"............"
The prime minister said nothing, but his silence was an insistence on his own view.
"Heh."
Seeing this, Selena rested her chin on one hand and smiled.
"Why be so angry, Mother? As for who is the fairest, why not just ask the magic mirror?"
As soon as Selena’s voice fell, the sound of collective gasps filled the audience chamber.
Faced with the princess's proposal, no one spoke. They only stole glances toward the primary throne at the head of the hall.
Behind the curtains, the Queen let out a deep sigh.
"Once we confirm it with the magic mirror, there will be no room left for maneuver."
Snow White’s nose wrinkled slightly as she hummed in agreement. She bowed and said, "Ah, I want to know right now—between me and Mother, who is truly the fairest? Just consider it a small wish of mine, Mother."
The Queen stood up and paced quietly around the throne. Under the shroud of heavy black veils, her face and expression were impossible to discern; only a pair of clear, piercing silver eyes glowed faintly.
Finally, she reached out an arm encased in a black silk glove that reached past the elbow and revealed a floor-length mirror with an obsidian frame.
The Queen asked softly:
"Magic mirror, magic mirror, tell me, who is the most beautiful person in this land?"
Everyone in the hall stared fixedly at the magic mirror, almost holding their breath.
Those present were the pillars of the Midwinter Kingdom and naturally understood the inner workings of things. Normally, this magic mirror was a mysterious occult relic that could grant revelations.
In reality, however, the magic mirror was a byproduct of the dragon's curse, a death knell used to announce a funeral.
Hummmm—
After the Queen’s question, the magic mirror began to tremble slightly. Then, it emitted a sharp voice:
"My Queen, you are the most beautiful person in this land, but Snow White is even more beautiful than you!"
"!!!"
Even though it was expected, when the magic mirror spoke those words, the Queen still lowered her eyes in pain. The ministers in the hall also looked as if they were mourning their own parents, their faces turning pale.
"Hmph, hahahahaha!!"
Breaking the eerie silence was the soft hum of the girl, which quickly turned into exuberant laughter.
Snow White clapped her hands and spun elegantly in place.
"You all heard it, didn't you? The result is decided. I am the most beautiful person in Midwinter! Mother, I have surpassed you after all."
The tall, curvaceous, and glamorous Queen rested her hand on her forehead and nodded. She looked at her daughter, whose beauty seemed beyond the mortal realm, appearing like a reflection of her own youth.
"The throne of Midwinter shall be held by the fairest Snow White. This is the eternal, unchanging curse."
Arcturus said in a heavy voice, "Princess, what exactly are you trying to do? If you wanted to proclaim that you possess the qualification for regicide, then you have succeeded. No one can deny it!"
"And then? Your beauty will drive wave after wave of people into a frenzy. The citizens will support you as the new Queen until they overthrow the current court regime and kill Her Majesty! Would that satisfy you?!"
Facing the prime minister's aggression, Selena’s silver eyes flashed with disdain. She crossed her arms and said:
"Ha? You bastard, are you barking at me? How absurd. In this kingdom, no one has the right to criticize me!"
Snow White took a step forward, her cold gaze sweeping across the ministers.
"Who is it that endures the dragon's deepest curse?! Who is it that maintains Midwinter’s perpetual summer throughout her life?! And who is it that upholds the ancient traditions until the very end?!"
"Though you are all people of Midwinter, do you think you are worthy of judging us? You have no right! None of you have any right!!"
Under Snow White’s scolding, all the ministers were left speechless, lowering their heads in shame.
Finally, Selena came before the curtains. She reached out and touched the black veil, locking eyes with the Queen through the fabric.
Two pairs of mirrored silver eyes met for a long time, filled with nostalgia, resentment, or sorrow... until Selena turned around and said calmly:
"Kill me."
"Eh?"
The prime minister and the others raised their heads in shock, unable to comprehend the princess's intent.
Snow White twirled a strand of hair by her shoulder with her finger and said:
"To kill my own mother just to survive, for power and strength... such an act is utterly hideous."
"I cannot commit such an ugly deed. Rather than marring my flawless beauty, I would rather have this ultimate loveliness frozen at its most brilliant moment."
Selena’s smile made even the sun, moon, and stars pale in comparison. She said:
"There’s no need for you all to act like it’s the end of the world. I am the only one who will die. That should be enough, shouldn’t it?"
Arcturus and the others bowed deeply and said, "The people of Midwinter will not forget your nobility, Your Highness..."
"Enough with the high-sounding words. I’m not doing this for nobility. It’s just... someone has to be sacrificed. Compared to me, Mother is the one who should survive."
Selena glanced at the Queen again and said plainly:
"After all, isn't Mother doing a great job? Whether it's resisting the empire's aggression or protecting the lands of Midwinter, she is the most competent Queen. As for me, so far, only my beauty is superior to hers."
One minister couldn't help but sigh at the sight.
"...Everything is to be blamed on that dragon's curse. If not for that, how could Her Majesty and Her Highness be forced into such a dilemma?"
The princess agreed, the ministers agreed, and all that remained was the King’s—the Queen's—assent. Everyone’s eyes shifted toward the primary throne.
The Queen of Midwinter, clad in her black dress and veil, had sat with dignity ever since she questioned the magic mirror, remaining motionless like a beautiful statue.
But she ultimately had to make a decision. That was the duty of a ruler.
The Queen raised her hand, then let it fall. She seemed about to speak but stopped. After what looked to others like an agonizing internal struggle, she finally spoke:
"Not... not in my presence."
Arcturus immediately responded:
"Yes! Your Majesty, I will make the arrangements. We shall employ the Flint-walkers to take Her Highness to the border, to a region beyond the reach of your sight, and then... then we shall hold the funeral."
Having been sentenced to death, Selena showed no fear. Instead, she lowered her eyes slightly in anticipation.
"Ho, a funeral? Then it must be grand. I want my cemetery covered in black and white butterfly flowers. The coffin must be sourced from the River Valley, and the funeral dirge must have twelve movements..."
The prime minister interrupted:
"Your Highness, all your requirements for the funeral are not a problem. But there is no time to lose; let us depart now. You can write down your requests on the way."
It was for the best that Her Majesty had relented, but no one knew if she would change her mind at a moment's notice. To avoid any complications, Arcturus intended to make this a fait accompli immediately.
Selena glanced at the prime minister, naturally seeing right through his thoughts.
"How dull... Fine. Well then, farewell forever, Mother."
Snow White did not want to stay any longer either; perhaps even her own resolve might waver. Placing a hand over her heart, she gave the Queen a solemn bow and then walked out of the audience chamber.
Her steps were firm, as if she had made a final, unwavering decision.
Rate on N.U.
