The Poisoned Princess: A Snow White Retelling (The Skazka Fairy Tales)
The Poisoned Princess: Eight months earlier

Dorogoi Prince Yevgenich,

I’m a hopeless romantic. I believe in love. The kind of love that is all consuming and yet fulfilling to one’s soul, a combination of magic and mundane, of dances in the rain and quiet mornings together. I always thought that’s the kind of love I’ll have. I’m not sure how I imagined it to happen, not when I’ve never had a relationship to call my own. Doesn’t that make me sound just sad?

We’re friends, right? So I’m allowed to tell you these things. Although, I suppose I shouldn’t. I don’t want you to feel pressured that this is what I expect from our relationship. I know it will never be like this. Our adventures will be confined to meeting rooms and grand balls. I am holding you to that paragliding offer from months back. Don’t think I’m not keeping these letters to make sure neither of us goes back on our word. But really, I think we can definitely do that activity and not mistake it for a romantic adventure.

I think I was daydreaming when I started this letter, which is why it’s so emotional. I’ll try to keep the emotion to myself a little more in the future. I know we agreed on these letters being of the fun sort. Maybe I won’t even send this. Or maybe I will. I suppose we’ll see what I decide.

Until next time.

S uvazheniyem,

Princessa Sergeivna

Dorogaya Princessa Sergeivna,

I don’t believe in love. There I go, being blunt again. But I wanted you to know right away. I don’t think that kind of a relationship exists for me, and therefore, I am sorry that it will not exist for you.

As a child, we all learn about love and what it means. But I learned at a young age that people who are supposed to be on your side often are not. Sometimes the most beautiful people you meet have the ugliest souls. So love? I cannot trust another person enough to offer up my heart.

I think I’ve called you brave before, and let me do so again. I think you’re brave for speaking your feelings so freely. Maybe the world would be a better place if everyone was so open about what’s in their heart. But if I were to open up like that, you’ll see there’s nothing quite as beautiful in my own heart. Now that I look at this letter, maybe I won’t send it. Or maybe I will, because you were brave and sent yours.

I think you’re teaching me to be a little braver. Thank you for that.

S uvazheniyem,

Prince Yevgenich