Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs—a German fairy tale known to nearly all of us since childhood. We're familiar with its story, where Snow White's beauty is as much about her kindness and purity as her appearance. She is the fairest of them all.
In that tale, Snow White is hated by her stepmother, the jealous queen, whose envy grows when her magic mirror names Snow White as the fairest. Afraid Snow White's beauty will outshine her own, the queen orders her knights to take Snow White into the woods and kill her. But fate intervenes, and the knights spare her. Snow White finds refuge with seven dwarfs, and for the first time, feels safe under their care. Yet the queen soon discovers Snow White is alive and still the fairest. Disguised as a hag, the queen brings her a poisoned apple, putting Snow White into a death-like sleep that only love's first kiss can break.
But in this story, we meet Shirayuki, the princess of Heidenburg in the world of Fhantasia, who resembles the Snow White of legend. With lips as red as roses, hair as black as ebony, and skin white as snow, Shirayuki is named after the fairy-tale heroine—her late mother's favorite.
Rumor has it that Shirayuki's beauty is wasted, for she is cold and ruthless. However, she is merely following her father's and brother's wishes, playing the role of a villainess to maintain their family's fierce reputation. The Heidenburgs are known as a ruthless family, feared for their merciless ways. But in truth, they are simply a close-knit family protecting each other.
In Fhantasia, where magic reigns, Shirayuki possesses the rare light affinity passed down from her mother, who died from an illness even the royal doctors couldn't cure. Yet unlike other light users, Shirayuki can only heal—a unique, powerful form of magic that has made her sought after by emperors wishing to marry her to their sons. Yet, at sixteen, she remains sheltered, guarded by her protective father and brother.
However, an ancient myth, long forgotten, has begun to unravel. The god of death, Lord Zetsume, once defeated and sealed away by legendary heroes, has been revived by the dark enchantress Ikari Kuiru. When he learns of "the fairest of them all," he desires Shirayuki as a sacrificial pawn, an obedient puppet under his control.
Thus, Lord Zetsume's army invades Heidenburg, seeking its innocent princess who has never seen life beyond her kingdom's walls. Raised in her family's care, Shirayuki now faces a future torn apart by the dark lord's plans.
Will she surrender to this twisted destiny, or defy it and forge a path of her own?
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The girl once titled "the fairest of them all" stepped forward, her eyes cold as she gazed at the trembling man before her, blood dripping fresh from her hands. An arrow jutted from his shoulder, the tip laced with poison.
"P-please! Spare me!" he cried, pleading with her.
But Shirayuki's expression remained blank, her voice filled with disgust. "Did you spare the innocent lives you took?" she demanded, her tone sharp as he flinched.
Before she could say more, her companion intervened. "We should go, leader. Reinforcements are on their way," he warned—a tall man with hair as red as flames, urgency clear in his eyes.
Shirayuki nodded, turning from the defeated man, who sighed in relief, thinking himself spared. But his relief was premature. She turned back, bow in hand. She gripped an arrow, drawing it to her cheek, her movements precise and practiced.
"I, Shirayuki, leader of the Yuki Region, shall avenge those you killed under your orders," she declared.
"No! Please!" he whimpered.
"With your life." And with that, she released the arrow, which streaked through the air, striking his neck. The bandit leader Funuke was no more.
Her companion gave her a wry smile. "Hate to break it to you, princess, but we really need to leave."
With a final glance at the fortress, Shirayuki allowed herself a moment of reflection.
'This is just the beginning. I swear to reclaim the throne and avenge them all.'