Shattered Crown

I was born underneath a red eclipse. The midwives had talked about the moon shining its pure light onto my mother. She had said that I didn’t cry; I had apparently been used to the unusualness of the world.

The unexpected guest at the door had appeared just as sneakily as the dark red moon. A witch, a sorceress, a madwoman, Satan’s right-hand: but these were only names that hid her true intentions in the halls of Ebon Palace.

“Who could that be?” said Queen Sophia, holding her newborn child with shaky hands. The headmistress, Gresidal, wiped the heavy sweat off the Queen’s forehead. “You mustn’t worry, Your Highness, it’s best we stay calm for the sake of the child.”

Many thoughts swirled through my mother’s dizzy head. Deep within her bones, this night wouldn’t be the start of a fairytale story, but an unescapable nightmare.

The door had delivered a gentle but unwelcoming knock. “I shall open the door,” said one midwife. She had piled the bloody rags into the basket and walked towards the door.

The slow motion of the door handle was all the darkness needed to lay its sinister hands on me.

Doors flew open in such a rush, startling everyone in the room. The pitch-black halls covered the evilness, unexpected of when it would pounce.

Just as quickly as darkness took the young midwife, it spread into the blood-red room.

Screams leaped from the mouths of the three other midwives. Gresidal came close, shielding us from whatever may come next.

Hearing the final breath be taken by the young midwife had let tears ricochet down my mother’s cheeks. The darkness had finally taken its own shape. She had jet black hair down her back, green hollow eyes, and an unsettling pale complexion. Draped around her was a large black robe, making her blend perfectly.

“Alice…” The Queen whispered, unsure of the state of reality. “Oh, why yes, My Queen, it is your faithful servant.” Alice had given a small curtsy. “Forgive my appearance, this is all I have to my noble name. I hope my Queen does not think less of the little old me?” She gave Queen Sophia an uneasy smile. “I believe you should explain yourself! How dare you barge into the home of the King and Queen!” spat Gresidal.

Silence had passed through the air, but nothing seemed to come out of the witch’s mouth. “You don’t belong here! If you do not leave this instinct, the guards will surely escort you to the door.” Alice huffed quietly, taking in every word. “Sophia, how could you let her treat me this way? Before her, I was the headmistress, running around this palace doing everything you asked of me!” The dark energy of her powers consumed the room. “If you do not leave, I will…”

Greisdal fell to her knees in a great spasm. A flood of screams escaped my mother’s mouth, holding me tight within her arms. “You chose to defy me, Gresidal! I am no powerless being anymore, but a goddess!” Alice’s hands controlled her body and soul. She looked like a child deciding whether to disregard her new toy. “Alice, don’t hurt her, please. This is between us, just let her go, I’m begging you!” My mother looked down at me, relieved and unsure, about how I hadn’t cried.

Alice’s eyes darted to my mother, trying to scan for the truth. Her grip on Gresidal grew stronger as she held her life in her hands. In that suffocating moment, it had all passed once Gresidal fell to the ground.

My mother’s heart had shattered, wishing she could hold Gresidal one last time.

“How could you do this?! WHY?”

The room broke out into another moment of silence, with only the simple cries of the scared midwives.

“You have wronged me for the last time, Sophia! Fate has come to your door with a warning that you’ve refused to listen to.”

Her breath hitched while holding me tighter to her chest.

“On the night of Princess Daphne's 16th birthday, she shall prick her finger on the thorn of a rose and fall into a gentle slumber. Nothing shall save the princess from this curse. ”

Alice glided to the bed, stretching her hand to caress the Queen’s cheek. “Do not cry, My Queen, this is the damnation you’ve been given.” She shuddered from her cold touch. “Why, my daughter, she has done nothing wrong? This child shouldn’t be given such a burden?”

Alice moved in closer to her ear; Sophia had felt her warm breath.

“You were given the chance to have everything you’ve ever wished for. The poor slums of Aster Dam used to be your home before you were magically whisked away by your perfect prince. You took pity on me and made me your servant. I sadly wasn’t blessed with the most perfect gift that lies within your arms.”

Their eyes locked instantly.

“This time, your wish will be your downfall…”

Hushed whispers of this story had spread across the land. The witch had disappeared into the night and was never seen again. The King and Queen took caution and sent the princess away. She had fallen into the care of her new caregivers, the simple midwives: Mary-Anne, Primrose, & Verity.

They had kept the King and Queen’s promise and hid the little princess in a small cottage deep within the woods.

