Elle Vampa

One day, the Princess broke the curse.

In the kingdom lived many witches. Some were experienced sorceresses, others merely dabbled their tippy toes in magic. Many were malicious, a handful benevolent.

And only one of them had recently turned green.

The Green Witch was an acquaintance of the Princess, and the latter hadn’t noticed the spell she was under until it was too late.

The Princess had enjoyed befriending the Green Witch, who at the time of bonding hadn’t been green yet, and had accepted her as a close companion.

It wasn’t until the Princess noticed the change of skin colour that she understood the danger she was in.

For darkness had enslaved the heart of the Green Witch, and envy had spread its green poison all over her features.

The curse started harmlessly: anything the Green Witch could do to show off to the kingdom; let them know she was better than the Princess.

In everything. At everything. With everything.

Her desperate attempts to showcase her superiority left the Princess confused: what was bothering her friend?

“Maybe I’ve done something wrong,” the Princess thought, “I shall take a few steps back, so she can get the attention she needs.”

After all, the Princess wasn’t looking for attention. She enjoyed herself, regardless of who noticed her.

Her well-meant retreat, however, ignited in the Green Witch a hellfire: she knew the sun only shone more brightly on her because the Princess let it. Her cruelty therefore rose to the occasion – and its limits.

It was then that she cast the curse.

From that moment onwards, in everything the Princess did or said or even considered, the Green Witch dominated her thoughts – she was everywhere.

If she couldn’t be bigger than the Princess, she would make the Princess feel smaller than her. That was this spell’s purpose.

The curse soon filled out every fibre of the Princess’ life:

• She stopped dancing, so the Green Witch had more space
  
  
• She stopped inviting friends over, so the Green Witch could have them all to herself
  
  
• She eventually stopped talking, so the Green Witch’s mouth could continuously spill the envy that flooded her heart

Until one day…

The Princess stopped caring.

The Green Witch’s envy had feasted upon the Princess’ empathy until there was none left. With an empty heart, the Princess could finally see the curse for what it was.

And she was done playing along.

The Princess looked up at her former comrade from where she was being held down.

There was no anger, nor regret. The Princess simply bowed her head and for a while stood as still as the trees in her courtyard.

“I thank you,” she finally said, “For all the fine moments.”

She looked up again. The Green had left the Witch.

“And now, you may leave.”

The curse was broken. Her words left the formerly Green Witch petrified.

With a final, gentle nod, the Princess turned away.

And you know what?

She’d never looked taller.