This Is Super Long I Apologize - Tumblr Posts

It had been a few months since Red renounced her crown and took room in her sister's kingdom. The change was incredibly strange to her, feeling like she should not be able to roam about or make conversations. As if she felt herself more a being of prisoner than guest. Red eventually gave up attemps of talking to her previous lovers, selecting silence and small gestures when she saw them. In her head she could not find a reasonable excuse or explanation of her actions in the past. While she elected to sit in her quarters and keep to herself most days, her eldest daughter would attempt to force words out of her.

Melanie always demanded an explanation, not even an apology, of what her mother did and attempted to do. Yet, Red could not muster one up nor did she feel like lying to give her daughter closure. Of course, the silence from her mother only made her angry. Melanie began visiting her Aunt's castle more often to find more opportunities to catch her mother. This day was no different.

Melanie made her way down the corridor to her mother's room, determined to get her answer this time. Once she reached the red painted door, she didn't hesitate to knock. There was no answer. But, there was shuffling inside. Taking a calming breath, Melanie opened the door and saw her mother sitting at a desk writing in a journal. Her elegant red gown was gone and now she wore something akin to commoner dress. Her hair wasn't done, nor her makeup. Red didn't look like the woman that held herself above everyone around her anymore.

Shaking her head at her mother's state, Melanie shut the door behind her and leaned her back against it. Red paused for a second but kept writing, electing more silence. Melanie chewed her lip before speaking.

"Mother, you must talk to me eventually," Silence. "Mother. I'm not leaving until I get an answer."

"I do not have the answer you seek, Child." Red glanced over her shoulder, pen hovering above the paper.

"Lies. You must have one. One does not attempt murder without cause."

"Even if I did have what you ask of me, would that make you happy? Would any answer make you happy?"

"Any answer would be better than constant silence!"

Red slammed her pen on the desk and stood, facing her daughter with a stern look only a mother would have. "Do not raise your voice at me, child."

"I shall raise my voice if I so please. You never gave me anything yet you somehow took it all away! Look what you did to Father, to my siblings... To Hatter." She closed her eyes and hung her head down. "I've never liked that man, but even I can see the way to danced atop his heart and left him with bruises."

Red blinked, unknowing what to say. The familiar silence filled the space again. Quiet sniffs echoed around them. Melanie kept her head down and her voice quiet to keep the tears from breaking it. "I just want to know why you don't love me... What did I ever do to you to deserve your hatred.. I just wanted a mother that would love me.."

With her hand outstretched, Red took a small step towards her daughter. "Melanie.. I... I do not hate you. I've never hated you... I was terrified of you."

Melanie's head snapped up with a look of confusion across her face. "You were scared of me-?"

"Look at you father, Love. You are so special and strong. I was scared you were to overthrow me. To become a threat over a daughter. In my fear, that is all I knew to do. Unfortunately your mother can only deal with threats by eliminating them. I should have known better than to act on my fear but..." She dropped her hand and turned her head to the side. "I am not fit to mother you or any of your siblings. I...I apologize. Even if it means nothing now."

The silence returned as the two stared at one another. Melanie took in her mother's words for a few moments before pushing herself off the door and tightly hugging her Mother. Red staggered back, surprised at the affection, but slowly returned the embrace. Feeling her mother finally hug her after all this years brought tears to her eyes. Melanie couldn't help but quietly sob into her mother's dress. Red ran her fingers through Melanie's hair, enjoying the warmth of her daughter. The two stayed that way for a few whiles. Melanie pulled back enough for Red to wipe her face dry of tears. The two smiled at one other before Melanie spoke.

"Thank you mother. That is all I ever wanted. Now you just have to apologize to everyone else."