Hopeful that fate wouldn’t find her…

Fifteen Years Later

The calming breeze of early spring flowed throughout the woods. It was always splendid weather this time of year. I could imagine what my aunts would say to me at this very moment: “Oh, my goodness, how could you leave without telling us!” said Aunt Mary-Anne, or maybe Aunt Verity may swoop in and say, “At least she came back with all ten fingers and toes.”

Aunt Primrose would’ve gotten overwhelmed and fainted dramatically onto the floor.

The thought released a faint giggle from my mouth.

I couldn’t understand why they had always been so scared to let me out into the world. This was the first time I’ve ever stepped out of the cottage and placed my feet onto Mother Nature. I watched the world move on without me from my bay window. I viewed the bitterness of winter, admired the beauty of fall, took in the fresh breeze of spring, and bathed in the sunlight of summer.

They had a strong presence that I could only watch from afar, but never truly had for myself.

As I walked through the forest, it felt similar. Like I had walked through it millions of times.

Crake!

I was released from my thoughts to turn my head. A giant ball of grey fur had greeted me as a special surprise. The bunny’s small pink nose sniffed around, maybe looking for something to eat. I lay softly on the ground with my outstretched arms. “Come here, I have something you may like?” I made affectionate sounds to draw its attention, but nothing seemed to work.

This bunny is really stubborn!

I reached into my small basket and took out some berries I had found.

The grey fluff of cotton started hopping its way to my lap. It cuddled up in the blue fabrics of my summer dress, pleading with me to feed it. I smiled at the cute creature while petting its soft coat. As soon as it saw my right hand, it dove into the pile of berries.

My face was shocked by how fast he consumed the berries, completely unsure of how an animal could eat that quickly.

“You're one hungry fella, aren’t you?” I said, giving a confused laugh. He calmed back down inside my lap and closed his eyes.

The bunny’s ears shot up, which startled me. “What’s wrong…” He quickly hopped away into the forest.

My emotions swirled in my mind that I couldn’t comprehend.

My first friend had left me.

I picked up my feelings and the basket of berries, wondering if I would see him again.

The sound of faint footsteps shook my core.

What if it’s a stranger? Or it could be another animal?

The footsteps became louder as they drew closer.

That is definitely not an animal! What if it’s a hunter who’s come to chop me up into a million pieces?

The shuffle of the bushes made my heart pound.

I started shaking, but knew I should be doing something. Then something strange took over me.

No way I’m dying like a coward, I have to be ready for him.

I looked for the biggest stick I could find and held it like a bat.

Be ready for him, Daphne, show him you can’t be messed with.

Once the stranger came from the bushes, I swung as hard as I could. A loud groan came from the man’s mouth as he collapsed to the ground. I held my stick up high, ready to swing if I needed to.

“Who are you, and why have you planned to attack me?” His response was muffled as he fought to breathe. “I expect an answer from you now!” My stick poked at the back of his head. “Please don’t hit me again.” That's what I thought I heard. I yanked his head back to look at me.

His honey brown hair gently caressed his hunter green eyes. Those eyes that I’ve seen once upon a dream.

“Please don’t hit me again,” said the mysterious man. Act tough, don’t let him break you. “You are defenseless. Why shouldn’t I hit you again, you jerk!” I hit him across the face, causing him to groan louder in pain.

Ok, slow down, you’re going too far with the bad cop act.

“Tell me who you are? I want a proper answer this time.” My grip grew tighter on him.

“I didn’t plan on harming you. I was just wandering the forest looking for my horse.” “Your horse?”

I couldn’t tell if he was lying or not.

Maybe I should trust him?

I let go of him, and he quickly got to his feet. I was given a good look at his appearance. He was tall but well-built, his hair was in a pretty mess of soft curls, and his eyes took my breath.

He was something from my deepest memories.

He cleaned himself off while his eyes still lingered. My face felt uncomfortable, and was probably the same color as my hair.

“You still haven’t told me your name?” He chuckled while he ran his fingers through his curls.

“I will, once you let go of that large stick.”

I gave him a stern look as I placed it down.

“My name is Julian.”

Julian. I liked how it sounded.

“Do you have a name?” said Julian.

“Why should I be talking to you? I’m not supposed to talk with strangers.”

“What’s your name?” he said once again.

“You're persistent, aren’t you?”

He paired his smile with a slight shrug. “It’s the least you could do for hitting me on the head with your oversized stick.” That last part he really emphasized.

“Daphne,” I said in my gruffest voice.

His eyes widened at my words.

