Edith is the old and wise queen of the kingdom. She ascended the throne during the worst crisis the realm had ever seen. She ruled diligently and efficiently, helping the kingdom recover and become the most prosperous it had been in more than a thousand years. She married and had a son; years later her son married and had a daughter named Rose.

Edith’s reign also survived many wars. The kingdom was victorious every time, always in self-defense, as Edith is a diplomatic and peaceful ruler. Sadly, one war cost the lives of her son and daughter-in-law, forcing her and the king to raise Rose themselves.

As Rose grew up she showed narcissistic and even psychopathic tendencies. She was cruel, selfish, and lacked empathy. Everyone in the castle disliked her, as she mistreated servants and nobles alike. She didn’t care; she only enjoyed living in luxury as a spoiled brat.

Edith and the king were worried. They loved her, but realized she would be a terrible ruler. She had no political or social skills. The advisors feared that when Edith died and Rose took the throne she would ruin the kingdom and destroy the golden age Edith created. They tried everything: sending her away to learn from others, making her interact with commoners, giving her endless etiquette lessons. Nothing worked. She only grew more cruel and narcissistic.

One day an advisor tried teaching her politics. Rose grew bored and ignored him. In frustration he asked why she couldn’t be like her grandmother. Rose scoffed and said it didn’t matter—everyone was stuck with her as heir. Deep down she hated the comparisons to Edith’s greatness. Out of spite she ordered a knight to cut off the advisor’s hand. The scandal forced Edith to call an emergency meeting to deal with Rose’s behavior.

During the meeting, after many desperate ideas, the mutilated advisor revealed an ancient scroll describing how an evil queen long ago used a body-swap ritual with her daughters to live forever. He suggested Edith swap bodies with Rose so she could continue ruling. Edith was disgusted and immediately rejected it, not realizing the other advisors secretly liked the idea. She ended the meeting and went to rest.

That night Edith and the king were resting when advisors and knights burst into their chamber. They had brought Rose tied with rope and the scroll. Edith realized their intentions and ordered them to leave, but they ignored her. Some knights restrained the king while others forced Edith and Rose to touch the scroll.

Rose: “You idiots! What are you doing!? I’ll have you all executed!”

Edith: “This is treason! Even if this works I’ll have you all arrested!”

But they didn’t care. They believed they were saving the kingdom and were ready to accept the consequences. They cast the spell. Edith and Rose’s souls swapped bodies as the scroll disintegrated.

Edith awoke inside Rose’s young body and gasped at her hands.

Edith: “Rose… I’m so sorry…”

Rose woke inside Edith’s old, obese body. She stared at her wrinkled hands—then laughed.

Rose: “I see! Stupid advisors! Were you that scared of me on the throne? Well you idiots just accelerated the process. Now I’m queen already!”

She ordered knights to arrest everyone involved. Soon only Edith, Rose, and the king remained.

Rose: “I didn’t know you had it in you, grandma… stealing my body to rule forever.”

Edith: “No, Rose… your grandfather and I refused—”

Rose: “Grandfather? My husband, you mean!”

She walked to the confused king and kissed him, making Edith gasp.

Rose: “Since you stole my body, I’ll return the favor. I’m Edith now, and you’re Rose. That makes him my husband… and your grandpa.”

Edith noticed a flash of pain in Rose’s eyes.

Rose: “I am Edith, the glorious queen of the greatest reign!”

She grabbed the king’s arm.

“Come, husband. Let’s have a banquet.”*