Some time ago, there was a girl named Stella. With her hair the color of sunflowers and her eyes the color of nightfall, people around the village of Fiore called her beautiful. Since she was a little girl, her beauty was always the first thing complimented about her.
Stella took these compliments to heart, and as she got older, she took them to her head as well. Stella would wake up every bright morning to skip and walk around the village to hear compliments. Stella always loved these compliments, the thought of her being the most beautiful in the village and possibly the whole village made her ecstatic. After her walk, she'd go back to her small wooden house and think about all of the compliments she had received.
"Not enough," she mumbled.
No matter what, the praises never fully satisfied her. Stella felt confused by this dissatisfaction so one evening, she went over to the brook where some of the girls from the village stayed, talking and gossiping. When Stella made her way, the girls' voice slowly lowered until they stopped speaking and looked at her. Since Stella was known as the most beautiful girl in the village, a lot of girls subconsciously followed her lead. Despite how much some were jealous or deposed her arrogance, they felt as if they had to listen to her. Besides, a face such as Stella's could easily make one believe she was innocent, no matter the circumstances.
"What have you been discussing?" Stella asked the girls as she sat down against the nearby tree. She wanted a way to ease her worries and concerns without the girls immediately getting annoyed with her. Though there wasn't much they could do if they did get annoyed though.
"We were talking about the Fiore Day Festival," a girl named Marigold spoke, almost in a rush. The girl sitting next to her, the smallest and youngest of the group, Lucinda eyed her.
Stella looked between the two and asked slowly, "Well…? What?"
"There's a new family who came to the village," Lucinda blurted.
The oldest girl, Cynthia, smacked her on the arm. Lucinda winced and rubbed her arm, glaring at Cynthia.
"Don't keep me on my toes," Stella said indignantly, "What is it?"
The girls gave each other mixed glances then they all looked at Cynthia. Cynthia looked back at Stella, giving her an unbothered shrug. "Not a big deal," Cynthia said finally, "We were talking about the new family and the Festival. We were wondering if their daughter would like to join us,"
The rest of the girls smiled and nodded approving while Stella frowned. "Daughter?"
"Yes," a girl named Primrose spoke up, "We did some…investigating. Her name is Demetria and she's really beaut--"
"Good at plants…and agriculture," Marigold scratched her head awkwardly, "You say your favorite is an apple, Stella? Well, Demetria has an apple tree behind her house,"
Stella pursed her lips. He glanced at each of the girls. She felt suspicious and she already had a hint of what they were trying to hide. The thought of them hiding it irritated Stella even more. "Say," she said, "And where might her house be?"
"We've forgotten it," Cynthia spoke before anybody else could, "Hopefully we'll meet her on the day of the Festival,"
"On the topic of the Festival," Primrose spoke, "What are we wearing? My mother is sewing the really lovely dress for me,"
Lucinda nodded with excitement. "My mother won't let me see my dress until it's finished,"
Stella scrunched her nose and got up from the tree. She stomped away, without saying anything though she could feel the girl's shoulders relax as they slumped down and they sighed with relief.
Stella marched out into the village. She realized she didn't get to share her worries with the girls. Stella huffed. "Foolish girls. I don't care which girl they are speaking about. She's most likely dirty due to her being into 'agriculture' and such. How pathetic. How humiliating--"
Stella felt herself bump into something and she stumbled backward. She was about to catch her fall but her foot rolled over a roundish object which sent her falling on the ground.
"Oh, I'm sorry," a girl who was also on the ground said.
The girl set back up the basket and began placing the apples back inside. Stella just watched, dazed for a movement before snapping back to her scenes. She got up, straightening and dusting off her dress. "I assume it isn't so hard to look ahead," Stella said, staring down at the girl.
The girl picked up the final apple and placed it in the basket. She heaved it up, placing it by her hip while holding it.
"It is somewhat hard when you are very excited for the Festival," the girl spoke with enthusiasm, "I never experienced Fiore Day in another village,"
Stella had to keep her eyes from widening or her mouth from dropping open. The girl in front of her, with bright green eyes, long, thick, dark eyelashes surrounding them and hair like a burning flame, was indeed, very beautiful. It took a moment for Stella to gather herself and think of a few smart words to say back.
"Obviously," Stella spoke, "It doesn't look like you travel much,"
The girl furrowed her brows with a puzzled smile. "I'm Demetria. I'm new to this village,"
"I'm Stella," Stella replied, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly, "The most beautiful girl in the village,"
"I can see that," Demetria said, "What lovely golden locks you have,"
Demetria reached to touch it but she quickly withdrew her hand and her basket almost fell again. Stella couldn't help but snicker.
