Goddess of Magic: A Snow White retelling (Kingdom of Fairytales Snow White Book 4)

my costume a couple of days ago, the more I'd thought about it since, the more certain I was that I shouldn't be going to it. The thought of partying while Mother lay in her cursed state left a bad taste in my mouth, one I could easily avoid by simply not going.
"I don't think I'm going to take part this year," I said.
"But, your mother told me how excited the two of you were about your costume." He smiled fondly. No doubt, he was imagining the two of us talking and sketching as we designed.
"You should still go," he said. "You'll have fun with your friends."
"It feels wrong to go."
Father sighed. "I understand that. But she wouldn't want you to stop living your life."
"I know."
"Besides, the journalists are starting to suspect something's wrong. They'll only prod around in our business more if you don't go to the Fright Festival. Your mother and I not being there can be played off as us deciding to give you more responsibility, now that you're eighteen."
"Do you really think they'll buy that?" I asked.
He shook his head. "Honestly, I have no idea. Perhaps, they will for a bit, but it won't last long."
"That's what I feared." If the other people like me were on their way here and could help with the situation, then all I needed to do was buy us a little bit of time. "I'll go."
"I'm glad," Father responded. "And try to have fun while you're there."
I snorted. "You really think I won't?"
"I think you'll spend most of the day worrying about your mother."
"It's hard not to." I glanced at the doorway that led to their sleeping chamber.
"I know, Kelis. But we'll figure it out. We just need to give it a bit more time."
I sighed. "I know."
"Why don't you go in and see her?" he suggested. "You might feel better once you've reminded yourself she's all right."
"That's a good idea." I got to my feet and started heading in the direction of the door. When I was nearly there, I remembered that there had been something else I'd meant to ask him, but it wasn't something I wanted to discuss with the dwarves around, and members of the palace staff potentially walking in at any moment. "Father?"
"Hmm?"
"Would you mind coming to my room later?" I asked. "There's something else I wanted to talk to you about."
He frowned, probably as he tried to work out what it could be.
"Of course. Is anything wrong?"
I shook my head. Though, I supposed that technically wasn't the right answer. I wasn't actually sure if that was the case. He'd have to make up his own mind when I started asking about my birth parents. I hadn't pried into the subject very much before. Mostly because I'd never seen the need to. I had two parents who loved me, and there was nothing more that I needed.
"Just a chat," I promised him.
"All right. I'll be there. It'll do me good to get out of this room."
I didn't say anything, but he wasn't wrong about that. If the press was asking questions, then they'd be watching to see when we were all popping up. If they saw Father, then it might stall them for another day, and that was an advantage to us all.
"Now, go see your mother. You'll feel better for it," he instructed with a doting smile.
I returned it, sure he was right. I turned and then disappeared into the room that held my comatose mother.
"Rhi!" Excitement filled my voice at the sight of the other girl waiting in the fitting chamber. Somehow, it had completely slipped my mind that she'd be here, despite the fact I'd been told a couple of days ago.
"Kelis, I haven't seen you in days," she responded, showing just as much enthusiasm as I had.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to desert you." I hung up the garment bag containing my costume so the seamstresses could get to it, and then turned to her.
She shrugged. "I figured you'd have a good reason for it, considering you're basically the one running the kingdom."
"I wouldn't go that far." I gave her a weak smile.
"That's not what's going around the palace."
"Eurgh, gossip?" I supposed I shouldn't be too surprised by that. Things were bound to get around eventually, and the nobles could be terrible when it came to keeping things under wraps. I wouldn't trust any of them to keep a secret, even if it was in their best interests.
Before Rhi could answer, one of the seamstresses bustled into the room. I thought her name was Josephine, but I wasn't completely sure.
"Good afternoon, Your Highness, Lady Rhi." She dipped her head at each of us in greeting, though, I knew from experience that she'd drop the formalities after this. Something about the seamstresses seeing us in next to nothing removed some of the necessary formality from the situation. It made sense to me.
"Good afternoon," I responded.
"Is everything all right with your costume?" she asked.
"Mostly," I confirmed. "The tunic is a bit loose, though."
She nodded. "I thought that might be the case. We didn't want to make it too tight and tear the fabric. Once we've seen to Lady Rhi's fitting, we can sort yours…if that's all right?"
"Of course." I took that as my cue to take a seat. I had no idea what Rhi's costume was going to be like, but it must have been more elaborate if they were going to do hers first. Or perhaps, it wasn't completely made yet. I'd find out soon enough.
I kicked back and watched while Rhi was directed onto the stool in the center of the room. The seamstress had her strip down to her underclothes and then put on some kind of dress. The bottom of it was blue, and the top had a white base with sea life embroidered on it. Everything glittered and sparkled, even the red starfish perched on her left shoulder.
"You look beautiful," I said.
Rhi beamed. "Thank you."
"It's