The godfather of fairies picked Princess Aurora's baby, Winter, from the smooth iron table and followed closely behind Cinderella as she left the chamber of darkness.
As the giant doors close behind them, the light of the world found no way into the chamber of darkness ever again, for it will never be opened for a thousand years. The candles will burn for a while more, and then fade to black. And like it, the screams of treachery and cries for mercy will fade to bitter weeping and hopeless sobbing, and then fade to black.
*
Her cloak hid her face that wore the expression of immense gratification. She did not smile, nor did she speak words of congratulations to herself or the godfather of fairies, but as she strode through the corridors and hallways towards another chamber of darkness, her footsteps carried the weight of queens and of the goddesses, as though empowered by the god of treachery himself.
That walk was her coronation.
She stood by the bars of cold steel and looked at Prince Charming, naked, thin and gone mad. He lie there, curled up on the hay that has become his bed, muttering words that cannot be heard, except for the occasional "Cinderella", "the glass slipper", among others.
Those words no longer had any meaning to Cinderella. That past will end, here and now.
Prince Charming, amidst his lost madness, caught sight of Cinderella and started throwing a fit. He screamed and wriggled all over the floor, as though the face of Cinderella burned as an inner fire that was hotter than the flames of hell.
"Do I kill him, your highness?" asked the godfather of fairies in his usual whisperous tone.
"No, leave him here."
The godfather of fairies bowed slightly to acknowledge her command, and followed her out of the chamber.
From that day onwards she heard no more of the cries of Princess Aurora, Fairy Godmother, and Prince Charming.
*
"Godfather,"
"Yes, princess?"
"It is done. I will be queen, and I have my heir now."
"You have my congratulations... my Queen."
"I must keep you by my side, my aide, godfather of fairies."
"It is a pleasure to serve you, your majesty, but other evils await my service, and soon I must depart, and leave you to your business."
"Then will you do one last service for me?"
"With great pleasure and honor, I will."
"Imprison yourself in that piece of furniture, and never depart from there," ordered Cinderella as she pointed into the darkness of her bedroom. It would seem as though she knew not where and what she was pointing at, but the godfather of fairies' reaction showed that she knew.
"You cannot make me do this, Princess Cinderella."
"You did just say 'with great pleasure and honor, I will,' and I hold will you true to that, or you shall be the godfather of fairies no more."
"And I will honor my word," said the godfather of fairies, as he walked into the darkness. And out of the darkness, came his last words. "You cannot contain power forever."
Cinderella showed no expression to those words, as she glared into the darkness where the godfather of fairies departed to. She stood there for a full hour, with baby Winter sleeping in her arms, and reflected on her past, and pondered on her future.
She looked at the sleeping baby, and whispered, "my servant, my heir."
*
Sixteen years later.
*
Cinderella awakes to the bright shining sun. She went about her usual business, washing her face, combing her hair, putting on her morning gown. She dressed in a presentable fashion, as she was to meet Lord Farqua downstairs.
As she stared into the mirror, admiring her own stature and beauty, she spoke.
"Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
And the mirror spoke back in its whisperous tone an answer that was either pleasant to the ears of Cinderella, or perhaps not.
*
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