✔Snow White and the Seven Deadly Sins [Books 1&2]

QOS: PROLOGUS

One upon a time, the story never started...

"And I'm sure happily ever afters don't end in bullshit."

Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Snow habang nakatitig sa kanyang repleksyon. The antique bronze-framed mirror adorned with intricate floral designs made little difference to her appearance. Matamang tinitigan ni Snow ang babaeng nakatayo sa kanyang harapan. Her skin is still as pale as chalk, hair as dark as ebony. She smiled with lips as red as the poisoned apple that almost killed her.

"I don't look half as bad as when I entered this damned mansion."

Pinilit niyang ngumiti sa kabila ng lahat ng mga alaalang pilit bumabagabag sa kanya. Naikuyom na lang ni Snow ang kanyang mga kamao at sinuklay ang maikling buhok. She tried to distract herself and picked up the red ribbon lying motionlessly ontop of the polished table. Kumunot ang noo ng dalaga.

"Saan naman 'to galing?"

After months of being stuck here inside this twisted mansion, Snow White still couldn't fathom the surprises it still has in store for her. Maingat niyang sinuri ang laso at nagkibit ng balikat. 'New life, new look, I guess..' Mahina siyang natawa sa naiisip at maingat na itinali ang pulang laso sa kanyang buhok.

Just as she was tying the ribbon, a deep voice came from nowhere.

"Red roses to crown me your lover,
And I walked aureoled and apart.
Enslaved and encircled, I bore it,
Proud token of my gift to you..."

Hindi inalis ni Snow ang kanyang mga mata sa salamin. Lumawak lang ang kanyang ngiti kasabay ng pagbilis ng tibok ng kanyang puso. Is he even aware of what he's doing to her? She stared at the shadow that emerged behind her, "The petals waned paler, and shriveled, and dropped; and the thorns started through..."

The man stepped closer, his sinful features now visible in the mirror. Matapang niyang sinalubong ang titig ni Pride bago tinapos ang linya ng tula, "...Bitter thorns to proclaim me your lover, a diadem woven with rue.' Your taste in poetry hasn't changed a bit, Pride. Bakit ka nga pala nandito?" It was "Crowned" written by Amy Lowell. Huling nabasa ni Snow ang tulang iyon noong nasa mundo pa siya ng mga tao. Back then, her life in Eastwood is far from this one.

But she wouldn't have it any other way.

'Marami nang nagbago mula nang pinili ko ang landas na ito.' She can almost feel the weight of that old watch inside her dress' pocket. Ang tanging nakapagpapaalala sa kanya sa kanyang pinagmulan.

But this is no time to indulge herself in the past.

The eldest sin adjusted his eyeglasses and chuckled. Isang mapanganib na ngisi ang ipinakita nito sa kanya, "Watch your mouth, princess. This is still my mansion. I can be wherever I want, whenever I want. Ako pa rin ang masusunod dito, nauunawaan mo ba?"

'Still the manipulative jerk, I see. Tsk! Ang sarap talagang ipatapon sa Tartarus ng isang 'to.'

Imbes na sagutin ang kanyang tanong, mabilis niyang nilingon ang binata at ngumisi nang mapang-asar, "At paano kung ayaw kong sumunod? What are you gonna do about it, Prince Pride?"

"You're playing a dangerous game, princess."

"If you haven't noticed yet, danger is my specialty."

"Hmm.. really?"

Pride smirked deviously and inched towards her. Napalunok na lang si Snow nang bigla siyang hawakan nito sa baba. He tipped her chin and made her brown eyes glance up at him. Sa kabila ng kanyang nagwawalang puso, hindi niya maiwasang mairita nang makita ang "amusement" sa mga mata ng nakatatandang kasalanan.

"This twisted fairytale isn't over, princess. You haven't seen anything yet."

Pride will always be Pride---sinful and manipulative.

Their eyes clashed. A challenge unspoken. Hindi na namalayan ni Snow ang unti-unting paglapit ni Pride sa kanya. Her gaze lingered on his sensual lips. 'This is madness, indeed!' Natuod siya sa kanyang kinatatayuan at masuyong hinintay ang mga labi ng binatang naghatid sa kanya sa mansyong ito.

She can almost taste him and---

"HEY, PRIDE! GET YOUR SINFUL ASS OUT HERE NOW!"

Napapitlag na lang sina Snow at Pride nang marinig ang malakas na boses ni Wrath. Kasabay nito ay ang malalakas na pagkatok sa pinto ng silid ng dalaga. Agad na tumalim ang mga mata ng binata at mahinang napamura. He stepped away from Snow and sighed, "Panira talaga ng araw ang isang 'yon. Remind me to burn his machine gun to ashes later."

Snow smirked and pushed him away, "Better head out before Wrath calls Cerby to break down my door again. Your brothers need you."

"Screw this. I need them to stop ruining our damn privacy!"

"Asa ka pa. With your seven brothers around, I'm afraid there's no such thing as privacy. Hahahaha!"

Muli, napabuntong-hininga na lang si Pride at pinilit itago ang iritasyon sa naudlot nilang halik. Snow White finds it amusing to see him so frustrated. 'He's acting childish again.' Bihira niya lang makitang ganito ang prinsipe. She's used to him being stoic, cocky, and a control-freak. Still, seeing Pride with a new emotion feels like a breath of fresh air.

"PRIDE! WHAT THE FUCK'S TAKING YOU SO LONG, BROTHER?!"

'Ipagdarasal ko na lang ang machine gun ni Wrath.'

Pride murmured a few profanities before exiting her bedroom. Nang maiwan na siyang mag-isa, huminga nang malalim ang dalaga at ibinalik ang mga mata sa salamin. Mapait siyang napangiti. "Hindi pa tapos ang kwento ko... Why do I have a feeling the chaos is only starting?"

Inayos na ni Snow ang pagkaka-ribbon ng kulay dugong laso sa kanyang ulo at naglakad na papalabas ng kanyang silid. All the while, her prosthetic leg dug deep into her skin and molded into her own.

Nang makalabas na siya sa pinto, agad siyang binati ni Chandresh na kasalukuyang nakasandal sa kalapit na pader. His striking violet eyes and charming smile almost caught her off guard. "Are you ready for the bad news, Your Majesty?"

Lalong naguluhan si Snow. "Bad news? Ano bang nangyayari?"

Napapailing na lang si Chandresh, "I'll escort you to the Conference Room. Naghihintay na rin sa'tin ang iba pang mga kasalanan." Adoration kissed her hand and grasped it firmly as they made their way towards a particular part of the mansion.

Masama ang kutob ni Snow sa mga pangyayaring ito.

'Mukhang hindi pa nga tapos ang istorya ko.'

---

In a sea of strangers,
    you've longed to know me.
    Your life spent sailing
    to my shores.

    The arms that yearn
    to someday hold me,
    will ache beneath
    the heavy oars.

    Please take your time
    and take it slowly;
    as all you do
    will run its course.

    And nothing else
    can take what only—
    was always meant
    as solely yours.

---"Sea of Strangers", Lang Leav