by Eustacia Tan
The Goblin Apple
Coming From Darkness, Volume 3
Eustacia Tan
Published by Eustacia Tan, 2017.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
THE GOBLIN APPLE
First edition. August 9, 2017.
Copyright © 2017 Eustacia Tan.
ISBN: 978-9811141997
Written by Eustacia Tan.
Also by Eustacia Tan
Coming From Darkness
The Nutcracker King
Beauty's Daughter
The Goblin Apple
Standalone
The School of Anime Characters
Watch for more at Eustacia Tan’s site.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Also By Eustacia Tan
Dedication
The Goblin Apple
Note
Part 1: Whispers
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Part 2: Of the Legend of the Red-Caped Princess
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Part 3: And the Goblin Apple
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
This is Not The End
Author’s Note
About the Author
Sign up for Eustacia Tan's Mailing List
Also By Eustacia Tan
For my family. Thank you for being so supportive.
The Goblin Apple
A princess without legitimacy. A conqueror without a heart. One chance to save the people she cares about.
No one cares about Princess Elizabeth. Her surly fellow nobles question her claim to the crown. Without a real apple to be found, she may only eat candy fruits that rot her teeth. And her parents offer her only saccharine pep talks.
The mysterious Goblin Market calls out to her and she is faced with an unwholesome bargain with its dark Goblin Queen.
The Nutcracker King is coming, accompanied by his tin soldier army. Elizabeth doesn’t know the limits of the tyrant’s ambitions for her kingdom – and maybe herself – but she knows she’ll do anything to protect her people, her claim to the throne and her father’s very life.
If you like dark — and even depraved — fairy tale retellings, then you’ll love the latest installment in Eustacia Tan’s Coming from Darkness series.
Pick up The Goblin Apple to enjoy this twisted fairy tale today!
Note
This book was written in Singapore Standard English, which basically resembles British English in terms of spelling. What I’m trying to say is that words like “colour” are not unintentional spelling mistakes.
Part 1: Whispers
“So you know what we have to do.”
“Of course. When have I ever let you down?”
Chapter 1
“Come on, Laura, we’re going to be late,” Lizzie said, sitting in front of her dressing table. She drummed her fingers. “My hair isn't going to do itself.”
Laura hurried over and picked up a brush. “Sorry,” she said, “but I had to get into my dress.”
“I thought I ordered the dressmaker to make sure it fit.”
“It does,” Laura said, smiling brightly at her. “But I wanted to change something, I hope you don’t mind.”
Lizzie turned around and faced her best friend. “Laura,” she said, “of course I don’t mind. I told her to do whatever you wanted with that dress. Now, let’s make me beautiful, I have to dress to impress.”
“Dress to impress. It could be one of Her Majesty’s sayings.”
“My mom would never say something like that. Now hurry up, we’re going to be late.”
Laura did as they were told and they arrived at the party fashionably late. As expected, the room stopped when she entered and bowed.
“You’re doing great,” Laura said encouragingly.
Lizzie smiled as she nodded. She hoped so, she had been practicing for this ever since Lady Bella had ‘passed on’ Marcelle’s invitation.
Sadly, the party was as boring as one of her parent’s royal balls. It was exactly the same thing, come to think of it. A bunch of people who thought they were important did their best to impress each other by talking about how wonderful and important they were but with a much younger set of people. Proof that children did take after their parents.
“Princess Elizabeth,” a foppish noble greeted her, his face almost completely obscured by his lace collar. “What a pleasure to see you here. Your presence simply lights up these soirees.”
“Um, thank you,” Lizzie said, cursing herself for stumbling. Why did she stumble? She had been practicing this with Laura for the past week. “It’s nice to see you again, um, Marcus? I’m so sorry, I’m afraid I can’t see your face.”
A sneer briefly made its way onto Marcus’ face, twisting his features. But by the next second, it was gone, replaced by a charming smile. “Oh, please don’t worry, Princess Elizabeth. It is indeed I, Marcus. My apologies, I should have known that you were not up to speed on the latest fashions. Perhaps you should ask Marcelle to help you, she is the most fashionable of us all.”
“Thanks for the advice.” Why did she have to say thank you so many times? “How is your family?”
“Oh, the usual,” Marcus said, “Trying to make a living on the tiny allowances your parents give us. You simply must talk to your parents about increasing our budgets.”
Lizzie gave him her most sympathetic smile. “Well, the harvest wasn’t very good last year. But if this year and the next is better, perhaps we can raise taxes a little.”
“What a heart of gold,” Marcus said. “Now if you must excuse me, I need to change my collar.” He turned away and Lizzie looked around. Who else could she talk to? There must be someone here, besides Laura, who liked her.
Walking around the room Lizzie tried to make conversation but every time she opened her mouth someone would interrupt her. Every time she walked up to a circle, they closed up and wouldn’t let her in. Finally, she ended up outside. Marcelle’s garden was beautiful and more importantly, empty. She breathed a sigh of relief.
