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

June-8

I turned away from the light of the moon, closed my eyes, and fell asleep. I had a restless night, one filled with odd dreams. I saw myself in a foreign land, listening to the natives as they told me their problems. I listened and tried to help them the best I could. I remember being happy in the dream and coming back home to my daughter. What an odd little dream. I have wondered if I am having a boy or a girl. I do not know when I will be able to write again, as we will need to travel by boat to reach England. I wanted to write down my thoughts, for I would like to review these entries later, after I have had time to reflect on all that has happened to me. Right now, I am rushed for time and filled with many emotions.

June 26

Renée and I are back in my homeland. The trip back was uneventful, as the weather is fine this time of year. We crossed the Channel without any difficulty and headed toward the castle. With limited amounts of coin, Renée suggested that we go to town, and I agreed, taking the opportunity to stop back home to see my father at his work. He was pleased to see me but filled with worry, as he had issues to deal with because of the troubles overseas. Wars, trade route disputes, and lost boats consumed him. To be kind to him, he did spend time with us and made sure that we had a good dinner. He never asked if I had a place to stay because he assumed I had come to visit him from the palace. As I tried to talk to him, we kept being interrupted by his staff who needed him to make decisions about deals, pricing, and deadlines.

His world was so separate from mine, and I felt the gulf between us. I told him that I was pregnant and he smiled and hugged me. Quiet for a moment, he looked off and said that he wished that my mother were still alive to hear the good news. We talked some more about nonsense and I hugged him, saying that I might not see him again for a long time as I would be traveling. He nodded and hugged me, seeing us off.

Even if I were to tell him that I would be leaving the castle for good and starting a new life far away in another land, I do not think he would be affected by it because his world was work, and the challenges he had at home with my stepmother. I am happy that I saw him at his work because I had had enough problems lately. I surely did not need my stepmother and stepsisters complicating my situation even more. They would taunt me and turn their jealousy into pricks of steel, constantly jabbing at me. I had grown beyond that and needed to think about my own future and not my past. The past was the past and so it is.

That night Renée and I stayed at an inn on the outskirts of town. We talked long into the night about tomorrow. I would go to the castle and ask to see the queen. I worried that she would confront me and might even harm me, but Renée seemed confident that we would be safe. I doubted that, as I expect some sort of confrontation and feared that she would imprison me, forcing me to stay.

Yet if I am to escape the palace and bring Henri with me, I am not certain where I will end up or where I should go. Renée has been kind to me, but I see that our paths will separate at some point. I am pregnant and will need shelter, food, and people to help me as I raise my child. I am glad to see that there are good folk out in the world. I have thought about asking Clarissa to come with me, but I do not think that would be good for her, and my request would be selfish.

As for Henri, I love him and want to see him released from imprisonment at the hands of the queen. I pray that the prince has not hurt him. My imagination can dream up ways in which he is being tortured at my expense, and I long to see him and feel his arms around me. I love him and will see him saved. Tomorrow will be a difficult day. I will take my rest now and sleep.

June 28

I am in my old room now at the palace. How strange it is to be here now, as my life has changed. Renée is asleep in the room next door. Much has taken place, but my heart has been wary to discuss it, as the falsehoods abound around me. Yesterday Renée and I were admitted entrance to the castle, and we were granted an audience with the queen. Before seeing her, Renée told me that her magic would protect us from harm. I trust her, and she has kept her word.

When we entered the queen’s private chamber, she met us unadorned. She wore a plain dress and had maps strewn across a large table. She appeared preoccupied.

“Come in and sit.” She snapped her fingers, and an attendant rushed to us, offering food and drink. “Have your travels been well?”

Amazed that she appeared no longer angry at me, I began to talk, but Renée stepped before me and bowed low. “Your Majesty, our journey has been safe, and your welcoming us is of great assistance.”

Turning her gaze to me, the queen asked, “How fare you, my daughter?”

I tried to conceal my surprise and curtsied low. “I am well, Your Majesty.”

“Good.” She put the maps down and thought for a moment. “Good. Your well-being is of great interest to us, as you would expect.”

“I understand my importance to you.” I remained curtsied, showing my deference to her.

She raised her hand and pointed to the nearest sofa. We followed her instruction and sat, both of us silent.

