Meeting the Queen

I didn't have to wonder what time to head up to the castle in the morning, they sent someone to escort me. Worked for me.

The innkeeper was more than happy to keep my rooms for me, considering the rest on the top floor were empty and how much I'd paid him, no shock there. I had Ella stay behind as well. I wanted the Queen to focus on me, not my companion.

My escort was an actual captain of the guard this time. Sharply dressed but on the older side. Also, surprisingly polite.

"Good morning, your Highness. Her Majesty the Queen would like to see you this morning." He even finished with a slight bow of the head, which my Persona told me was proper etiquette. Huh.

"And a good morning to you as well, Captain. It would be my pleasure to wait upon the Queen this morning. I'd have liked to announce myself last night, but of course I entered the city far too late, I'm afraid."

Guiding me out to the street, he continued. "It's no problem, my lord, word was sent from the gates, and you even informed them where you would be staying." Informed them by paying one of them for the information, but sure.

As the officer that I noted had not given me his name led the way, I looked around what I could see of the capital by daylight. It struck me that the place seemed rather sparsely populated. Maybe people just stayed inside more?.

Or not. The castle itself was extremely sparsely populated. In fact, past the gates and guard room, just past, we didn't see a single person as we took several flights of stairs up to the throne room itself. Maybe the captain was just avoiding people, and I really didn't want to think of why that might be.

The throne room itself was pretty massive, you could hold a good-sized dance in there, and creepily empty aside from a massive black throne and the big ass golden standing mirror next to it. Huh, I always pictured that on a wall or something.

The Queen herself was pretty interesting as well. Absolutely gorgeous with no reason I could see to be jealous of another's looks. And also hauntingly familiar. She was tall and well built with nice big tits and long black hair worn slicked back. The captain dropped to one knee at a certain point, and that seemed a good idea to copy.

"Rise, gentlemen. Well done Captain, you are dismissed."

As we stood, the captain raised a fist to his heart and bowed his head. "My life to serve my Queen." He sounded very sincere. Then he marched off, leaving us alone.

Well, someone was very confident, but with her powers, she had really damn good reason to be. Not to be outdone, I raised my own fist over my heart and bowed, copying the departed captain. "Greetings, your Majesty. I am Prince Guy of Fawkes. I have traveled many a day bearing gifts and the esteem of my father, the King."

She chuckled and waved me closer. "I would hear more about your mission, my Prince. I must tell you I am fascinated by these curse breakers you bear." Well damn. Fucking mirror.

Coming closer, I realized who she reminded me of. Not long before starting this run, I'd been in a world of superpowered heroes. The Queen could be a sister to the woman who had been an Amazonian Princess there. Snow must be really fucking good looking for the mirror to pick her over this beauty. Maybe purity of heart counted, or some bullshit, this was a Disney world after all.

"I am at your service, your Majesty. Even in my far-off kingdom, tales of your legendary beauty have reached us. I had also heard you have a daughter, and my father has decided that I must be wed. If she is anything close to you in looks, I would be the luckiest of men to betroth her.

My father has also instructed me to seek trade alliances on my journey, and rumors of the Enchanted Forest are rife with tales of those afflicted by terrible curses. The Kingdom of Fawkes, being rich in gem and gold mines, our chief export is jewelry. We also have some enchanters of note that craft wonderous items, one of which is the bracelets we call curse breakers. I thought a sampling would be a good example, and to make a gift of several to your Majesty as well."

She nodded along with my speech, seeming pleased. I really hoped that was a good sign. "And this kingdom would be?"

Nice try, I was expecting that one. "My kingdom lies far, far away beyond Agrabah, your Majesty, directly south from the Kingdom of the Sun."

"I see. Very far away indeed. You'd be wanting to take Snow with you, of course, to live there?" She was trying very hard not to seem eager there. Nice try, but I know.

I tried to look aggrieved. "I am most sorry Your Majesty, but as I am my father's only son, I needs must remain with him to continue the study of statecraft, and my wife would of course need to be with me. Perhaps with regular trade missions, we could arrange for visits, though they would have to be rare."

She nodded. "Yes, yes, I understand completely. Still, Snow leaving could be best for the kingdom as much as it would break my heart. This alliance sounds like a great boon." Yeah, I bet it does. Sheesh.

"Also, if I may be so bold, your Majesty." I began in a more hushed voice. "I have reason to believe you might be under a curse yourself. I would gift you a curse breaker soonest as they can take a week to work properly."

She sat back and raised an eyebrow as she laughed most prettily, not a cackle at all. "And what makes you think that? I am not some werewolf encountered on the road." Yeah, I already knew you knew about that, but nice try. Hmm, I wonder if she was tracking the wolf herself?

Faking mild shock, I replied. "I should know better than to be shocked by what a woman of power such as yourself might know, though I am greatly flattered. Yes, I did encounter such a beast, and placed a curse breaker upon it, hoping to be of service to your kingdom in ridding it of such a dangerous threat. I hear tell one werewolf can become a plague if left unchecked."

