Cinderella's Secret Witch Diaries Box Set: Lost, Stolen, Found

June-7

It is midday now, and I have cleaned myself up and had some privacy to myself, as Renée had gone off to run some errands. I walked around her home and I went back to sleep for a while, lying there staring out the window. As I was alone, I put my hands on my belly and the wonderful thought that I had not dreamed it, that I was truly pregnant, washed over me. The weight of my fears had lifted from me during the course of the night as I did not fear being summoned to the queen. I realized, for the first time in years, that I could do whatever I wanted, and those thoughts settled in my mind.

I am going to sleep now and see what the rest of the day brings me. I will accept Renée’s generous offer of help.

Late in the evening on June 18

Renée is sleeping, and I have time to settle my thoughts and to write. My left hand often itches and tingles when I would like to write but have not made time to do so. I take this as a sign that my thoughts need to be inscribed on the page and shared as they will then find peace on their own.

I have been thinking of Henri. I miss him and wish to head back to the Château and to talk with him. I have feared that the queen would tell him the news or that the prince would murder him for his actions. My mind has been without rest, thinking of these dreadful scenarios, but Renée has used her gift of sight and has assured me that my Henri is safe.

We will go to him soon, and I have played the scene in my head until I have memorized the words. I love him, and am now not ashamed to admit my heart’s feelings. His light is like the sun, and I will bask in his warmth with great happiness and contentment. Soon we will have such great joy, for we will have the freedom to be together. I am filled with such happiness. But it is late, and I must rest now.

June 23

Several days ago Renée discussed our plans for heading to the Château. I had done much thinking, and I longed to see Clarissa and to talk with Henri. I wanted to share my news with him and to tell him of my love.

Renée said that she could help me but that she needed some time to obtain the horses. We left the next day for the Château, and I must admit that I did not know how Renée would enable us to pass through the Château’s gates. Yet once there, she announced us to the guards, and we were told that the queen and her party had returned home. They had left in a rush yesterday. I realized then how little I had in the world. I had the dress on my back, my glass slippers, a borrowed pair of shoes from Renée, and the book and writing instruments she had given me.

Joséphine was kind enough to have us inside for some tea, and I told her my story and she informed us that the queen had come back, ordered her attendants to pack, and they had left yesterday around midday. She did not know what had happened and had worried about me. She shared with me that the prince had asked to see Henri, but that Henri had left for the city earlier in the day. Clarissa had wanted to stay to find me, but the queen had ordered her to return with haste. The exact details of what had transpired remained secret, but Joséphine had pieced enough together to sense that jealousy and a love affair had turned sour, forfeiting Henri’s life if the prince found him.

We now await Henri so that I can talk with him and share with him the news. Joséphine sent her best men to search for him and they expect him to return from Paris within the day, now that the queen and the rest of the royal party have returned to England.

I thanked Joséphine for all her kindness, and when we left her chamber I had a heavy heart, as I worried about my future. I began to think that maybe my decision to stay with Renée was impulsive. I will stop writing here because my mind is full of worry. I need your help, for much is uncertain. When will you come to help me?

Dear Cinderella,

Now, at last, we are at the crossroads where I am so near to you, yet so far. I am on the other side of a doorway that only you can help me cross through. For me to help you, you must help me break through this last barrier. I have traveled far to return to you, yet this last wall is blocked to me.

Henri is the key to unlocking your heart. Speak your truth to him and open your heart and mind. Allow yourself to be true and honest and then your love will do the rest.

You have trusted me all these years, and I have not steered you wrong. Now, for the last few days, we are close to being reunited, yet the magic that holds me from you imprisons me. There are words that I would write to you, but cannot, as I am blocked by an enemy greater than you can imagine. I have resisted for years, and it is with all honesty and truth that a greater force lurks to destroy all you have worked so hard to build. My words may seem foreign and strange now, but I implore you to cross through this last barrier to me.

Open your mind, release it, and, once unlocked, I will be at your side. Together, we will restore all that was lost and bid adieu to the rest. Do not stray, fear not, and go to him soon!