"Clumsy, I know," Demetria giggled, "And a bit impulsive…sorry about that,"
"You are forgiven," Stella said spuriously.
Demetria looked at her apples then back at Stella. "Would you like an apple? It'd be my pleasure,"
"You're pleased?" Stella said stiffly.
She looked at the red apples. They were red and despite having fallen on the ground they were shiny. They looked so juicy and delicious that Stella wanted to take a bite. But she stopped herself from reaching for the basket. She couldn't take an apple from Demetria. It seemed like Demetria was an ally to her, which she very much wasn't. This was a competition, a competition Stella knew she would win.
Stella brushed by Demetria, "No thank you. I do not eat apples that have fallen on the ground,"
Stella began walking away as Demetria watched her. Then, Demetria called, "I could always wash one for you!"
Stella let out a bitter laugh and marched off. Was Demetria trying to mock her? If so, Stella knew that Demetria hadn't won. What has always been the most beautiful girl would stay the most beautiful girl.
The next morning, Stella took her daily morning walk. She smiled proudly and looked around the early woke villagers, waiting for somebody to turn their head and say hello.
"Hello, Beautiful Stella, hello!" they'd say.
But as she walked , she had only gotten mere nods of acknowledgement and smiles. Proudly a few waves. If Stella thought the compliments weren't enough from the day before surely this wasn't enough either!
Up ahead, Stella spotted what seemed to be a fire on somebody's head. It was only Demetria, joyously carrying a basket full of apples and waving around.
"Hello, Beautiful Demetria! Welcome!" the villagers would call as she walked by.
"Hello, there!" Demetria called back, "Thank you!"
Stella stopped walking, her eyes wide. She hadn't realized that Demetria had walked up to her. She waved her hand in Stella's face. "Hello? Stella?"
Stella stumbled back a little and blinked, her face immediately turning like she ate a sour lemon when she saw Demetria.
"Good morning, Stella," Demetria said, "I didn't know you were an early bird like me,"
"Yes," Stella said, gritting her teeth and clenching her fists, "My, why do you always carry around a basket of apples?"
Stella was hardly curious about Demetria and her whereabouts, she just wanted to find more reason to poke fun at her.
"For my father's apple stand," Demetria said cheerfully, "The village loves them!"
Stella looked at the basket of apples then at Demetria. "Hm. I find that hard to believe. You know, I grow apples at my house. They're the sweetest and most crisp apples,"
Demetria frowned. "Really?"
"Yes they very much are," Stella replied, smiling in return, "Now I suggest you get back to your apple stand. I guess the village can settle for mediocre apples if that what makes them the most happy,"
Demetria just stared as Stella giggled and skipped off. There, that should be enough to keep Demetria quiet. Stella knew that in no time, people would go back to complimenting her.
Soon, it was the day of the Festival and Fiore Day. Stella woke up earlier just to see the preparation being made for the Festival that would happen that afternoon. There were people setting up the market area with ribbons, bows, and most especially flowers. Some people hurried to the market area to ensure they had spots revised for their stands. Fiore Day was centered around flowers and the wonderful time of spring. It was to celebrate the success of Fiore's civilization some time ago. What was once a small civilization was now a huge kingdom, stretching from miles on end. Stella saw the kingdom's flowers, the Celstia Bloom, absolutely everywhere. Snapped out of her thoughts, she heard her name being called. She looked around and saw the girls waving at her near one of the stands. Stella waved back and ran over to them. "Happy Fiore Day!" all the girls exclaimed towards one another.
They all giggled, the tension from the brook a few days ago vanished. That was until someone came from behind then holding blue and yellow ribbons. It was Demetria. Stella's smile faded and the other girls exchanged awkward glances. Demetria smiled at Stella as she looked excited to see her.
"Hello there, Stella," Demetria said happily, "Happy Fiore Day!"
Stella squinted at her. It appeared what she had said before hadn't bothered Demetria at all. Was this some sort of plan of her's? Stella wasn't going to let Demetria fool her, no matter what. Stella looked over at the stand they were standing next to. She clucked her tongue. "My, my. Who's stand is that? Are they planning attract rats instead of people,"
The girls winced and looked over at Demetria who was frowning a little. "Uh…that's my family's," she spoke slowly, "We're selling apple items,"
Then, her smile returned, "Apple pie, apple muffins, apples!"
She began to laugh and a few of the girls giggled but once they saw Stella's unamused expression, they quickly stopped. Cynthia stepped forward. She turned and smiled at Demetria. "The stand looks lovely. I could help if you'd like,"
"Oh thank you!" Demetria exclaimed, "My parents are very busy. One of my brothers spilled the batter for the muffins so we really need all the help we could get!"
