Beauty's Daughter: Coming From Darkness, #2

Beauty’s Daughter

What happens when your ‘Happily Ever After’ is a lie?

Queen Beauty and King Charming lived happily ever after. At least, until the birth of their daughter. Despite their invitations, none of the fairies show up to give the princess a name-blessing, something Beauty is determined her daughter should receive. Rashly, she decrees that her daughter will either have a name-blessing or no name at all. With that one decision, she unwittingly casts a dark shadow over the land.

Growing up, the princess shared her mother's dream of getting a name-blessing, but that's the only thing that they have in common. For everything else, there's the Lady in the Mirror. The Lady listens to her, and unlike her father, isn't afraid to criticise her mother, Beauty.

After many years of waiting, the fairies are finally coming, and the princess will do anything to get her name-blessing.

Anything.

Note

This book was written in Standard Singapore English, which is closer to British English than it is to American English. But don’t worry, the author has steered clear of the infamous Singlish, so apart from a few foreign words, the only difference you should notice is the addition of the letter ‘u’ in several words.

Prologue

Birth of a Princess (Present)

IN THE PALACE OF THE Stars, within the Royal compound, the royal family prepared to celebrate the full moon celebration of the little princess.

Isn’t this a wonderful day? King Charming strode into the room where Beauty sat nursing their child, a wide smile lighting up his face. You may go now, he told the nurse, who bowed and left.

Yes, Beauty said, looking as radiant as the day he had woken her. The perfect day for a celebration. In her arms, she cradled their precious daughter. She had come into the world just a month ago, yet the King and Queen couldn’t imagine their lives without her.

I wonder what kind of name-blessing the fairies will give her? Beauty said.

Charming leant over to give Beauty a kiss. Well, the name ‘Beauty’ is already taken. What about Gorgeous?

Beauty giggled. Personally, I’m hoping for something like Grace. Wouldn’t that be lovely, a graceful little girl? I can’t wait to have her start dance lessons, and then she can practice dancing with her father.

I can’t wait. In fact, I’ll probably be right there taking lessons with her. Here, I’ll take her. Charming took the little princess from Beauty, who rose to change. A few minutes later she emerged from behind a screen in a figure hugging, crimson cheongsam, self-consciously rubbing her stomach. The mandarin collar, fastened with butterfly knots of gold, emphasised her long, slender neck, while the slit at the side stopped midway up her thigh, showing off her legs. If there were any flaws with the dress, the elaborate gold embroidery hid them all.

What do you think? she asked, It’s my first time wearing a cheongsam since well... I haven’t worn anything like this since the New Year celebrations last year. I’m not sure if the confinement diet helped me lose weight. She held out her arms for the baby.

Wait your turn. You’ve held her the whole morning, Charming said as he smiled. And you look fabulous, no matter what you wear.

And it was true. Beauty looked stunning in her cheongsam. Her black hair, which was bound up in an elegant bun, shined like silk, and the crimson dress somehow managed to emphasise her brown eyes. To Charming, she resembled a picture of one of the Four Legendary Beauties he had seen as a child. No, she was more beautiful than a mere drawing. She was alive. Charming pulled Beauty in for a kiss, but at that moment, he heard a knock at the door.

Come in.

The door gently opened.

Your Majesties, Eunuch Wong greeted them in his soft, high-pitched voice as he walked into the room. He too, was dressed in festive red. Carefully, Beauty took the baby from Charming. The East Heaven Gate and Koi Gate are due to open in an hour. The first few carriages are already in sight.

Good, and you’ve made sure the West Hell gate is locked, right? Beauty asked anxiously. Charming immediately looked to her hands to make sure she didn’t instinctively tighten them around the baby. Beauty’s fear of yin magic still ran deep.

Sealed up tight, and we even sprinkled salt around it.

There’s no need for that, isn’t there, Beauty said, her eyes focused on the baby. Such superstitions are no good. After all, your step-grandmother ate so much salt that it should have burnt her from the inside out. But nothing happened until your father came.

Beauty, Charming said, a little more sharply than he intended. He softened his voice when Beauty flinched. Eunuch Wong was only looking out for us.

Beauty slowly turned her head towards the eunuch. I’m sorry, she said softly. I didn’t mean to snap at you.

In any case, Charming said, Thank you. I trust the carriages will be parked in the courtyard? Have servants at the Gate of Sun, ready to serve our guests refreshments and hand out the red eggs as soon as they arrive.

Eunuch Wong bowed. Everything has already been done.

