Snow White can hear the faint music coming from the music chamber. A calming melody that speaks her soul. Huminga nang malalim ang dalaga at nilanghap ang amoy ng masasarap na pagkain mula sa food buffet sa kabilang dako ng ballroom. Her lips curled into a smile as she knows the food won't even last until the end of the ceremony.

'Hangga't narito ang kasalanan, hindi magtatagal ang pagkaing 'yan.'

The chandelier gave off a warm light that made her skin seem a little less pale. The candlelights surrounded her in a deady manner. Imbes na kabahan, nakaramdam siya ng kapayapaan sa walang katao-taong ballroom.

Yes, it was an empty ballroom.

But she liked it this way.

Kalaunan, humakbang na siya papalapit sa sentro ng ballroom. Sinilip niya ang kanyang repleksyon sa nadaanan niyang salamin. Her black Victorian-styled dress laced with crimson-colored ribbons looked lovely on her. Napapalamutian ng mga alahas ang kanyang leeg at tainga, habang matamlay namang kumislap ang ginintuang singsing na ibinigay sa kanya noon ni Greed.

"You look amazing, Your Majesty."

Hindi na niya kailangang hanapin ang boses.

Ilang sandali pa, lumitaw sa salamin ang kulay lilang mga mata ng prinsipe ng pagsamba. His violet eyes spoke a thousand words all at once. He wore a traditional maroon coat with golden embroidery. When Chandresh smiled, she had almost mistaken him for a real prince---and he is.

He is the prince of adoration.

Lumabas sa salamin si Chandresh at inilahad ang kanyang kamay. "May I have this first dance, Your Majesty?"

Marahan siyang tumango at nagpatianod sa kasalanan.

"No need to be all formal, Chandresh."

He chuckled, "I can't help it.. araw-araw kitang sasambahin, Snow White. Just like I said before, I may not be trapped in a mirror on your wall, but I want to let everyone know how special you are to me..because you will always be the fairest of them all. Kailanman, hindi ako magsisising magpakalulong sa kasalanang mahalin ka." Huminga nang malalim si Chandresh, "Are you willing to accept my sin, Your Majesty?"

Bumalik ang mga alaala ni Snow ang unang beses na nakita niya ang binata. Sinundan siya nito mula sa Maze of Mirrors. Kalaunan, magulat na lang si Snow nang biglang sumulpot sa kanyang salamin si Chandresh. He was a prince who had been trapped inside a mirror---and a prince who let himself be consumed by his sin for her.

She smiled and nodded.

Chandresh's smile widened as he kissed hand and spun her around to the never-ending music.

Agad rin siyang nasalo ng prinsipe ng katamaran na mukhang inaantok pa rin. Nang humikab si Sloth, mahinang natawa si Snow White. "Gusto mo bang bumalik sa pagtulog? You can dance with me some other time if you're too lazy right now.."

Pero marahan lang umiling si Sloth. His half-lidded dark eyes stared at her soul, assessing every piece of her.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world, angel. Nagustuhan mo ba ang musikang inaalay ko para sa'yo?"

Tumango si Snow habang patuloy silang sumayaw sa gitna ng ballroom. Umalingawngaw kasabay ng musika ang pagtama ng kanilang mga paa sa makinang na sahig. She sighed in content, "Of course, I do. Noong una kitang nakilala, you were so immensed in your music. You're lazy, but compassionate.. and I admire that about you, Sloth."

"Kahit na tinatamad ako madalas?"

"Palagi kang tinatamad."

"But I'm still attractive, right?"

Umirap si Snow. "Oo na lang."

Sloth's lips curled into a smile. And just then, Snow White stared at him. Para bang pamilyar ang ngiting 'yon.. 'Napapanaroid ka lang, Snow.' Suway ng kanyang utak. Makalipas ang ilang sandali, inilapit ni Sloth ang bibig sa kanyang tainga.

