Chapter 1 ; I don't wanna fight a war that no one's gonna win
It had been a week since Becca, also known as the Evil Queen, and Snow White, had made up their long fight, and become sisters again. At least almost.
It had also been a week since Prince Charming had proposed to Snow, and she had said yes.
Snow was sitting in her old room, that was now hers and Charming’s, and was looking out the window. She was holding the locket Becca had given her. The new one. For she had tried to kill her with the previous one. But Snow trusted Becca now. But her judgment had always been poor when it had come to her sister.
“What are you thinking?” Snow was pulled from her thoughts by her fiancé, Charming, who had entered the room.
“Just my life”, Snow said.
“Good or bad thoughts?” Charming asked as he walked to Snow.
“Mostly good. Good things about you, and us, and Red, and all of my friends..”
“But bad about Becca?”
“And the future. I don’t know what’s going to happen. What did the court decide?” Snow turned to look at him. Charming had just arrived from a royal meeting. It had included all of Snow and Becca’s remaining relatives, Charming, Ella, Thomas, and everyone else who cared about them, and who were royals. Of course Snow and Becca were forbidden from participating.
Charming sighed and pulled up a chair and sat next to Snow. “They didn’t go with the probation.”
“Okay”, Snow waited.
“They’re going to let the Kingdom vote”, Charming said.
“What?”
“There’s going to be a voting in one month’s time at the courtyard of this castle. Anyone who is a part of this Kingdom can come and place their vote. Either you or Becca.”
“That’s ridiculous! We’re supposed to trust a voting?” Snow asked in confusion.
“Darling, I am very certain that you will win”, Charming tried to calm her down.
“I know. I don’t want to win. I don’t want any of this. I’m not ready to be Queen, and Becca is way over her head. Neither of us is capable of the job.”
“What would you have us do? Just pick someone else?” Charming smiled.
“Don’t I have relatives?” Snow groaned.
“Yes, but none of them seemed eager for volunteering. They want to respect traditions”, Charming kissed the top of Snow’s head before standing up.
“Where are you going?” Snow asked as Charming walked to the door.
“I’m going hunting with the Huntsman and Thomas”, Charming said.
Snow smiled. “Have fun.”
“I will. It’ll be a good time to tell them about the engagement, too”, Charming was just about to walk out the door when Snow grabbed his arm.
“No”, she said firmly.
“What?”
“I don’t want to tell anyone yet”, Snow said.
“Why? It’s been a week, I hardly think we have to wait any longer.”
“Just trust me, okay?” Snow tried to end the conversation.
“No, how about I don’t? What’s wrong with telling my friends that I’m engaged?” Charming crossed his arms and waited.
“It’s not about the Huntsman or Thomas”, Snow buried her head in her hands, as she always did when she was frustrated.
“Then what it is about?” Charming asked. “Just tell me.”
“If I announce I’m to be married, everyone will immediately turn it into a political affair.”
“Meaning..”, Charming sighed as he realized. “That if you announce you’re getting married, you’d immediately be chosen as Queen. There would be no voting.”
“Exactly. I owe Becca a fair game”, Snow said.
“You owe Becca nothing”, Charming snapped.
“Please, Charming. Just… I’ll tell her. I will. But can you just keep quiet about it for now?”
For a moment it looked like Charming was about to protest, but then he nodded and said: “Of course”, and grabbed Snow’s hand for a moment, and then with a small smile, left the room.
“I’m sorry”, Snow sighed after him.
“There you are”, Eric walked downstairs into the cell area. Becca was sitting on the bench. The same bench she had sat where she had talked to Eric while he had been captive.
“Hi”, Becca said, but didn’t turn to look at Eric as he sat next to her.
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you think is wrong?” Becca muttered. “Everything. This is not who I am. I had gotten so used to being Queen, being in charge. And then Snow waltzes back in, and brings her incredibly annoying friends with her.”
“Did you not miss her at all?” Eric asked quietly.
“Perhaps, but all that has been overshadowed by the race for Queen. Snow may say she doesn’t want it, but I know she’s lying.”
“The Kingdom is going to vote”, Eric said.
“I know. Do you think I’ll win?” Becca turned to look at Eric hopefully.
“Let’s just see how it turns out”, he said, avoiding Becca’s gaze.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m so glad you’re back in my life”, Becca said. It took a lot for her to say stuff like that, so she expected nothing less than a wonderful response.
