The Enchanted Forest Many Years Ago
A little girl stood in front of a mirror wearing a huge blue dress with silver decals, making her look even tinier than she was. The nine year old smiled up at her parents as they joined her.
"Are you ready for your ball?" Prince Charming asked his daughter, "The kingdom will be thrilled to here you've returned home."
"I'm actually a little nervous," Gracie brushed a curl out of her face, "This is my first ball. I don't even know how to dance!"
Charming and Snow laughed at their child's worries.
"Well I'll teach you then," Charming held out his hand, "May I have this dance, Princess Gracie?"
"Of course!" Gracie giggled.
Snow's smile grew as she watched her two loves waltz around the room. Just as Charming had thought, Gracie was a natural. She caught onto the idea quickly as she followed her Father's steps. Gracie's blue dress twirled as they spun around Snow.
"I think you're ready now, darling," Charming said, sweeping Gracie off her feet and holding her in his arms.
She snuggled into his chest and instantly felt warm inside. This was the love she had always craved. Yes, Regina love her, but this was different. This was true love. This love could never be broken. And as Snow joined in on the hug Gracie felt even more whole.
"Still nervous?" Snow asked.
Gracie nodded while Charming placed her back on her feet. Snow put a hand on Gracie's shoulder and turned towards her husband.
"Can we have a mother-daughter moment?"
"Of course, my beautiful Queen and Princess."
He gave his two girls a kiss on the cheek before leaving them alone. Snow brought Gracie over to the mirror and pulled up a chair in front of it. Gracie sat down while Snow stood behind her.
"I wish I could've been there and watch you grow up," Snow sighed, "You've become a beautiful, young lady."
"I've done horrible things Mother," Gracie looked at her Mothers eyes through the mirror.
"It wasn't your fault, Regina tricked you into thinking that's who you were."
Gracie looked down as she fiddled with her thumbs. Snow didn't want her daughter to feel guilty for what Regina caused. She wanted her to feel happy for once, truly happy. Snow knelt down in front of Gracie and took her hands.
"No one in this kingdom holds what you did against you," Snow White reassured her daughter, "They are proud to know that one day they will be ruled by the amazing Gracie."
A small smile appeared on Gracie's features. Snow stood up and walked over to a small cabinet hanging on the wall.
"We were saving this for when you became the queen," Snow said while Gracie tried to get a glance around her, "But I think your returning home is more important."
Snow held a tiara in front of Gracie, the light shimmering over the huge diamonds. Gracie was in awe as she watched in the mirror, her mother placing the tiara atop of her head of dark curls.
"Now you look like a real princess," Snow kissed her daughters head, "Are you ready now, my sweet child?"
Gracie glanced at herself one last time, and taking Snow's hand she nodded her head.
They met Charming outside of two large doors. The proud father couldn't stop smiling when he caught a glance of his daughter. This was how he always pictured it would be. Beautiful dresses, big parties, and being a happy, little family.
"They will announce Snow and me first, leaving the special guest last," Charming told Gracie, receiving a nod and a big smile.
He pulled his two girls into a hug, lifting Gracie with one arm so she could be their height.
"I love my girls so much."
"We love you too," Snow and Gracie replied in unison.
A muffled voice was heard through the doors, it was the signal for Snow and Charming. Gracie was placed back on her feet and took position behind her parents. She didn't feel nervous anymore. She knew her parents were there for her.
Gracie watched as Snow and Charming walked down the large steps, stopping at the bottom and turning back around.
"Now announcing, the long awaited lost princess, Gracie!"
Gracie stepped out from behind the doors. She heard the crowd cheering and smiled. She waved as she began to slowly make her way down the steps. At the midway point she stopped, blowing a big kiss out to the crowd. She looked like a natural. Like she had been doing this all her life. Charming met her at that point. He took her hand and led her down the rest of the steps. Gracie stood in front of her parents, a big smile plastered on her face.
"The Charming Family."
The crowd cheered once again. After quieting down the guests returned to dancing, eating, and having a good time.
"A lot of people will want to dance with you Gracie," Snow said, "But it's normal. Everyone wants the chance to dance with a princess."
"But no boys your age," Charming smiled down, giving a small little wink.
Gracie followed along over to the dance floor. The guests danced gracefully as if they'd been practicing for years. Gracie watched as her parents joined the dancing, twirling and waltzing perfectly.
"Princess Gracie," a young man held out his hand politely, "May I have this dance?"
"Of course," Gracie replied, taking his hand.
It was a funny sight, a tall man dancing with a very small child. But Gracie didn't care, she was enjoying being the center of attention. Gracie danced with many people, including a little princess her age. With each dance she felt more and more special. More like the princess she was.
Another man stood before her, holding out his hand. Gracie took it without hesitation, dancing had become her knew favorite thing. The man hadn't said a word to her, which was a little weird to Gracie. Everyone else had given Gracie their whole backstory. She stared up at the man, trying to study his face.
"It's all an act."
The small, faint voice was barely audible, Gracie wasn't sure if she actually heard it or if she was imagining it.
"These people don't really love you."
Gracie's eyes widened as she looked up at the man.
"They know you're evil. You were raised by the Evil Queen. You will never be their queen."
"No, you're wrong."
Gracie took a step away from the man, terror spread through her.
"They'll never love you, Gracie. You will never rule this kingdom. They'll never love you."
"Please stop," Gracie whispered.
They had caught the attention of a few guests. Eyes were on them now.
"You're parents don't love you either. They're using you. Using you to get to Regina. They don't really love you."
"I. Said. STOP!" Gracie screamed, throwing her hands out in front of her.
A surge of magic slammed into the man, throwing him backwards into a wall. Gracie stared down at her hands, what had she just done.
"Now they know, Gracie," The man coughed out," They known who you really are. An evil, little girl."
Gracie looked around, all eyes on her, at the scared and shocked faces. But, the face that stuck out the most was her Mothers. Disappointment was what Gracie saw. And a tinge of fear.
She turned away from her parents and ran through the crowd. She pushed out the doors, the frosty air hitting her face. Gracie ran, she ran away from what she'd done. Snow watched as her daughter left again. Her eye caught a shining object on the ground, the crown. She'd left behind the crown. Charming turned towards her husband.
"This isn't her fault."