Stella huffed and Cynthia looked over at her. "You could help too, Stella,"
Instead, Stella shook her head and muttered, "I'm fine, thank you,"
Then she marched off. Stella believed that she didn't have to worry for long. Once everybody saw her in her Fiore Day dress, all the attention would be on her. Then people would forget about Demetria and her foolish excuse for a stand. As Stella walked away, she had accidentally bumped into something. Stella grumbled, "Oh not again, is it that hard--?"
She slowly looked up at this tall person who was draped in a dark black cloak. Stella could only see its eyes, gleaming with mysteriousness. Stella couldn't speak, her eyes were wide as she didn't know whether to be frightened or confused.
The person spoke in a raspy bitter voice, "Beware… Your fate will be determined tonight. Act wisely,"
Stella opened her mouth but once she blinked, this tall figure was gone, disappearing without a trace. Stella looked around and eventually, slowly made the walk back home to her house.
By afternoon, Stella could care less about the mysterious person. She met up with the girls and they gushed over their dresses and hair. They mostly complimented Stella's dress, which took her mother months of getting the correct fabric and extra months sewing it all together.
"I can't wait to see which boy will give me flowers," Primrose said
"I hope Thomasson gives me flowers," Lucinda said dreamily.
Stella was hoping for no boy in particular. For the previous years, she's gotten lots and lots of flowers from different boys. But she felt a twinge of worry remembering Demetria. She shook her head, she knew she shouldn't be worried, she was still the prettiest girl in the village.
"It's Demetria!" Marigold exclaimed.
Stella looked up and saw the girls rushing away and towards Demetria. She watched as they started praising her dress, they called her the most beautiful girl in the village. Stella balled up her fists. She tried to collect herself, it was Fiore Day after all. She wasn't going to let Demetria ruin her favorite day.
Stella walked over to them. Demetria had on a dress with green fabric and adorned with flowers.
"It was a bit at the last moment," Demetria giggled modestly, "My mother used one of my dresses and transformed it into this,"
"Wow, such a beautiful dress," Lucinda said, "Your mother should make my dress next year,"
"And mine!" Primrose said.
They all laughed, all but Stella. And this time, the girls didn't bother to see if Stella was laughing which made her all the more irritated. Stella cleared her throat and they turned to look at her. Stella took the time to eye Demetria's dress up and down.
"Hm," she said, "It looks like somebody's neglected garden. Suiting,"
"Stella," Cynthia hissed
"All right everybody," Stella interrupted, clapping her hands, "What shall we get to first?"
"I want to try the stand with cookies!" Lucinda said, perking up again, and then she sniffed, "I smell them,"
The girls giggled and followed her along, Cynthia gave Stella a warning glare as she walked ahead. Stella looked at Demetria who was looking back with a frown. Stella smiled and skipped off. There, she thought, that should keep her quiet.
The girls had a great time during the rest of the afternoon, they ate food from stands, had ribbons being put in their hair, and danced to the musicians that came to their villages. Stella was able to have fun, there were hardly any reasons for her to get angry at Demetria. Stella made sure the girls hardly interacted with Demetria, still it wasn't fully possible. Cynthia always stood by Demetria and would give Stella these glares. By evening, the girls were getting tired but they knew that was time flowers were to be given out. Stella stayed alert as she watched women and girls being given flowers and getting flustered while accepting them. One by one, each of the girls she was with got a flower or two. Lucinda got a flower from Thomasson and Cynthia had gotten two flowers from the shepherd's son. Marigold got a flower from the son of the blacksmith and Primrose got three flowers from the baker's son, a village boy that lived nearby to her house, and the farm boy. "How lucky am I," Primrose said happily. Stella glared at her and then turned back to count the flowers she received from several boys. She got many Celestia Blossoms and a few roses and carnations. It was six in total, not as much as she had gotten last year but she just hoped Demetria would get any more than she had.
"Hey, where did Demetria go?" Cynthia asked
"She went to her family's stand to see how it was going," Marigold replied, "She'll be back shortly,"
"Oh I do hope she receives flowers," Lucinda said
"Yes, I hope so too," Stella spoke with sarcasm.
Just then, they heard thundering footsteps as Demetriamade her way over to them, carrying flowers that nearly escaped out of her arms. Stella gaped at the flowers Demetria received. They were a colorful bundle all in her arms. Daisies, roses, Celestia Blooms, daffodils, all of them which belong to her.
"Wow!" Marigold exclaimed, "You've received so many flowers, Demetria!"
"I was worried I wasn't going to get any since I'm new here," Demetria replied sheepishly, "I suppose not,"
"Well?" Cynthia asked with enthusiasm, "Who gave you them?"