Eric smiled at her. “I’m glad, too. I’m glad you’re yourself again.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be fully myself again”, Becca shook her shoulders.
“Let’s just see how it turns out”, Eric said again and let Becca lay her head on his shoulder.
Red was standing in Snow’s wardrobe. It was a whole room. It was full of gowns, shoes, jewelry and everything you could imagine. She touched the clothes and for a moment imagined them to be hers.
“I never took you for a woman who appreciated clothes that much”, the Huntsman was standing in the doorway, and smiled as she turned to look at him.
“Well, perhaps not, but now that I see what Snow’s life was like… She is very lucky.”
“She is. But there are all kinds of lucky people, you know”, the Huntsman said as he walked further into the room.
“I know. Like me”, Red smirked.
“Like you?”
“Yes. I have a man, who cares for me”, Red smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Oh, I’m your man?” the Huntsman smiled.
“Indeed you are. At least once you’ve told me your name.”
“You really want to know my name?” the Huntsman asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely”, Red waited eagerly.
“It’s Daniel”, the Huntsman said after a small pause.
“Your name is Daniel?” Red asked.
The Huntsman – Daniel, nodded.
“That’s a beautiful name! Why didn’t you tell me before?” Red asked in confusion.
“I don’t know. I don’t really trust people”, Daniel shook his shoulders.
“You have to trust me. Remember, you’re my man, and I’m your woman”, Red smirked. “You can trust me, Daniel”, and then she kissed him.
Snow was walking down the halls, and she suddenly ran into Becca. It was extremely awkward, because neither of them knew how to behave around each other anymore.
“Hello”, Snow tried to smile.
“Hello”, Becca did, too, but it was obviously fake.
“Did you hear what the court decided?” Snow asked.
“I did. A vote. What do you think of the decision?” Becca asked.
“Not quite wise, I think. But I don’t see any other way, either”, Snow said.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, I’m not ready to be Queen, and you..”, Snow paused.
“Yes?”
“Nothing. I’m sure you were a wonderful Queen.”
“I wasn’t, and you know that”, Becca said coldly.
“Oh, Becca, can’t we just start over?” Snow groaned.
“Yes, please do treat me like I’m the one to blame”, Becca snapped. “Don’t think you’re so innocent.”
“I know you blame me, and with reason, but I am so tired of fighting”, Snow said. “And it got us nowhere.”
“Do you think I like this? No, I don’t. But can’t you see how inconsiderate you’re being?” Becca said angrily.
“What do you mean?”
“You just moved back in, and brought your knight in shine armor with you. And as if that wasn’t enough, you also dragged along those two hopeless friends of yours!”
“They’re my friends. Don’t talk about them like that”, Snow said firmly.
“You just need to face the fact that you’re not perfect, either”, Becca said.
“I know that”, Snow said quietly.
“Good.”
Before anyone could say anything else, they heard a knock on the front door. They had just been in the hallway near the entrance, so Becca walked to open the door herself.
“Hi. I hope I’m not interrupting”, Snow’s eyes widened as she heard the familiar voice.
“Not at all”, Becca smiled and closed the door behind them, letting the guest in.
Snow felt her face go pale, but she still turned to look at the new arrival.
“Snow.”
“Jefferson. Hi”, Snow forced herself to say.
It had been a week since Becca, also known as the Evil Queen, and Snow White, had made up their long fight, and become sisters again. At least almost.
It had also been a week since Prince Charming had proposed to Snow, and she had said yes.
Snow was sitting in her old room, that was now hers and Charming’s, and was looking out the window. She was holding the locket Becca had given her. The new one. For she had tried to kill her with the previous one. But Snow trusted Becca now. But her judgment had always been poor when it had come to her sister.
“What are you thinking?” Snow was pulled from her thoughts by her fiancé, Charming, who had entered the room.
“Just my life”, Snow said.
“Good or bad thoughts?” Charming asked as he walked to Snow.
“Mostly good. Good things about you, and us, and Red, and all of my friends..”
“But bad about Becca?”
“And the future. I don’t know what’s going to happen. What did the court decide?” Snow turned to look at him. Charming had just arrived from a royal meeting. It had included all of Snow and Becca’s remaining relatives, Charming, Ella, Thomas, and everyone else who cared about them, and who were royals. Of course Snow and Becca were forbidden from participating.
