This is the companion story to Cendrilla, where Mother, Candide Perrault, sells Rilla to Lord Bluebeard for her weight in gold. But now that everyone hates Candide fro her crimes, she crosses the Cursed Sea to reach Savannah, the country of her birth.

Here are links to the first,  second  and third chapters of Mother’s Misfortune in case you’re seeing this for the first time.

~FOUR~

By the time the cart trundled down the streets of Pena, the sun had set, and only the lights peeking out of shuttered windows illuminated the streets. They reached a cottage much larger than the home in which Maria had brought up her family. Like most of the houses in Pena, this one was made of adobe and rendered in lime, giving it a whitish glow among the gloom.

Lucio stopped the cart, helped them out, and knocked on the door. He turned around and beamed. “Grandma will be so pleased to see you.”

A little girl, around the age of ten, with fair skin and raven hair opened the door. “Papa!” She wrinkled her nose. “Who are these smelly people?”

“Hush, Lillian,” said Lucio. “They are here to see Avozinha.”

Candide smiled. It had been years since she’d heard the term used instead of granny. She crouched and met the delightful girl’s gaze. “Hello, Lillian.”

The girl’s eyes widened, and she sprinted further into the house. Seconds later, an elderly woman hobbled to the front door. Candide recognized her younger sister at once.

“What did I tell you about answering the door on your own?” Maria said, her voice still clear and sharp.

Candide held her arms out. “Maria, it is I, your eldest sibling, returned to you at last.”

The old woman stepped back and frowned. “My spinster sister had dung for brains, but I don’t recall her being covered in it.”

Angelique snorted.

Any good mood and appreciation for family that Candide had mustered now vanished. “Enough of your quips. Aren’t you glad to see me? I brought my daughters.”

Maria’s wrinkled lips twisted. “More likely you returned to the palace, got yourself nearly executed and used my children to escape.”

Candide opened and closed her mouth. “What?”

“You think I didn’t know it was you who ascended to the throne, looking as you did when we were in our twenties? How thick do you think I am? I’m grateful you provided work for my family, but I can’t say I approve of your methods.”

“How did you—”

“People talk and I listen.” She motioned with her head. “I kept something for you. Lucio. Get the wooden box from the mantle and the burgundy rug.”

The young man excused himself and entered the house. Candide, Maria and the twins stood in silence, waiting for his return. Although Candide kept her head up, her insides quivered at the cold welcome. At last, he returned with the items under each arm.

“Put the rug on the floor outside on the floor, please.”

Lucio obeyed his grandmother.

“And open the box. Keep it high up. It’s not something for Lillian’s eyes. You look away, too.”

Lucio took the cover off.

Candide kept her gaze on her sister’s disapproving face, not daring to look at what horrors dwelled within the box.

Maria’s withered face formed a frown. She bared her gums. “Look. Inside. The. Box.”

“For Kingdoms’ sake.” Angelique pushed past Candide. “I’ll look at it.” She stepped up to Lucio, peered inside and cried out.

Candide’s gaze snapped to the box. Inside, lay the upturned head of Branca, the sister with whom she’d spent her entire life. Her eyes filled with tears and her breaths sped up. “Why would you keep her head in a box?”

“The barber was kind enough to send it to me.” She put her hands on her hips. “Told me the most fantastical tale. Apparently, poor Branca was under the delusion that if she cut her head off, a younger one would grow in its place.”

A cold wave of nausea rose to Candide’s throat. She staggered back, bumping into a retching Angelique, who was being comforted by her sister.

Maria shuffled forward. “See what meddling with sorcery and making flippant comments get you? Dead family members. And if you don’t leave my doorstep this instant, I will call the palace guard.”

“B-but where are we to go?”

Maria spat on the floor. “Don’t know, don’t care as long as it’s not here. Take the carpet and use the name of the dead sister you betrayed to make it fly.”

Lucio stepped inside the house and shut the door.

“What are we going to do?” asked Gabrielle.

Candide looked up at the sky and spotted the East Star. “Porto Duende is that way. Maybe we can catch up with Captain Noyer and get a ride back to Port Au Happy Prince.”

“Oh?” asked Angelique. “And how do you intend to pay? All our gold was in the trunks the guards unloaded.

She sat on the carpet and muttered Branca’s name. It rose several inches off the floor, and the twins jumped on. “Captain Noyer knows I am of royal stock. He will be honored to give the Queen and Princesses passage anywhere.”

Angelique scratched her chin. “I’m not so sure about that, Mother. Remember, you said you’d have him hung for piracy?”

Candide pursed her lips and commanded the carpet to rise. It soared above the buildings, making her stomach lurch. The twins also gasped at the sudden rise in altitude. They flew over the city of Pena, and over the rainforests, avoiding the occasional passing Talking Frog. It did not take them much time to reach Porto Duende.

The full moon cast its reflection over the water, and among the vessels in the sea, they spotted the silhouette of boat without sails. It moved at a steady pace, its oars rising up and down through the water. It was a calm, cloudless night, with stars lighting their way. Candide would have dwelled on the beauty of the sight, but she was sick to death of Savannah and its unwelcoming inhabitants.

