“What were you fairies chatting about so animatedly when we got here?” asked Merryweather, conjuring some of her special preserves and honey from her own gardens. But before the Fairy Godmother could answer, Nanny took over the conversation.

“It has come to our attention that the fairies have been holding Lady Tremaine and her daughters captive in Queen Cinderella’s old château,” said Nanny, her wings fluttering with agitation. “This is highly disturbing considering my connection to the Tremaine family.” Nanny wiggled back and forth in her seat, trying to make herself comfortable. The Fairy Godmother thought it was laughable that her sister, who was born a fairy, never felt comfortable in her own wings.

“Come now! I wouldn’t put it quite like that, sister!” said the Fairy Godmother, feeling a bit guilty once she heard it in such simple, straightforward terms.

“Good heavens! We can’t help those awful girls!” screeched Merryweather, startling Fauna and Flora.

“I’m sorry you’re so upset, Nanny, but I have the majority in this. We will not help Anastasia and Drizella. My fairies will never grant wishes to foul demons, witches, evil stepmothers, or cruel stepsisters! Not ever! Not while I’m in charge anyway!” said the Fairy Godmother, feeling very proud of herself.

“Let’s not forget you’re not in charge of the Fairylands, sister. I am.” Nanny’s tone was firm. “You stepped down, and Oberon agreed that I should take the lead. Now, I’m going to ask Opal to fly a message to Cinderella letting her know the Fairy Godmother is on her way to help Anastasia and Drizella. Do you want to disappoint her? Or do I have to strip you of your charge and become Cinderella’s fairy godmother myself?”

The Three Good Fairies gasped. “You can’t do that!”

“Oh yes I can! And I will! Make your choice, sister. Help Queen Cinderella, or I will!” said Nanny.

The Fairy Godmother was hurt deeply by her sister’s threats, but she remained stalwart. She picked up the book of fairy tales, flipping through it until she found Lady Tremaine and her daughters’ story. “Nanny, this is nonsense,” she said. “You know their story, you were there. And you know as well as I do Lady Tremaine and her horrible daughters didn’t even need the encouragement of those meddlesome Odd Sisters! They treated my poor Cinderella reprehensibly on their own accord. It’s all in the book of fairy tales that Snow White sent back to us after the ordeal.”

Nanny smiled, and her sister didn’t like it. She knew that meant she was up to something.

“Okay, sister. Let’s read their story, then. Perhaps there will be no redemption for Lady Tremaine, but I wager even you will want to help her daughters after reading their tale. Remember I was there, and more importantly, I know your heart.”