Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction. It is an adaptation of the characters created and owned by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. This story is not associated with Disney’s adaptations, their added characters, or story elements.

The days passed in comfort. Jacob was able to enjoy the time reading several books from the castle’s library. Snow and Aledia spent most of their time together. Wilhelm spent his time carving small wooden animals and selling them in the market. He made a decent amount of coin.

Rafe watched all this from the side. He spent most of his time waiting. It felt as though something was about to happen. As if the time was counting down to a single moment. While his companions took time to enjoy themselves and the hospitality of the host, he just waited.

The first letter arrived. A man was answering the summons for Aledia’s hand. This was good. They would finally get a move on. Rafe wanted to get back to his duties as a messenger, but something kept him here. It was as if he had to see this out.

“Do you think it could be him?” Aledia asked when she spotted him in the corridor.

“There’s a possibility. What if it’s not?” Rafe asked.

Aledia shrugged. Her slim shoulders were covered by a rosy red gown that made her cheeks appear warmer. “He will fail the test.”

Rafe nodded. Aledia had thought it through. Exposing a fraud would be easy with the challenge set before them. Anyone could do it, but only one had the right answer.

Snow White rounded the corner and grinned at them both. “The first suitor will be arriving shortly. Let’s gather your men and prepare!”

She gripped Aledia’s elbow and started pulling her toward the throne room. “Messenger, gather your companions. It is show time!” Snow called behind her.

Rafe wasted no time and rushed toward their chambers. If this were the king, he would have fallen straight into their trap and a step closer to their goal. He would retire and live in a countryside home. It would be a peaceful life with no magic, demons, or oddities in the slightest. Rafe sighed and stopped at Jacob’s door. It was nice to dream, but, for now, they had business to attend to. He rapted on the heavy door and waited for Jacob to answer.

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Aledia sat on one of the thrones on a dais. Jacob thought she looked regal after they had arrived. At the dinner, she wore a shimmering gown. After so much time on the road, the difference was startling. Now, she wore her red gown. Diamonds and rubies dripped from her ears and were sewn into the fabric of the heavy gown. A tiara of gold and sparkling jewels rested on her head.

For a greedy king, this would be impossible to resist. Jacob, Wilhelm, and Rafe were seated out of sight on a balcony. If the king were crafty, surely he would recognize the sons of the man he had tricked into servitude.

The guards opened the door, and a large stout man walked in. His clothing was fine but tacky. Orange and yellow prints embroidered with gold stood out when compared to the elegance that Aledia painted with her mere presence.

“Greetings, Sir. Speak true within these walls and present yourself,” Snow White’s husband spoke. His voice rang through the hall.

“I am here to seek the hand of the maiden fair,” he said, bowing on a knee before the dais.

“You have spoken but not given a name. My husband said present yourself, not your intentions,” Snow said from beside her husband.

Jacob glanced at Aledia. She remained stoic as she eyed the man down from her throne. He could see the gears turning in her mind. She was his best student, brilliant in every way. Therefore, he did not doubt her ability.

“I am Alfric, your majesty,” the man said. He spoke through his nose.

“From where do you hail? You have given no family name,” Aledia asked.

Jacob watched. Alfric looked up at Aledia. His eyes took in each jewel, and his eyes widened. The dress and jewels were borrowed and all a show. Alfric did not know that, and Jacob watched as the man practically drooled in greed. Could this be him?

“I have no family name. I left those that have betrayed me behind, your highness.”

“If you have no family name, how can I take you as my husband? After all, I am royalty. Commoners are beneath me. Are you a commoner?” Aledia purred. She rested her head on the back of her hand, studying him.

He squirmed under the steel gaze. “No, your highness. I am not a commoner. I am of noble birth. If I give my story, then I put my life at risk.”

“And I would put my life and kingdom at risk for taking a shady character to my bed. I have my people to think of. If you will not tell me your story because of the risk, and I will not risk my people at your lack of trust, it seems we are at an impasse.”

Aledia stood, as did Snow White and her husband. “It would appear that you have lost your chance, Sir Alfric. My guards will show you to the door. Such a pity,” Snow White said and moved toward a side door.

Alfric jumped to his feet, hands waving. “No, please wait! I can prove I am trustworthy!” he cried.

Aledia paused. “How, pray tell, can you do that?”

“I can bring you riches!” he cried.

Aledia tilted her head. Her eyes remained fixed on the man. Snow White tapped her chin behind her.

“We have riches. It must be something truly fascinating to capture Princess Aledia’s interest. Do your riches compare to hers?” she asked.

“They are beyond compare. Something truly rare and beyond this world.”

Aledia moved to her seat and gracefully sat down. “You have mere moments to explain, or you will lose my interest and your slim chance.”

“Of course! Of course! In my many travels, I came across a secret land. Within, I can gather three hairs. Each is made of solid gold. It is risky, but to win your love, I will tell you the way. You can send men there to gather them after we have wed,” Alfric sputtered. His words strung together in the rush.

Rafe jumped from his seat, and Wilhelm grabbed his arm, pulling him down. They weren’t finished yet.

“What makes three hairs of gold worth my time?” Aledia hummed. “I have golden thread, coins, goblets, jewels, crowns, and many other items. Why do I care for three hairs?”

“There is a treasure to be had for the rarity of the items. They come from the devil himself!” he shuddered, sweat beading on his brow.

A catlike grin stretched across Aledia’s face. She stared down at the man from her throne and waved her hand. Guards swooped in from every angle.

Wide-eyed, Alfric tried to run, but the guards shackled him in seconds. He yelled and fought against their grip. “What is the meaning of this? Unhand me this instant!”

Wilhelm and Jacob jumped to their feet and stood at the stone railing of the balcony to watch the commotion below. This was it. They had found him at last, and he had fallen straight into the trap that Aledia had set. Jacob gave Aledia a crooked smile. He knew she was brilliant.

The guards shoved Alfric to his knees, and Aledia stood. Her crimson skirts and jewels whispered as she stepped from the dais. He held his breath as she knelt before him. Taking his chin between her fingers, she smiled.

“Sir Alfric, you have quite the tale to tell. You see, I am not looking for a husband but a man that cheated his own fate and the punishment for his greed,” she purred. She stood and motioned to the balcony.

Alfric’s eyes moved to the balcony, and the color drained from his face.

“Are you seeing a ghost, Sir Alfric? Surely, the man you damned must be still serving your sentence,” she said and moved back to her throne. Turning on a heel, she said down. Her dress billowed around her like a rose. “Now, let’s try this once more. Tell me a story, or I’ll have your head.”