"Hindi ako magsasawang magpatugtog ng musika para sa'yo, dahil para sa akin, isa kang anghel, Snow White. You deserve all the melodies and harmonies in this world, and I'm not sure I can give it all to you because I'm a lazy ass... that's why you need to spend an eternity with me. Tinatanggap mo ba ang kasalanan ko, angel?"

She sighed.

"Yes, Sloth."

Naramdaman ni Snow ang paglaho ng mga kamay ng binata. It was soon replaced by a...

"Fried chicken leg?"

Nang magmulat ng mga mata si Snow White, bumungad sa kanya ang nakangiting mukha ng prinsipe ng pagkain. Gluttony wore a gray suit and grinned boyishly. "Kung ang ibang mga lalaki, mga pipitsuging bulaklak ang ibibigay sa'yo, ako naman pagkain ang kaya kong ialay sa'yo, sugarplum."

She laughed and stared at the chicken leg.

"Naubos na naman ba ang pagkain sa food buffet?"

"Oo naman! Kanina pa. Hahaha!"

Gluttony danced her to the piano music and sighed. "I like you, Snow. I really, really do.. mas mahalaga ka pa sa'kin kaysa sa pagkain ko sa Dessert Room.."

Napataas siya ng kilay.

Ninenerbyos namang tumawa si Gluttony sabay kamot ng kanyang ulo. "Um.. basta pareho kayong importante sa'kin. Ehem! Anyway, wala akong ibang maibibigay sa'yo kundi ang kasiguraduhang makakain ka ng limang beses kada araw."

"Paano kung tumaba ako?"

"I'll still love you, cherrypie. Mas masaya 'yon kasi magmumukha kang marshmallow!"

Sabay silang natawanan. Marahang napailing si Snow White at ngumiti sa kanya, "Eating five times a day is okay with me. Oo, tinatanggap ko na ang kasalanan mo, Guttony.. thank you."

Gluttony grinned handsomely and vanished in a blink of an eye. Ilang sandali pa, ang prinsipe ng kamanyakan naman ang nakatayo sa kanyang harapan. Mabilis na napasimangot si Snow White nang hapitin siya lalo papalapit ni Lust. Kamuntikan nang dumikit ang kanyang dibdib sa prinsipe. May ibinigay na rosas ang prinsipe. Lust smirked and licked his lips.

"Okay, I'll just pretend my fucking brother didn't just say that! Halata namang ako ang pinapatamaan niya sa rosas eh. Tsk! By the way, you look delicious tonight, baby!"

"Lust.."

"Bagay na bagay sa'yo ang dapat na pinili ni Envy! Hahaha! I think I should thank my ex-girlfriend for giving us a discount at her BOO-tique."

"LUST!"

Natigil sa pagsasalita ang kasalanan nang sumeryoso si Snow White. Napabuntong-hininga ang dalaga. "I'd really appreciate it if you'd get your hands off my ass. Sa baywang lang dapat inilalagay ang kamay mo tuwing sasayaw."

Lust smirked and winked. "Sorry, babe. Can't keep my hands off you! Hahaha!"

Makalipas ang ilang minutong katahimikan, naging seryoso na rin ang ekspresyon ni Lust. Tinitigan siya nito at masuyong hinaplos sa mukha. "Baby, you should know by now that I'm crazy for you.. mahalaga ka sa'kin, Snow White at gusto kong malaman mong rerespetuhin kita, nasa kama man tayo o wala. Kaya kong maghintay para sa'yo, pangako.. this lustful bastard is loyal to you, babe. Will you accept my sexy sin?"

Marahang tumango si Snow White na agad na ikinatuwa ni Lust.

Napasigaw pa sa gulat si Snow nang buhatin siya ng kasalanan. He twirled her around.

When her feet landed on the tiled flooring, noon niya nakadaupang-palad ang isa sa mga kambal. Noong unang beses niyang makasayaw sa isang ilusyon noon ang magkakapatid, napagkamalan pa niyang umulit si Greed at nagpalit lamang ng damit. Now that she thinks about it, it seems crazy.