I know what you’re thinking, Beauty said, a small smile appearing on her face. You must be thinking, what overexcited parents we are, to constantly repeat our commands. Don’t forget, we grew up together in the servant’s quarters. Your thoughts are as clear as day to me.

The eunuch beamed in relief, his round face resembling the full moon. I dare not take such liberties with the King and Queen. But rest assured, there will be no mistakes tonight. He bowed once more and left.

Charming moved forward and laid a hand on Beauty’s back. Are you alright?

Beauty nodded. I’m fine. I just wish that this was over and our baby girl has a name.

Beauty, Charming said, what if the fairies don’t name her? Not everyone gets a name blessing. We should think of a name. I really do like ‘Grace’.

They have to, Beauty cried. The baby in her arms responded and started crying. Oh my little jewel, Beauty said as she rocked the baby. Don’t cry. I’ll make sure that a fairy gives you a name blessing, and once you have that you’ll be protected no matter what happens to me or your father.

Charming opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, Beauty turned around and narrowed her eyes.

I know what you’re going to say, but you never know what the future holds. I didn’t expect to lose my mother either. I’m begging you, let me do this for her.

There was nothing he could say to that. So he said the next best thing. Shall we go to the Hall?

AS THE THREE ENTERED the Hall of Blessing, Beauty could feel the tension leaving her. She looked around, comforted by the traditional full moon decorations. Ruby red lamps hung along the edges of the room, and auspicious words written on red paper were pasted upside down on the walls. She could smell the banquet food, which was being kept warm just outside, as well.

See the pretty hall? Beauty said, turning slowly so the baby could take in the sight. This is the Hall of Blessing, my little jewel. The fairies are going to give you your name-blessing here, isn’t that wonderful? Now, why don’t you rest until they arrive? Very gently, Beauty put her in an ornate crib made of cedar wood and joined Charming on the throne next to his as they waited for their guests to arrive.

The guests came not just from all over the kingdom, but from other lands near and far. They had sent invitations not just to King Arnold and Queen Amanda in the neighbouring country, but also to the newly crowned Nutcracker King and Queen in the far West, all the way to Charming’s family in the far East. And of course, to the fairies, guardians of all, from the least to the great. Charming and Beauty had gone to great pains to ensure that all fairies, even the crotchety ones, were personally given the delicate paper cards requesting their attendance. Some fairies proved hard to reach, and several attempts to contact them had been necessary, but in the end, all the invitations had been delivered.

Soon, the hall was bustling with people, all lining up to take their turn to greet the little princess.

Congratulations, the Nutcracker King boomed. He was a strange one, a wooden doll that was human sized. We’re hoping for some good news soon too. You must come and celebrate with us if that happens, right my dear? He looked at his wife tenderly.

Yes, Queen Marie whispered, clearly uncomfortable in her husband’s presence. There had been rumours that this Queen was not from this world but some other one. The Nutcracker King from the Kingdom of Dolls had always been an oddity, and apparently, he once had some form of relationship with Beauty’s stepmother, though no correspondence or proof was ever recovered. However, suspicion alone was enough to make Beauty and Charming keep their distance. 

Queen Marie walked up to Beauty and handed her a small box. This is a full-moon present from us, she said. It’s the key to one of the few remaining clocks in our kingdom created by the late Drosselmeier. He was my Godfather. You can use this key to wind the clock up.

Behind Queen Marie, the Nutcracker’s eyes flashed red for a moment, though his fixed smile didn’t change. That anger, coupled with the eerie grin, felt familiar to Beauty, and she instinctively took a step back.

Thank you, Charming moved protectively in front of her and took the box. It’s a very thoughtful present, he said. Neither of them mentioned the bad luck associated with clocks. Song zhong, song zhong. Give death, give death.

The clock is still outside, Queen Marie said earnestly. We couldn’t bring it in because it’s too tall. She turned towards the door, and for the first time, her smile reached her eyes.

Queen Beauty waved and Eunuch Wong, who had been hovering near them, immediately stepped forward. Would you please take some of the servants and collect the clock that King Nutcracker and Queen Marie very kindly gifted us?

Your wish is my command, Eunuch Wong said as he bowed and left.

The Nutcracker King made a small ‘hmph’ sound, and both Beauty and Charming would have sworn that he rolled his eyes at her words. But they decided not to say anything as the Nutcracker King and Queen Marie cooed over the princess before making their way back into the crowd. Beauty told herself to look for Queen Marie before she returned to her kingdom, and offer any help she could. Even though she could not figure