After scolding Vagatha, Desdemona was then escorted to her new chambers by the servants. It was the room that previously belonged to the first queen so it was only natural that it now been given to the king's new future bride. The room was richly furnished and elegantly designed, perfectly befitting a queen.

"What a lovely view." She committed while looking out the window.

"Yes my lady." Niffty said. "It was Queen Evangeline's favorite."

"Oh?" She said. "Was it?"

"Yes. It was by this very window that she prayed for our lord to bless us with the princess."

"How touching."

Next to the window their hung a painted portrait of the first queen. She was dressed in a white gown with her blonde hair pinned upward by precious stones. She was painted sitting down, holding a white rose in one hand and the holy bible in the other, making her appear very beautiful and saintly.

"Niffty." Desdemona said. "Tell me, Percival's first wife, do you believe that she was more beautiful than me?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Oh please forgive me. What a ridiculous question. I suppose I am just feeling the fears of the second wife, that's all."

She smiled and spoke kindly but there was something about her eyes that made Niffty suspicious. The way they looked upon Evangeline's portrait, they were filled with so much hatred and contempt. As if she despised the mere knowledge that the late queen existed in this world.

"My lady, did you know the first queen?"

"No. I never had the pleasure but I have heard many speak of how wonderful she was. I do hope that I live up to her legacy."

Soon the servants moved her belongings into the room. She owned quite the collection of mirrors, wall mirrors, hand mirrors, all glimmering and reflective. But the crown jewel of the collection was a floor length looking glass, divided as a tri-fold, and lined with wood that was carved to take the form of grotesque images. That one was moved to the center wall where it would always be faced in it's owner's direction.

"I thank you all for your assistance." The royal bride to be said. "But now I wish to be alone. Leave me, if you please."

The servants obeyed her command and once Desdemona was left alone in her new chambers, she locked the bed room doors and then opened the ones to her mirror. At the sight of her reflection in the glass, she beamed with great pride.

"Mirror, mirror, on the wall." She spoke. "Who is the fairest of them all?"

At once Desdemona's image appeared in all three of the connected mirrors and a voice from the glass answered,

"No woman in the entire kingdom can match your beauty. There is no question, there is no doubt, you are the fairest in the land."

Desdemona's pride grew as did her joy.

You see this was no ordinary mirror. It was ancient and magic, for centuries it had been the source of power for a coven of witches, passed on from generation to generation. The mirror's previous owners; Desdemona's witch ancestors, some good and some evil, had all contributed their own magic to the mirror after each of them had passed on from this world in order to aid their future descendants. Therefore this looking glass had many extraordinary abilites. One of which was the power to always know the truth, a gift contributed by the most recently deceased ancestor.

Desdemona's reflection faded and was replaced by the image of a woman who's looks resembled Desdemona's, but also Vagatha's, and that of Vagatha's grandmother in her younger years. You could call this vision the spirit of their bloodline.

"A pity." The spirit said. "Your ancestors would be ashamed if they could see you now. Immersing yourself among the very people who scorned them. The very people who sentenced them to be burned and hanged."

"Don't presume that I am exactly like my family."

"Of course not. Your family would rather see the monarchy destroyed rather than become apart of it. Well except for your mother, she was willing to forgive the sins of royalty. Only for Evangeline's sake."

"Do not speak her name in my presence. She is dead in the ground and tomorrow I shall replace her. In time she will be forgotten."

"Do not be so arrogant, you may rule the king's mind and will now, but his heart and soul will forever belong to his first bride." The spirit warned. "And the child she gave him."

"Oh please. In one week he won't even remember the brat's name."

"That's another thing, don't assume that all men are like your boar of a father. Need I remind you of your first husband and his devotion to the child you gave him?"

"I summoned you only to know the answer to one question. Not to hear a lecture. You've answered my question now begone."

"As you wish but one day, eventually you'll ask me who the fairest of them all is and you won't like the answer."

The spirit vanished after that and Desdemona was left momentarily spooked by it's response but then she brushed it off.