"Why are you staring at me, Mademoiselle?"

Sa ilang buwan niyang pananatili sa loob ng mansyon, unti-unti na niyang natuklasan ang maliliit na kaibahan ng kambal. Huminga nang malalim si Snow at ngumiti, "No reason."

The sin of greediness wore a dashing black suit with silver accessories. Yari sa mamahaling mga bato ang butones ng kanyang damit. Sa hitsura ni Greed ngayon, naalala niyang bigla ang chess na nilalaro nila. 'They play by the roles, not by the rules. Which reminds me..'

"Bakit niyo nga pala ako tinawag na Queen of Sins noon? Does that mean that you already had an idea on who I am?"

Marahang umiling si Greed. He held her hand and guided their steps across the dancefloor. "In all honesty, we didn't have any idea about it, Mademoiselle. Matagal nang alamat ang tungkol sa makapangyarihang reyna. Who knew that the lovely maiden who played the Queen of Sins in our chess is the actual one? Sadyang mapaglaro ang tadhana, Snow White.. hangga't nabubuhay tayo, patuloy tayong paiikutin nito."

"At paano kung paglaruan na naman ako ng tadhana?"

"I'll stay by your side. Hindi ka magiging mag-isa sa kakaharapin mong mga pagsubok sa susunod na mga siglo. Narito lang ako para sa'yo, Mademoiselle. That's how much how greedy I am for your attention.." Greed smirked and brought her hand to his lips again. "Are you willing to accept my sin?"

"Yes."

Ngumiti lalo ang prinsipe ng kasakiman at marahang yumukod bago tuluyang maglaho sa kawalan. Nang lumingon si Snow sa kanyang likod, nakaabang na roon ang susunod na binatang magsasayaw sa kanya. Envy's green eyes smiled at her. He wore his king's clothes---white with golden linings.

"Would you do me the honor of dancing with you, Chione?"

Tumango si Snow at tinanggap ang alok nito. Habang sumasabay sila sa ritmo ng musika, mahinang natawa si Snow. Kumunot ang noo ni Envy. "What's so funny?"

"Dati talaga, ayokong tinatawag ako sa tunay kong pangalan. Naaalala ko kasi ang nanay kong magbigay sa'kin ng pangalang 'Chione'.." Napabuntong-hininga si Snow White at malungkot na ngumiti. "You know how sad my childhood is, right? It sucks."

Sandaling katahimikan ang namayani sa pagitan nila ni Envy. Soon, she was surprised when the sin hugged her.

"We all have something we're ashamed of, Chione. Ang magagawa na lang natin ay tanggapin ang mga ito para mabawasan ang sakit na kinikimkim natin sa loob. Pain is a part of human nature, and we can only do so little to cope up with it."

"Thank you, Envy."

At sa mga sandaling iyon, hindi na kailangang magtanong. Hindi na rin kailangang sumagot ni Snow White. Envy had always understood her better than any of them, and that gave her a sense of security.

Nang tuluyan nang umalis si Envy, pumalit sa kanyang pwesto ang prinsipe ng galit.

Wrath's wild eyes admired her beauty. Ngumisi ang kasalanan sa kanya habang iginigiya siya sa pagsayaw. "You look ravishing tonight, Snow. Hindi ko talaga aakalaing magtatagal ka sa mansyong ito."

"Is that a compliment, Wrath?"

The sin chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. Huminga nang malalim si Wrath at tumango. Isa ito sa mangilan-ngilang pagkakataong nakikita niyang kalmado ang kasalanan. "You proved us wrong.. you survived longer than those other bitches and learned to embrace the madness. Quite impressive."

Hindi umimik si Snow. Ngayong nasa harap na niya ang kasalanan, hindi na niya napigilan ang tanong na kanina pa gustong kumawala sa kanyang bibig.

"Galit ka pa rin ba sa kanya?"