Charming sighed and pulled up a chair and sat next to Snow. “They didn’t go with the probation.”
“Okay”, Snow waited.
“They’re going to let the Kingdom vote”, Charming said.
“What?”
“There’s going to be a voting in one month’s time at the courtyard of this castle. Anyone who is a part of this Kingdom can come and place their vote. Either you or Becca.”
“That’s ridiculous! We’re supposed to trust a voting?” Snow asked in confusion.
“Darling, I am very certain that you will win”, Charming tried to calm her down.
“I know. I don’t want to win. I don’t want any of this. I’m not ready to be Queen, and Becca is way over her head. Neither of us is capable of the job.”
“What would you have us do? Just pick someone else?” Charming smiled.
“Don’t I have relatives?” Snow groaned.
“Yes, but none of them seemed eager for volunteering. They want to respect traditions”, Charming kissed the top of Snow’s head before standing up.
“Where are you going?” Snow asked as Charming walked to the door.
“I’m going hunting with the Huntsman and Thomas”, Charming said.
Snow smiled. “Have fun.”
“I will. It’ll be a good time to tell them about the engagement, too”, Charming was just about to walk out the door when Snow grabbed his arm.
“No”, she said firmly.
“What?”
“I don’t want to tell anyone yet”, Snow said.
“Why? It’s been a week, I hardly think we have to wait any longer.”
“Just trust me, okay?” Snow tried to end the conversation.
“No, how about I don’t? What’s wrong with telling my friends that I’m engaged?” Charming crossed his arms and waited.
“It’s not about the Huntsman or Thomas”, Snow buried her head in her hands, as she always did when she was frustrated.
“Then what it is about?” Charming asked. “Just tell me.”
“If I announce I’m to be married, everyone will immediately turn it into a political affair.”
“Meaning..”, Charming sighed as he realized. “That if you announce you’re getting married, you’d immediately be chosen as Queen. There would be no voting.”
“Exactly. I owe Becca a fair game”, Snow said.
“You owe Becca nothing”, Charming snapped.
“Please, Charming. Just… I’ll tell her. I will. But can you just keep quiet about it for now?”
For a moment it looked like Charming was about to protest, but then he nodded and said: “Of course”, and grabbed Snow’s hand for a moment, and then with a small smile, left the room.
“I’m sorry”, Snow sighed after him.
“There you are”, Eric walked downstairs into the cell area. Becca was sitting on the bench. The same bench she had sat where she had talked to Eric while he had been captive.
“Hi”, Becca said, but didn’t turn to look at Eric as he sat next to her.
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you think is wrong?” Becca muttered. “Everything. This is not who I am. I had gotten so used to being Queen, being in charge. And then Snow waltzes back in, and brings her incredibly annoying friends with her.”
“Did you not miss her at all?” Eric asked quietly.
“Perhaps, but all that has been overshadowed by the race for Queen. Snow may say she doesn’t want it, but I know she’s lying.”
“The Kingdom is going to vote”, Eric said.
“I know. Do you think I’ll win?” Becca turned to look at Eric hopefully.
“Let’s just see how it turns out”, he said, avoiding Becca’s gaze.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m so glad you’re back in my life”, Becca said. It took a lot for her to say stuff like that, so she expected nothing less than a wonderful response.
Eric smiled at her. “I’m glad, too. I’m glad you’re yourself again.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be fully myself again”, Becca shook her shoulders.
“Let’s just see how it turns out”, Eric said again and let Becca lay her head on his shoulder.
Red was standing in Snow’s wardrobe. It was a whole room. It was full of gowns, shoes, jewelry and everything you could imagine. She touched the clothes and for a moment imagined them to be hers.
“I never took you for a woman who appreciated clothes that much”, the Huntsman was standing in the doorway, and smiled as she turned to look at him.
“Well, perhaps not, but now that I see what Snow’s life was like… She is very lucky.”
“She is. But there are all kinds of lucky people, you know”, the Huntsman said as he walked further into the room.
“I know. Like me”, Red smirked.
“Like you?”
“Yes. I have a man, who cares for me”, Red smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Oh, I’m your man?” the Huntsman smiled.
“Indeed you are. At least once you’ve told me your name.”
“You really want to know my name?” the Huntsman asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely”, Red waited eagerly.
“It’s Daniel”, the Huntsman said after a small pause.
