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Chapter 3
The Duchess
Five days before Garderienne's fall… Somewhere...
Spending two weeks mostly flying had proven to be tiresome for elderly fairies. Three of which did so on their trip to Esonctuaire. They had been in their fairy forms for the whole of their travel, appearing to be just balls of light of color variety. Upon spotting the stone bridge connecting to the kingdom's lands, they transformed into elderly women in red, blue, and green. They adorned clothing of common folk, trying to blend in with other passing travelers, which they hoped hadn't seen their transformation. They would continue their journey on foot.
Across the bridge, towns and farmlands stood as far as the eye could see, scattered all over a vast plain; all overseen by a tall, white castle. The castle could be seen as a bunch of towers bundled together like firewood, with the five tallest and widest towers sticking out like sore thumbs.
Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather continued walking through towns, it would be a long walk; for their destination was at the opposite side of the kingdom, in the north-eastern region. It would take a few more hours to get there, given that they were on foot.
As the three passed through one town to another, they noticed that the presence of arcanic culture was getting increasingly present. There were more apothecaries than the last time they visited, and they displayed magical potions and ingredients. They also had come across sights that could be considered magical: performers that did magic tricks in front of children, fortune-telling tents, the one bookstore that sells books about the arcane, and people that actually used cantrips for regular activities. For what they all knew, magic had been outlawed in Esonctuaire for two centuries.
Once they arrived at the town of their destination, what they saw astonished them. Everything magic as far as the eye can see: a bazaar filled with magical artifacts, bookstores solely dedicated for spellbooks, a circus of magic with sparkles flying all around, spellcasters open to the public, friendly magic duels… everyone having the time of their lives. It was like Esonctuaire back in its glory days. What had happened since they last visited ten years ago?
"How do you find the festival?" a voice called, taking them away from their awe.
The three elderly women turned to the source of the voice, to be met with the sight of another woman of their age (at least by appearance) adorning a thick, lavender robe. A warm grin on her face. Lenore, the three recognized.
"Festival?" Fauna said, curious.
"The Festival of Magic. It is an annual tradition celebrating Esonctuaire's olden days," the purple fairy elaborated.
They looked around and recognized the symbols in the decorative banners: a four-pointed star surrounded by four smaller ones assembled in each quadrant, all encased within a circle. The three hadn't seen the symbol displayed proudly in public for centuries. "It explains the old Esonctuairean motif," Merryweather said.
Lenore gestured to the other three to follow her. They followed suit, while still admiring the festival.
"This festival also commemorates the liberation of magic users in the kingdom, the return of their right to use magic again," the lavender fairy explained, her voice now more wistful. Memories of the fight for freedom flashed on her, all the lives lost, the political strife, the struggle to gain the people's support. Despite all that, she still smiled at the fact that they were victorious… and at the lady that made it all possible. "It was all possible because of one woman…"
Lenore halted, prompting the others to do the same. She glanced at the towering castle behind her, "The Duchess."
It was late evening and the sky had been painted deep blue, the castle and its lands were now only lit by the natural light of the stars. A balcony on the north-eastern wing oversaw the bustle of the festival outside the castle walls. Though the festivities had died down a little as it closely approached its end: tonight was the final night of the festival. Some of the stands and tents were starting to be taken down.
At the railings, a blonde woman in a sleeping gown could be seen leaning on it, overseeing the bustle below. The festival had been an annual tradition for three years. But before that, a lot had happened.
Cinderella had met more magic users during her time as princess, either through her godmother or just by coincidence. During her visits to her godmother in the north-eastern region, she had noticed folks getting on-guard whenever she passed by. She had learned that their people had been experiencing prejudice posed by the nobility. She had to start a movement for these people.
She felt little shame for using Prince Henry's power and influence to put it into motion, though her husband had been in full support. To her surprise, the king had been open-minded on the subject as well, he had felt that something had to be changed. The other members of the royal family were another story, especially the North-Eastern Duke at the time. They were totally opposed to the idea, and had used the king's support as leverage to conspire against him. The matter had gone too political for her liking. But luckily, the nobility on her side were willing to do the plotting and scheming for the sake of the cause, albeit it was mostly for their own gain.
Despite the long, hard battle, both inside and outside the castle; it wasn't in vain. Magic-users now lived more freely, and Cinderella and the new North-Eastern Duke, Henry, would stand by them. And even though the battle for their rights still goes on, they didn't have to fight as hard as they needed before. It had been considered a victory, and that victory was symbolized by the festival.
But she felt that she had to do more.
Two brown mice scurried along the railings towards the princes, one thin in red, another fat in yellow. "Your bed is ready, princess," Jaq and Gus, reported.
Cinderella headed back to her bedroom at the mice's call. She needed to retire for the night, it had been a long day. She was alone for the night, and for the nights to come. Duke Henry had been sent as an envoy to a faraway kingdom she didn't recall the name of. The king had trusted her to take over as North-Eastern Duchess on behalf of her husband. She had initially declined, but her father-in-law insisted. His reason, the people trusted her, loved her even. He had faith in her ability to lead, given that she had led the movement for magic for years.
As she went through the curtain that concealed her room, she saw her godmother standing by her bedroom door, much to her surprise… the woman had always moved so quietly.
"Your highness," Lenore greeted.
