Princess Galinda had had her eighteenth birthday party the day before, and she was exhausted. Her father had made sure that all of the wealthy, most popular girls in the Kingdom had been there, such as Pfannee and Shenshen. But Pfannee and Shenshen didn't like Galinda for who she was- they just were taking advantage of the fact that Galinda was a princess, called by many the most beautiful in the land.

Galinda had received far too many presents for her liking. She didn't need half of what she was given, but how could she decline such nice gifts of kindness? Galinda was sorting through them that morning, when her father, who was much slower, at his older age, walked into her room. He was well into his fifties, but still had his charming looks.

"Morning, sunshine," he smiled, before sitting down in one of the chairs in her room.

"Why aren't you eating breakfast, Popsicle?" she asked, a bit confused. At this time, her father normally ate his breakfast- he never missed it.

The King sighed, looking down at his knee. It would be hard to say this to Galinda, but he knew he had to. "Larena is sick."

Galinda gasped. She would've never expected her mother… she could hardly complete the thought. "That's impossible! Where's Mumsy?"

"In her chamber. But I wouldn't go inside. She and I have been discussing something, and it's-"

"I have to find Mumsy!" Galinda stormed out of her bedroom, worried about her mother. If Larena died, Galinda would be heartbroken. Larena was the very heart and soul of the palace, and if she was gone… Galinda didn't dare go there. She found her mother's room, and opened the door. A nurse was attending to her mother, applying a cool cloth on her forehead.

"She's asleep, ma'am," the nurse said, eyeing Galinda nervously, "she's awfully sick. I don't know if she'll make it." Galinda felt so small. So tiny. Well, Galinda was terribly short. But Galinda felt like an ant trying to attack a cow.

"She's that sick?" Galinda managed to squeak out. The nurse sighed and nodded.

"She's a fighter, though. When she's gotten sick before, she always made it, no matter what," the nurse said, before checking her heartbeat. "It's slowing. I… can't believe it. She's dying."

"Could you fetch my father?" Galinda asked the nurse, before turning to her dying mother. Larena's eyes opened, slowly.

"Galinda…" her mother said, softly. Galinda looked at her mother, miserable and afraid.

"Mumsy…" Galinda mumbled.

"It's okay, Galinda," Larena said, "I know you're afraid."

"No, it's not okay! Your dying!" Galinda cried, before Larena held out her hand for Galinda to hold.

"I'm dying, yes, but you have no need to be afraid," Larena said, quietly. The King burst through the doors.

"Larena!" he gasped, running over to the dying woman.

"Christopher…" Larena said, softly. Galinda looked at her mother, terrified. "It's time we tell her…."

"Larena-"

"Tell her, Christopher."

The King sighed,and turned to Galinda, but looked back at Larena. "I can't. Not now. Not with you…" he trailed off.

"Promise me you'll tell her."

"I promise."

Larena looked at Galinda, whose tears were clouding her vision. "You'll make a fine queen someday." Galinda looked at her mother, with so much sadness.

"I don't want to be queen. I just want you to live."

"I'm afraid the odds aren't necessarily in our favor," Larena sighed, with a smile, "be brave, Galinda. The Kingdom needs you." Larena looked up at her adopted daughter and husband one last time, before taking a deep breath, and falling asleep. Galinda sobbed in her father's arms. Galinda looked up at her father, with a miserable look.

"What did she mean, it's time you tell me?"

"Galinda, it's not impor-"

"What did she mean?" The King sighed, and closed his eyes.

"Galinda, another time. Please give me a moment alone," the King said, quietly. Galinda turned, and hurried out of the room. The King sighed. How would he ever confess to Galinda that Larena had not been Galinda's real mother?

Just so you know, Larena was sick for a reason. But I dare not say why! Spoilers!