Mal was surprised to see Evangeline escorting a crying princess into the powder room.
"Who's this?" she crooned.
"Princess Jane-Cinderella's daughter," Evangeline explained.
"I see," Mal murmured, allowing a smirk to creep up her full lips. "What happened?"
"Prince James called her an ugly duckling," Evangeline added. Jane burst into tears again, shoulders shaking.
"Really?" Mal said. "Hmm. . . I could do a few things for you. But you're Cinderella's daughter- can't her fairy godmother just Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo?"
"She said she'd teach me, but she hasn't yet," Jane sobbed.
"Well, then, maybe we could start with-"
"The hair!" Jane cried pleadingly. "Please, make it like yours!"
Her hair's actually very pretty, Mal thought. Nevertheless she pulled her spell book out of the pouch attached to the blue skirt. "Beware, Forswear, give Jane new hair."
With a shower of pink sparkles, Jane now had long dark curls, like chocolate. She looked up in the vanity mirror and smiled.
"I- I look beautiful," she said. "Thank you! Now my hair distracts from my other features!"
Evangeline gave her a sad smile.
"It's no problem," Mal said. "Now run along."
Jane obeyed, practically leaping out. Mal looked to Evangeline.
"I must ask," she said. "Are the rumors true?"
"What rumors?" Evangeline asked.
"The ones about your mother," Mal said. "That you're not Snow White's daughter- you're her sister."
Evangeline's lip curled into a snarl, her eyebrows arched like bows ready to fire, her brown eyes fiery. She grabbed Mal's wrist, her painted fingernails beginning to dig into Mal's pale flesh.
"You cannot tell anyone!" she hissed. "Swear it!"
"You have my word as a fairy," Mal replied calmly.
Evangeline let go, satisfied.
"I'll take that as a yes, then," Mal continued. "Why do you remain loyal to Snow White when you could get revenge?"
Evangeline's expression twisted into one of horror. "I'd never- She's my mother, as far as I'm concerned! Why would I want to?"
"She killed Grimhilde," Mal said. "Or at least, her friends did."
"And saved me from being raised by her," Evangeline countered. "And gave me a wonderful life as a princess and a sorceress. A happy and loving home. Do you think Queen Grimhilde would have given me any of that?"
"I was merely curious," Mal said. "I'm a fairy- we ask questions. Surely you aren't surprised."
Evangeline pressed her lips together. "I suppose not. But I love Snow White. Nothing could possibly change that."
"I see," Mal said. "The memory is not for you to have, but for me to know, so you will forget that we talked about Snow."
Evangeline blinked. "I'm sorry, were we talking about something?"
"Oh, nothing," Mal said, a deceptively sweet smile on her face. "Now come on, we'd better go out to the lawn before the next game of croquet starts."
"You're right," Evangeline said primly. "I'd bet I could beat you."
Mal raised her eyebrows. "I think you're wrong."
"We'll see," Evangeline said with her flirtatious laugh and a flip of her ocean-blue-black curls. She took Mal's hand and pulled her along. Mal laughed too, but found herself feeling guilty.
You have no room for guilt, Mal thought. Get in, get out. That is all.
Guinevere looked to Jane and gasped. In place of her cute sleek bob was long pretty curls that almost resembled the fairy's hair. Guinevere rose.
"Jane, what happened?" Guinevere asked.
"Mal changed my hair for me," Jane said, her beautiful blue eyes bright. "I'm finally beautiful, Jenny."
"I always thought you were," Guinevere said in a quiet voice.
"But now everyone will see me as beautiful," Jane explained. "I won't be an ugly duckling anymore!"
"Who cares what they think?" Guinevere said, taking Jane's hand. "I think you're beautiful and brilliant just as you are! You're going to be a sorceress one day!"
"Do you think I look ugly this way?" Jane asked, her face petulant and childlike. A part of Guinevere's heart broke, but she forced herself to be honest.
"No, I don't."
A smile returned to her face, so rare for Guinevere to see. "Then that's settled."
She then practically skipped onto the lawn. Heads turned, and even James was speechless for once.
Guinevere sat down on her chair and sighed, placing her head in her hands. She did not understand, but if it made Jane happier. . . Then who was she to tell Jane how to be happy?
Ben stared out the large library window, watching the croquet game. He had to admit now, he was suspicious. There was something not quite right about the fairy. No matter what feelings he had, what his gift showed him, he had to confront her, confirm his suspicions. He knew he'd have to arrange a carriage into the Enchanted Forest. It was time to find out the truth about this fairy.
He walked into the elevator and waited for a few minutes as it descended. Then he crossed the lawn to where Mal was lining up a shot. He gave Talia an apologetic glance.
"Mal, would you like to ride out to the Enchanted Forest tomorrow?" Ben asked.
The fairy frowned, confused for a second. Then a slightly wicked smirk curled up her lips.
"Of course," Mal said before she hit the ball halfway across the lawn. "It would be my honor, Your Highness."
Ben smiled, and then walked away, hoping he wouldn't regret his decisions.