“Huh, Daphine? It’s pretty. Since we know each other's names, we aren’t considered strangers anymore, aren’t we?”

I couldn’t back my shy smile as I spoke, “I guess we aren’t strangers.”

I looked to the sky and saw it was preparing for sunset.

“I must leave, it’s getting late.” I picked up my spilled basket and adjusted the hair stick in my bun.

“I greatly apologize for ‘aggressively hitting’ you.” I gave a quick bow and started walking.

A hand grabbed my arm and turned me around.

“ Why can’t you stay?”

I didn’t know what to say or do.

“I…”

“Can’t we meet again, under better circumstances. Just us?”

I felt like a hot pot of overwater that had boiled too much.

“I’m unsure of what you mean, but I really must go. My aunts will be greatly devastated if I don’t make it back home before sunset.”

I tried to wiggle free from his gentle grasp.

“Can’t I take you back home? I hear it’s very unsafe to walk alone in a dark forest.”

His smile melted everything inside of me. It felt impossible to say no to such a face.

“You can walk me back home, but you have no right to step inside with me.”

“I would never plan on breaking your word, Daphne.”

Our long walk together had been something I never knew I needed in life. I had gotten to know more about myself in the last hour than in almost sixteen years.

My small cottage came into view, nestled right in the heart of the forest.

“What a lovely cottage you have.” He said, walking me to the door.

“My aunts had built this house right before I was born. I’ve lived here all my life.”

“It’s strange that they wanted to raise a child in the wilderness. Your personality doesn’t compare to the area around you.”

“Did you expect a cavewoman?” I said with a small chuckle.

“You still have a sense of a wild side,” presenting a charming smirk.

We both laughed in the beauty of the sunset.

I don’t want this moment to end.

“Oh my goodness, Daphne!”

I turned to the door to see my Aunt Mary-Anne in a pure fit of rage.

“How could you sneak out into the forest? Do you know how dangerous it is out there? What if something terrible happened to you?”

She grabbed my arm and pulled me inside and shut the door.

I didn’t even get to say goodbye.

“Daphne, you're finally home,” said Aunt Primrose, pulling me into a tight hug.

“You're just in time; the cake should be done in just a minute,” said Aunt Verity, all dusted in flour.

“After the stunt she just pulled, I don’t think she deserves it. She left without our permission and came back home with a random boy,” said Aunt Mary-Anne

Gasps had filled the room with my shamefulness.

“She’s right, I don’t deserve a birthday cake or anything else in my life. I’m going to bed early.”

I ran upstairs and closed the door.

I collapsed onto my bed, crying until I fell asleep.

“Come to me…”

I woke up in a cold sweat.

I had thought I’d heard something, but I thought it was just my imagination.

Darkness had taken over the sky, and the moon was a reddish tone.

“Come to me, little princess…”

All of a sudden, my body didn’t belong to me anymore. I was just a puppet following the orders my master would give me.

I opened the door and walked down the stairs and into the night. The grass felt moist on my bare feet.

What is happening to me? Why am I doing this?

I followed the voice deeper into the woods until I saw a figure.

My breath hitched once I saw a face in the shadows.

“My dear princess, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Why am I here?”

Every single moment felt like a scene that I’ve seen before.

All of a sudden, my throat closed up and I began to choke.

“Let…me…go,” I said, throwing gagged breaths.

She came closer with her wicked grin.

“We’ve played this game before. I’m done fighting with you. Death will come for you in the end.”

Everything came back to me; this was always a replay of a dream. A dream I would always lose against her. Everything wasn’t real; every day was spent replaying this silly little game.

I was fighting to find a way out. I was trapped within the realm of dreams. The curse had already come for me.

Life seemed to come closer to its end, with every hope of a breath.

“Do you sense that, little princess, your tim-...”

Blood flowed out of her mouth, choking her.

“Enjoy death for yourself.”

Her magic left me as I watched her try to pull my hair stick from her throat.

“I’ve changed my fate. You kept me trapped in my own mind, killing my own will to escape. This prophecy needed a soul; it just wasn’t mine.”

Darkness swirled around her, turning her into nothing but the wind

I had finally woken from my deep slumber. I survived my sixteenth birthday. My aunts had told me that I had wandered into the forest and never came back. They set out to look for me and found me lying across from a bush of red roses and knew that the curse had taken me. Hours had passed as they prayed for me to possibly wake up.

The witch kept me playing her mind games, making me weaker every time she won.

I had reunited with my family and finally got to see the world, not just through dreams or a bay window.

Fate is unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t change it.