Finding Hell in Fairytales

Let me tell you a thing or two about these so called fairytales that everyone wants to be apart of:
There’s no happily ever after, only the boring or hellacious days following the wedding.
Being a servant, isn’t that bad.
And Prince Charming, isn’t so charming.
That wealthy, gorgeous man you so desperately wish to fall in love with you, is rather rude, and evil.
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“My love, where are you?”
My love?
Is the king with him?
“In here darling.”
These pet names sicken me.
“You look radiant as always Annabelle.”
“Thank you milord.”
Why can’t your son be like you?
“Please, we’re family, call me father.”
“No need for such casual greetings, she will continue to call you milord.”
“Rowland, don’t be ridiculous. Call me father, do you understand?”
Please don’t put me in this situation Niikolai.
“Yes…” Niikolai stared at me expectantly, while Rowland’s seemed to burn. “father.”
“Father, I believe they’re waiting for us in the courtyard, if you’ll give us a moment alone we’ll meet you there.”
“Of course, I’ll leave you lovebirds to your business.”
Niikolai, please don’t go!
“My love, that dress will not do, allow me to help you out of it.”
“No. I did nothing wrong.”
That gorgeous face I had once adored inched closer, his strong hands tightened around my arm.
“Did I hear you defy me?”
Shaking my head, tears welled in my eyes.
“Then take the dress off and accept your punishment.”
My body reacted all on it’s own, carefully lowering the dress around the last set welts.
“One for disrespecting my father.” If I cried out, he would only hit me harder, I have to be brave. Just take the beating. “One for defying me.”
Another crack, another welt.
Another memory.
“Put this dress on, and hurry up, you’re making my father wait.”
How many beating today alone?
Six?
Ten?
It’s a wonder why my entire back isn’t falling off.
And of course, the forced ‘love’ making.
I feel living with a flesh eating virus and never finding peace would be a better life than the one I lead now.
“Sorry for the wait your highness.”
“My dear, your dress before was fine, why did you change?”
The eyes burning holes into the side of my face could only belong to one person.
“There, there was a tear in my dress.”
“I’ll send it to the seamstress for you love.”
Rowland squeezed my arm, a little tighter than was necessary.
“Well, shall we proceed with our announcement?”
Curtly I nodded, hands beginning to tremble.
I don’t want this to be real.
I want this to all be one long nightmare.
“My people, please hear me!” Every noise silenced immediately. “I would like to introduce to you, your new King and Queen!
King Rowland and Queen Annabelle!”
Oh god.
Someone pinch me.
The chorus of applause almost deafened me from my own thoughts.
They have no idea what he’s like.
They think he’s so charming, so perfect and innocent.
I must tell someone, but, I can’t.
How am I to be Queen when I can’t be honest with my people?
A flicker of light pulled me from my own self pity.
Scanning the crowd I found the source of the blinding light.
A necklace, bold and daring, around the neck of a woman, so familiar, yet so strange.
“My dear, it is time for us to take the throne.”
Throne?
I missed the entire coronation in a daydream?
The faintest of smiles graced my lips as Queen Lilliana stood before me.
“Do me proud Annabelle.”
How could someone so evil come from these two beautiful hearted people?
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“Wake up Annabelle, you’re wasting the day away.”
“Which dress shall I wear today?”
Before I could open my eyes, cloth smothered me.
Is this it?
Is he finally going to kill me?
In our bed?
“Well, hurry up and put it on. We have many things to do today.”
No morning beating?
How odd.
Not even one whip?
“Shall I meet with your mother, or accompany you today?”
Rowland actually seemed to ponder the idea.
“Why don’t you accompany me today?” Has taking the throne changed him? “That way I can keep an eye on you.”
“Yes milord.”
“Ah.” Rowland’s chest puffed proudly. “Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it?”
Before, I would have loved the joking arrogance.
Because I was stupid enough to believe the arrogance was fake.
I had once believed him to have a good heart.
I, like many other women, was blinded by his good looks.
“Who’s our first meeting?”
“My first meeting is with the guards of the building.”
Why would he need to speak with the guards?
Anxiously I followed the new king through the castle.
Will I ever get used to everyone bowing, for me?
“Good morning milady.”
“Good morning. How are things in the kitchen this morning?”
“Th-”
“We have no time for chit chat this morning, I’m terribly sorry to be so rude.”
“Oh no! I’m sorry milord!”
There’s at least four lashes.
“Come along my love, wouldn’t want to be late.”
Maybe more.
A flicker of light stopped me in my tracks.
There, there’s that lady again.
Annabelle, don’t get yourself so worked up, it’s just a villager.
Why are you so worried?
Oh lord, is she looking at me?
She just smiled.
I-
“Annabelle!”
What’s more frightening?
A villager, or your husband?
“What is wrong with you?
When I say we have somewhere to go, I mean now.”
His grip was so fierce I could have swore his fingers ripped through my flesh.
No.
I will be lucky if I live through this beating.
No, he wouldn’t be so kind as to kill me, he’d make me suffer slowly.
“Milord, milady. What can we help you with this fine morning?”
“It actually has to do with your Queen.” What? “There has been a threat on her life, I need her to be surveyed constantly. I’d rather she didn’t leave her room all too often.”
I need to leave!
I need to escape now!!
“Darling, before we go on to our next meeting, may I take a walk through the courtyard? Of course, as long as a guard accompanies me.”
This is my only chance, he can’t deny me in front of the guards.
“I want the best guards we have following her. Am I understood?”
In the chorus of agreement, Rowland pulled me close, giving me a showy passionate kiss.
“Be safe my love. One stroll around the courtyard, and then return to me immediately.”
If I return, I will be tortured, to a slow, painful death tonight. I just know it.
“Where would you like to go first milady?”
That woman, I have to find that woman.
“Maybe a walk by the lake.”
“B-but milady, the king said the courtyard only.”
“Are you defying your Queen?”
“No milady. We shall go to the lake as you wish.”
I’ll pretend to drown.
Yes. That should work.
Wait, not, they’ll come for the body.
I have to think, quick.
“Here we are your highness.”
“I,” What should I say!? “wish to go for a swim.”
The guards stared expectantly.
“Well? Are you going to watch a lady undress, or are you going to turn around?” None turned. “If I need help I will call for you. If King Rowland hears you watched me disrobe and swim he’ll have your heads.”
Finally, reluctantly, they turned.
Quickly I removed the dress, laying it on the damp ground.
My feet broke the surface of the water, creating a loud splash.
My mind reeled, creating a scene.
I splashed some more, giving a giggle here or there for the guards.
When the tension in their shoulders ceased ever so slightly, I ran.
Every two seconds I checked over my shoulder, waiting to see a guard on my heels.
They have yet to notice I’m gone. I must find that woman before they realize-
“Milady, why do you run from your own guards?”
“It’s you.”
“Do you remember our last encounter highness?”
The smile on her face frightened me.
“We’ve met before?”
“The Queen! She’s gone!” The far off cry churned my insides.
“Indeed we have. I helped you to attain all of this.
This is your third escape from the palace.”
“I don’t understand. I’ve never escaped before.”
“Oh but you have. You wished the Prince would notice you, you wished he would love you.
And every time you realize the type of person he truly is, you wish to once again be a servant.”
“There she is!”
“Than if that’s true, help me one last time! I wish to yet again be nothing more than a servant, but I wish to remember all of this so I do not make the same mistake!”
The jewelry around her neck shown as bright as the sun, leaving everything to blur, and fade away.