Broken glass sparkled on the marble floor. I was careful to avoid the sharp shards on my bare feet.

The white marble flooring was stained red with blood.

I tried to find an exit, but my broke body pleaded to fall to rest. My vision blurred with tears.

I caught sight of a fractured mirror, finding an altered reflection.

Half of my face was bleeding from a wound that would forever scar me. My right eye was a bloodied mess.

Whoever did this would pay, I thought to myself as I couldn’t bear the pain of my fractured self.

Six years had past. My scar on my right eye still burned when the wind hit it.

Fresh snow blanketed the landscape a beautiful white.

Today I would get an audience with the King. Years of careful planning would now finally be put into action.

But before I could visit, I made a stop at the beauty shop.

The owner, a beautiful woman with golden hair and pale skin, smiled as I walked inside.

“How may I help you, dear?” she asked, rearranging cosmetics.

“Do you have anything that could cover—“ I pointed to my scar, “this?”

The owner smiled. “Oh, dear, you’re beautiful just the way you are, but, I understand. Come.”

I followed her to a section of beautiful scarves.

“A head scarf will hide your scar, if that is what you want,” she said, pity in her eyes.

I nodded and chose a silky scarf the color of crimson roses.

“This will do,” I said.

I walked with confidence into the throne room, my heels clicking on the white marble flooring.

“Ethel Sandell, welcome,” the King said, his voice echoing across the large room.

I bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Do tell, what is it that you needed my audience?” The King grabbed a cluster of grapes and chewed loudly, awaiting my response.

“I thought it wise for you to know that the girl you scarred is still alive.”

I took off the head scarf, displaying my gruesome scar.

“The girl you ruined stands here, before you.”

The King looked at me terrified, guilt swarming over his face.

I tapped my heel on the floor twice, echoing a command.

Suddenly, in answer, a swarm of hidden people rose from the shadows.

The King let a scream of scare out.

“Guards!” He shouted, but none came to his aid.

He began to shake; his skin turned pale in fear.

“What are you going to do?” he muttered. “I am your King, you answer to me. Cease this display of nonsense!”

I shook my head as I unsheathed a hidden dagger. “It is written in the law that any ruler found guilty of cruelly punishing his people where punishment is not seen fit deserves the same treatment he gave.”

“I’m sorry,” he cried. “I’m sorry I punished you wrongly. You didn’t deserve to be scarred for stealing—“

“Coward!” I shouted in anger. “I was a girl, starving, and you punished me for merely stealing a loaf of bread while you had all the food you could ever desire!” I paused, recollecting myself. “You did nothing to attempt to help me or your people who were struggling. You knew the southern kingdom was suffering a famine, yet you stayed here in your pathetic palace eating all you wanted.”

“I-I’m so sorry.”

“That’s it!” I yelled. “A feeble ‘sorry’?”

I stepped closer and the others, who suffered just as I had, surrounded the King.

“Killing me won’t do justice!” He cried.

“You’re right, replacing you will.”

Two people grabbed the King by his arms and threw him off his throne.

His guards came from the shadows and his council watched him fall.

I bent down to his level, watching him shake in fear.

“What will you do?” he whispered.

“You ripped my life to shreds, now it’s time I return the favor.”

I stabbed my dagger into his right eye, watching the white marble stain red. I then threw him my scarf.

“For your eye,” I spat, as his guards dragged him to prison.