by Eustacia Tan
“Grandmother?” Heinrich’s face turned white.
“God-grandmother,” Lizzie said quickly. “My mom is her goddaughter. She and the Nutcracker King don’t have any kids.”
The colour came back into his face. “You have to bring me to her.”
“What if Marah comes back?” Doc asked. “She’ll kill us all.”
Impulsively, Lizzie grabbed Doc’s misshapen hands. They were cool to the touch, her brain noted. “Come with us,” she said.
“But what about the other girl?”
“Marcelle. “We’ll bring her along too,” Lizzie said immediately. “If we leave her here, I’ll end up coming back for her.”
“Might as well make this a capital offence,” Doc said. “I’ll get her ready.”
*******
The four of them walked quietly through the forest. Well, as quietly as they could, with Marcelle moaning in pain all the time.
“I need to rest,” she said. “I can’t move.”
“Just a little bit more,” Lizzie begged. “Marah will catch us if we don’t keep moving. We need to get as big a head start as we can before she notices we’re gone.” If possible, she wanted to be home by the time that Marah noticed.
Marcelle stopped cooperating. “I. Can’t. Walk.”
“But we’re still in the woods.”
“What if we bring her home?” Heinrich said suddenly. “It’s not too far.”
“Yes,” Marcelle said. “My grandmother will be able to help.”
Lady Bella!
“Lead the way,” she told Heinrich. He nodded and they turned right.
They seemed to move much faster. Marcelle had stopped complaining and she was even trying to move forward instead of leaning on her the whole time. The woods soon cleared and Marcelle’s home came into view.
“I should stay here,” Doc suddenly said. “I’ll only frighten them.”
“I’ll stay too,” Heinrich said. “I don’t like that house.”
“What?”
Heinrich shrugged. “I feel like there’s bad history between me and that place.”
Lizzie didn't press further. She left the two of them in the shade of the woods and promised to come back as soon as possible.
“Lady Bella,” she shouted as she approached. “Marcelle is hurt!”
Immediately, servants ran out of the house and someone took Marcelle from her. She was carried into the house and Lizzie was ushered in behind.
“Marcelle!” Lady Bella exclaimed as she approached them. She was dressed in a formal gown and her hair was done up. “What would your mother say? Get the doctor here, now!”
Two servants sped off.
“What are the rest of you doing? Bring my granddaughter to her room and bring a drink for Princess Elizabeth. She looks like she’s about to faint.”
The rest of the servants ran out, leaving Lizzie and Lady Bella alone.
*******
Heinrich could feel the blood trickling down his head. He eyed the broken pieces of the cup lying on the ground, wondering if he could reach it.
“I wouldn’t think about using that,” Lady Bella said, stepping on a shard and grinding it into dust. “You know how the Nutcracker will get if he finds out that you hurt me. Now, why don’t you be a dear and tell me where Amanda’s daughter is?”
“Never.” Heinrich would have spit in her face if he could. But she was constantly moving, eyeing him like a piece of meat.
“Pity. It would have been an easy life, living as one of my servants.”
*******
“I’ll just be going,” Lizzie said nervously. “I can’t stay away for too long.”
“I completely understand,” Lady Bella said, putting her hand over her heart. “Things are so different under the dear Nutcracker. You are so lucky to have someone as powerful as him looking out for you and your mother.”
Lizzie nodded. “Are you going for a ball?”
“This?” Lady Bella motioned to her dress. “It’s just for dinner. The Nutcracker has agreed to come for dinner and I thought this old thing might remind him of old times. After all, he was so kind to me and my daughter during the past turmoil. It’s a pity that she isn’t here to see him. And now Marcelle is injured. Tell me, what happened?”
“A goblin attacked her.”
It was true enough.
“Goblins?” Lady Bella frowned. “How awful. I must tell the Nutcracker King about this when he comes.”