They rode the carpet over the waves, and it dipped and sputtered.

“What’s happening now?” Gabrielle clutched its edge.

“Maybe it’s only meant to go over land,” said Angelique.

Candide shook her head and commanded the carpet to go faster. “We would have sunk by now if that were true.”

The flying carpet shot forward, almost flinging them through the air, bringing them mere inches away from the surface of the water. Wind rushed through their hair, and sea spray stung Candide’s eyes. She clung on to the treacherous tapestry, willing it not to let them drown. It flew over the ship, and Candide made eye contact with the gawking First Mate, then it flipped, hurling them into the sea.

Candide landed with a splash into the warm water, when she floated up, she found Gabrielle and Angelique’s heads bobbing up and down nearby. The flying carpet hovered a foot above the sea, moving up and down with the waves.

“Grab onto the edge,” she shouted.

The girls obeyed, and the carpet towed them to the side of the ship.

“Man overboard!” boomed the First Mate.

Several others shouted and leaned over the deck, holding lanterns.

“Don’t just stand there gaping at us,” yelled Candide. “Throw down some ropes!”

The men vanished from the deck, and Candide turned to the twins. “Make sure to wash any trace of dung from your bodies. There will be no more opportunities for a warm bath until we reach the shore.”

“Yes, Mother.” Gabrielle plunged herself into the salt water and ran her hands over her hair and face. Angelique did the same, but kept one hand clutching the carpet.

After all three of them had washed, they held onto the ropes and allowed themselves to be pulled up to the ship. Captain Noyer stood on the deck, his arms folded, a hostile glare harshening his features.

“Hello, Saoul.” Candide put on her sweetest voice, hoping it would endear her to the captain.

“If I’d known it was you who’d fallen off a flying carpet, I’d have told the men to save their rope.”

“Oh, don’t be like that.” She pressed her hand on the man’s chest. “I came especially to see you.”

He remained unmoved by Candide’s charm. “Changed your mind about having me executed, then?”

“Told you he’d say that,” muttered Angelique.

Candide smoothed out her expression and brushed imaginary lint off the man’s broad chest. “I have a favor to ask, dear Cap—”

“We’re not going back to Serotin, if that’s what you want.” He stared at his nails.

“Please.” Candide clutched the front of his shirt. “I will do anything.”

Captain Noyer raised his eyebrows. “You’re too puny to work the galley and I wouldn’t trust you to cook or clean.” He glanced at the tapestry hovering behind Candide. “In exchange for the magic carpet and all your jewelry, your girls can have a private bunk.”

“And where will Mother sleep?” asked Angelique.

“She’ll have a room of her own.” He put his arm around Candide and squeezed tight. “Your mother deserves only the very best, eh, Your Majesty? After all, our crew will be clambering for an audience with a Queen.”

“Mother provides only the very best entertainment,” said Gabrielle. “Do you stock Earl Fae tea?”

Captain Noyer laughed and slapped Candide hard on the back. She staggered forward a few paces, and muttered to the girls, “Be quiet and keep your door locked.”

***

It took an eternity to reach Port Au Happy Prince, as the Captain neglected to inform Candide that he would travel around Merman’s triangle and along the coasts of Savannah, Pampas and Monsoon. Although it was a smoother and peril-free journey, she resented being entertainment for such a rough, filthy crew. But the twins were safe, which was a relief.

When they docked, Captain Noyer kissed the girls’ hands, making them giggle. He offered Candide a mocking bow which she ignored. The ship’s boy lead them to a livery yard, explaining that the captain had given the owner a gold coin to keep the horse and carriage safe. They even received change of six silver coins, which Candide pocketed. While she was relieved to have funds, even this thoughtful gesture could not erase the ill feelings she had towards that fiend.

As it was daylight, the ride back to Moissan was pleasant enough. They stopped at a market and spent their money on food and plain, cotton dresses. Candide would spend two months of stipend from the Perrault vault and buy herself something decadent to take her mind off her misfortune.

It was after sunset by the time they arrived at the glorious village of Moissan. When she reached the mailbox outside the tall hedge bordering the Perrault land, it was stuffed full of newspapers. Candide stopped the horse, and Gabrielle hopped out to pick them up. She reentered the coach, and Candide drove on.

Within seconds, a wailing cry and thrashing shook the coach.

Candide stopped, her heart in her throat. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Rilla!” screamed Gabrielle.

Angelique’s snickering told Candide that the issue wasn’t serious, but she climbed down anyway and stuck her head in the carriage window. The headlines and illustrations of Cendrilla, in various heroic and glamorous poses, almost stopped her heart.

WARRIOR WOMAN OF CLEMENT ROAD DEFEATS LONG DON CIPRIANO!

WARRIOR WOMAN OF CLEMENT ROAD RESCUES LADY FLORIAN!

WARRIOR WOMAN OF CLEMENT ROAD SAVES PRINCE ARMIN FROM TROLL ABDUCTION!

