ONCE UPON A TIME - (REGINA'S ARC)

PROLOGUE

Once upon a time, in a kingdom veiled in beauty and pride, there lived a princess named Snow White. With skin as fair as freshly fallen snow, lips as red as the ripest rose, and hair as black as a raven’s wing, she was a vision of grace and innocence. Her gentle heart and kind spirit made the flowers bloom brighter and the birds sing sweeter, as though the world itself adored her.

But within the towering walls of the castle, another heart beat—cold, jealous, and unyielding.

The Queen, Snow White’s stepmother, ruled with elegance and fear. Renowned for her beauty and feared for her wrath, she gazed daily into her enchanted mirror, demanding one truth:

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?”

For years, the mirror answered as she wished. But one day, it spoke the name she dreaded:

“Snow White is the fairest of them all.”

The Queen’s envy, once a flicker, grew into a fire. She saw in Snow White not just beauty, but a threat—proof that time was slipping through her fingers, that her reign over admiration was fading. And so, love curdled into hatred. She resolved to destroy the girl who unknowingly outshone her.

“Ugh. Blah, blah, blah... I've seen this a hundred times, Sophia.”

A woman in a sleek black pantsuit lounged on a plush velvet sofa, one leg crossed over the other, arms folded tightly. Her dark eyes narrowed as she watched the enormous screen flicker with the familiar Disney intro. Her voice was cool and dismissive.

Beside her sat a wide-eyed nine-year-old girl, blonde curls cascading over her shoulders, blue eyes glued to the screen.

She was surrounded by popcorn, juice boxes, and the soft glow of childlike wonder.

The sound of Russian whispers filled the dim room, loudspeakers booming as orchestral music swelled in the background.

“But Auntie Saskia,” Sophia replied with a pout, her voice full of affection and insistence, “I love this movie. Snow White is so beautiful.”

Saskia scoffed, turning her head away just slightly. “Beautiful?” she echoed, her tone laced with ice. “She’s not. She’s a lie painted in pastel colors.”

Sophia blinked up at her, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” Saskia muttered. “Just watch your show.”

But Sophia, curious, tilted her head. “You don’t like Snow White?”

Saskia sighed, her jaw tightening. “You wouldn’t understand. That story—people like her—they always win. People like me?” She paused, her voice dipping lower. “We disappear. Or we become villains.”

Sophia frowned. “You’re not a villain, Auntie. You’re just... grumpy.”

“Grumpy?” Saskia gave a dry laugh, almost bitter. “Wonderful. Now I’m a dwarf."

Sophia giggled, shoving popcorn into her mouth. “You’re funny.”

“I’m serious,” Saskia said sharply, but when she saw the girl’s startled expression, she softened—barely. “And for your information, it’s Aunt Saskia, not Auntie. I’m not some fairy godmother.”

“But I like calling you Auntie,” Sophia said with a shrug, unbothered. “Mama says I’m allowed to.”

Mama. Saskia’s teeth clenched at the mention of her sister-in-law. That woman. Always smiling, always perfect, always saying the right thing. Raising her daughter like a precious porcelain doll.