Not long ago, in a place so, so close. In a kingdom called Northern Appearance. A well-known place, famous for being a place of love and peace. A land where the most important thing was maintaining apparent world peace. Lived a beautiful princess named Evil. Evil was always a very introspective girl. Because she grew up very alone. Since her father, King Selfish, thought only of himself all the time. King Selfish was so focused on himself that he didn't even notice Evil growing, even though he was always very close to her. Evil's mother was Queen Presumed Goodness. For the Queen, all people were good and the world was a place of love and peace. It was Goodness herself, in fact, who accustomed the people to call the Land of Appearance a place of love and peace. Goodness was incapable of thinking of anything bad, she saw only virtues, peace and love in everything and everyone, all the time. Queen Kindness was so loving and kind that she never even noticed that her husband, King Selfishness, only thought of himself. As for Evil, being the daughter of Selfishness, the only thing that mattered more than herself was maintaining her beautiful Appearance. Evil always put into practice everything she learned from her father, and because of this, she became a princess loved by all her subjects. Deep down, everyone thought she was an excellent person. At least that's what it seemed, and in the North, appearance was all that mattered. Evil gave food to the poor, attended church Christmas events, and even sent food from her table to the kingdom's orphanage. The leftovers, of course, but that didn't matter. Whenever she could, Evil helped others. Always putting Appearance first—or second, first was herself, after all, she deserved it. The future Queen Evil seemed good, and that was more than enough for everyone in the land of Appearance in the North.
At fifteen years old, Evil's life changed forever. Her father, King Selfish, took his own life. Because he could no longer bear to see in the mirror the old, wrinkled face he was becoming. He was too handsome to watch himself wither away, I mean, age like that. He thought his daughter didn't deserve such an ugly father, and his wife would be happier without a wrinkled man by her side. The land of Appearance would be more beautiful without the ugly king he was becoming. The best option he found was to leave while he was still handsome, as always. Hoping, of course, that everyone would remember everything he did to maintain his beautiful Appearance. Like Evil's mother, Queen Goodness was too shaken after the death of her wonderful, just, and honest husband. That's how Goodness saw Selfish. Evil had to assume the throne. In her very first act of rule, Queen Evil learned a lesson she would carry with her for life. As Evil grew up, she witnessed an episode in which her father, the then-King Selfish, altered the course of a river to irrigate the palace's natural pools. However, he ignored the fact that a third of the beautiful Kingdom of Appearance used the river's water. This caused great outrage, as they were left without water for anything. No one spoke openly for fear of Reprisal. Reprisal was Selfish's best friend and advisor on special matters of the throne. Furthermore, King Selfish had a reputation for being cruel to anyone who contradicted or criticized him. However, everyone knew that part of the population was very dissatisfied with what had happened. At the time, the girl Evil was furious with the rumors. No one had the right to say anything about her father. After all, Selfish always seemed perfect in Evil's eyes. To honor the memory of her seemingly beloved father, on her first day on the throne, Evil ordered the dam to be reopened and the river to be restored to its natural course. The party was so grand that a very distant cousin of Evil, Joy, went dancing throughout the kingdom to celebrate. However, while everyone was celebrating, the queen ordered General Sneaky to alter the course of another river to water the flowers and fill the palace pools. But this time, Evil told the people that more water was needed for the crops. That it was vital for everyone's food and health, and that everyone should sacrifice for the good of the Kingdom of Appearance, just as she had sacrificed by restoring the river to its natural course. Joy was so at ease that no one questioned her. Everyone was sure they had a queen who cared about the well-being of her people. A small rumor spread that Evil had lied, but it was ignored by everyone. Queen Evil seemed to be a good person, and good people don't lie to the people like that. This episode changed the way Evil viewed life and the kingdom. That day, Evil realized that there was no problem in worrying only about herself, as her father had done. As long as she made it seem like it was for a good cause. After all, in the Kingdom of Appearance in the North, appearances were always the most important thing.
Beside the throne of Queen Evil sat the royal advisors. To her left was the seat of Lord Omission, and to her right sat Fear. Famous advisors, admired throughout all the great kingdoms known. According to rumor, Fear and Omission were fundamental to the proliferation of Evil's rule in the Kingdom of Appearance. Under the almost inaudible advice of Omission and Fear, the Kingdom of Evil grew. Meanwhile, Queen Goodness never tired of praising her daughter for having inherited the beauty, intelligence, and sweet personality of her father, King Selfish.
However, as Time is Truth's best friend, Time caused Truth to visit the Kingdom of Appearance. Little by little, Truth visited house by house, making each resident realize that everything Evil did was short-lived and had a selfish intention behind it. Which was obvious, since Evil was the daughter of selfishness personified. With Time's help, Truth made everyone realize that in the North, everything was Appearance. When Queen Evil heard what was happening, she went straight to ask the royal council for their opinion. After all, they were very close to her seemingly kind father and had always been loyal to the Kingdom of Appearance. The council's opinion was unanimous: do nothing. Mr. Omission didn't want to get involved in conflicts, and Mr. Fear was very afraid that there would be a war because of Truth. According to the royal council, a clash with Truth would not favor the maintenance of the Kingdom of Evil. It was better to do nothing. Kindness was extremely upset by the ingratitude of those people. How could they dare question Evil's actions, when she was seemingly so good to everyone? Presumed Goodness even added how kind her daughter seemed for allowing all the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Appearance to remain alive. Goodness couldn't see any problem with Evil's reign. To her, everything was always fine as it was, and everything would adjust itself if any change was needed.
However, contrary to everyone's opinion, Evil decided to act. It summoned all the palace employees and ordered them all to go home, with one condition: they were to spread throughout the Kingdom of Appearance that Truth would bring no benefit to the people. Truth would bring war back to the Kingdom of Appearance. With war would come Misery and Death, its faithful companions, on the backs of armed conflict. Furthermore, Truth was transient; it did not reside in the Kingdom of Appearance. When Truth was no longer in the region, Evil would exact its due from everyone. Deep down, the people feared that Evil carried with it the cruelty it had inherited from a Selfish One. Out of fear of losing their jobs and benefits for working for the government of Appearance, everyone did exactly as Evil ordered. Quickly, Truth ceased to be welcomed, and people began to ignore it. Wherever Truth entered or was mentioned, Silence commanded everyone to remain quiet. Everyone feared that war would break out because of the Truth. People preferred to continue living with something resembling peace in the Kingdom of Appearances, rather than listen to what the Truth had to say. Without considering the high price they were paying to have an appearance of peace in the kingdom.
They say that even today in the Kingdom of Appearance, Evil reigns with the iron fist of the Selfish One and acts that imitate Goodness. Mr. Omission prefers not to get involved in anything. Mr. Fear remains paralyzed, preferring not to act. The people have chosen to pretend that nothing is happening in order to live in the company of false peace. The Truth is forbidden to be spoken, so as not to bring war to the Kingdom of Appearance, and Goodness continues to be unable to see any problem in the rule of Evil. Thus, Evil remains firm in the conviction it inherited from the Selfish One, and Time no longer serves any purpose. Since everyone has chosen to pretend that everything is fine in the Northern Kingdom of Appearance.