She waved a hand dismissively. "This one is a wolf born, not made, and though I had the matter well in hand, I do thank you for dealing with it. But more about me. What makes you think I am cursed?" She had a glint in her eye, best tread carefully here.

"Naught about you yourself, your majesty, you are the very vision of beauty and power, grace and wisdom. No, I believe it is the land itself that speaks to your curse. Your kingdom, and please forgive me for saying so, seems to suffer, and I cannot believe your skillful management could be at fault. No, as the ruler who is one with the land, I must believe the cause to be magic most foul. A witch, jealous of your greatness, to blame no doubt."

I could almost watch the idea take root in her. Of course, she was full enough of herself that she couldn't blame her own piss poor leadership skills for the kingdom's failure since the King died. An external cause to blame would feed into her narcissism, especially one jealous of her.

"None would dare!" She shouted, looking pissed, but not I noted to my relief at me. And that faded quickly to looking thoughtful. She drummed her fingers on the arm of the throne while I waited quietly. Finally, she hissed. "Maleficent, you bitch." She snapped her fingers at me and gestured me even closer, into her personal space.

"Your Majesty?" I ducked my head, making sure to get a good look at her cleavage, and making sure she saw me doing it.

She just smiled. Ah, vanity. "These curse breakers, a week you say? What about new curses afterwards?"

I nodded. "Three days to a week, your Majesty, mostly I have seen the latter, but 'tis said a strong will bent on having the bracelet work its will should shorten the time it takes. As to new curses, it is said to prevent them, which is why I wear one myself." I indicated the broad band on my own wrist.

"Fascinating. And your servant was under a curse as well?"

"Aye, your Majesty, 'tis how I earned her loyalty. One could not ask for a better maid."

The Queen quirked her lips at that. "I have a most excellent maid myself, though I think I may have to let her go." She held out her hand to me. "Let us see one of these curse breakers. I would judge them for myself."

I opened my pouch and pulled out a silver band with a bright diamond on it that I knew would catch her eye. Holding it up so the gem gleamed, I told her. "If you wish proof of their efficacy, one need only wait the week for the wolf to be cured."

Taking the band, she turned it over in her hand. "Very strong magic indeed. Stronger than Maleficent? We shall see." With that, she snapped it on her wrist and very briefly looked concerned as the clasp disappeared, then her brow smoothed as if forgetting what had bothered her. Sucker.

Sitting forward and smiling at me, I wondered if she was trying to show off more cleavage. I looked, of course, anyways, and made sure she saw. Yeah, that smile told me it was on purpose, and the band hardly had any time to make her horny for me. This would be an interesting week. "I am afraid guest quarters in the castle itself have not been furnished in some time. Hopefully, staying at the Black Rose will not prove a hardship to you?" She raised a brow again.

I bowed in return. "Not at all, your Majesty, they have been most accommodating."

She nodded. "Good, good. I will need time to broach the idea of a betrothal with my daughter, Snow White. Return on the morrow, shall we say, and the three of us will break bread together."

I smiled. "That sounds most lovely, I cannot wait to see you again, my Majesty. Could I ask one thing? If you would see that your daughter gets a curse breaker as well? I would not see the affliction jump to her as I will be returning with her to my own kingdom fates willing. I hope you understand."

She smiled and stood, taking my hands in her own. "A wise precaution. It is good to see that our alliance will have such a thoughtful future King in our partner kingdom. I will see she puts it on today." I handed her another band. Ideally, I would place this on Snow myself, but this seemed worth the risk. She really seemed invested in the idea of getting rid of Snow, and far, far away was easier in her mind than ****, I supposed.

Probably looked really good to the people of the kingdom, marrying her off to a handsome Prince. A very Disney thing to do.

I didn't see how she signaled his return, but the guard captain was back to lead me out, though I thought I could have retraced my steps if I had needed to. He seemed quite pleased about something. Stopping me just past the gates, he asked. "A marriage proposal, truly?"

I nodded. "Aye, Captain, the Queen willing, I will have the hand of Snow White in marriage and an alliance between our kingdoms."

"She will be better off far from here. You didn't hear that from me." So saying, he returned to the castle. Huh, I guess Snow really was beloved of the people.

Back in my rooms, Ella hopped up, looking quite nervous. "My lord?"

"Things went well, they went very well indeed. We find out tomorrow if the betrothal is on."

I waited until very late in the night before pulling out my Company device. It was supposed to be unnoticeable by anyone not in my retinue, but I wasn't taking any chances with that fucking mirror. Ruby Lucas 140 hours. Queen Grimhilde 57 hours. Snow White 56 hours. Holy shit, she bought it! Not only was she pushing the bracelet to its minimum, trying to 'break her curse', she'd sold Snow on it as well. Or Snow was just blind Disney trusting to a woman who had been near to plotting her ****.

Three days and I'd not only have my second princess but the Evil Queen herself would be my minion.

And a werewolf in a couple of days after that, I shouldn't forget. The Princesses were mostly pretty baggage, but a werewolf bodyguard and a Witch Queen were nothing to scoff at.

Not to pat myself on the back too hard. This was just the first world in ten and by far the easiest.

Still, it felt pretty good.