Yours,

The Faerie Godmother

June 25

News has returned that Henri has been taken back to England. Joséphine informed me this morning. The captain of the guard gave her men a letter, signed with the queen’s seal. I read the words on the page with great caution, and my heart turned somber and heavy inside. Henri had chosen to be the guest of the queen, and she requested that I return to England and her family with great speed.

The lies lay thick on the page, and the queen’s controlling hand clearly dictated the terms that I would adhere to or all would be lost. If I stayed in France to live on my own, I suspect that Henri would die in prison in England, and I would be responsible. I have the power to save him.

Renée offered to help me, and she told me of her plan. We would pack our bags and head north to Calais. From there, we would take a boat to cross the Channel to get me back to my homeland.

We left with much haste, thanking Joséphine and promising to bring Henri back to her, as she considers him family. Her offer of assistance we declined, for both Renée and I thought best to not involve any others in our plan. Confident and resolute, Renée told me to fear not and that we would return to save him.

We left the Château with a heavy heart. The events that have unfolded weigh heavy on my mind, as my worst fears have come to be. We traveled along the trade routes, stopping by each village, where Renée was greeted with much warmth. I learned that many respected her as a witch because she helped those in need.

That night, at dusk, we stopped at a large farm and Renée asked the farmer if we could stay in his barn. The older man who worked on the land was overjoyed and welcomed us both into his home. We had a warm place to sleep, tied up our horses, fed them, and gave them plenty of water. I had only the bags on my horses in which I kept my glass slippers, my journal, and writing instruments.

The night was clear and brilliantly lit, the moon high in the sky. I thought I saw a fox running behind the farmer’s barn, and I hoped that it would not go after the chickens. The farmer had invited his family and locals from the surrounding farms to celebrate Renée’s arrival. Tables were set up outside, and delicious food was served. Our hosts shared with us an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, and dried meats with crusty bread. We drank wine, sang, danced for hours, and I was taught folk songs. For a while, I forgot my sorrow and the problems that lay before us. The people of this tiny village truly loved Renée and were honored by her presence. I watched how she worked with them, how patient she was, being a good listener as she helped heal them. Unlike the balls I often attended at the palace, people talked to each other here, and they told stories about their day, the hardships they were up against, or the funny stories that happened to them during their daily tasks.

I could see the life that these people led and that they worked hard. I saw the calluses on the men’s and women’s hands. There were no nobles here. The people who came to this gathering worked the land, and their lives were closer to what I had grown up in than the one I had married into. Toward the end of the night, the music turned more wistful and people went home, and I tried my best to remember the names of all the people I had met. Renée had no difficulty remembering these people, for she had a great memory, and it embraced the histories of people from years ago.

I asked her about the people later, and she told me that she remembered the stories they told her, and over the years she grew to care and love them. I still did not understand who Renée was and how she used magic, but I understood enough that she was respected and well loved. I trust that as she had helped these people over the years, so she would help me find Henri and rescue him.

After midnight, I went to the barn and slept in a fresh bit of hay. I smelled the earthiness of the barn and listened to the breathing of our horses. I just rested and took my time to think. Renée was out saying her good night to the surrounding families and, worried as I was, I had enjoyed the time I had that night. I had had a rough life with my stepmother and stepsisters, and then I married the prince and fell into the insanity of life at the court. I had never truly had time to be on my own and make decisions for myself. I often regretted that. I fell directly into marriage, leaving one bad life behind and drowning in the queen’s world. She ruled back home, and I did not truly realize the extent of her power over my everyday life until recently. I had to attend to her every wish. Now I began to understand why the prince would run off on his adventures: he simply wanted to be left alone. His actions and how he treated me were not to be excused or, at this juncture, forgiven, as he had lacked remorse. Now Henri was their prisoner, and my disbelief at the events would not dispel them. The fact remained that the queen had captured Henri and used him as a pawn in her game. Fairy Godmother, now I understand your letter to me. A greater power does resist us and I will not bow to her. I will go to Henri and rescue him. How to do that, I cannot say.