"I told you not to call me that," the duchess said, a warm smile on her face.
"We are inside the castle," the godmother bantered.
"Did you enjoy the festival, godmother?"
"It was a delight, as always. We had guests from other lands."
"I'm glad," the princess said, then went to the vanity table to brush her hair.
A long silence. Like the fairy godmother was building up her words for a long speech. Cinderella continued brushing her hair. The mice noticed the tension and left the room.
"Cinderella, I have to thank you for what you are doing," she began. "I am proud of what you are doing for us magical beings, standing for us, fighting for us. You are doing the realm of magic a great service." Another pause. "But I'm afraid… You will have bigger battles to fight."
"I assure you that we won't stop fighting-"
"This battle is beyond the kingdom's," Lenore interjected. "There is something coming. And, you becoming my godchild on that fateful night had made you involved in fighting it. You were dragged into a fate you hadn't chosen. I am sorry, my child."
The duchess stopped her brushing.
"No. Everything I did, I did to return the favor. You had given me so much in just a flick of a wand. You changed my life. And for that… I am forever grateful. Whatever it is I have to do, I'll be willing to do it… for you," she gave her godmother a determined look.
"It involves risking your life," the godmother reasoned.
"Then, I'll do it still," her determination visibly intensified.
Lenore challenged her determination with remorse, only to give up shortly after. A sigh of surrender escaped her mouth. A proud smile now painted on her face. She hadn't expected much resolve from her little princess. She had been timid and sheltered throughout her life before she met her. She must have developed it during the movement. The constant strife does that to a person.
"You have grown so much. I can't be prouder to have chosen you as my godchild," she praised. "Maybe you are destined for something greater."
The duchess gave her a thankful look.
"I'll take my leave, your highness," Lenore left in a playful note.
Cinderella would wonder what that great destiny was for the rest of the night.
The next day had been relatively mundane from the eventfulness of the day before. It was back to being a duchess for her; counseling, representing the North-Eastern Duke, resolving magic-user disputes; things that needed to be done to uphold what she had fought for. But, the conversation from last night had her distracted. The implications of every sentence her godmother had said occupied her mind. There were things bigger and beyond the disputes of the kingdom. She was somewhat involved in it. She might die. She felt a combination of curiosity and anxiety.
Evening quickly came, as the day went by uneventful. Cinderella was once again on her room's balcony, getting her nightly fresh air before retiring for the night. As she was about to head back, she noticed a glimmer of light in the courtyard by the castle's north-eastern gate.
The light grew brighter, the longer she looked at it. The way it shimmered, in combination of its color, gave her a sense of familiarity. It was beckoning her to follow it. Some force gave her the tendency to go to it, whether it was curiosity or enticement.
Through her room and into the hallways she went. It was dark, only lit by natural moonlight and dim candles. The hallways were unusually quiet, one can only hear the faint sounds of snoring, for it was lights out. The guards on post were fortunately asleep as she passed by them. Strangely enough, all the guards were asleep; even one that seemed to be in the middle of a patrol, given by the limp and uncomfortable sleeping position. Despite the anomalies, she still pressed on.
The north-eastern gate was on sight, the light was still there. Every person she saw along the way had been slumbering, either on the floor, by the wall, leaning on their weapons, or standing. She suspected magic had been involved.
As she got close to the ball of light, it moved away; like it was prompting her to follow. And follow she did.
The travel was at a steady pace. Both follower and leader had no need of rushing. Cinderella was practically strolling along. The quietness of the path had the same manner and peculiarity as what was in the castle. There was nothing or no one to get in the way. The roads were practically empty besides the occasional wagon with a sleeping driver and horses.
The journey led to the town where her godmother resided. The town also had the same peculiar quietness. But this time, the streets were actually empty; the town was big, practically a city... Strange. All the windows they passed by were as dark as if the building was abandoned. She noticed that the road they were taking led to her godmother's home by the square.
When the town square was reached, the ball of light made swift movements on the pavement. It flew to specific bricks which had carved symbols. They glowed as the wisp went to it. When it was finished, the ball of light flew to the middle of the square. Under it, within a rectangle as wide as the town's road, the cracks of the brick floor glowed. The stones slowly faded, revealing a stairway going downwards. The wisp descended the stairway.
The same forces that had made the duchess follow the ball of light, pressed her to descend as well. As soon as she was totally beneath the ground, the stones of the town square faded back in, hiding the stairway.
Author's Notes:
CINDERELLA, Joins the Story
*cue SSBB Main Theme*
The back story about the discrimination of magic-users was inspired by the plot in "So This is Love", part of the Disney Twisted Tales book series. Though, I don't have the book (F*cking C***D). Comment if you recommend the read.
I named Cinderella's prince charming Henry, based on wiki-reading. Also named her fairy-godmother Lenore, based on the "So This is Love" book.
I characterized Cinderella as a woman that had gained her resolve from protesting (if you would call it that), while still being kind. Another canon-compromise, since Cinderella is practically a blank canvas of a character. So, yeah, I hope I did a decent job.
Named Cinderella's kingdom Esonctuaire (sometimes still haveing problems with the spelling), made that up. Had world-building involved for this place. Decided to have its castle be the tall one from the movie, had a buncha towers, looks unique. Also world-built the kingdom's political geography and structure.
Again, feedback is welcome.