7بخش

Do you hear that, Your Grace?

Let’s be off, Captain.

Just a moment.

Madam, there is no other maiden in your house?

None.

Then has your cat learned to sing?

There’s been enough play-acting today, Captain.

Let’s be off.

But she’s lying, Your Grace.

Nonsense!

I trust the lady.

We’re leaving.

Grand Duke!

Your Majesty.

What sweet singing.

Makes me want to tarry just a little.

Your Majesty, I did not know.

Captain, would you be so kind as to investigate?

It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty.

There!

You see?

I told you it was no one of any importance.

We’ll see about that.

Miss.

You are requested and required to present yourself to your king.

I forbid you to do this!

And I forbid you to forbid her!

Who are you to stop an officer of the king?

Are you an empress?

A saint?

A deity?

I am her mother.

You have never been and you never will be my mother.

Come now, miss.

Just remember who you are, you wretch!

Would who she was, who she really was, be enough?

There was no magic to help her this time.

This is perhaps the greatest risk that any of us will take.

To be seen as we truly are.

Have courage, and be kind.

Who are you?

I am Cinderella.

Your Majesty.

I’m no princess.

I have no carriage, no parents, and no dowry.

I do not even know if that beautiful slipper will fit.

But if it does will you take me as I am?

An honest country girl who loves you.

Of course I will.

But only if you will take me as I am.

An apprentice still learning his trade.

Please.

My dear sister!

I’m sorry.

So very sorry.

Shall we?

I forgive you.

Forgiven or not, Cinderella’s stepmother and her daughters would soon leave with the Grand Duke, and never set foot in the kingdom again.

They would have loved each other.

We must have a portrait of you painted.

Oh, no.

I do hate myself in paintings.

Be kind.

And have courage.

And all will be well.

Are you ready?

For anything, so long as it’s with you.

My queen.

My Kit.

And so Kit and Ella were married, and I can tell you, as her fairy godmother, that they were counted to be the fairest and kindest rulers the kingdom had known.

And Ella continued to see the world not as it is, but as it could be, if only you believe in courage and kindness and occasionally just a little bit of magic.