“Much is at stake in the world, and yet we squabble over the littlest of things.” She picked up a map from the table and walked over to Renée, showing it to her. “What assistance could you and your sisters offer us if we wished to forge an alliance with you?”

I did not understand the question and turned to Renée. She studied the map, one of Africa, and replied, “I would need to know more of your mind.”

“Are you able to speak for your sisterhood in these matters?” The queen stood before me, but I did not follow her line of questioning.

“Yes, I can.” Renée leaned back and waited. Her long, brown hair was tied up nicely, and a look of curiosity crossed her face.

“Good. We are in need of your assistance, and I am willing to negotiate terms.” She appeared to glide away from us and poured herself a glass of wine. An attendant rushed to pour her a drink, and she dismissed her from the room with a wave of her hand. “More is at stake than the future heir to the throne. Tell me, what do you know of Napoleon and of his campaign in Egypt?”

“Pauline, one of our sisterhood, has taken to be his mistress there. She calls herself Cleopatra and has been distracting him from the wars.”

“Good, good.” The queen walked to the table littered with maps and picked up several loose sheets of paper. She waved them in the air and said, “We intercepted several of his letters to Joséphine and will have them published in the London papers. In a few weeks, much of England and France will know of his private feelings about her betrayal of their love, as she has also taken a lover.”

I stayed quiet, unsure of what words to speak.

“The news you share will be of great help to my sisters and me.” Renée leaned forward and said, “What is your plan?”

“It is simple. Napoleon must fall. He intends to conquer all of Europe and then England, and that must not come to pass.”

“We are in agreement.”

The queen turned to me and asked, “Where do you fit into this large puzzle, my dear?”

I could not speak, as I did not know the answer.

Renée offered one for me and replied, “I am to meet with the sisters soon.”

“The convocation starts next week, does it not?” The queen waited to read Renée’s response.

“Yes, that is true.” Renée tried to conceal her surprise. “I plan on leaving to attend directly from here.”

The queen nodded. “Cinderella, what do you know of war?”

I was not prepared for the question and answered from the heart. “Not much, Your Majesty. I am innocent in those affairs.”

“And you, what know you of war?” The queen sat down on a plain chair and rested her head in her hand.

“I know of what you ask.” Renée looked at me and then back at the queen. “You refer to the spirit of War.”

The queen smiled. “Exactly.”

“Your knowledge of the ways of the fey is impressive.”

The queen took pity on me and said, “You wonder what we speak of?”

“Your Majesty, I am aware of my shortcomings and understand my place. I ask no questions now as I do not know which questions to ask without appearing to be a fool.”

The queen laughed. “You are wise for your age.”

Renée stood up and reached out her hands, concentrating with her eyes closed. The queen walked over to us and remained silent. I could hear Renée mumble some words in a language that I did not understand, and both the queen and I waited.

After a few moments, Renée opened her eyes and faced the queen. “It is not near. We are safe for now.”

I looked around the room in fear. “What is not near?”

“The spirit of War.” The queen pointed to the map in her hand and showed me all of Europe. Marked were listings of where English forces fought against Napoleon’s armies. “Beneath the world we see, in the shadow, there still holds sway the Lord of the Fey.”

Renée held up her hand in warning. “Do not speak his name.”

The queen nodded and observed Renée’s caution as she glanced around the room, searching for some unseen thing. “War, Pestilence, and Famine are spirits that faeries can control and spread through the souls of men.”

I listened and began searching the room myself as the queen went on. “The tendrils of War bleed across Europe and search for a foothold here. I and others fight to prevent that from happening.”

Renée took my hand and said, “Your mother also fought against the spirit of War.”

“You knew my mother?” Dozens of questions rose up within.

Renée nodded. “Yes, I did, and I will tell you more later. It is not safe here for long.”

“She is right and our time here must be concluded soon.” The queen hurried on and faced Renée. “We need your help to remain strong. Will you go to your sisters and advocate for us?”

“She must come with me.” Renée took my hand and held it firm. “And we must see that Henri has not been harmed, nor will be. He must have his freedom.”

The queen asked me, “Do you agree to these terms?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then I propose that you both go to the convocation and bring our message of assistance to the sisterhood. Henri will remain here, secure from harm, to meet you both when you return.”

Renée glanced at me, and for several moments I hesitated, wanting to stay with Henri, but the queen had compromised and promised him no harm. Now it would do me well to consent, so I nodded. “We agree.”