Evelyn: 

"Where's my damn water?" Amber snapped, wincing as she took a seat. Our stepsister and  maid, Ella, grumbled a few curses, and slowly went to retrieve the water. "For the love of Freya, Evelyn! I swear the hours at the Vanax just keep getting longer," Amber complained to me, naming the tavern where Mother and Amber worked to keep our family from the greedy grasp of poverty.

"Here's your water, you lazy ass," Ella grumbled, muttering the latter to herself. Amber snarled at her, making the poor girl jump back. I didn't blame Ella- Amber when angry was a monster, and perhaps even that was an understatement.

"So, where's Mother?" I asked, forcing down another spoonful of the barely edible soup Ella had made for dinner. Ella knew she couldn't cook- I knew it, we all did. But Ella insisted to be our maid, and so, we were stuck with her cooking. It was struggle to hold my poker face and restrain it from spitting the soup out of my mouth. All in the name of manners.

Ella snorted, "In bed with a drunk bastard, I bet." As sad it was, she was most likely right. Mother had perished when the fever took away Thomas's life and left behind a cold and detached corpse. Even Amber stayed silent at that remark, and just looked at the half finished cup of water in silence, for once.

I sighed, pushing away the half finished food, "I'm going to sleep." My lack of appetite these days, partly due to Ella's terrible cooking, was beginning to show on my face. 

The sun had just set, and I found the comforts of my slightly cramped room more enjoyable than sitting with an awkward tension crackling in the air and eating something that made me lose my appetite with each bite.

In my room, a single cot was shoved into a corner, and right above the cot was a window often with the drapes pulled back so the room did not seem so dark with moonlight shining in. My wardrobe took up the right wall, and on the other wall was my meager collection of books.

My eyes landed on my copy of Truths- The Adventures of a Pirate Queen, and I smiled. Ella had gotten me this as my sixteenth birthday gift, and it had since became my favorite book of all time. 

I was fifteen when I first met her. Ella was beautiful and quiet with a quite likable sense of confidence. She had it all at the tender age of fourteen- while Amber and I had none. In fact, Amber's hatred of Ella started from the very beginning, for reasons still unknown to me to this day. When Thomas introduced us to his daughter, Amber went up, hugged Ella a bit too tightly, and murmured threats into Ella's ear. 

Thomas claimed that it was because his wife had died three years before, and Ella was still adjusting to life without her mother, to explain her distant behavior. Mother would just laugh and pat his arm gently. 

I was quite fond of my late stepfather, to be honest. Whenever I looked at Thomas, I could see why Mother fell for him. At the age of 38, he was still handsome and dashing. His enthusiasm lit up the room and his smile was always genuine. 

I knew Ella strongly disliked Amber, but Amber outright hated Ella. They had a fragile relationship, both on the verge of insanity when it came to being civil with each other. One word could trigger a massive fight between them that would last for weeks. Why? That would remain a mystery to me for a long time. 

I blinked, shaking the memories from my head, my gaze falling on a envelope sitting on my dresser. Yesterday, the entire family received an invitation to the Royal Ball, held annually, and almost all the families in Luminous was invited, even the poor ones. This year was special. You see, the Crown Prince would choose his bride at the ball. Of course, this was why the streets of Luminous was flooded with eager bachelorettes rushing from hair salons to dress shops.

"Can I go?" Ella had begged when Amber announced the news. Amber had snickered and responded, "No way, Ella dear, over my dead body." As crestfallen as Ella's expression was, I did not bother to argue for Ella's case- Amber was too stubborn for that, and I did not want to get on Amber's bad side.

Perhaps I was too much of a coward to do anything, and the only thing I did best was to duck my head and camouflage with my surroundings. Still, those words couldn't shake the guilt that came when Ella shot me a pleading look. I only turned away, pretending not see her desperate expression.

We all had a few dresses and jewels from the time when Thomas was still alive, so that was what we were wearing to the ball. I only had three gowns in total, all equally grand and spectacular in their own way.

I worked as a maid at rich merchant's house and that gave us enough so that we could pay the taxes that just about seemed to rise every two months. I knew that had the looks, but I didn't know that I was good looking enough to catch the eye of the merchant's son until it happened.

Gaston Beaumont was known for being a ladies' man, but that didn't stop me from falling for him, like every other girl. The only difference between me and them? He kept me around for more than a night.

We met when I was fifteen, and he seventeen, three years ago. I remembered that it was the day I was promoted from a kitchen maid to a parlor maid, that was when our paths intertwined. I had entered the parlor to serve some guests, and Gast happened to be there as well. When our eyes met, he paused and a devilish smirk grew on his lips, and found a temporary conquest for the night. 

