving into deep conversation, thought badly of him not meeting her interests, and even running from him… She shook her head, she couldn't revisit those memories. If she dwelled on them everything would only get worse. She tried to banish them from her mind, but only found herself thinking more about her negativity. Was it truly her fault she would be mad at him, or sad about the things he did? Surely those were his actions? But no. She tried once again to stop herself, she needed to get out of her head. The princess stood, only to be welcomed with dizziness and an aching head. She was delirious. What she really needed was sleep.
When Fiona awoke again, the day felt much more pleasant. Her mind felt clear and ready to take on the newest challenge given to her. Charming was inexplicably absent from the late breakfast and it was the best meal she'd encountered. Her parents spoke to her about her. They happily recalled memories from her childhood, they asked about the routines she had in the tower, they over-apologised for all the misdoings they had thought about while she was away. She gave them ample forgiveness. She hadn't felt so positive since she'd been rescued. It cleared her mind enough for her to feel good about the day and about Charming. Absence makes the heart grow fonder after all.
Beyond breakfast, her parents invited her along to join their busy schedule. It was much more pleasant no longer being the centre of attention amongst royal duties, talking to reporters and telling her fairytale. Today, she mostly observed and smiled at people. However, when she could finally sneak away, she did. She had all the time in the world to learn her future duties, her parents would make sure of that. But in that moment, alone, Fiona knew exactly what she wanted to do. Her mother had been excited when telling her about how they kept her bedroom unchanged. Lillian had always been sentimental, ensuring Fiona kept her favourite toys and clothes for the day she would have her own daughter to pass them down to. Over the years the princess found herself longing to return to her childhood bedroom to recover old treasures that hadn't come with her to the tower
It was odd, that lingering desire to be alone, except this time it was very different. She was excited to explore things and have something of substance to keep her attention. She even hoped her mother would join her after a while and they could reminisce together.
She had almost reached her childhood room when-
"Fiona."
The princess turned as she heard Charming's voice in the entryway. He was holding a giant bouquet of flowers, beaming at her. She approached him.
"Are you feeling better, my love?" he asked, concern clouding his features.
"Yes, I am. Much better now," she confirmed. She smiled as his smile widened at the news.
"These are for you." He handed her the flowers. She struggled to take them from him because of their size. The flowers were brightly coloured and dazzling to look at. Their scent was incredibly sweet, almost too sweet. "I tried to find flowers as beautiful as you, but I'm afraid nothing such exists," he shrugged at her.
She giggled at him. "Thank you." It was a very sweet gesture. She acknowledged it and forced her mind to keep it front and centre.
She barely had time to look at the flowers before Charming whisked them away from her and shoved them into the hands of a worker, ordering them to be arranged and put in her room - spoken with a wink.
"I have a surprise for you, sugarplum," Charming was excited. She smiled at him, the anticipation even had her sharing in the emotion. "Close your eyes."
She did as he instructed of her. They stumbled along together, hand in hand as he led her to the surprise. She heard a door open and then he rushed behind her, covering her eyes with his hands. He shuffled her into the room, she giggled at their clumsy movement. Finally he released her.
"Here! What do you think?" He was grinning at her.
Her gaze slowly trailed around the room, it took her a second to realise where she was. The realisation hit her like a punch to the stomach. She couldn't help but give in to the frown that tugged at her lips.
"Oh."
"Your new bedroom, our bedroom." He nudged her gently, looking around the room. He wasn't watching for her reaction, far too proud of what he'd done… without her permission or collaboration.
Disappointment washed over her. "You changed my bedroom," she spoke in a quiet voice.
"Yes, you seemed so attached to it, but it was so childish," he explained himself.
She wandered further in, blinking back the sudden sting of tears in her eyes, the rock in her stomach only sinking further as she took in the bland room around her. "What did you do with my things?" she asked a little fearfully.
"They're in boxes, in a different room, I'm sure you can get someone to dispose of them-"
"No," she turned to him quickly, "No, I want to sort everything myself."