Demetria looked up thoughtfully. "Ah yes, there was a farm boy I believe then there was…yes, a noble boy. It had to have been, his clothes--"
"Noble boy?" Primrose exclaimed, "That's…that's…incredible!"
"It's so rare to get a flower from them," Cynthia gasped
"Since they're too busy paying attention to those arrogant noble girls," Lucinda said, waving her hand begrudgingly.
Stella just stood in place as the girls chattered on. Her flowers she received slipped out of her hands, a few of their petals falling as they hit the ground. Stella watched as Cynthia suggested they get something from Demetria's stand before going to the book to rest. They turned around to leave and Stella's throat began to burn. Not once were they considering her. Demetria this, Demetria that, Demetria was stealing everything from her. From the flowers, to her friends, and the compliments! As Stella watched them walking away, she felt her hands shake, her lips quivered, and her eyes narrowed. She couldn't try to hide it anymore. She wanted Demetria gone for good. Stella marched up from behind them, leaving little time for any of them to turn around when Stella stomped on Demetria's dress. Demetria turned around in shock but as she did there was a loud riiip and soon, most of the lower half of her dress was on the ground.
The girls stared at the piece of fabric Stella was stepping on then at Stella, then they looked over at Demetria whose face was the same color as her hair. The villagers who were hardly paying attention looked to see what had happened and then their eyes fell on Demetria and her dress. There were a few chuckles but most of it was the silence of shock and confusion. It was as if the whole ordeal lasted hours instead of seconds. Demetria dropped her flowers, her face crumpling up and then a sob escaped her lips. She dashed off, her wailing and crying following behind her. Then all eyes were on Stella, whose foot was on the piece of fabric. In realization, Stella quickly removed her foot, stammering out words and excuses as her face grew hot and red. "It…it was an accident!" she stammered, "I didn't mean too…honest!"
Stella looked over at her friends when she saw that the other villagers were giving each other confused and mixed glances. Instead, the girls looked at her with disapproval and disdain.
"I can't believe you," Cynthia scolded, "We always knew you were a wretched braggart,"
She then spun her heel and marched away, the other girls followed, each giving her glares. Lucinda looked back and yelled, "Demetria's much prettier than you! And kinder!"
Lucinda ran off to follow the other girls. Stella knew she couldn't just stay in place for much longer. Instead, she turned around and ran off. She ran all the way to the brook, allowing her tears to escape. She sat against the tree, sobbing. "Am I no longer beautiful?" she wept, "Why me? I didn't ask for any of this!"
She heard the leaves of nearby bushes rustle and she quickly turned around. "Who's there?" she called as she wiped away her tears. Stella stared at the bush for a moment before turning around. Then there, in front of her was a tall figure, the same one as before, dressed in a long black cloak. She let out a scream and quickly got up. Stella reached for a shaky pointed finger at it. "You…" she whispered.
The wind, which was nonexistent just moments before, began to blow. It shook the trees and pushed the water over the rocks. The cloak blew off from the figure. She could see long green pointy fingers, each have sharp and long fingernails. Stella looked at the face, it was a woman, a very ugly woman. She had a green face with a few warts, her eyes were yellowish, her eyebrows were thick and bushy and her teeth took out like a rat's. Stella screamed again and tried turning round to run but her feet seemed to be glued to the ground. She tried with every stench and muscle in her body to move but her feet wouldn't pick up, she was stuck. The horrid woman let out a crackle and croaked, "I am the Witch of the High Tower! You, young girl, have let your actions choose your fate!"
"What fate?" Stella yelled, "What actions?"
The witch let out another laugh. "You haven't even acknowledged the wrongs of your doings?"
The witch began to wiggle her fingers, her cackling becoming louder. "Since you want to be the main attraction, who don't you go where everybody can see you?"
The wind began to blow, the witch's laughter filled the air as Stella looked around, her eyes wide with terror. She looked down and noticed that her feet were slowly disappearing, followed by her legs. Before she knew it, every part of her body was gone into nothingness.
Stella looked around, she wasn't sure where she was. But she could see the ground in its entirety. She could see the top of trees, houses, and the castle was even in view. Where was she? Up the sky, turned into the stars in the night sky. Immense grief washed over her, she wasn't sure how she was going to be able to be the prettiest if she was stuck in the sky. So she tried getting somebody, anybody's attention in hopes of being turned back to her regular human form. Down below, the Festival was starting to conclude. One of the men working his own stand looked up and squinted at the sky. "My, the stars look beautiful tonight," he said
"I know," a woman said who just happened to walk by, "Look how they twinkle and shine,"
Pretty soon, almost everybody's eyes were up in the sky.
Stella watched from above, shining even brighter. Perhaps being turned into a star isn't such a horrible thing after all.