“Your name is Daniel?” Red asked.
The Huntsman – Daniel, nodded.
“That’s a beautiful name! Why didn’t you tell me before?” Red asked in confusion.
“I don’t know. I don’t really trust people”, Daniel shook his shoulders.
“You have to trust me. Remember, you’re my man, and I’m your woman”, Red smirked. “You can trust me, Daniel”, and then she kissed him.
Snow was walking down the halls, and she suddenly ran into Becca. It was extremely awkward, because neither of them knew how to behave around each other anymore.
“Hello”, Snow tried to smile.
“Hello”, Becca did, too, but it was obviously fake.
“Did you hear what the court decided?” Snow asked.
“I did. A vote. What do you think of the decision?” Becca asked.
“Not quite wise, I think. But I don’t see any other way, either”, Snow said.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, I’m not ready to be Queen, and you..”, Snow paused.
“Yes?”
“Nothing. I’m sure you were a wonderful Queen.”
“I wasn’t, and you know that”, Becca said coldly.
“Oh, Becca, can’t we just start over?” Snow groaned.
“Yes, please do treat me like I’m the one to blame”, Becca snapped. “Don’t think you’re so innocent.”
“I know you blame me, and with reason, but I am so tired of fighting”, Snow said. “And it got us nowhere.”
“Do you think I like this? No, I don’t. But can’t you see how inconsiderate you’re being?” Becca said angrily.
“What do you mean?”
“You just moved back in, and brought your knight in shine armor with you. And as if that wasn’t enough, you also dragged along those two hopeless friends of yours!”
“They’re my friends. Don’t talk about them like that”, Snow said firmly.
“You just need to face the fact that you’re not perfect, either”, Becca said.
“I know that”, Snow said quietly.
“Good.”
Before anyone could say anything else, they heard a knock on the front door. They had just been in the hallway near the entrance, so Becca walked to open the door herself.
“Hi. I hope I’m not interrupting”, Snow’s eyes widened as she heard the familiar voice.
“Not at all”, Becca smiled and closed the door behind them, letting the guest in.
Snow felt her face go pale, but she still turned to look at the new arrival.
“Snow.”
“Jefferson. Hi”, Snow forced herself to say.
Chapter 1 ; I don't wanna fight a war that no one's gonna win
It had been a week since Becca, also known as the Evil Queen, and Snow White, had made up their long fight, and become sisters again. At least almost.
It had also been a week since Prince Charming had proposed to Snow, and she had said yes.
Snow was sitting in her old room, that was now hers and Charming’s, and was looking out the window. She was holding the locket Becca had given her. The new one. For she had tried to kill her with the previous one. But Snow trusted Becca now. But her judgment had always been poor when it had come to her sister.
“What are you thinking?” Snow was pulled from her thoughts by her fiancé, Charming, who had entered the room.
“Just my life”, Snow said.
“Good or bad thoughts?” Charming asked as he walked to Snow.
“Mostly good. Good things about you, and us, and Red, and all of my friends..”
“But bad about Becca?”
“And the future. I don’t know what’s going to happen. What did the court decide?” Snow turned to look at him. Charming had just arrived from a royal meeting. It had included all of Snow and Becca’s remaining relatives, Charming, Ella, Thomas, and everyone else who cared about them, and who were royals. Of course Snow and Becca were forbidden from participating.
Charming sighed and pulled up a chair and sat next to Snow. “They didn’t go with the probation.”
“Okay”, Snow waited.
“They’re going to let the Kingdom vote”, Charming said.
“What?”
“There’s going to be a voting in one month’s time at the courtyard of this castle. Anyone who is a part of this Kingdom can come and place their vote. Either you or Becca.”
“That’s ridiculous! We’re supposed to trust a voting?” Snow asked in confusion.
“Darling, I am very certain that you will win”, Charming tried to calm her down.
“I know. I don’t want to win. I don’t want any of this. I’m not ready to be Queen, and Becca is way over her head. Neither of us is capable of the job.”
“What would you have us do? Just pick someone else?” Charming smiled.
“Don’t I have relatives?” Snow groaned.
“Yes, but none of them seemed eager for volunteering. They want to respect traditions”, Charming kissed the top of Snow’s head before standing up.
“Where are you going?” Snow asked as Charming walked to the door.
“I’m going hunting with the Huntsman and Thomas”, Charming said.
Snow smiled. “Have fun.”