He widened his eyes at her urgency, surprised. She quickly composed herself, "I'll see to it later." Her tone difference seemed to ease him. She allowed herself to look around the room again. It was… she considered it... nice. There were no posters on the walls or fun cushions on the bed, instead an elegant throw blanket, beautiful paintings of beautiful places. She took a few deep breaths, trying to control her thoughts. She could still explore her childhood memories, of course she could. Not in the way she expected. Nothing was the way she expected it at all. She sniffed, chastising herself once again, of course her room would be upgraded into one fit for an adult. "You're so thoughtful," she tried her best to force positivity into her voice. It was thoughtful.
"I know." He smiled at her. "Of course this had to be the centrepiece," he continued enthusiastically, gesturing at that most eye-catching part of the room – the bow and arrow mounted above the bed. "Of all the grand adventures I've ever been on, Fiona, you are my greatest victory," he took her hands, looking into her eyes, "Anything that aided me must be treasured forever."
"Yes." She looked at it again, it was sweet. Just as she had imagined in the tower.
As she looked back to him, he was still gazing at her. "I love you, I truly do," he spoke sincerely.
"I love you too." She gave him a smile.
He gently kissed her, though he removed his lips from hers quickly but didn't move his face - almost as if he were anticipating something. She was about to open her eyes when he kissed her again, a little harder this time. She ended the kiss, looking confused at him, though he only mirrored her confusion, furrowing his brow at her.
Before she could speak, something caught her attention over his shoulder. There was a golden framed photo from when they exited the carriage, except something was wrong. She walked over to it, getting a closer look. She recalled holding his arm, his dazzling smile, however the princess didn't remember leaning so tightly into him and giving such a syrupy sweet smile that the Fiona before her was displaying.
"This is different… how?" She looked at him, her brow crossed.
"Oh, yes. I had it altered just a little. I hope you don't mind. I wanted it to be picture perfect."
"My face…" She wasn't sure how to put her feelings into words.
Charming slipped an arm around her as he joined where she stood, studying the photograph. "You… you had such a stiff expression, my princess. The nerves, I'm sure. I just wanted you to look as beautiful in this as you are to me. This is how we want people to remember the moment. Perfect."
His breath was hot on the side of her face. He leaned to kiss her once more. Irritation ignited within her, she suddenly felt claustrophobic in his arms. She ducked away from him, leaving his grip, and took a deep breath trying to compose herself. He sighed loudly behind her.
"What's wrong?" his tone was sharp, "We can't have the queen looking ugly."
It reminded her of her final moments as an ogre. That jarring difference in him when she wasn't what he wanted her to be. She kept her back turned to him. He only seemed to like her when she was compliant and in love with him. Anger flared within her, she folded her arms. "You changed me… I don't believe-"
"Do you want the pain to come back, Fiona?" he interrupted her complaint. It was enough to give her pause. She closed her mouth, he was right. She probably would now experience the pain that night. She wasn't thinking about him very nicely at all.
"Excuse me." She swiftly left the room.
"Mom?"
"Yes, dear?"
"Love is… love is difficult, right?" she questioned hesitantly, lingering in the entryway to the drawing room her mother occupied alone.
Her mother gave her a strange look, removing her glasses and placing her quill into its pot on the desk she sat at. "Well, Fiona, yes, it can be. You're two separate people, differences do occur and it can test your patience sometimes. Especially with someone as stubborn as your father." She gave a light, humorous smile before it faded. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes…" She nodded meekly. Her mother only raised an eyebrow at her. "Things are just different than I expected." She laughed nervously.
Lillian patted the unoccupied chair next to her, Fiona followed instruction and sat. Her mother took her hand. "Darling, expectations can be dreadful things sometimes," she glanced downwards, "I apologise if your father and I caused you to expect too much. We just needed to know you'd make it through those terribly lonely years, my dear."
Once again, Fiona nodded, giving a small smile. "It's okay. I just don't know what's realistic, I guess."
