The Wicked Stepmother

Queen Clementina hurried back to her chambers, plunked her crown down on the table, shed her dress and kicked off her tight satin shoes as fast as she could. She put on her house slippers and fluffy dressing gown and gratefully sank into her armchair. Her maid Dulcie tutted as she scurried around picking up discarded items of heavy, jewel encrusted clothing.

“I know, I know. I should be more careful, but they’re so darn uncomfortable to wear. Bring me a large, cold Chardonnay and my magic mirror when you’re done hanging those up, there’s a love,” Clementina said, stretching.

Dulcie returned a few moments later, carefully carrying a glass of wine and a large oval gilt framed mirror, both of which she put on the dresser in front of Clementina who was massaging cold cream into her face.

“Thank you. I won’t need anything else,” Clementina said. Dulcie curtsied and left the room. Clementina turned to the mirror, waved her hand in front of it and murmured a few words. Her reflection shattered and swirled, the pieces reassembling like a kaleidoscope into an older, plumper version of herself.

“Hello, sis,” said the new image. “How did the big day go? I’m sure Cinderella made a gorgeous bride.”

“Well, nobody tripped. Am I glad to talk to you,” said Clementina. “Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin. Cheers.”

She raised her glass to her sister.

"At last, that little hussy is off my hands. Wicked stepmother indeed. I know that’s what she wanted everyone to think. If they only knew the half of it. She’s made my life miserable for years.”

“Well, she was young and still grieving for her mother when her father married you,” said Gloriana. “She had to compete for her father’s attention with you and your girls.”

“True. He didn’t exactly help the situation. I found out after the fact that he hadn’t even told her we were getting married. Typical clueless male. No wonder she was bent out of shape,” Clementina said, taking a large gulp of her wine. “But I tried. Treated her like my own girls, but she wasn’t having any of it. She told anyone and everyone who would listen that I beat her and made her work in the kitchen, and I don’t know what all. Spoiled little madam. I don't think she even knew where the kitchen was.”

“There, there. Don't get stressed,” said Gloriana. “You’re being very harsh. Her dad was just trying to compensate for her losing her mother.”

“He gave her whatever she wanted and let her run wild, if that’s what you mean. I wasn’t about to stand for that. Otherwise Prunella and Felicity would have thought they could get away with that kind of behavior too. Not that they were too thrilled about me marrying the king once they met him. He’s so old, Mama. He’s so ugly, Mama. Why do you want to marry him, Mama? I had to give them a reality check. Girls, your father was young and handsome. He was also careless enough to get drunk, fall off a horse and break his neck, leaving me to bring you two up as a single mother. I wasn’t about to turn down the king. Might not be right but that’s the way the world works.”

“What did they think of Cinderella?” said Gloriana.

Clementina shrugged.

“At first they thought it would be nice to have a little sister. That is, until she started snitching on them if they did anything wrong and stirring up trouble whenever she could. I tell you, blending families is not easy, Glory.”

Gloriana chuckled.

“You did your best. Now how did Cinderella meet this Prince Charming fellow?”

Clementina snorted.

“Hah. Devious as always. She sneaked out to a ball after she’d been grounded. I swear that girl should be a romance novelist. She came up with all kinds of tales about a fairy godmother granting her wishes and warning her about turning into a pumpkin after midnight or some such nonsense. Ridiculous. She took one of Prunella’s dresses, crept off and bribed the coachman to take her to the ball. I sent that coachman packing quick enough. Anyway, she met Prince Charming, a scoundrel with a trail of broken hearts behind him. She was trying to go incognito, but he knew exactly who she was and sweet talked her into meeting him alone. Then he tried to blackmail the king, saying he would ruin her reputation. Big mistake. He obviously hadn’t thought this through. The king was ready to behead him. If Cinderella hadn’t thrown herself at her father’s feet and pleaded for mercy, I hate to think what would have happened. I’m getting a headache just thinking about it.”

“Go on,” said Gloriana, enraptured. “And then what?”

“Cinderella begged me to intercede. I pretended to think about it. It was fun to see her squirm, but I persuaded the king to be lenient. You know him. His bark’s far worse than his bite, but he couldn’t afford to look weak. So, the solution he came up with was for Cinderella to marry Charming. He’s giving them a castle at the other end of the realm, far enough away that we won’t see them every day, but close enough that he can drop in and visit whenever he wants. Charming knows that if he puts a toe out of line, his head is liable to end up on a pike. Works for me.”

“I am sure she was a beautiful bride,” said Gloriana.

“Of course she was. She’s a beautiful girl. Much as I love Prunella and Felicity, I must admit they’re on the homely side, though they made pretty enough bridesmaids. They take after their father’s side of the family if you ask me. I’m exhausted. All that regalia weighs a ton, and I’ve got a crick in my neck from wearing that heavy crown all day. I’m going to have to summon the royal chiropractor tomorrow.”

“How’s the king dealing with all this?”

“Relieved all the wedding stuff is over with for now. It wasn’t the right time to remind him we have two more to go, said Clementina.

“Maybe someday women won’t need to get married unless they want to,” said Gloriana. “I mean, I liked my Arthur well enough and I was sorry when he died, but it would have been nice to have had a choice.”

Clementina laughed.

“Glory, we’re not living in a fairy tale! What will you think of next? Talk to you soon. Bye.”

She waved her hand and Gloriana blew her a kiss as her reflection faded in the mirror.