Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
First of all, let me say that what you heard from the Brothers Grimm is all wrong. The people, and places, and most of the situations existed, but everything else what their own fevered imaginations at work, not to mention quite a bit of misogyny.
My name is Judith. I am one of Cinderella’s "ugly stepsisters", but that isn’t what rankled me the most about their version of the story. They talk as if my other sister and I were lazy slavedrivers, driven only to petty acts of greed and vengeance against an outsider whom we were jealous of. That is quite untrue. This is a tale of desires.
I remember the day the whole thing started. I had a burgeoning career as an artist, and had just finished a portrait of Baron Montrose, when I came back, my purse heavy with the fat commission I had gotten for the portrait. Mother was doing her usual amount of social climbing, entertaining a merchant from Venice. Cinderella was working in the barn. Not glamorous work, but it needed to be done.
I opened the gate and was greeted by Sunshine, a hunting dog my father had gotten shortly before his death. She sniffed me over warily, then passed by. I liked her, but the thing had a better bond with Cinderella. My mother, a tall, imposing woman in her fifties with just a hint of grey in her hair and a pleasantly plump figure spied me from the gazebo where she and the merchant were having tea. "Judith!" She called, "Over here!"
I immediately walked over at what I hoped was a dignified pace. "Mother." I said, as I walked up the steps to the gazebo’s interior. The man she was with reminded me of a hunting cat. Sleek, graceful, and somewhat dangerous-looking. He had dark skin and hair, and looked to be quite rich, if the quality of his clothing was any indication.
Mother and the gentleman got up. "Judith, may I present Lord Franco, from Venice. We were having an interesting talk. Lord Franco, this my daughter, Judith." I absently smoothed my dress and hair.
I curtsied to him. "Lord Franco. What brings you to our fair land?"
He took my hand and kissed it. "I was just telling Lady Alcombe that the fair city of Venice wishes to help celebrate the birthday of your royal heir."
We all sat. I thought for a minute. Baron Montrose had said something about this. The prince had returned to the kingdom, probably to attend to his family concerns and start the process of being a royal heir – getting a wife and children and all that.
"Isn’t that such interesting news, my dear?" Said Mother. "The prince has returned, no doubt to seek a wife." She smiled in a predatory way and drank from her cup.
I swallowed nervously. I had never met the prince, and wondered what he would want in a wife. I believed Mother had a plan, as usual. "No doubt there will a grand ball." She continued.
I smiled and rose. At least she was not scheming to engage me to this Venetian merchant. "If you’ll excuse me, Mother, Lord Franco." He rose, and took my hand and kissed it again. "Until the ball then, my dear." I left and he resumed his seat.
I went into the house, nearly forgetting the fact that I had a pouch of coins. Almost absently, I began going up the stairs. I wondered what Veronica was up to.
My other sister Veronica was going to become a nun. Some four years ago, not long after our stepfather died, she began speaking of serving God. Our mother had done her best to dissuade her, but it was a lost cause. Veronica’s heart had been claimed by God, and she had been iron in her resolution to enter a convent.
I found her in her room, reading the Bible. When I entered, she looked up and smiled. "Hello, Judith."
"Have you been reading that Bible all this time?"
She looked out the window. "I guess I have." Her face lit up. "St. Paul’s letters to the Ephesians has so much insight into it. I just lost all track of time."
I put up my hands. "You don’t have to sell me on this, Veronica."
She grinned and put the book down. "How was the meeting?"
"I showed the painting to the Baron today. I believe he enjoyed it."
She smiled. "That’s nice." There was a long pause. Ever since she had decided on taking the veil, there seemed to be a huge chasm between us. "You do remember its tomorrow?"
I nodded.
"Umm, once I’ve been there for a while, I’ll see if I can get you a commission or two from the church."
I half-laughed. "I don’t think that going to happen."
Suddenly, she was concerned. "This hasn’t soured you on God, has it? Because, believe me.."
I cut her off. "No. Not that. It’s just I don’t think the Church would hire a woman for this type of thing."
She gave me a look. "We’ll see."
I laughed again. "I’ll see you at dinner." I turned and walked away.
I had things to do. When I got downstairs, I heard a pounding at the back door. "Coming!" I said, hurrying to it.
Cinderella had her arms full. "Hi. Thanks for the help." She said as she came in. Cinderella and I were nothing alike. I had light brown, mousy hair and was on the short side. People often thought of me as "pleasant looking". Had she the chance, my step-sister could put anyone to shame. Of medium height, her blond hair shimmered in the sun, and her features were classically beautiful.
She put a pail of milk on the stove and dumped an apronful of fruit in a bowl. "What do you want for lunch?" she asked, as she carefully poured the milk into the cream-pans.