"Love is… well it's love. It changes day by day." She shrugged. "It gives immense amounts of joy, maybe a little anxiety, occasional annoyance," a smile tugged at her mothers lips, "but most importantly it doesn't go away. No matter what. Love is present and you never wish it to leave."
Fiona frowned, she'd spent a lot of time already wishing he'd go away. Still, the curse was broken… wasn't it? She had to love him. Right?
"Do you love him?" her mother read her mind once more.
"Yes," she felt herself say it on autopilot, it was a kneejerk response, "He's my rescuer."
Lillian's concerned look didn't leave, almost as though she didn't believe her. "Alright, darling. I suppose it could be tough under these circumstances."
Fiona couldn't brighten herself. Her voice grew a little quieter, "But it wasn't for you?"
"It posed its own challenges," she nodded, "but I wouldn't say it was tough, no."
The princess drew her gaze to the ground. She stared at the polished floor for a small while, brow crossed as the alarm slowly grew within her. Why would her experience of love completely contradict every book she'd ever read about it? Perhaps she could have written it off as the books exaggerating things, but if her mother confirmed that experience as true then…
"Are you okay, dear?"
Fiona broke her daze. "Uh-yes, I'm fine."
"Darling," Lillian grew serious, "if you don't love him, that's okay. You needn't hide it."
"I do," Fiona argued, "Of course I do. But- I have to go." She stood abruptly, wishing to be done with the conversation.
"Fiona," her mother halted her movement, "if you need me again tonight, send someone to fetch me."
The princess nodded slowly. She could imagine she would. "Thanks mom."
Of course she loved him, he was her rescuer. She told herself over and over as she headed back to her room. She was torn. Part of her desperately wanted him to be absent; she had a lot to think about. However, the other part of her desperately wrestled with those thoughts: the pain would still plague her if she didn't begin thinking right.
But it was hard. Fiona heaved a sigh. She thought the difficult part for her was over – all the years of misery as a child, all the years of misery stuck alone in a tower - all because of that curse. And now, she couldn't even love her husband-to-be properly, because of the ogre that still lingered within her. It was a poison. She should be directing her hatred at that, she decided, not her prince who was only doing his best for her. She had to love him, that's just how it goes.
"Muffin cake!" Charming lit up as he saw her enter her remade bedroom where he had stayed put, waiting for her. She smiled apologetically at him. "Let's forget about the photo, we can throw it away and retake it later," he explained.
She let herself fall into acceptance, quietening her brain. She nodded.
He only held out a hand to her. "My princess, would you honour me with a dance?"
She hesitantly took his hand. "I'm not sure…"
He grabbed hold of her and tugged her towards him, she stumbled right into his arms.
Living alone in a tower, after being sent as a child, didn't really do much for developing proper dancing skills. Sure, she'd spent hours twirling around her room with an imaginary dance partner over the years, but a real one? It felt alien to her.
He dipped her low. She felt herself panic being held at such an angle, but his arms were strong and he didn't let her fall. She barely had time to think before he swooped her upright once again. She let out a giggle as she realised what was happening. She'd read about a young couple, desperately in love, dancing to no music. She'd always imagined something like this.
"There's been something I've always imagined," Charming spoke her thoughts out loud.
Fiona found herself gazing at him for a moment, that spark alit again in her mind. "Yes?"
"I always thought it would be the most romantic for us to sing a duet about our fairy tale," he explained, holding her close.
The princess's eyes widened at the thought. She allowed herself to feel like the child who was dreaming of this moment in the very room she stood in.
"Of course, you would go first, about how dreary and miserable the tower was- well," he tripped over his words, chuckling, "not all the details, we wouldn't want to upset our audience. And then I would join you in my gallant adventures to rescue you."
Fiona watched him as he watched her expectantly. She suddenly realised he was waiting for her to start singing. She blinked at him, parting her lips, trying to force her brain to think of something. She'd never really thought her part of the magical duet would be the woes of the tower. Sure, whenever she did sing of her misery, it was just that: miserable. He was right, it would just upset people.
