"Of course it wasn't me...It was only fate."
Queen Lillian shared a glance with her new husband. "You deceived me once," she told the Fairy Godmother, "So how am I supposed to believe you now?"
"I let you love," the Fairy Godmother answered. "I am sorry for your loss, but it was not my doing. And if you don't believe me, ask Jane. She will confirm that in the past four months, the only reason I left my factory was to go home."
"So what about our deal?"
"It stands," Fairy Godmother answered. "Harold, you benefitted from our deal. I have not. Not yet. If you and Lillian wish to remain married, you will still delegate your child's fate to me."
"Just the one child, right?" Queen Lillian asked.
Fairy Godmother smiled, but it lacked humor. It only looked sad. "Yes. Just the one. And I promise you, it will not involve death."
King Harold looked at his wife, who silently put her hand on his arm.
"We accept," King Harold said quietly. "Right?" he added, looking to his wife.
"Yes," she answered simply. "I want a child with you."
"Then we agree I am in charge of his or her fate?" the Fairy Godmother asked.
"Yes," Queen Lillian softly confirmed.
"Good." The Fairy Godmother took out her magic wand and, without speaking a word, pointed it at the door. It blew shut and locked without having come into human contact. "Then I must discuss with you the plan I have already worked out."
"You've already figured everything out?" Queen Lillian asked.
"Of course...I'm a businesswoman. I cannot afford to stand still." She opened a desk drawer and tucked away her magic wand. "Harold...Lillian," she added, with an impromptu motion of her hand to the queen. "When your child comes of age, I will bestow upon him or her a curse that will take effect each sunset, and lift each sunrise. This curse will transform your child into an ogre, until true love's kiss breaks the spell."
"But what about the villagers? What will they think when they see the prince or princess turn into a monster?" King Harold inquired.
"They won't. Your job is to lock the child away in a tower; and when your child is mature, you are to hold a tournament and see who is brave enough to rescue your child. Whomever brings your child home will receive your blessing for marriage."
"What if they simply don't love one another?" Queen Lillian asked.
"Then I help them fall in love, as I have done with you."
Queen Lillian looked at King Harold, who nodded in consent; though he looked terribly sad.
"Wonderful. Pleasure doing business with you."