*******
Heinrich looked at a piece of red glass, which lay in front of him, its jagged edges gleaming in the sun. Lady Bella’s shrill voice could be heard at the doorway. She was screaming at her daughter, who had snuck out again. Now the girl was sobbing.
He needed both noises to stop.
Shut her up, a voice told him, just take the glass and stab her with it. You can save everyone.
“No!” Heinrich heard himself cry out. “I will not!”
It is your loss, the voice told him. Pity, I thought that glass would make a good blood dagger, it mused, as though Heinrich didn’t even exist. Daji wasn’t ambitious enough when it came to making a blood weapon.
*******
“I should go back. I don’t want to impose.”
“Let me lend you my carriage,” Lady Bella immediately said. “We wouldn’t want the Nutcracker King to notice you’re missing.”
Lizzie shook her head. “I think I prefer to walk. Your servants must be very busy preparing for the dinner. You look lovely, Lady Bella, I hope Marcelle recovers soon.” She ran out of the room before Lady Bella could say another word. She didn’t want to hear Lady Bella boast about how friendly the Nutcracker was to her, it was obvious that she wouldn’t be willing to help them.
She had to take the long route but Lizzie managed to go back to where she had left Doc and Fin without anyone following her.
“You’re back,” Doc said, standing up. “What did Lady Bella say?”
“I didn't ask her. She was too busy bragging about how the Nutcracker is coming over for dinner. What happened to him?”
Heinrich was on the ground, his face as pale and his eyes glazed over. Doc frowned.
“I’m not sure, one minute we were waiting for you and the next minute he started shaking. And now he’s like this.”
Lizzie bent down. “Are you alright?”
“Snow?” Heinrich looked at her. Then he blinked and was back to normal. “Princess Lizzie, why are you back so soon?”
“Lady Bella isn’t going to help. What happened to you?”
“I was there.”
“There?”
“In the house.” Heinrich stood up. “Let’s go. I need to find Marie.”
Chapter 11
“What’s your plan?”
Lizzie turned to him in surprise. “My plan?”
“What are you going to do when we’re there.”
“I haven’t really thought about that,” Lizzie said, blushing. “Getting something from the Goblin Market was the plan, but well, Laura took the apple.”
“Which is another source of concern,” Doc said. “Anything from Marah is dangerous.”
“I know,” Lizzie said. “I know now. But it’s over.”
The city gates came into view. Heinrich could see the Nutcracker’s men standing outside. There was a girl quarreling with two of them. As they approached, Doc moving behind them, Lizzie gasped.
It was Laura.
“I work in the palace,” she was saying. “Why won’t you believe me?”
“No one from the palace has been allowed out,” the guard said. “How do we know that you’re not an assassin?”
“Because she’s with me.” Lizzie ran forward. Heinrich took a step backwards. Why was she calling attention to them? Luckily for him, all the guards were focused on the two girls. “I am Princess Elizabeth. My grandmother, Queen Marie, will vouch for me.”
“We’ll notify His Majesty.”
“There’s no need,” Laura said immediately
. “He’s such a busy person, especially with what’s going on right now. There’s no need to bother him.”
The two guards exchanged glances. One of them turned and marched towards the others while the other one stared straight ahead. Heinrich and Doc, still moving backwards, walked by a tree and immediately climbed it. No one seemed to notice.
It took a few minutes, but the guard came back and the two girls were quickly ushered into the castle.
“Do you know how to get in?” Heinrich whispered to Doc.
Doc shook his head, and then nodded. “Maybe. I may have remembered something. Follow me.” He shimmied down the tree and headed right, avoiding the gates completely. They walked along the walls for several minutes, until Doc suddenly stopped. Heinrich managed not to fall.
“I hope it’s still here,” Doc said as he used his hands to dig into the ground. Dirt flew out, a few clods hitting Heinrich and making him flinch.
“It’s still intact,” Doc announced. Fin walked closer and saw a wooden door.