“I will. It’ll be a good time to tell them about the engagement, too”, Charming was just about to walk out the door when Snow grabbed his arm.
“No”, she said firmly.
“What?”
“I don’t want to tell anyone yet”, Snow said.
“Why? It’s been a week, I hardly think we have to wait any longer.”
“Just trust me, okay?” Snow tried to end the conversation.
“No, how about I don’t? What’s wrong with telling my friends that I’m engaged?” Charming crossed his arms and waited.
“It’s not about the Huntsman or Thomas”, Snow buried her head in her hands, as she always did when she was frustrated.
“Then what it is about?” Charming asked. “Just tell me.”
“If I announce I’m to be married, everyone will immediately turn it into a political affair.”
“Meaning..”, Charming sighed as he realized. “That if you announce you’re getting married, you’d immediately be chosen as Queen. There would be no voting.”
“Exactly. I owe Becca a fair game”, Snow said.
“You owe Becca nothing”, Charming snapped.
“Please, Charming. Just… I’ll tell her. I will. But can you just keep quiet about it for now?”
For a moment it looked like Charming was about to protest, but then he nodded and said: “Of course”, and grabbed Snow’s hand for a moment, and then with a small smile, left the room.
“I’m sorry”, Snow sighed after him.
“There you are”, Eric walked downstairs into the cell area. Becca was sitting on the bench. The same bench she had sat where she had talked to Eric while he had been captive.
“Hi”, Becca said, but didn’t turn to look at Eric as he sat next to her.
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you think is wrong?” Becca muttered. “Everything. This is not who I am. I had gotten so used to being Queen, being in charge. And then Snow waltzes back in, and brings her incredibly annoying friends with her.”
“Did you not miss her at all?” Eric asked quietly.
“Perhaps, but all that has been overshadowed by the race for Queen. Snow may say she doesn’t want it, but I know she’s lying.”
“The Kingdom is going to vote”, Eric said.
“I know. Do you think I’ll win?” Becca turned to look at Eric hopefully.
“Let’s just see how it turns out”, he said, avoiding Becca’s gaze.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m so glad you’re back in my life”, Becca said. It took a lot for her to say stuff like that, so she expected nothing less than a wonderful response.
Eric smiled at her. “I’m glad, too. I’m glad you’re yourself again.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be fully myself again”, Becca shook her shoulders.
“Let’s just see how it turns out”, Eric said again and let Becca lay her head on his shoulder.
Red was standing in Snow’s wardrobe. It was a whole room. It was full of gowns, shoes, jewelry and everything you could imagine. She touched the clothes and for a moment imagined them to be hers.
“I never took you for a woman who appreciated clothes that much”, the Huntsman was standing in the doorway, and smiled as she turned to look at him.
“Well, perhaps not, but now that I see what Snow’s life was like… She is very lucky.”
“She is. But there are all kinds of lucky people, you know”, the Huntsman said as he walked further into the room.
“I know. Like me”, Red smirked.
“Like you?”
“Yes. I have a man, who cares for me”, Red smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Oh, I’m your man?” the Huntsman smiled.
“Indeed you are. At least once you’ve told me your name.”
“You really want to know my name?” the Huntsman asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely”, Red waited eagerly.
“It’s Daniel”, the Huntsman said after a small pause.
“Your name is Daniel?” Red asked.
The Huntsman – Daniel, nodded.
“That’s a beautiful name! Why didn’t you tell me before?” Red asked in confusion.
“I don’t know. I don’t really trust people”, Daniel shook his shoulders.
“You have to trust me. Remember, you’re my man, and I’m your woman”, Red smirked. “You can trust me, Daniel”, and then she kissed him.
Snow was walking down the halls, and she suddenly ran into Becca. It was extremely awkward, because neither of them knew how to behave around each other anymore.
“Hello”, Snow tried to smile.
“Hello”, Becca did, too, but it was obviously fake.
“Did you hear what the court decided?” Snow asked.
“I did. A vote. What do you think of the decision?” Becca asked.
“Not quite wise, I think. But I don’t see any other way, either”, Snow said.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, I’m not ready to be Queen, and you..”, Snow paused.
“Yes?”
“Nothing. I’m sure you were a wonderful Queen.”
“I wasn’t, and you know that”, Becca said coldly.
“Oh, Becca, can’t we just start over?” Snow groaned.