Tumalim ang mga mata ni Wrath sa tanong na iyon. Agad na naramdaman ni Snow ang panganib sa aura ng binata at ang bahagyang paghigpit ng hawak nito sa kanyang kamay.

"I'll always hate that piece of shit."

"Well, that piece of shit is your own father."

Ngumisi si Wrath at inilapit ang kanyang mukha sa dalaga. Their breaths mingled in a dangerous way. Nakatitig pa rin sa kanya ang malalalim na mga mata ng kasalanan. "Don't you think you're being a bit ironic, sweetheart? Lalo pa't galit ka pa rin kay Christina."

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Snow. Naalala na naman niya ang inang nagpabaya sa kanya at ilang beses siyang minaliit. Nakakalungkot mang isipin, pero hindi na niya mabubura ang bahaging iyon sa kanyang buhay. The pain of the past cannot be erased, and she could only wish time will be enough to heal her.

Sandaling dumako ang mga mata ni Snow White sa kanyang pulsuan. The faint marks of her attempted suicide is still there.

Scars.

"Hindi na natin mababago ang nakaraan o maaalis nang tuluyan ang mga pilat nito sa'tin. Pain is always there.. it will never go away. We could only move on, and move foreward, Snow White." Huminga nang malalim si Wrath at hinaplos ng kanyang daliri ang labi ng dalaga. His eyes fixated on her lips.

"I won't take no for an answer.. tanggapin mo ako sa buhay mo, Snow."

Snow White closed her eyes and smiled. "Kahit sadista ka at mainitin ang ulo mo, tatanggapin pa rin kitang maging parte ng buhay ko, Wrath. Plus, it's not like I have a choice, you jerk." Mahina siyang natawa..

He kissed her.

But the kiss wasn't aggressive. Soon, the scent of camomile tea and parchment paper reached her nose. Hindi na niya kailangan pang magmulat ng mga mata para malaman kung sino ang kasalanang nakatayo ngayon sa kanyang harapan.

"Pride."

"Open your eyes, princess."

Hindi na nagdalawang-isip pa si Snow. Nang magmulat siya ng mga mata, nakita niya ang panganay na nakatitig sa kanya. She never knew she needed a fairytale until she gazed upon those magnificent eyes. Huminga nang malalim ang dalaga at inilagay ang kanyang mga palad sa balikat nito. His hands rested on her waist as they gracefully moved to the music.

"Naalala mo pa ba? There's a difference between looking and seeing things, princess.."

"And that's the first lesson you taught me when you brought me to this mansion."

"Indeed, my love."

Her heart felt more alive than it did before. Bumalik ang kanyang alaala noong gabing tumakas siya sa clockmaker. It was fate that brought their paths together. Ngumisi si Pride at bumulong sa kanya.

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I..."

Snow White smiled and spoke, "I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

Pride rested his forehead on hers and sighed. "Being our deathly bride means living an eternity with madness inside this mansion. Sa sandaling mainom mo ang ambrosia, magiging imortal ka na.. habambuhay ka nang magiging pagmamay-ari naming walo.. Every single part of you will be ours forever---mind, heart, body, and soul."

"I know."

"But let me warn you that this will not mean a lifetime of happiness.. Fairytales don't end with happily every afters. Maraming pagsubok na darating, at posible kang masiraan ng bait sa mansyong ito. Malalagay sa panganib ang buhay mo at darating ang araw na posible mong pagsisihan ang desiyon mong ito." His voice grew serious.

They stopped dancing

Hinawakan ni Pride ang kanyang mga kamay. His dark eyes begged her to understand the consequences of this---of being their sinful wife.