*******
“This way, Snow,” Heinrich whispered as he carried the toddler through the tunnel. She was obviously scared, but at least she was quiet.
“What about my parents?”
Heinrich bit his lower lip. How much did she know?
“The tutor says we should always bury the dead.”
So she knew that much. The tutor was definitely teaching her too much, though.
“Later,” he whispered. “For now, we need to get you out.” And then I can go back for Marie.
*******
They lowered themselves into the tunnel and Doc immediately sneezed, the sound bouncing around the walls. Heinrich flinched.
“Cover the opening, quickly,” Doc instructed. “I should have gotten some branches,” he said and smacked his forehead.
The tunnel was dark but walkable. Heinrich could touch the edges if he stretched out his hands, which he did.
“What happened to the torches?” he whispered. The noise bounced back. He hadn’t remembered this.
“So you remember that much,” Doc whispered. “I suppose this hasn’t been used. I will have to get it ready.”
“If we have the time.”
They reached the end of the tunnel and Fin climbed up. He managed to push the wooden door open and they climbed into an old, abandoned house.
“Now to find Princess Lizzie,” he muttered under his breath. They really should have worked this out earlier.
“I’ll stay here,” Doc said quietly. “I can’t afford to let them see me.”
“It’s not safe.”
Doc raised an eyebrow. “What’s not safe is you going out there, where the Nutcracker’s men could recognise you. I will stay here and get the tunnel and house ready. Anytime you need to leave, you just come here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Go!”
*******
Trouble was coming. It was impossible for him to keep being ignored. Looking around at the sea of people, Heinrich tried to ignore the butterflies in his stomach. Some of them were fair-haired, like him and Marie, but most had dark hair like Princess Lizzie. There were also a few with colours he hadn’t seen before, such as red and deep purple. He hadn’t known such hair colours existed in nature.
“What are you staring at?” one purple-haired girl shouted at him.
Heinrich quickly left, trying to shake off the accusation of “Pervert” that followed him. As he made his way deeper into the market, more memories came back. The castle towered over all in the middle, and from there the Nutcracker reigned.
No, not the Nutcracker, he whispered to himself, King Arnold and Queen Amanda. No wait, it was now Snow White’s reign.
For reasons unknown, shopkeepers tended to set up their tents next to those selling similar groups, forming sections within the market. Right now, the copper stink of blood surrounded him. Upwind, he could smell the tang of already-rotting fish. He decided to go downwind.
Soon, the sight of skinned animals was replaced by bales of fabrics. Perfect. Heinrich wandered by, trying to see which store offered him the best bargain when a hand landed on his shoulder.
Heinrich turned around and saw an old woman, a shawl over her grey hair framing a deeply creased face. Big round earrings dangled from her ears, and brown eyes stared into his soul.
“Tsura!” Heinrich exclaimed.
“Come in,” Tsura ordered, pulling him into her store and closing the drapes. “Let me look at you closely. Is this really you, Herr Heinrich?”
Heinrich crept closer and allowed Tsura to peer at him. Her dark brown eyes seemed to pierce his soul.
“You are unharmed,” she said with relief, “Now I can go back and die in peace. If you’re smart, you’ll leave the city now and never come back.”
“Tsura,” Heinrich said as he got up, “why are you here? I mean, why are you not in the—”
“In the Goblin Market?” she whispered. “After how Marah betrayed you, I dared not stay. She promised the two of us that she would never betray us or those we introduced to her, but time after time, she broke her promise. I never should have told you to go to her. But now that you’re fine, I can pack up my wares and go home.”
“Tsura, you have to help us,” Heinrich begged. She had never been stingy with her help before.
“No,” Tsura said, turning again. “I should never have given you the directions here. I regret that, and I regret that my attempts to help have only made things worse. I won’t be making the same mistake again.”
A head poked into the stall. “Lady, how much for a cloak?”