But after the night, it seemed that neither of us had any intention of letting go whatever it was between us. Gast's dark brown eyes drew me in and with every kiss we shared, I didn't mind the consequences. And so, I stop daring flirtations with boys and he stopped his womanizing, and we were together. Maybe that was the only thing that mattered. 

Gast was my escape, my way out, and I'd be a fool not to take him, and although I knew that no one would approve of our union, it didn't stop us from daydreaming about our future.

When I had learned that Gast would not be accompanying me to the ball, my heart broke a little more. His father was forcing him to escort Meilissa, daughter of an important Duke, and might I add, his fiancée,  to the ball. I winced a little as I recalled what most likely had been my last fight with him, my eyes growing heavy with exhaustion.

~

"So... you're choosing her over me?" I whispered, tears shimmering in my eyes. Gast angrily ran his hand through his beautiful chestnut hair, "Eva, my belle, you know it's not like that."

I just shook my head, tears rolling down my cheeks, "Are you kidding me? Your father's already going to ship you to a duchess that will be richer, prettier, and better than me, why can't we just spent the rest of our time together?"

Gast took my hand into his, "Eve, that may be true... but I'll always choose you. Always." We both knew that I was a lie. Gaston couldn't give up his fortune and bring shame to his family name just like I couldn't leave Luminous without Amber. 

Meeting his eyes, I said, "Then go with me to the ball, Gaston." The innocent, naive part of me clung on, hope daring to rise in my chest.

He held my gaze for so long I thought he might have said yes, but once again, I was wrong. "Evelyn, you know I can't do that." 

Closing my eyes in frustration, I gritted out, "But you just said you'd chose me always." Gaston stayed quiet, not quite meeting my angry glare. 

I yanked my hand from his grasp, "I'm sick of waiting for you Gast. It's always going to be this way, isn't it? I'll always be second, always be the mistress, never the wife." With every word, I voiced out my deepest thoughts and insecurities. 

He opened his mouth to protest, but found that he couldn't. "Eva, please."

Shaking my head, I stood up from the luxurious couch and forced a tight lipped smile on my face, "It's been nice knowing you, Gaston."

He stood up hastily as I walked away, "Eva? Evelyn? Please... come back." It took all my energy to not turn back and run into his arms, because despite everything... I still loved him, with all the broken pieces of my heart. 

Gaston's all too familiar footsteps sounded behind me as I walked out of his room, "Evelyn," he grabbed my arm, forcing me to turn. And as his eyes met mine, he could see that he had lost the last chance of us. His face crumbled with hurt, "Evelyn, please, stay with me." 

I smiled sadly, and kissed him gently on the cheek, "Gaston.." I had so much to say, but at that moment, I could only shake my head, and whisper, "I love you, but I guess we were just never meant to be." With those words, I slipped away from his loose grip and into the night. 

~

A hand shook me awake, and I opened my eyes sleepily to see Ella's tear stained face above mine. "Wha?" I mumbled, my eyes so, so heavy.

"Evelyn, I need your help," Ella's desperate voice forced my heavy lids up. "Can't it wait till morning?" I turned over, slipping half back into sleep. 

One sigh of exasperation later, Ella shook me harder, "It can't. Please."

Muttering a few choice words under my breath, I got out of bed, and stumbled to the bathroom, where I washed my face with ice cold water.

"Okay, now you have my attention," I grumbled to Ella as I wandered back to my room. She had dirt on her hands and palms, like she had laid outside. Also, her short dress was rumpled, like she had taken it off hastily and put it back on. Why was she wearing a dress anyway? 

Ella took a deep breath, "Please, let me go to the ball."

Rolling my eyes, I retorted, "Why should I?" It wasn't like I had a problem with Ella like Amber, it was just that I exceptionally grumpy when I awoke. And maybe a tiny part of me involuntarily sided to Amber every time. 

She looked hesitant, and blurted out, "Look, I need you to keep what I'm about to say a secret."

"If you insist, darling." I yawned, the cold water losing its effect. She sighed, "I want to go to the ball to see my lover one last time, but if I can't go to the ball, and I might never see him again, never be with him again, never dance and sing and kiss my love again. Please, Evelyn, I'm begging you to help. I know I have been a shitty sister to you and Amber, but could you please help me?"

I was silent for a long time, contemplating on the pros and cons. Would I have risked anything to see Gaston if the fight never happened, if he would never see me again? Guilt simmered in my gut, for not standing up for Ella during Amber's constant bullying. 

I supposed helping Ella would begin the long road of redeeming myself. With a deep sigh and a slight smile, I looked at her anxious eyes, "Only if you tell me about 'your love.'"

Ella only hesitated for a moment, but dropped a curt nod.

"Well then," I said at last and walked over to my closet, throwing open the doors, "time to play dress up."

