It was the happiest day of my life. “I do,” I muttered as I looked into the eyes of my beloved. He was the most handsome and kind man I had ever known and I loved him with all my heart.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your queen.”
My stomach did back flips as my king kissed me in front of the entire kingdom. They erupted into cheers of joy for our union.
My new husband led me into our reception, the cheers never abating. We sat at the head of the table, a feast laid out before us. The music started and it was the most perfect day I had ever had. I never wanted it to stop. If I could have stayed in that moment forever, I would have been deliriously happy.
The whole thing felt like a dream. I had wished my entire life to find a man that would love me and make me feel beautiful and my husband was everything and more. He was perfect in every way so when he had proposed, I didn’t even hesitate for a second before accepting.
It was his second marriage, he had already lost one wife to illness. But that was many years ago, his heart was healed and ready to love again. They said I was too old to get married at thirty, that nobody would want me. I thought I was an old maid and gave up all hope of having a family of my own. Until the day I met the king.
“May I have this dance?” My husband asked politely, bowing low and holding my hand in his. How could I possibly refuse?
“Of course you may,” I replied. I let him lead me onto the dance floor, a large checkerboard pattern on the stones. We were in the middle of the palace, hundreds of candles lit our way.
He twirled me around and around until I was giddy. I don’t know if it was the movement or the fluttering of my heart. Either way, I couldn’t stop giggling. I was getting my happily ever after, it was really happening. To me.
“Oh, I think someone is waiting for me.” The king abruptly interrupted our dance to stop and stare at his daughter. She was standing behind me, a little girl of twelve with hair as dark as a raven and skin as white as snow.
He let go of my hands to grasp hers. I retreated to the sidelines and found a seat with which I could watch them. I was looking forward to having a daughter. I hadn’t spent much time with Snow since our courtship but I imagined all the wonderful mother/daughter things we could do together. It would be so much fun doing each other’s hair, eating scones and tea together, and choosing pretty dresses. I couldn’t wait to get started.
Yet the longer I sat there, awaiting my king’s return, the sadder I was starting to feel. With every twirl around the dance floor, Snow looked at me. There was something about that look, the way her lips curled into a smirk, that made me uneasy.
I tried to imagine how it would be for the poor girl. To have her father remarry must have been difficult. It had been just the two of them for eight years. To suddenly have to share her father with another woman would be hard. It would take some getting used to for all three of us. I would give her time and let her come to me slowly. Then we would be the best of friends.
After all, it was just a few dances. I could wait patiently for my husband to return after a few dances. I was the adult there, I would let Snow have her fun. After all, it was almost her bedtime.
Yet her bedtime came and passed again. I sat by myself at the table watching them for hours. Nobody talked to me because I was now the queen and it was bad manners to converse without formal introductions. So I sat there alone, wishing for some attention. I wanted to dance so badly, I wanted my husband to hold me in his arms. That was where I felt most at home and happy.
Eventually, I went to bed by myself. It didn’t seem like their dancing would ever end and every time I tried to get his attention, Snow would snatch it straight back again. I didn’t want to break their bond so I thought it best if I just took myself out of the equation.
I stood in my chamber alone, staring into the mirror as I took off my jewels and crown. They truly were beautiful and they were all mine now. But they were no substitute for my husband. I wanted him there with me more than anything.
Looking back on that night now, I should have known it was a precursor to how our marriage would be. I would always be second to Snow. And I would have been fine with that, I understood the bond of a parent and their child. What I didn’t expect was to be completely shut out of their lives altogether.