"The king is already making his way toward the temple, My Lady. We should head out now in-case of any delays." I stand and move toward the full length mirror as the head maid talks to me. As I look over my dress I realize that the veil isn't in the same off white color. Of course this isn't a problem... it's just different.
"Let's go. It's best we be early." I open the doors to my chambers and begin walking toward the courtyard. I see the white carriage from a distance and stare in awe as I relive the first time I'd seen it in my last life.
My maid and I are helped inside by the coachman. He sits in the front as the horses take the king's road towards the temple. The ride is slow and steady as we sit in silence for the rest of our journey.
I get to see him again, to hold him, and love him. I had always loved him before. It was just harder to express. After that monster cursed us we no longer showed love for one another, that's why the kingdom grew to despise me so much. They believed that we weren't in love.
I knew he loved me then. It was just less than what it used to be. We were both trapped in our own marriage, we cherished our time together but it wasn't enough. She had only come for me once though..... he wasn't as lucky. After that first night when she drained my Mount of Venus¹ I saw the world differently. All of life and color had been drained from me.
But that's nothing compared to what she did to him. I don't know how but a week into our marriage and he was already beginning to suffer. I watched on for months as she began to slowly kill her own father. It was the most horrific feeling ever, and after he died I finally got the courage to destroy her for good.
It was customary to hang things over your bed. They would either protect you or help you atone for your sins.
In the past I had always hung dried apples over my bed, I saw them as a good luck charm, and I was so sure that they would bring me good fortune. I was wrong. They are what drew that demon towards me. She wanted the dried apples that loomed over my bed, and being the ever-loving step-mother that I was, I gave them to her. She looked so innocent to me then. The unfortunate girl that had lost her mother. The girl that was so beautiful and kind, I wanted her to love me. I wanted her to feel a mothers love, I was so sure that I was the best candidate to give it, that she would grow up to call me mother.
But she turned out to be a monster. As I went to pet the child, she bit me. I was so in shock that I hadn't even recognized it until it was too late. The world had already begun to dim in comparison.
I stare out of the window as the carriage moves past a small village. The people stand outside of their homes and throw rice and paper at us. It's what symbolizes fortune and health for the bride to be. I peer out at the villagers to see their happy faces as they sing and have fun. I feel slightly remorseful as I remember the faces of those who laughed at my corpse in the same joyful manner.
I shake my head of those thoughts as I feel the carriage slow down. I'll save this kingdom, even if I have to relive it a thousand times.