“Yes, please do treat me like I’m the one to blame”, Becca snapped. “Don’t think you’re so innocent.”
“I know you blame me, and with reason, but I am so tired of fighting”, Snow said. “And it got us nowhere.”
“Do you think I like this? No, I don’t. But can’t you see how inconsiderate you’re being?” Becca said angrily.
“What do you mean?”
“You just moved back in, and brought your knight in shine armor with you. And as if that wasn’t enough, you also dragged along those two hopeless friends of yours!”
“They’re my friends. Don’t talk about them like that”, Snow said firmly.
“You just need to face the fact that you’re not perfect, either”, Becca said.
“I know that”, Snow said quietly.
“Good.”
Before anyone could say anything else, they heard a knock on the front door. They had just been in the hallway near the entrance, so Becca walked to open the door herself.
“Hi. I hope I’m not interrupting”, Snow’s eyes widened as she heard the familiar voice.
“Not at all”, Becca smiled and closed the door behind them, letting the guest in.
Snow felt her face go pale, but she still turned to look at the new arrival.
“Snow.”
“Jefferson. Hi”, Snow forced herself to say.
It had been a week since Becca, also known as the Evil Queen, and Snow White, had made up their long fight, and become sisters again. At least almost.
It had also been a week since Prince Charming had proposed to Snow, and she had said yes.
Snow was sitting in her old room, that was now hers and Charming’s, and was looking out the window. She was holding the locket Becca had given her. The new one. For she had tried to kill her with the previous one. But Snow trusted Becca now. But her judgment had always been poor when it had come to her sister.
“What are you thinking?” Snow was pulled from her thoughts by her fiancé, Charming, who had entered the room.
“Just my life”, Snow said.
“Good or bad thoughts?” Charming asked as he walked to Snow.
“Mostly good. Good things about you, and us, and Red, and all of my friends..”
“But bad about Becca?”
“And the future. I don’t know what’s going to happen. What did the court decide?” Snow turned to look at him. Charming had just arrived from a royal meeting. It had included all of Snow and Becca’s remaining relatives, Charming, Ella, Thomas, and everyone else who cared about them, and who were royals. Of course Snow and Becca were forbidden from participating.
Charming sighed and pulled up a chair and sat next to Snow. “They didn’t go with the probation.”
“Okay”, Snow waited.
“They’re going to let the Kingdom vote”, Charming said.
“What?”
“There’s going to be a voting in one month’s time at the courtyard of this castle. Anyone who is a part of this Kingdom can come and place their vote. Either you or Becca.”
“That’s ridiculous! We’re supposed to trust a voting?” Snow asked in confusion.
“Darling, I am very certain that you will win”, Charming tried to calm her down.
“I know. I don’t want to win. I don’t want any of this. I’m not ready to be Queen, and Becca is way over her head. Neither of us is capable of the job.”
“What would you have us do? Just pick someone else?” Charming smiled.
“Don’t I have relatives?” Snow groaned.
“Yes, but none of them seemed eager for volunteering. They want to respect traditions”, Charming kissed the top of Snow’s head before standing up.
“Where are you going?” Snow asked as Charming walked to the door.
“I’m going hunting with the Huntsman and Thomas”, Charming said.
Snow smiled. “Have fun.”
“I will. It’ll be a good time to tell them about the engagement, too”, Charming was just about to walk out the door when Snow grabbed his arm.
“No”, she said firmly.
“What?”
“I don’t want to tell anyone yet”, Snow said.
“Why? It’s been a week, I hardly think we have to wait any longer.”
“Just trust me, okay?” Snow tried to end the conversation.
“No, how about I don’t? What’s wrong with telling my friends that I’m engaged?” Charming crossed his arms and waited.
“It’s not about the Huntsman or Thomas”, Snow buried her head in her hands, as she always did when she was frustrated.
“Then what it is about?” Charming asked. “Just tell me.”
“If I announce I’m to be married, everyone will immediately turn it into a political affair.”
“Meaning..”, Charming sighed as he realized. “That if you announce you’re getting married, you’d immediately be chosen as Queen. There would be no voting.”
“Exactly. I owe Becca a fair game”, Snow said.
“You owe Becca nothing”, Charming snapped.
“Please, Charming. Just… I’ll tell her. I will. But can you just keep quiet about it for now?”