"You need more time! That's okay. I'll sing my part, perhaps it'll spark some ideas." He winked at her. She nodded, she began to lean her head against his chest, expecting him to sing it softly to her, though he pushed her away. He stood with his feet wide apart, puffing out his chest. He placed one fisted hand on his hip and the other in the air.
He took a great breath, and in a loud deep voice he began, "T'is I, t'is I, upon my regal steed," he gestured to the empty space in between his legs. He then dramatically reached out to her, a faux pained expression flashing across his features, "Princess! My love! At last you will be free. I'm strong and brave and…"
Fiona fought to keep the smile on her face as she watched him. It wasn't a particularly romantic song. She had always imagined the song to be less storytelling and more gushing about their love and feelings for each other. She always figured she would be the one fawning over how soft and bouncy his hair was. She cringed as he flipped his hair around.
Her eyes were slowly drawn to the setting sky outside of the window as he pranced around in front of her. It wasn't how the moment was supposed to go, her brain reminded her once again. She was supposed to gaze at him and know exactly what words to sing. Her thoughts were brought back to her conversation with her mother. Did she love him? She focused on each part of her body – there was no pain. She felt comfortable, at least she physically did despite the terrible noise her prince was making. The sun was growing lower, but there was still no indication of the pain that was about to erupt within her. Almost exactly like the curse. Of course it would be, she told herself - the pain was the ogre fighting to come back out… but she had been told her whole life true love's kiss would make it disappear. Nothing added up.
"Charming…" Fiona breathed, staring out the window.
"What?" He looked at her, halting his singing, offence flashed across his face for a moment until he followed her gaze out through the window. "Oh, my pet, you don't think it's going to happen again tonight, do you?"
"I think it might," she confirmed.
He was suddenly at her side, he took her into his arms. She resisted a little. If things were what she predicted, then the pain would be arriving soon, and she didn't want anyone to be touching her. But he held onto her firmly.
"Fiona," he spoke clearly at her. She dragged her eyes away from the window to meet his. "I love nothing more than I love you." He was sincere, like he was before, but the doubts ran through her mind. He was staring deep into her eyes. "Do you love me?" he asked her again.
She took a hollow breath, did he know? That she didn't love him? Or well, her mind fought against itself, she didn't know that she didn't love him, she only suspected it. The guilt washed over her. "Of course, I love you. You rescued me, you're my Prince Charming," she tried to dampen his worries, speaking as softly as she could. Perhaps it would dampen hers too.
"Then why wait, my princess. Let's get married tomorrow," he spoke the words so clearly and yet it was almost like she didn't hear them.
"But our wedding is only a week away," she answered before inwardly kicking herself at her protest. Only two days ago she would have jumped at the request.
"Exactly, what is that week for?" He raised an eyebrow. "Fiona, I cannot wait a whole day more."
He was right. Of course, it made perfect sense. Her theories about true love and marriage alit in her mind, despite having her fairy godmother disprove them - perhaps there was still something there. A marriage was binding. It would tie him to her forever. She would be Mrs Fiona Charming, just like she always wanted. They could have a family together, a bunch of little Charming children. She allowed the dreamy thoughts to enter her mind freely, like they would in the tower. She forced the unease to stay in its box. This was how the fairy tale went. She married her rescuer because he was her true love. Perhaps she was right all along, marriage truly would rid her of her problems. "Okay," she confirmed, "let's get married tomorrow."
He grinned at her. She smiled back at him. He pulled her tighter again and kissed her. His lips were soft at first, but they became firm. She didn't pull away. She needed to be close to him, she needed to embrace him. Their kiss was interrupted, though; the pain started within her and began moving outward. For a second, just a second, she thought maybe this was it… this was the ogre leaving its grasp of her forever. Her troubles ended. She finally loved him, like she should.
Except, the pain didn't stop. The burning escalated quickly, until she had to end the kiss with a yelp.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry," she spoke through gritted teeth as her legs threatened to buckle. All Charming knew was what her Fairy Godmother had said the previous night, that she was thinking unfavourably of him, or at the very least, not thinking pleasantly about him enough. Not that she knew any different, only suspected. The doubt of her doubts entered her mind yet again, why would her Fairy Godmother tell her something if it were untrue? And if it were untrue, how was she still human after sundown?
