Once upon a time... for that is how all good stories begin... there lived a kind and gentle noblewoman within the Castle Cullen deep in the depths of Swan Forest. She stayed there with her two sons, Edward and Emmett, and her daughter Alice, raising her children alone after the tragic death of her husband. The family was a happy one, growing as Emmett found a wife in the fair Rosalie and Alice a husband in the charming Jasper.
Esme was kind to the people of her land, caring for the sick and elderly as though they were her own family. Frequently, she would hold balls open to all within her borders. The parties held all the extravagance of a noblewoman’s gathering… with the exception of the guests. The people loved her, and her children grew to inherit her care for others.
It was that care, however... that generosity that led to the one fateful night that changed everything....
@)~>~~
“Come now, Alice. The people don’t care whether your gown is matched perfectly to your shoes,” the smiling voice of Esme echoed in the hall as she called through the shut door of her daughter’s room. “They wouldn’t care if you dressed in rags, and I know Jasper wouldn’t either.”
The huffed noise that carried back through the solid door was enough to send Emmett into laughter as he passed by, his tuxedo already well in place. “That’s only because most people look right over her!” he called loudly, earning a downright roar of indignation from the bedroom. This only made him laugh harder as he guffawed his way into his own room to check on his wife.
Esme shook her head, pursing her lips slightly. The door opened just a crack, but instead of the diminutive young woman, Esme was met with the warm eyes of her son-in-law. She shook her head at the antics, and he allowed a small grin onto his face.
“Just give her a minute please, Esme. She’s very unsettled about tonight for some reason....” he glanced over his shoulder, a hint of concern flashing across his features before he turned back. “I think being perfectly matched will help her feel better.”
Nodding her understanding, she chuckled lightly. “Very well. Just don’t let her hide away in there all night, will you Jasper?” He smiled and nodded his promise before shutting the door.
Sighing lightly, she turned back to the stairwell and gracefully began making her way down. The ball was set to start at any moment, and already she could hear the murmur of voices as the people began making their way in. She smoothed her hands across her amber gown and took a brief moment to set everything in place before continuing on her way.
For years, she had opened the doors of her home to anyone that wished to come. It had been such a rewarding experience, getting to know the people she was supposed to “rule”. It was a quiet joy of hers to know that she had passed that trait along to her children in varying degrees.
Alice, her youngest, delighted in parties and people. Her energy was boundless as she seemed to dance her way through life. Her joy, however, was not so much in knowing them... but in dressing them up. She spent most of her money on buying clothes for the people she met and “adopted”. Aside from that however, she was well known for her sound advice with the people. Her uncanny ability to see situations and the paths they would take was widely renowned. She was an outgoing little thing, so very mismatched it seemed with the man she had married.
Jasper, in contrast to Alice’s bright personality, was very warm... relaxed... and stand-offish at times. He preferred observing others to being actively involved in their lives. It was charming to see how their opposites completed each other.
Then there was her youngest son, Emmett. The boisterous and incredibly strong young man reminded her of his father. He was rambunctious to a fault, and teased anyone in his path relentlessly. At first, it could be a difficult thing to adjust to. With time, however, the people had come to appreciate his joyous spirit and even his sharply pointed wit and humor. His wife, once again, was a complete reversal from him. Unlike Jasper, Rosalie was cool and almost overly collected. She came across as very cold to many of the people, although Esme knew quite differently. The woman was unearthly in her beauty, which awed many that met her and only made her cold nature that much more intimidating. It seemed the only person she truly opened up to was Emmett, although Esme supposed that was how it should be.
Then there was her oldest, Edward.
In every way, he had embraced the lessons she tried to teach. He was kind and compassionate, with a firm hand when the situation called for it. He made constant efforts to know the people of the nearby village, and insisted he never have his title of “Lord” before his name. He had a sixth sense with people... always seeming to know what they needed or what their true intentions were. As she came around the corner, she smiled at seeing that already he was at the door welcoming their guests... somehow remembering every name as though they were long lost friends.
It twisted her heart just slightly that Edward was the only of her children who remained alone.... For all his insight into people and kindness toward them, it seemed to have the effect of turning him away from any that might catch his eye. It was the topic of many conversations between her and her eldest, but thus far nothing had come of it.
Upstairs, she heard the opening and shutting of two doors, as well as a hard slapping sound and additional laughter from both her daughter and son. So Alice had come from her closet cave... and it seemed the whole family was now on their way. Esme smiled contentedly, her earlier twinge gone. Despite Alice’s fretting over this night... a fact that had troubled Edward more than the others... Esme was sure the evening would be the same as any other.
@)~>~~
The party was progressing wonderfully, with dancing, merriment, and food that had even the most stoic of Esme’s people at ease. Edward watched with a small smile playing on his face as his siblings and their spouses whirled about the room in a flurry of material and happiness. He was quite accomplished at dancing, but never chose to participate during these little events. It just seemed... false. He had become quite good at reading people over the years, and he sadly believed that the “undying” loyalty of their people would turn to ash if these generous parties by his mother were to cease. Yet, he could still not deny his own pleasure at hosting them.
He chuckled softly as he heard the high pitched laughter of his sister, Alice, among the crowd. The petite young woman held a dear place in his heart, and they had always been close. It did his heart good to see her happy tonight... especially after earlier that day. He frowned as he recalled the conversation.
