Red had been leader of the New City for only a few years before things went awry.

A new policy was enforced. Everyone must be happy or face punishment. After the death, torture, and despair that had led to her high position, no one wanted to suffer any longer. The decree was set in an attempt to prevent people from being cruel, sad, angry, or depressed.

Three years after Handsome Prince, the Happily Ever After Decree of 2023 was passed. It stated that:

‘No person, male or female, may show any signs of negative emotion. All people are equal and deserve happiness. Every citizen is required to live the fairy tale. No citizen may frown, yell, cry, or exhibit any negative behavior at any time regardless of how they feel or who they are.’

Harsh punishments were imposed for those breaking the decree. Originally, the Police Rouge merely served law breakers with warnings, but soon the consequences for breaking Red’s decree became horrifying.

Taking her cue from fairy tales, Red imposed Grimm-esque punishments. If a citizen glared at another, said citizen’s eyes were plucked out ah la Cinderella. Any who opposed her were taken away, and imprisoned in the dungeon. When it was discovered by a double agent news reporter that people were being murdered, the information was hushed up and only shared with Resistance members.

The uprising had begun.