At least they were consistent. No matter what she did, no matter how royal she tried to act, they were constantly sneering at and mocking her while pretending to flatter her. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was the future queen, they probably wouldn’t even be polite. All they wanted was for her to be wrapped around their fingers so she could be manipulated. At least, that’s what dad said after one too many drinks a few years back. And judging by the look on mom’s face when he said it, he was right.
“Lizzie, what are you doing here?”
Lizzie turned around to see Laura. “Where have you been?” Lizzie exclaimed. “I couldn’t find anyone to talk to!”
“I didn't know that we were ignoring you. Oh no, who would dare patronise the only daughter of the king and queen?” An arm flung itself over Lizzie’s shoulder, and she could smell the hot, sickeningly sweet breath that came out with every word.
Years of etiquette forced Lizzie’s mouth to curl up into a smile. “Marcelle, I didn’t know you were here. Thank you for this lovely party.”
“Please, don’t try and be nice,” Marcelle said and released Lizzie. “You’re the future queen, it’s your right to scold us insolent subjects. You may even consider it your duty.”
“You know I don’t mean it,” Lizzie said. “It�
�s really been lovely, right Laura?”
“Oh yes,” Laura said, a little too enthusiastically for Lizzie’s taste. “this is the best night of my life. Do you know, a few future dukes actually talked to me. And they asked me to dance! I haven't heard a single order since we arrived. No ‘Girl, get me a candy apple’ or ‘You, where’s my drink?’ I love it here!”
Cool it, Lizzie thought, she’s not going to believe you.
“That’s great to know,” Marcelle said. “You’re welcome here any time, Lauren.”
“It’s Laura.”
Marcelle rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Lenny. Just come round the back, you know we’re always looking for good help.”
Ouch. Laura’s face crumpled, and Lizzie’s heart broke for her friend. “Don’t be so mean, Marcelle,” she said. “Laura grew up with us after all.”
“Oh Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie,” Marcelle said, shaking her head. “Wait a minute, I have a present for you.” She sashayed into the house and as soon as the doors closed, Lizzie grabbed Laura’s hand.
“You should make a run for it. I have to stay if I want them to respect me, but you don’t.”
Instead of doing what she was told, Laura shook her head. “Why should I? I’m not going to let Marcelle ruin my night. I meant every word I said about the party.”
“But Marcelle was so mean to you.”
“And that’s how she was raised. But if I want them to accept me, I can’t run away. And anyway, who’s going to give you pep talks if I leave? Now let’s go back.”
Laura was right. She had spent all week practicing with Laura. If she wasn’t there, then she might mess up like just now and she couldn’t afford to mess up. Taking a deep breath, she walked back to the house, Laura following her.
“Princess Elizabeth,” Marcelle said the minute she set foot through the door, “You’re back. How about a heart-to-heart-talk, like we did when we were kids?”
“Yeah, and then you used the information to humiliate me and Laura.”
“I didn’t know that everyone would consider you babies for having those smelly blankets. But it’s been so long, Lizzie, tell me how you’re doing. Is it true that the royal family is secretly eating real fruits?” She grinned at Lizzie, every decaying tooth on display for the world to see.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You know my mom can’t eat fruits, and neither can any of us. We’ve only been having candy fruits. Ask Laura if you don’t believe me.” Lizzie bared her teeth, grateful that she had applied a fresh coating of black dye before the party.
“Then why are your teeth so strong and healthy?” Marcelle threw a candied strawberry at Lizzie. “Here’s my present, a strawberry just for you. It’s not fair that only the princess gets strong and healthy teeth, while the rest of us have to live with the pain of rot.”
“No thank you,” Lizzie said, kicking the strawberry further into the garden. “I’m full. And well, we all know that I’ll never be as fashionable as you. Even Marcus commented on it.”
“Of course not,” Marcelle said, “that’s why everyone knows I should be princess instead.”
That was treason.
Beside her, Laura sucked in a breath. “Miss Marcelle, you should be more careful about what you say.”
Marcelle just rolled her eyes. “Look around you, Snore-Lore.”
“It’s Laura.”
“Whatever, Lauren. You have no right to talk to me, what with you wearing an old dress of the Princess’s. Why you didn’t come to me for a cast-off is a mystery. After all, everyone knows that our dear Princess has almost no fashion sense.”
“Grandmother Marie gave me that dress,” Lizzie said. True, it hadn’t suited her but that was because her skin was so white that it was sallow and her hair was pitch black. On blond-haired, rosy-cheeked Laura, it looked beautiful.
“And no one cares about your stupid Grandmother Marie.”
Lizzie took a step forward and pushed Marcelle. “Don’t call Grandmother Marie stupid, you ugly commoner,” she said, narrowing her eyes. She had seen Grandfather Nutcracker do this, and while she hated to see it, it was normally effective.