For a moment it looked like Charming was about to protest, but then he nodded and said: “Of course”, and grabbed Snow’s hand for a moment, and then with a small smile, left the room.
“I’m sorry”, Snow sighed after him.
“There you are”, Eric walked downstairs into the cell area. Becca was sitting on the bench. The same bench she had sat where she had talked to Eric while he had been captive.
“Hi”, Becca said, but didn’t turn to look at Eric as he sat next to her.
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you think is wrong?” Becca muttered. “Everything. This is not who I am. I had gotten so used to being Queen, being in charge. And then Snow waltzes back in, and brings her incredibly annoying friends with her.”
“Did you not miss her at all?” Eric asked quietly.
“Perhaps, but all that has been overshadowed by the race for Queen. Snow may say she doesn’t want it, but I know she’s lying.”
“The Kingdom is going to vote”, Eric said.
“I know. Do you think I’ll win?” Becca turned to look at Eric hopefully.
“Let’s just see how it turns out”, he said, avoiding Becca’s gaze.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m so glad you’re back in my life”, Becca said. It took a lot for her to say stuff like that, so she expected nothing less than a wonderful response.
Eric smiled at her. “I’m glad, too. I’m glad you’re yourself again.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be fully myself again”, Becca shook her shoulders.
“Let’s just see how it turns out”, Eric said again and let Becca lay her head on his shoulder.
Red was standing in Snow’s wardrobe. It was a whole room. It was full of gowns, shoes, jewelry and everything you could imagine. She touched the clothes and for a moment imagined them to be hers.
“I never took you for a woman who appreciated clothes that much”, the Huntsman was standing in the doorway, and smiled as she turned to look at him.
“Well, perhaps not, but now that I see what Snow’s life was like… She is very lucky.”
“She is. But there are all kinds of lucky people, you know”, the Huntsman said as he walked further into the room.
“I know. Like me”, Red smirked.
“Like you?”
“Yes. I have a man, who cares for me”, Red smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Oh, I’m your man?” the Huntsman smiled.
“Indeed you are. At least once you’ve told me your name.”
“You really want to know my name?” the Huntsman asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely”, Red waited eagerly.
“It’s Daniel”, the Huntsman said after a small pause.
“Your name is Daniel?” Red asked.
The Huntsman – Daniel, nodded.
“That’s a beautiful name! Why didn’t you tell me before?” Red asked in confusion.
“I don’t know. I don’t really trust people”, Daniel shook his shoulders.
“You have to trust me. Remember, you’re my man, and I’m your woman”, Red smirked. “You can trust me, Daniel”, and then she kissed him.
Snow was walking down the halls, and she suddenly ran into Becca. It was extremely awkward, because neither of them knew how to behave around each other anymore.
“Hello”, Snow tried to smile.
“Hello”, Becca did, too, but it was obviously fake.
“Did you hear what the court decided?” Snow asked.
“I did. A vote. What do you think of the decision?” Becca asked.
“Not quite wise, I think. But I don’t see any other way, either”, Snow said.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, I’m not ready to be Queen, and you..”, Snow paused.
“Yes?”
“Nothing. I’m sure you were a wonderful Queen.”
“I wasn’t, and you know that”, Becca said coldly.
“Oh, Becca, can’t we just start over?” Snow groaned.
“Yes, please do treat me like I’m the one to blame”, Becca snapped. “Don’t think you’re so innocent.”
“I know you blame me, and with reason, but I am so tired of fighting”, Snow said. “And it got us nowhere.”
“Do you think I like this? No, I don’t. But can’t you see how inconsiderate you’re being?” Becca said angrily.
“What do you mean?”
“You just moved back in, and brought your knight in shine armor with you. And as if that wasn’t enough, you also dragged along those two hopeless friends of yours!”
“They’re my friends. Don’t talk about them like that”, Snow said firmly.
“You just need to face the fact that you’re not perfect, either”, Becca said.
“I know that”, Snow said quietly.
“Good.”
Before anyone could say anything else, they heard a knock on the front door. They had just been in the hallway near the entrance, so Becca walked to open the door herself.
“Hi. I hope I’m not interrupting”, Snow’s eyes widened as she heard the familiar voice.
“Not at all”, Becca smiled and closed the door behind them, letting the guest in.
Snow felt her face go pale, but she still turned to look at the new arrival.
“Snow.”
“Jefferson. Hi”, Snow forced herself to say.