"Just like Mother, always trying to scare me into being what a woman is expected to be." She closed the doors to the looking glass and took a moment to admire herself in a hand mirror. "Of course there will never be a lady more beautiful than me."

Royal weddings were always a most exciting event in the kingdom. A banquet where the finest delicacies and wines would be served, festivities full of music and dance, and grand gifts being presented to the royal couple. When Percival and Desdemona said their vows and were declared husband and wife by the priest, they entered the court for all to bask in their splendor. The new queen was dressed in garments and robes of spun gold, a jeweled crown now resting upon her head to symbolize her new title. The wedding guests bowed before her and marveled at her outstanding beauty.

"She's more stunning than I thought." The guests would say.

"Truly magnificent."

"Breathtaking."

"Radiant."

She was very pleased by their compliments.

The banquet took place first and it was a very sumptuous feast that they all dined on. After that the royal couple sat upon their thrones to receive their wedding gifts. At the king's side, sat Charlotte wearing a dress that was purest white with a red sash tied around the waist. At the new queen's side, sat Vagatha wearing a dress that was deepest red with a white sash tied around the waist. Both young girls behaved in a expectant manner for the sake of their parents. They greeted guests with respect and a smile.

"Presenting King Stolas of Goetia." Announced the herald.

At once the guest who shared equally footing with the couple walked toward them in a regal manner and behind him were two servants, each carrying a wooden box with holes.

"King Percival." Stolas said. "I wish you my most humble congratulations on your nuptials. Our two kingdoms have been trade partners for years and we have also been longtime friends so I am pleased with your recent good fortune. My gift to you and your new bride is this."

In his hand was a small chest and when it opened it revealed what appeared to be a simple seed connected to a branch.

"My palace gardens grow very unusual yet magnificent trees that bear branches and leaves of gold, silver, and diamonds. I give to you a cutting from one of those trees for you to plant in your own garden. Bury it under moonlight and by morning you shall have the very same treasure I posses."

"We are most grateful Stolas." Percival said.

"I also bring gifts for your children." He continued. "A special surprise just for them."

His servants each placed a box at the feet of the young girls and at once they opened their gifts. In Charlotte's was a Russian Blue kitten and in Vagatha's was a Rottweiler puppy. Bright eyes and smiles painted the faces of both girls when they saw the two adorable baby animals.

"When they were nursed their milk was mixed with a potion that would give them the life span of the average human. They shall live longer than most of their species and if treated well they shall always be faithful." Stolas explained.

"Thank you." Charlotte and Vagatha said holding their new pets close.

"You are too kind Stolas." Percival said.

"Much too kind." Desdemona said. "I fear the children may become spoiled with such gifts. We do not want them to become entitled."

"Nonsense my love. Stolas has given his daughter two royal pets and she behaves no where near that of an entitled girl. I once again thank you for your generous gifts."

"You and your family are most welcome." Stolas said.

After gifts it was time for the festivities and as a special treat, Percival asked Charlotte to dance for the court's entertainment. Now despite her young age, Charlotte had many talents and one of which was to move as a snowflake in the wind does. The guests were awed by the girl's delicate steps and she so very much loved to perform for her father.

"Such a graceful little dancer." Niffty remarked. "Her dear mother was just the same."

"What a pretty child." The guests said. "And she'll be even more beautiful by the time she's ready to wed."

"Can you believe someone so young has already become so elegant?"

"She looks like a darling little angel."

"Absolutely charming."

"She reminds me so much of my lovely Octavia." Stolas complimented.

Charlotte finished her dance with a graceful twirl then lightly approached her father.

"Did you like my dance Papa?" She asked him.

"That was beautiful sweetheart." He applauded her and hugged her close.

Everyone else applauded as well, everyone save for the queen who was not particularly pleased with how the guests fawned over the little princess. What displeased her even more was before now, she had never noticed how fair of face Charlotte was and this planted a seed of envy in her heart.