"Oh sweetpea!"
The friendly voice floated through the window as Fiona struggled to remain upright, clutching onto Charming's tunic. He tightened his grip; it only made things worse.
"The bed… please…"
Charming swooped her into his arms, it would have been incredibly romantic if it didn't hurt so much. He gently laid her down where she immediately took hold of the bedsheets, her fingers burning.
"Oh, don't worry, Fiona, I'm here to make it all better," the Fairy Godmother cooed at her.
"I want my mom," Fiona spoke. "Can you get her?"
Both Fairy Godmother and Charming looked at her blankly for a moment. They briefly met each other's gaze before the sympathy oozed from the Godmother, "Oh, sweetheart, we wouldn't want to disturb her for another night-"
"She told me to ask for her," the princess objected. She took a shaky breath. "Please go and get her."
"But we're here, we can help you tonight." The smile on the Godmother's face was too sweet. Unease joined the terrible mixture of feelings running down her spine.
"My princess," Charming knelt beside the bed, his head almost level with hers, "when I'm here, you don't need anyone else." He very carefully took her hand, cupping it in both of his. His gentle touch felt like sandpaper, the heat of his palm burning into her skin.
Despite the pain, the confusion still struck her. They were both protesting her wishes and she didn't understand why. She needed her mother-
"She's the only one who helps with the pain," Fiona explained slowly, shifting herself uncomfortably. She trembled at the movement.
"Oh, of course, let me give you something for that." The Fairy Godmother was concerned.
An odd part of the princess flared in anger. "You have something to help?" she spoke between gritted teeth.
"Yes, you should have called me back last night. I thought perhaps the pain would have passed quickly," she spoke innocently.
Despite the reasonable enough explanation, the anger didn't leave her. She tried her best to take deep breaths. In her decidedly negative emotions, Fiona searched her racing brain for the moments her Godmother had appeared. It was supposed to be when she was most needed, but she didn't reappear during the rest of the previous horrid night, nor any night during her time in the tower. The calculations didn't seem to add up.
Fairy Godmother then raised a hand, she was holding a vial. There was a white liquid inside. "This is a sleeping potion, it will ensure you sleep no matter what until morning time."
Yes. Fiona wanted it, she needed it. She shakily extended an arm to take it, though the godmother paused. "Oh no, let me." She pulled off the cap and floated over to where Charming was knelt.
All the other emotions cleared quickly as fear grew within her. Fiona tried to pull her hand from Charming's, but he clamped hold of her. She sucked in a pained breath at his action, though he didn't loosen his grip.
"That hurts," she squeaked.
"It's okay, my love," he cooed at her, "Take this potion and it won't hurt anymore."
She looked fearfully at the fairy who loomed over her. "Stop." She panicked. "Stop, stop, stop!" Her survival instinct kicked in and she yelled at her godmother. Fairy Godmother did; she floated backwards until she was standing on the floor again. Charming also released her hand, as if she were shouting at him too.
Fiona breathed hard, her heart racing in her ears. In a strange silver lining, her focus on what was happening dimmed the pain a little – though she could take no relief.
"Fiona, don't be scared." Charming shook his head at her. "It's just a sleeping potion."
"He's right, it's nothing to be scared of." The Godmother chuckled.
"I will take it," she spoke as firmly as she could. She extended her shaking arm again, countering the force she put into her voice. Fiona realised she felt more helpless than she did in the tower. She couldn't even sit up to hold her own.
Fairy Godmother hesitated, she shot a glance at Charming once again, his expression matched hers. They both doubted her seriousness. The princess didn't understand why they didn't trust her, especially not her prince. There was something so odd about them she couldn't wrap her mind around.