“I’m closed,” Tsura said, waving her hand. “Go try and cheat someone else, I know who you are. Don’t make me tell the city guards about what you did last month.”
The young man’s face rapidly paled and he disappeared. Heinrich smiled to himself. She hadn’t changed at all.
Tsura started to pack, and Heinrich realised that she was serious about leaving.
“Wait, Tsura,” he said. “I need your help. I have to find Marie.”
Tsura grabbed a roll of cloth and hit him over the head with it. “Marie? Let her be, she’s accepted her place in the world. If you find her, she might leave and that would disturb the balance.”
“Is she happy?”
“Was Persephone happy?”
“Tsura, you’re confusing me.”
“That’s because you don’t belong. I never should have helped you,” she said. She stood still and talked to the air. “Daji, why didn’t you listen to me? Why didn’t I work harder at magic lessons? I could have guided Herr Heinrich to Marie and prevented this mess.”
“Tsura, what are you talking about?” Heinrich was about to reach for Tsura, to try and get her to notice him when she moved. One minute she was in front of him, the other, she was at a corner of her tent.
“You won’t be able to meet Marie unless the Nutcracker leaves his castle,” she said abruptly. “That’s all I’m going to tell you. Here, my last gift to you.” She handed him a dark brown satchel.
“What is this?”
She walked to the edge of the store and pulled the drapes to one side. “A bag. It should be able to hold all you need. Now leave.”
“But you need to help us.” She was the one who had told him about this world, who had guided him to it. Surely she could help more?”
But Tsura just shook her head. “I’m not meddling any more than this. All I’ve done is make things worse. Now go, before I change my mind and take away the information I gave you and the bag.”
Chapter 12
“Do the two of you know how lucky you were?” Grandmother Marie asked, her hands on her hips. “If those were the guards that were loyal only to the Nutcracker, they would have brought you straight to him.”
“I’m sorry,” Lizzie said, “But we had to try something.”
Grandmother Marie turned around and walked over to the bed. They were back in Lizzie’s bedroom, where Marie had ushered
them as soon as they stepped foot into the castle.
“Nothing will work,” she said quietly. “I’ve tried.”
“And now we know,” Laura said. “The Goblin Market couldn’t help us at all.”
Lizzie shot Laura a look. What was she planning?
“May I have a few minutes with Laura?”
“You can have the whole afternoon with her,” Marie said, standing up. “I was talking to your mother, trying to figure out what to do. The two of you are not to leave the room unless we come for you. If you need food or water, just call for someone. We told the Nutcracker that you were sick and I don’t think he believed us.”
As soon as Marie left the room, Lizzie turned to Laura. “Why did you lie?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t even try. I was there, remember? You sold me to Marah!”
Laura looked insulted. “I didn’t sell you. You were just collateral. I was going to get you back, truly. But Marah drives a hard bargain.”
“And what about Marcelle?”
“What about her?” Laura asked, shrugging. “You never liked her.”
“That doesn’t mean we can just kill her.”
“That’s up to Marah, not us. Anyway, what are you planning on doing, Lizzie? You don’t have the apple.”
Lizzie took a deep breath. The idea had only formed during their walk back to the palace and she had no idea how Laura would react to it.
“I want us to work together.”
“Why should I?”
“The Nutcracker will never let you get close. You need my mom or Grandmother Marie and the only one that can convince them to help is me.”
Laura shook her head. “Sorry, but that’s not going to work. You aren’t cut out to be her vessel.”
“I know,” Lizzie said. “You can be this vessel.” She didn’t really know what the vessel was, but she needed the apple.
“Really?”
Lizzie nodded. “I just want my dad to be safe.”
“I don’t believe you. You’ve always wanted to be queen. How do I know that you won’t betray me?”
“I just want my dad to be safe.” She had to get Laura to believe her. Of course, she wouldn’t let Laura become queen - that would be a disaster - but little lies were fine if they were made for the greater good. “We’ll leave. All of us. After your coronation.”
