Aurora Magazine 2019

her his entire life. He was the anchor she needed. Even Aileen could not relate to her the way Francis could. As Everly did want to marry him, the love she felt for him was not the storybook love she had dreamed of. Her reasons of marriage were for the king - dom and her friendship was a personal choice. The wedding announcement was made to the king. He was thrilled and wanted to mentor Francis before his death date approached. The king had his first lesson with Francis where he spoke to him about his daughters and his wishes for them. He too liked the comfort that Francis presented. Francis requested a visitor to meet with the king before they made the wedding announcement official to the kingdom. The king grew fond of his future son in law and trusted the re - quest. Francis made the arrangements and his guest would arrive the next day. --- The visitor arrived at the castle greeted with a warm wel - come. She was a beautiful young woman who looked around the same age as Francis. “I present you to my sister” he said. The king admired her beauty and was pleased with her presence. “I wanted you to meet her before I become king because she reflects much of my wishes for the kingdom”. “The honor is mine” replied the king. “And what are these wishes” he added. “You see, my sister and I grew up with a troubled past. One that we have tried to escape from. I see these same sorrows in your daughters and I want to prevent them”. In this moment the woman looked at her reflection in the mirror. What reflected was a hideous Witch. The king recognized this witch as Marigold, the one who had cursed his daughters. 90