WARRIOR WOMAN OF CLEMENT ROAD IN LOVE TRIANGLE WITH LORD BLUEBEARD AND PRINCE ARMIN!

WARRIOR WOMAN OF CLEMENT ROAD TO ELOPE WITH PRINCE ARMIN?

LORD FLORIAN’S SECRET LOVE LETTER TO WARRIOR WOMAN OF CLEMENT ROAD!

Candide sneered. Not only was that oaf out of Lord Bluebeard’s clutches, she had the attention of Prince Armin and the Earl of Brise, Lord Florian. Worse still, if the reports were to be believed, she’d even gained the respect of that brute, Lord Bluebeard. At least one good thing had come from reading about the infernal girl’s success. The ogre had found his betrothed and he would no longer be banging on their door.

She boarded the carriage, ignoring the sobs of her daughter,  focussing instead on the three beautiful bluebirds flying overhead. It was rare to see such creatures around after sunset, but she deemed their appearance as a good omen.

When the carriage turned a corner, she screamed. The Manor was a burned out, collapsed mess. She buried her head in her hands. What was to become of her and the twins? The Perrault stipend depended on there being a Manor to upkeep and the presence of the wretched girl. And they were penniless, save a few bronze coins. She regretted allowing Sergeant D’Armes to intimidate her into not asking for help with the fire.

Two screams joined her sobs, and soon, all three of them filled the driveway with their wails. Candide drove the carriage all the way to the burned out front entrance, tears blurring her vision. She climbed down to the ground and, wracked with misery, the three of them embraced each other.

“What are we to do?” said Gabrielle.

The groundskeeper’s hut should be untouched. We can sleep there while we work out our next move.

“But we have no money,” said Angelique through hiccups.

“Come.” She guided them around the Manor and through to the grounds. They were largely unaffected by the fire as was the stone hut at the bottom of the garden. While its roof was intact and its shutters kept free of rot, the inside needed furniture and a good cleaning. She sent the girls out to the gazebo in order to fetch a chair, table, cushions, and whatever cleaning implements they could find.

A thud from outside alerted them that someone was in the garden. Candide peeped through the gap in the shutters and gasped at the sight of Lord Bluebeard, taking off a peculiar pair of blue leather boots. He slung them over his shoulder and kicked down the door.

“My Lord,” she said, a tremor in her voice. “What do you want?”

“Cendrilla is refusing to marry me. I want the return of my five thousand gold crowns.”

Candide spluttered. “But you only gave me two thousand five hundred.”

He grinned. “You’re forgetting the debts I paid off, the generous allowance you squandered, and the interest.”

“Mother!” screeched Gabrielle.

Lord Bluebeard eyed the girl and rubbed his chin. “I have an idea.”

“You will not take my daughters. I’d rather die first.”

He turned to her and grinned. “Perhaps you will. I will return in a few weeks. Run if you like, but there is nowhere you can hide from my reach.”

Candide shuddered and watched him stroll out of the door. He chucked Gabrielle under her chin, making her daughter flinch. She followed him out to the garden, where he donned the blue boots and with a leap, disappeared from sight.

Falling to her knees in relief, she sobbed into her hands. How one person could endure so much persecution, she did not know. Gabrielle knelt beside her, rubbing her back and whispering soothing nonsense. It did not help, but it was reassuring to know one of her daughters still sympathized with her plight. She indulged her misery for several minutes, enjoying the attentions of her dear Gabrielle, until noises came from the garden.

“Mother.” Angelique’s voice made her head shoot up.

The girl was flanked by two men. Both of them gripping her arms, and several more milled around behind her. From their red cloaks and masks, she could tell they were not constables. One man stepped forward and took off his mask.

Candide suppressed a scream. It was the widower alchemist Monsieur Bacon.

He grinned and gave her a shallow bow. “Madame Perrault, or shall I call you Candide? I must insist you come with me and my companions. We have… things to discuss.”

THE END…UNTIL BOOK THREE…

I wrote this because I felt the endings of many old Cinderella stories were too rushed. Okay, she gets to the ball and marries the prince. But what happened to the stepmother and stepsisters? In many versions of the story, they weren’t even mentioned at the end, or Cinderella helps her stepsisters to marry noblemen.

That was not enough for me. I wanted to see the stepmother and her daughters receive their comeuppance for treating an orphan girl like a servant in her own home. Cinderella suffered for at least ten years, so I wanted their punishment to be equally harsh.

And that’s why I wrote this little story. But as you have read, Mother’s misfortune has not yet finished. In Book Two, The Academy, you will discover what exactly Mother means when she says boons are the most powerful magical oath. It’s not until Book Three, Witches, where Mother will explain to Rilla her life story and how Rilla ended up in her care.

I hope you enjoyed this story. If you haven’t already read it, I suggest you read Cendrilla. Some of the events in the newspaper article occurred at the end of that book, and it will set you up for the next books in the Perrault Chronicles.

Read Cendrilla, where it all began, or The Academy, where it continues….