"Of course I'll take it. I don't want to be in this pain all night." In a strange burst of emotion, tears pricked at her eyes. "I want it to go away." Her lip trembled and she started crying. She needed everyone to go away. She wanted everything to go away: the pain, her rescuer, the castle, everything. She wished more than anything to be back in the tower, by herself, only to have this be a bad dream. "Please, I want… I want to be alone," she choked out, though her sobs only sent waves of pain through her body, she whimpered.
"Take my apologies, Princess," the fairy bowed her head and handed the vial to her. Despite her words being solemn there was a twinkle in her eye. Her prince seemed to have a permanently creased brow.
"Please," Fiona met his eye. She held the vial to her chest, tears quickly blurring her vision.
They left the room. Fiona desperately tried to pull herself together, sniffing and attempting to blink away her tears. Using more strength than she knew she had, she sat up. Her entire body protested her movement, her muscles aching as if bruised. Her head pounded. It took all she had to ignore it – more tears silently cascaded down her cheeks and took a new course down her neck. Fiona looked into the strange vial of liquid. A sleeping potion sounded delightful, but she was hesitant. She peered closer, there were slight pink wisps within the white liquid that shimmered as she twisted it in her fingers. One of her tears fell directly into the potion and she gasped as a strange pink mist rose from the vial, before disappearing into the air. It didn't seem right at all. She swirled the potion, trying to gently shake it, perhaps to mix the two colours together, but they wouldn't combine.
She glanced to the door. Fairy Godmother wanted her to take it so desperately, Charming was so concerned. They were sure to come back. But… she couldn't. If it were as simple as a sleeping potion for her own benefit, why try to force it on her in such a way?
Taking another deep breath, she reached out her trembling arm until it hovered above the giant vase of flowers beside her bed and tipped the potion into them. The pink mist returned. She darted her arm away as it formed a heart above the flowers which disintegrated and fell into the vase. She flinched, though it sent searing pain through her body. She threw herself face first into the pillow to mask the wail of pain both movements provoked.
Fiona sucked in a sharp breath as she heard their voices in the doorway. She closed her eyes, gathering every ounce of strength she had to keep still and steady her breathing. The door quietly opened.
"Should I kiss her now?" came Charming's voice. She could hear his footsteps, sure and purposeful heading for her bed.
"Shh!" The Fairy Godmother seemed to stop him in his tracks. "Is she asleep?"
"Yes. So I should kiss her now she's taken the potion."
There was hesitation, Fiona desperately wanted to open her eyes and refuse his kiss, but she couldn't. She had a strange feeling her life was in danger if she revealed she had defied the fairy's instruction.
"No... she falls in love with the first person she kisses, I'm not sure what havoc would happen if you kissed her while she was sleeping. We don't need more havoc in this situation." The fairy godmother sounded stressed.
"But mother..."
Something alit within Fiona. She indeed heard correctly before.
"I can't see her tomorrow until she walks down the aisle. The curse just isn't breaking, no matter what I do! What if she... she figures it out."
"She won't," the godmother's voice was firm. They got closer. "She'll walk down the aisle, I'll make sure of it. Besides, it'll be the perfect fairy tale moment. When you kiss at the end of the ceremony, the potion will work and she'll fall completely in love with you. That will then break the curse, in front of the kingdom. It will be a special moment for you, my love."
"That's the perfect ending to the story," he remarked.
"Yes, see? Everything will be fine."
"Are you sure I shouldn't kiss her now, just in case?"
"No, Charming. Nothing goes outside of the plan."
They left the room. Fiona's eyes flew open. The thought immediately crashed upon her – the moment she had spent her whole life waiting for had been a lie. She had finally been rescued but laying there, trembling and sweating upon her bedsheets, she had never felt more trapped in her life.
She gasped for deep relieving breaths, trying to be as quiet as she could. She had been such an idiot. She truly had no idea what love was. Love wasn't being rescued by a stranger, how could it be? They didn't know each other. Love was… well, she didn't really know. Tears blurred her vision again. She had spent years longing for someone to save her and now she had been saved, the person she wanted most in the world was her mother.
. . .
And the villains are revealed. Who could've seen THAT coming. Thank you for reading! :)