It was almost effective here. Marcelle blinked, a little disoriented, but her smirk came back. It was a weak smirk, but she was still smirking.
“And what are you going to do about it? Even if you told your parents, they wouldn’t do anything. In fact, I should tell my mom about how rude you were to me. She might decide not to support your mom’s latest do-good policy.”
Lizzie lifted her head high. “Then I’ll just tell Grandfather Nutcracker what you said about Grandmother Marie the next time they visit. After all, you never know when they’ll drop by.”
That did the trick. Marcelle took a step back. “We don’t need to do that,” she said quickly, “Everyone knows that no one here would say a word against the beautiful Queen Marie. After all, her agelessness makes her the hero of every single girl. But here’s a tip, Princess Lizzie. When you get the chance, ask your mom why I should be queen. Perhaps if you knew the reason, you would voluntarily give up your position. After all, we both know that I am the more fashionable one. I’ll see you around, Laura.”
Her parting shots fired, Marcelle stumbled back to her friends.
*******
“Why is it always like this?” Lizzie asked as they made their way home. She regretted turning down her father’s offer of guards. They would have made for a more impressive sight. She was stupid to think that going alone would make her seem more approachable.
Laura patted her arm sympathetically. “But at least you ended on a good note. You looked really royal when you were threatening her back then.”
“Yeah, and if she tells her mother, we’ll lose more support. I’m never going to be able to get the court in order when I become queen.”
“Well, you could always get rid of the nobles.”
Lizzie shook her head. “Nah, I need them so that people like you have someone to hate. The tutor was very specific about that. At least we’re almost back.”
She could see the sky changing colour as they approached the city gates. Curse that Marcelle living outside city limits. Why couldn’t they be like the other nobles?
“At least we’re almost there,” Laura said cheerfully. “And then you can have a short nap before breakfast with your parents.”
“Where they can ask about my latest failure.”
“Lizzie, you know the King and Queen don’t care about that.”
“Whatever. And what was that princess thing anyway?”
“It’s just a rumour.”
Lizzie stopped and turned towards Laura. “It’s just a rumour?” she echoed. Why hadn’t she heard of it? Laura was supposed to tell her if there was any threat to her position and this was definitely a threat. “Tell me the truth, are there rumours that go around saying that? That Marcelle is the true princess?”
“No, no,” Laura said immediately. “Of course not. You know we would never say something like that. Everyone loves your mom and dad. May I fall into a cursed sleep if I’m lying.”
The words sounded sincere enough, but Laura’s face screamed ‘liar’.
“What did you hear?”
“Nothing,” Laura said. “I’m not even sure what I heard, you know how after I became your personal chambermaid, everyone started watching their words around me. It’s just something that the others talk about when the nobility aren’t causing scandals.”
“In that case, I order you to find out what these rumours are. I’m not going to stand for Marcelle knowing more than me.”
Laura looked at her feet and sighed. “Alright, give me a few days. And you owe me for this.”
“Yeah, yeah. Your wish is my command,” Lizzie smiled. “Ok, now we really have to hurry, it’s almost dawn and the market will be starting soon. I don’t want to get caught in the crowd.”
Laura nodded and the two of them started walking again. They were almost past the city gates when a strange chant filled the air.
Come to the market
“Do you hear that?”
The Goblin Market.
Laura nodded, her eyes glazing over. Lizzie saw Laura talking, but the only thing she heard was the chanting. She could feel herself replying, but she had no idea what she said. Finally, she heard Laura.
“Let’s find out what it is,” Laura said and turned towards the chanting voices.
Come to the market and buy buy buy.
The voices were so inviting. Lizzie found herself following Laura.
The Goblin Market has goods for you to try try try.
Suddenly, a rooster crowed. Once, twice, thrice.
Apples, oranges, love, wealth
“Laura, this is too dangerous. We should go back,” Lizzie said, trying to shut out the chanting. There was something dangerous about it, she could feel it.
Strawberry, mangoes, death and health
“Huh? Oh yeah, I guess we should go back.”
Seeker one, seekers all
Lizzie made Laura walk ahead, just in case. All the while, the same song rang in their ears, over and over again.
What you look for can be found at our stalls.
Chapter 2
This is a fact: while Lizzie was entering the palace, in a little cottage far away from the palace, seven dwarfs were trying to figure out how to split half a sugared apple among them.
This is another fact: all dwarfs are goblins who had knowingly or unknowingly committed an act of kindness.
The youngest dwarf knew not even one fact. All he could think about was his stomach, which cried out for sustenance. He looked at his companions. Should he renounce his share and give it to the oldest dwarf, whose white beard grew more tangled and dirtier each day? Should he give it to one of his other brothers, all of whom looked like they could collapse from exhaustion? Or should he claim it for himself, to stop his knees from buckling under? It was a hard choice because in that cottage, they were all equals — all equally pitiful.
