Disclaimer – I only own my OC, Heza, and nothing else.

Once upon a time, on a cold winter's day, there lived a beautiful Queen. She was in her Palace, staring out at the falling snow that lay a large carpet of white across the land. It always felt satisfying to her, staring out at the snow from her top bedroom window. But it didn't seem to cheer her up.

You see, the Queen already had two sons, who she absolutely adored...but she wanted another child. She couldn't understand how she and her husband, the King, have been stopped with this blessing. The thought of possibly never having another child made the Queen's heart sink.

However, a faint sunlight tried to peek its way through the thick grey clouds, and reflected upon the land. The Queen looked down at the snow before her window sill, seeing it glisten beautifully against the black window frame. Enchanted by this sight, the Queen made a wish: She wished her next child would be as white as snow, and as black as the window frame.

The following Autumn, as fate would have it, the Queen had another son. He was born with skin white as snow, and hair as dark as the night. She named the baby Chazz, but a few of the servants who saw him nick named him 'Snow White'. Unfortunately, a few days after Chazz was born, the Queen died.

The King decided it were best if he married again, so that was what he did. However, this new Queen wasn't very nice; despite her beautiful appearance, she was cruel and vain. She had stunning green oval shaped eyes, and long straight black hair. She had fair skin to compliment her green dress. Her name was Heza, and from this point on, she was the Princeton brothers' Step Mother.

Heza secretly owned a magic mirror, who only spoke the truth. She would head off in a secret room, and ask the mirror everyday:

"Magic Mirror,

You know what is true.

But the most beautiful person

Would be who?"

And the mirror would reply every time it was her. As long as the mirror said this to Heza, everyone was safe from her cruelty.

However, 16 years had passed. Chazz's older brothers had moved out to rule other kingdoms, and Chazz was left with his Step Mother. Heza didn't take kindly to children, so whenever the King was absent, she'd put strict rules on Chazz about not leaving the castle. If he disobeyed, Heza would punish him with things like banning the cooks from giving him food or locking him in a spare tower for the night.

At this moment, the King was out, visiting a far away Kingdom. Chazz sadly walked outside to sit on a garden bench. He had dark black hair, and very fair skin. He wore a white shirt, with a dark blue waistcoat. He also wore black trousers with dark brown boots. He looked at all the beautiful plants that were growing around this garden. It did make him feel a bit better, but the thought of being with his Step Mother weighed him down.

"Excuse me?"

Chazz blinked as a pretty girl had entered the garden; She had light blonde hair, and pretty lilac eyes. She wore a dark green off-shoulder dress, with a dark brown corset to compliment it. Chazz hadn't seen this girl before, but I'll tell you who she is: She was Princess Kaede from a neighbouring kingdom, engaged to a member of the Saihara family.

"Is this the Palace of the Princeton family?" Kaede asked.

"Yeah, it sure is," Chazz looked at her. "I'm Prince Chazz of the Princeton family."

"I thought so," Kaede smiled. "I've heard lots about you."

"You have?" Chazz looked at Kaede surprised as she sat down next to him.

"I have," Kaede nodded. "I overheard a lot of nice things, like how kind you are and how you'd make a great King. I also overheard how they described you, but I must admit, I didn't believe it until I saw your royal family portrait."

"Oh, that," Chazz looked away with blush, hating that painting. He hated it because he thought he looked out of place in the painting compared to his family. "Yeah, not the best family portrait, I know…"

"I thought you looked cute," Kaede chuckled. "But seeing you in person now...I feel honoured."

"You do?" Chazz looked at Kaede in surprise.

"Yeah," Kaede nodded. "Even though I have heard about your brothers and how they were getting on, I never thought you'd look like this." Chazz blinked at Kaede in surprise, but he had a feeling she was going to say one or the other. Chazz's brothers bullied him growing up, not even Heza did anything to stop them. "I haven't met your brothers, but I know you're different compared to them. Not just based on what I've heard, but...you're beautiful."

"I'm not," Chazz sadly looked down. "My brothers and Step Mother never told me that...Even if my father tried to cheer me up, they'd all remind me what a piece of garbage I am…"

"Well, I don't think you're garbage," Kaede frowned. "Neither does my family."

"And how would they know?" Chazz frowned at Kaede.

"Oh! I never introduced myself," Kaede jumped with surprise. "I'm Princess Kaede Akamatsu from the Akamatsu family."

"Aka...matsu?" Chazz stood up and backed away a bit in surprise. He felt a mixture of fluster and panic. He was told by his Step Mother not to talk to the Akamatsu family, but Chazz couldn't be rude to a lady, let alone a Princess.

"That's right," Kaede stood up with a smile. "I didn't frighten you, did I?"

"N-No, I just…" Chazz hesitated. "...I'm surprised, that's all...I-It's nice to meet you, Princess Kaede," he bowed politely to her.

"You as well, Prince Chazz," Kaede curtsied. She then gave a shy smile, but she held the back of her hand before Chazz. He looked, but gently took it to kiss the back of her hand.

Meanwhile, Heza had gone off to check up on her magic mirror. She stood before it grandly, staring at her reflection. She smiled almost wickedly, knowing full well what the mirror will say to her today. So, Heza went ahead, and asked the mirror the usual question:

"Magic Mirror,

You know what is true.

But the most beautiful person

Would be who?"

The mirror then changed from Heza's reflection, and a vision of purple smoke took its place. A powerful voice spoke within the mirror:

"You are as beautiful

As far the eye can see…

But surrounded by castle walls,

There is a Prince fairer than thee…"

Heza gasped. She froze. She wasn't expecting that answer.

"A Prince?" Heza glared. "Who is this Prince? Tell me!" The mirror spoke again:

"His skin, white as snow…

His hair, dark as the night…

His portrayal, gentle as a flower…

Some like to call him 'Snow White'."

Heza gasped louder. She knew exactly who this Prince was.

"...Chazz?" she stared. "Chazz Princeton is more beautiful than I?! How DARE you!" Before the mirror could say any more, it transformed back into Heza's reflection. She stood there with an ugly frown, grinding her teeth and clinching her fists. She furiously walked out of her secret room, and marched to the nearest window.

From there, she secretly watched as she could see Chazz talking to Kaede. He seemed a bit happier talking to her, learning she was here to perform a piano piece in front of the Queen. Seeing Chazz be happy around the other Princess made the Queen angrier. It wasn't just hate that filled her soul; there was jealousy and envy...and an unhealthy thirst of blood.