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Truth to be told, I never liked balls. The formality was suffocating, and the waltz was something I could do well, but never really liked either. Now, my ideal parties were the wild birthday parties of abstract and modern music, freestyle dancing, and a lot of delicious food, simply mingling with friends and family.

The moon was out tonight, and for once, the summer air was cool and refreshing, unlike the too common stickiness that came with summer. 

The three of us, Mother, Amber, and I had different goals of attending this ball. 

Mother wanted to work her way up the social ladder with a seductive dress. She wanted to move on and would try to find powerful and rich men to fall and marry her. If not that, she would gladly become a mistress. 

I shook my head with disgust- I didn't recognize this woman in front of me anymore. I remember how happy she was with Dad, then eventually, Thomas, but now? She was a broken, bitter woman. Was life truly this cruel to change an optimistic mother into an empty mom? 

Mother's Dress: 

Amber had sneered many colorful words when Mother's back was turned. She didn't even try to hide her disgust. Amber never approved of Mother flirting with all type of men at the tavern. It wasn't the playful flirting- it was plain seduction. And recently, it added to the reasons why she came home even later than she had before.

Amber's dress was more regal and gave her the air of a rich man's daughter, which I supposed, was true once upon a time. Her reason for going to the ball was to keep an eye on Mother and grasp a higher position in society herself. 

Whenever my sister caught Mother with another man, a loud fight would erupt in the house and for the days, tension would remain, suffocating everyone. Even Ella knew not to piss off Amber or Mother that day.

Amber's Dress: 

My dress was more innocent-like but not as stunning as I would have liked it to be. This dress screamed innocence- the type of girl all men liked to see and wanted in the bedroom. My true reason for attending the ball was to aid Ella's plan and distract Amber from Ella. But another tiny part of me wanted to make Gaston jealous, to my own dismay. It would be a long time before my heart let go of a certain attractive man.

Evelyn's Dress: 

Everything before the ball was a blur- Ella and I finalizing the plan for her, me throwing on my dress and doing my hair, the carriage ride, and the long tedious walk up the palace steps.

From the minute I stepped through the palace doors, heads turned to me, and I saw a few ladies wrinkle their noses. Shaking away my fears, I slipped a mask over my face to conceal my emotions. Amber and Mother had already gone ahead, and I strolled in alone, my head held high. Instead of following the crowd swarming to greet the prince, I strolled straight to the food. 

I went for the cheesecake and the delightful pastries, accepting a glass of champagne from the waiter, before trotting over to an empty table to enjoy. 

By some miracle, my dress caught the attention of the prince. He winked when he caught my eye, enough to make most girls swoon. Apparently, my looks were not only worthy to catch Gast's eyes, but the Prince as well.

"May I have this dance?" The prince queried his eyes curious, and I accepted, if only to taunt Gast, as cruel as it was.

The prince danced with me, leading me into a waltz I had learned as a child. My eyes wandered the onlookers, and sought out Gast, who was just blandly staring at me the blond lady next to him tried desperately to snag his attention. I winked subtly at Gast, before my attention fluttered away, latching onto the prince.

I spotted Amber flirting away with the young Duke of Rivertown, a neighboring city about twenty miles from Luminous. Of course she would be doing that, I scoffed to myself. I rested my head at the Prince's shoulder as we danced.

"So, which brother are you?" I muttered as we floated around the ballroom, the clock chiming nine. I was no Amber; I was horrible with names and I didn't pay attention to gossip, so I couldn't tell if he were the older brother or the younger one. 

" I'm Prince Raymond Charming, of course," He answered with a chuckle, "Who may you fair lady, be?" He asked me, with a small smile. So, he was the older one- the Crown Prince. Raymond Charming had blue eyes that reflecting the skies and blond hair so rich that I suddenly wanted to do nothing more but curl my fingers into his hair and make out with him. Damn hormones. 

"Evelyn, Evelyn... Tremaine," I answered as we glided across the dance floor, dragging jealous glares along.

"So, what brings you to my party?"  He asked, a soft smile on his face. 

"To keep an eye on my sister," I told him lightly. Maybe it was the champagne that made me add truthfully, "And to get back at someone." The Prince chuckled understandingly, "I get that." Silence fell until Prince Raymond asked, "So, does that mean you're off the market?"

Sighing dramatically, I responded, "It would seem so, handsome one. But do entertain me, won't you?" 

We danced and talked about life, easily bonding over our love for novels, and to my surprise, he actually had a great sense of humor. Time flew, and we were chuckling as the clock rang ten. As if on cue, the palace doors burst open and Ella stood there in all her glory. 

👡

A/N: So this is the first chapter of Evil Queen's story. You've already read who Evelyn began with, one of the stepsisters, and you've heard her story for this one. I split this chapter up because it was beginning to get too long for my liking.