"Snow White, ang landas na pipiliin mo ang makapagdidikta ng kinabukasan mo. Two roads are diverging in front of you.. you can either take the one that will give you a normal life---ngayong hindi ka na nakabigkis sa anumang kontrata, malaya ka nang umalis sa mansyong ito. We will let you go and you can life a normal life in Eastwood. Have a family of your own and die happily as a human.. or you can take the road full of danger and darkness---mananatili ka sa mansyong ito at mamumuhay nang walang-hanggan sa piling naming mga kasalanan. A life full of danger and insanity. Thus, if you choose to be our wife, there's no turning back, princess."

Ngumiti si Snow White. Buo na ang kanyang desisyon. Kailanman, hindi na niya maaatim na mabuhay nang normal. Hindi na niya kayang bumalik sa dati niyang buhay. Tonight, once again, Chione "Snow" White will take the road less travelled by---the road not taken.

"Too late... I am letting myself be consumed by your sins."

Marahang tumango ang panganay. A look of relief washed through his expression as he adjusted his eyeglasses. "As you wish, my princess." Kalmado siyang ngumiti at ipinitik ang kanyang mga daliri. Mula sa kawalan, lumitaw ang isang kopitang yari sa ginto. Ibinigay ito ni Pride sa kanya.

Snow White took the cup of ambrosia and stared at her reflection on the surface of the red liquid. Isang alak ng mga immortal na hinaluan ng dugo ng bawat isang kasalanan. The blood of Pride, Wrath, Greed, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Sloth, and Adoration were mixed with the sweet and bitter crimson wine.

Ininom niya ito nang walang pag-aalinlangan.

The liquid burned down her throat as she felt the ceremony be completed. Nang maubos ng dalaga ang laman ng kopita, sandali niyang pinakiramdam ang kanyang sarili. Her heartbeat slowed until it regained its normal pace. Snow White took in a deep breath and savored the taste of the ambrosia.

Unlike the first time she danced with the sins, this wasn't an illusion.

Mahinang napadaing sa sakit si Snow nang tila may lumalapnos sa balat niya. Nang dumako ang mga mata ng dalaga sa kanyang daliri, napansin niya ang isang sugat roon. The wound curled around the flesh of her wedding finger in elegant letters---the names of the Eight Deadly Sins.

'Kasal na ako sa kanila. Damn, this really sounds crazy and creepy, but I'm now married to the deadly sins.' Snow smiled.

It was a scar she would never want to forget.

Sa isang kisapmata, naroon na rin sa loob ng ballroom ang iba pang mga kasalanan.

Pride.

Wrath.

Greed.

Envy.

Lust.

Gluttony.

Sloth.

Adoration.

'An eternity with the Eight Deadly Sins... i guess, this is the end of my dark and twisted fairytale.'

Sa kanyang tabi, inis na napabuntong-hininga si Pride. "I think I need to start thinking of a plan to get them out of our mansion, princess.. kasi baka hindi na talaga kita masolo. Tsk!"

Ngumisi ang dalaga at hinawakan ang kamay ni Pride. She leaned closer and winked at him. "Shall we escape your brothers, my prideful prince?"

A naughty smile graced the eldest sin's lips. "Good idea, princess."

Bago pa man sila mapigilan ng iba pang mga kasalanan, Snow White and Pride ran away from the ballroom and into the dark hallways. Sa kanilang likuran, naririnig nila ang pagrereklamo ng iba.

"HOY! PRIDE!"

"DAMN, THEY'RE GETTING AWAY!"

The two laughed in unison as Pride carried her, bridal style. Huminto sila sa labas ng mansion kung saan nasisinagan ng liwanag ng buwan ang antigo nitong mga haligi.

"No poisoned apple needed for my princess." Pride winked and kissed her under the moonlight..

'Once upon a time, I became a maid for the seven deadly sins.'

Snow White smiled against his lips. And for the first time in her lonely life, she silently thanked fate for letting their paths collide in the midst of tragedies.

Hindi niya pinagsisisihan ang mapanganib na landas na pinili niyang tahakin, sapagkat inihatid siya nito sa dapat niyang patunguhan.

And in that moment, Snow White knew that they would live sinfully ever after.

....