1بخش

Once upon a time, there was a girl called Ella.

And she saw the world not always as it was, but as perhaps it could be, with just a little bit of magic.

Ah, my darling!

To her mother and father, she was a princess.

True, she had no title, nor crown, nor castle, but she was the ruler of her own little kingdom, whose borders were the house and meadow on the forest’s edge where her people had lived for generations.

With Mr. Goose.

and all their animal family.

Hello, there.

What do you think you’re doing?

Let the little ones have their share.

We don’t want you getting an upset stomach.

Oh, Gus-Gus, you’re a house mouse, not a garden mouse.

Isn’t he, Jacqueline?

And you mustn’t eat Mr. Goose’s food.

Isn’t that right, Mummy?

Do you still believe that they understand you?

Don’t they, Mother?

Oh, yes.

I believe that animals listen and speak to us if we only have the ear for it.

That’s how we learn to look after them.

Who looks after us?

Fairy godmothers, of course.

And do you believe in them?

I believe in everything.

Then I believe in everything, too.

Her father was a merchant who went abroad and brought tribute back from all of Ella’s subject lands.

Ella!

Where are my girls, my beautiful girls?

Where are my darlings?

Ella missed him terribly when he was away.

But she knew he would always return.

There she is!

Papa, welcome home!

How are you?

You’ve grown!

Haven’t you, now?

There you go, sir.

What was that?

Oh, this?

I found it hanging on a tree.

I think there may be something inside.

Oh, it’s so pretty.

In French, that is an papillon.

Ouch.

Ouch.

You’re standing on my feet.

Shall we?

Look, Mummy!

I’m dancing!

Whee!

Little papillon.

All was just as it should be.

They knew themselves to be the most happy of families to live as they did and to love each other so.

But sorrow can come to any kingdom, no matter how happy.

And so it came to Ella’s home.

I’m so sorry.

Thank you, Doctor.

This must have been very difficult for you.

Come.

Ella.

Ella, my darling.

I want to tell you a secret.

A great secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer.

You must always remember this.

Have courage and be kind.

You have more kindness in your little finger than most people possess in their whole body.

And it has power, more than you know.

And magic.

Magic?

Have courage and be kind, my darling.

Will you promise me?

I promise.

Good.

Good.

And.

I must go very soon, my love.

Please forgive me.

Of course I forgive you.

I love you.

I love you, my darling.

I love you.

Time passed, and pain turned to memory.

In her heart, Ella stayed the same.

For she remembered her promise to her mother.

Have courage, and be kind.

Father, however, was much changed.

But he hoped for better times.

“And thence home,”and my wife and I singing, to our great content, “and if ever there were a man happier in his fortunes,”I know him not.

Thus ends Mr. Pepys for today.

I do love a happy ending, don’t you?

They’re quite my favorite sort.

As well they should be.

Ella.

I have come to the conclusion that it’s time, perhaps to begin a new chapter.

Indeed, Father?

You’ll recall that some time ago, in my travels, I made the acquaintance of Sir Francis Tremaine.

Yes.

The Master of the Mercer’s Guild, is he not?

Was.

The poor man has died, alas.

His widow, an honorable woman, finds herself alone, though still in the prime of her life.

You’re worried about telling me.

But you mustn’t be.

Not if it will lead to your happiness.

Yes.

Happiness.

Do you think I may be allowed one last chance, even though I thought such things were done with for good?

Of course I do, Father.

She’ll merely be your stepmother.

And you’ll have two lovely sisters to keep you company.

Have courage, be kind.

Welcome, ladies.

Welcome!

She’s skinny as a broomstick!

And that stringy hair!

You’re very nice.

Welcome.

I’m so happy to meet you.

You have such pretty hair.

Thank you.

You should have it styled.

Oh.

I’m sure you’re right.

Would you like a tour of the house?

What did she say?

She wants to show us around her farmhouse.

She’s proud of it, I think.

Do they keep animals inside?

How charming.

How perfectly charming.

Lucifer.

Her stepmother-to-be was a woman of keen feeling and refined taste.

And she, too, had known grief.

But she wore it wonderfully well.

You did not say your daughter was so beautiful.

Oh, she takes after her…Her mother.

Just so.

What does Mummy mean?

What’s so charming about it?

She’s lying.

That’s just good manners.

Shut up.

How long has your family lived here?

Over 200 years.

And in all that time, they never thought to decorate?

Anastasia, hush.

They’ll think you are in earnest.

Ella’s stepmother, high-spirited lady that she was, set out to restore life and laughter to the house.

Oh, you are awful, Baron.

Ah, fortune favors me again.

Well, look who’s having a party of their own.

Jacqueline, Teddy, Matilda, greedy Gus-Gus.

Uh-oh.

Just what.

Yes, what do you think you’re up to, Lucifer?

Jacqueline is my guest, and the eating of guests is not allowed.

Go on, now.

You’ve plenty of cat food to keep you happy.

We ladies must help one another.

You’re missing the party.

Oh, I imagine it’s much like all the other ones.

And I’m leaving first thing, El.

No.

But you’re.

You’re hardly back from the last trip.

Do you have to go?

It’s just a few months, my darling.

What would you like me to bring you home from abroad?

You know, your sisters.

uh, stepsisters, have asked for parasols and lace.

What will you have?

Bring me the first branch your shoulder brushes on your journey.

That’s a curious request.

Well, you’ll have to take it with you on your way. and think of me when you look at it.

And when you bring it back, it means that you’ll be with it.

And that’s what I really want.

For you to come back.

No matter what.

I will.

Ella, while I’m away, I want you to be good to your stepmother and stepsisters, even though they may be.

trying at times.

I promise.

Thank you.

I always leave a part of me behind, Ella.

Remember that.

And your mother’s here, too, though you see her not.

She’s the very heart of this place.

And that’s why we must cherish this house, always, for her.

I miss her.

Do you?

Very much.

Remember the lace!

I simply must have it!

And my parasol!

For my complexion!

That means skin, if you don’t know!

Bye!

Bye, Ella!

I love you!

I love you, too!

Bye!

Ella, dear.

Now, now.

Mustn’t blub.

Yes, Stepmother.

Oh, you needn’t call me that.

“Madam” will do.

There isn’t room for me and all of your clothes!

Well, then make yourself smaller!

Anastasia and Drisella have always shared a room.

Such dear, affectionate girls.

Or.

Or better yet, disappear entirely!

You’d like that, wouldn’t you?

Sometimes I could scratch your eyes out!

I think they’re finding the sleeping quarters rather confining.

Oh, well, my bedroom’s the biggest besides yours and Father’s.

Perhaps they’d like to share it.

What a wonderful idea.

What a good girl you are.