After a fitful night of sleep, Scarlet was awoken by pounding at the door. The early morning sunlight glared through her window, giving her a terrible headache. Peering out the window, she recognized the sudden intrusion as a messenger of the White kingdom. With an annoyed grimace, she went down the stairs and threw open the door.

“What is this?”

The messenger looked as unhappy as she felt. He extended the letter toward her, murmuring that it was sent from Aurora. He remarked that she should be happy that the kind princess would even write to such a lowly Red. Scarlet wanted to hurl a fireball at him but refrained from doing so. Aurora was tiring of trying to find new messengers, as stated in one of her previous letters.

Scarlet snatched the letter and slammed the door in the White’s face. She opened the letter immediately and scanned it over.

Dearest Scarlet,

Are you well? The weather in Wonderland is becoming colder now. The winds from Winterland are too cold for my liking.

Anyway, my intent for this letter is to not make small talk as in my previous letters, to which you never respond to but I know you read. Instead, it is to extend an invitation. To be precise, an invitation to my coronation. I know you will not want to go but please come! In all my sixteen years I have never met you in person. I wish to know my only cousin and become acquainted better. Just because there is bad blood between our parents it does not mean there must be any between us. We are cousins, family, and should act like it!

I would love to see you. Please come. It would be delightful for both of us.

Your cousin,

Aurora

Scarlet found a small white invitation with intricate gold lining within the envelope. She didn’t know what to think at first. A small part of her wanted to go but the larger part wanted to burn the letter and forget about it. Aurora may act as if they aren’t entangled in their parents’ drama, but she wasn’t the one who had become an outcast in her own kingdom. Aurora was loved by all while Scarlet was hated. Scarlet found Aurora’s optimism to almost be enviable but didn’t give in. Aurora didn’t understand what Scarlet went through every day by being the Red Queen’s daughter and she never would.

***

A few days had passed and Scarlet lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was once dull brown but years of boredom had inspired an art project. Scarlet painted a large red dragon, fire surrounding it. The paint was starting to chip, but it was still just as beautiful as the day she completed it.

“Are you not ready yet?”

Scarlet sprung up. Rose stood at her door, leaning against the doorpost. Scarlet felt a lump in her throat and laid back down.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t lie to me. The coronation is tonight. You must get ready and head out soon.”

Scarlet burst back up, “How did you know?”

Rose smirked. Of course she knew. Rose monitored the castle as if it was her job.

“I’m not going,” Scarlet stated, her arms crossing her chest.

“Of course you are.” Rose walked over to Scarlet’s closet and started looking through her various clothes. “You don’t have any dresses. Didn’t Aurora send you a couple this past year?”

Scarlet bit the inside of her lip, trying to stop the growing smile. She had burned them to ashes. It was satisfying.

Rose sighed, shaking her head, “My child, you are royalty, and should at least try to act like it.”

Scarlet rolled her eyes. She had never once been treated like royalty and it wasn’t going to start any time soon.

Rose turned toward her, hands on her hips. “Go as you are. I am sure Aurora will have another dress for you.”

“I already told you, I’m not going.”

“Yes, you are.” Rose snapped her fingers, “And you will deliver this.”

A sealed letter appeared on Scarlet’s lap. Scarlet fought the urge to rip it when she saw who it was for.

“Now get going or you’ll be late.” Rose smiled, “And behave. I’ll be watching.”