Fauna, Flora, and Merryweather had been silent, waiting to see what the Fairy Godmother would say. They had been dumbstruck by Nanny’s earlier comments and had been sitting there the entire time, jaws dropped.

“Merryweather, close your mouth. A dragonfly is going to fly into it!” said the Fairy Godmother. “And magic us some more refreshments.” Then she snapped at Fauna, “And you! Send a message to the Blue Fairy. Tell her there is an emergency Fairy Council meeting and she’s needed immediately.” Finally, she looked to Nanny. “Where is the King of the Fairies? Do you think he’d like to sit on the council meeting?”

Nanny laughed, no doubt because her sister was still acting as though she was in charge of the Fairylands. “Oberon is at Morningstar Castle with Princess Tulip preparing for another of their adventures. But I am sure he’s listening,” said Nanny.

The Fairy Godmother knew that even if he wasn’t listening, Nanny would fill him in later. They had been closer than ever, which sent a tingling rage through her body, but she had to put that aside for now. “All right, then,” she said. “Once Blue Fairy arrives we will read Lady Tremaine’s story, and the council will decide if we should help Drizella and Anastasia.”

“I think that sounds fair,” said Nanny, with a suspicious look on her face that the Fairy Godmother didn’t like. But she decided it was a victory anyway. She knew in her heart her fairies would never agree to help Anastasia and Drizella, no matter what Nanny had up her sleeve.

Chapter II: The Fairy Council

Once the entire council had gathered, the Fairy Godmother took out the book of fairy tales. “Very well, then,” she said. “If no one objects, we will read Lady Tremaine’s story, and perhaps my sister, Nanny, here will finally stop pestering me to help those monstrous girls Anastasia and Drizella once and for all.” She winked to her favorite fairy trio, knowing they wouldn’t let her down.

Lady Tremaine

London may be far away, but we have found ways for our magic to reach beyond the Many Kingdoms, even into the drawing rooms of unsuspecting fancy lords and ladies. Take Cruella de Vil, for example. Even though her tale was written in her own voice, who do you think inspired her to write it?

But this isn’t Cruella’s story. It’s Lady Tremaine’s.

Lady Tremaine lost her husband early in their marriage and was left to care for their two young daughters on her own. Unlike most women in her circumstances, Lady Tremaine was well provided for. Upon his death her stately lord of a husband left her a great fortune. That, combined with the fortune she herself had brought to the marriage, meant she was quite a wealthy woman.