“Edward.... I... I don’t think we should have the party tonight,” Alice whispered, her wide eyes finding his fearfully. A surge of brotherly protectiveness rose up in him, and he did not hesitate to close the distance between them.
“Why? What’s wrong?” he asked, keeping his voice to a practiced calm. She looked away for a moment, her eyes unfocused as she visibly tried to decide what to say. She did not have to, however, as he read clearly in her body language what she was struggling to put into words. “You have a bad feeling, don’t you?” he asked gently.
Tears welled briefly in her eyes as she nodded emphatically. He gathered her up in a firm embrace, placing a quick kiss on her forehead. She sniffled pitifully and shook her head. “I had such a horrible dream, Edward.... This woman....”
He shushed her, glancing up to see that Jasper had entered the room. His sister's husband always seemed especially attuned to her moods, something that Edward appreciated immensely. He had grown very close to his brother-in-law, viewing him as much a part of his family as the ones born into it. He gave the blonde man a quiet nod, indicating that all was well.
“Don’t worry, Alice,” he spoke again to his sister before releasing her to Jasper’s arms. He stroked her hair lovingly as she seemed to calm in her husband’s care. “It’s just another party. Nothing bad will happen tonight.”
He truly wished he believed it. Alice, however, was known for her premonitions, and it had Edward completely on edge. His thoughts were interrupted quite suddenly... as a blast of cold, winter air entered the ball room, drawing the attention of many of the party-goers. What had Edward’s attention, however, was the startled cry of his sister as the new guest entered the room.
She walked with a feline-like gait, her visage beautiful and somehow... deadly. Her long, flowing red hair came down to her lower back. A wild look rested in her eyes. Her deep... burgundy... eyes. He frowned suspiciously as his subconscious appraised her. One word came inexplicably to his mind, and he shuddered under its weight.
Monster.
Her eyes scanned the room and the people who had returned to their merriment, her gaze at last resting on him. As their eyes met, everything in his soul confirmed his reaction to her. There was something in those eyes that spoke of evil... of twisted delusion... and of obsession.
The monster spoke, her mouth curving into a mockery of a seductive smile. “And you... must be Lord Edward,” she said, her voice deceptively smooth and alluring. With a speed just on the edge of too fast, she sauntered over to him. Alice cried out again, barely restrained by Jasper. From the middle of the crowd, he saw Emmett pushing others aside to try and come to his brother’s side.
Holding his head high, he met the woman’s gaze. “I am,” he said, his years of putting up a mask coming to good use. “Who might you be? And what do you want here?” His voice took on a slightly harder edge near the end. Whatever she was after here, he would not be intimidated.
She stopped just inches from him and reached out to trace a finger across his face. Her gaze appreciatively appraised him from toes to hair. The coldness of her touch was unsettling, although it could be attributed to the bitter cold night.
“I... am Victoria.” Her eyes rose to his as she gave another startling smile. It should have been attractive... but somehow to Edward, it was anything but. “And I have come simply to ask for... a dance.”
He saw from the corner of his eye that his family had all approached. Jasper and Emmett were calmly walking towards him, though the expressions on their faces subtlety spoke of concern. Rosalie and Esme stood further away, watching the exchange with a mixture of confusion and concern. The family’s concern was surely over the fact that Alice was nearly collapsed in their mother’s arms, sobbing hysterically over the appearance of this woman.
Edward returned his focus to this... Victoria. He cleared his throat and smiled politely. “I am afraid I must decline, m’lady. As Lord of the house, I feel it my duty to watch over the people here. That regretfully means I must refrain from any such acti-“
She hissed, bringing his words up short. The maliciousness in the simple sound rendered him temporarily incapable of speech. “You lie to me,” she spat out in a harsh whisper. He felt his heart speed at her sudden switch in demeanor, struggling to regain his equilibrium.
He took a deep breath, straightened his back and gathered his wits about him. “I’m sorry, m’lady,” he spoke in clipped tones, all warmth gone from his voice. “But I must ask you to leave. This celebration is open only to the people under our care.”
She seemed almost puzzled now, either at his rejection of her charms, his resilience against her anger, or both. “You are neither charmed nor afraid.... How... interesting....”
Jasper and Emmett were there now, coming up behind him. She glanced at them as though they were no more significant than the approach of two insects before looking back at Edward. A smile returned to her face, although this time it was laced with maliciousness. “And... brave Edward... would you have me?”
He blinked in surprise at her bold question. He heard small noises of surprise from behind him as well. Without thinking, the words seemed to tumble from his lips. “I would... not have a monster, no.”
For endless moments, silence fell between them. Her pale face looked at his blankly... before a dark rage transformed the beautiful creature into a demonic countenance that had him stumbling backwards into his brothers.
“Monster?” she seethed, falling into a crouch that could only be described as predatory. “You dare call me a monster? You! Who sits up here mighty in your castle... playing god to all your little servants? And you call me a MONSTER?!” Her voice had climbed to a screechingly high timbre, and by the end of her tirade the entire ballroom had noticed.
And then... a growl so ferocious ripped from her lips that panic seemed to immediately seize the people, sending them screaming into retreat from the threat. The less fortunate were pushed underfoot, unable to do anything but cower under the mass of panicked humanity. Edward and his family could only stand in shock.
The thing... Victoria... snarled as her voice took on an entirely new persona of loathing and animalistic rage.
“I will show you, Lord Edward, and all your family... what a monster truly is.....”