I remembered that I had gotten paid that day. "Actually, why don’t we go to an tavern?" I pulled the pouch off my belt and plopped it down on the table as I sat down. "Baron Montrose was very satisfied with his portrait."
Cinderella sat down opposite me. "My goodness!" She exclaimed, "That should be quite enough!"
I smiled. "Let’s get changed and go." My knowing smile was matched by hers. We both headed off to our rooms.
Some time later, we were sitting at a table in the Pig and Whistle, a tavern in the village square. We elicited some stares, but frankly, we didn’t care. I felt close to Cinderella, something that we hadn’t been in a long while. For a time, while we ate, we just talked.
"Hey, check it out." She said to me slyly, half-pointing to the bar. "Someone’s watching us."
I casually turned my head, and saw a pair of men looking at us. One of them I recognized, a tall, youngish, rough-hewn man with long brown hair and a full beard. He was dressed in simple clothing, rather than his usual finery, but I knew him. I smiled. "Relax. That’s Baron Montrose, my patron." She nodded and picked up her cup.
The pair of men sauntered over. "Ladies." Said the Baron.
I turned to face them. "Baron Montrose. What a pleasure."
He grinned sheepishly. "Didn’t fool you?" He looked down at himself.
"I’ve been painting your picture for the last two weeks. I don’t forget that quickly."
"Ah, yes, well, who is this lovely creature with you?" He asked, extending a hand at Cinderella.
I blushed. "Oh, yes. Baron Montrose, this is my sister, Cinderella. Cinderella, this is Baron Montrose, and…" I trailed off, not recognizing his companion. Like the Baron, he was tall, but had short hair and a crisp manner to him. He had dazzling blue eyes and a winning smile. He was definitely aristocratic. He was dressed similar to the Baron, but I could tell this was not how he normally looked.
"Oh! Yes. Ladies, this is.." he paused as the man elbowed him in the side. "..A friend of the family. Eric."
Eric took Cinderella’s hand and kissed it. "A pleasure." He said, his eyes drinking in her. He looked at me. "My lady." He said, bowing slightly.
"May we join you?" The Baron asked.
I looked at Cinderella, and then at the Baron. "Actually, I think we had better get home."
"Well, then, you must allow us to escort you home." The Baron helped me to my feet, and Eric did the same for Cinderella. We walked in pairs. Eric and Cinderella went first, and after a considerable lag, the Baron and I.
As we walked, Baron Montrose engaged me. "You’ve heard about the grand ball?"
"Mother said she suspected there would be one. The Prince is going to select a wife from the kingdom?"
He nodded. "The state of things being what they are, the king has allowed his son to marry for love, rather than for any diplomatic alliance for the sake of the kingdom."
"He expects to find love in one night?"
He shrugged. "I don’t know. Sometimes, you find love where you least expect it." He paused. "So, are you going?"
I half-laughed. "Oh, I’m quite sure that Mother will drag me there, by my heels if she has to."
"Well, I would advise you against false expectations, my lady."
I looked at him. "What do you mean by that?"
"It’s just that there’ll be a lot of women there, and I just don’t think that…." He trailed off when he saw my face. "Look, let’s just drop it." He grew very embarrassed.
"Good idea." I relied icily.
We were silent for the rest for the walk home. When we got to the house, he took my arm. "Judith, I want to apologize. I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you. Is your sister still going into the convent?"
I nodded. "Yes, tomorrow."
He exhaled. "Alright then. I will have my carriage at your family’s disposal tomorrow. Make the trip a little easier."
"Thank you." I turned and walked into the house.
Mother was railing at Cinderella. "How dare you leave without telling me? I had no idea where you or Judith were! Do you know how worried I was?"
I sighed, and interrupted her tirade. "Mother, it was my idea. We just went into town for a little break." I pulled the pouch from my belt and put it on the table. "Baron Montrose paid me today."
She looked at me and the pouch. "Oh, good." She snatched it up. "We’ll need this in the next couple of days." She looked at Cinderella. "Alright, then. Get back to your chores, young lady." With that, she stormed away. Cinderella rolled up her eyes and left.
The next day, Cinderella and I were walking on eggshells until Mother and Veronica got into the baron’s carriage and went to the convent. I helped Cinderella with the chores, since I was between commissions. Finally, after lunch, we heard the horses from the Baron’s carriage approach. We both heard Mother as she stepped out the carriage. "And do thank the baron for me." She said. She entered the house, and all pretense of a pleasant manner dropped. She took us both to the kitchen table, and sat us down.
"Well, Veronica has sold herself to the church. She flew in the face of my plans, but I know that you two, my good daughters, will not." She took one of our hands in each of hers.
"I have wanted so much for this family. Not for myself, but for you, for the future, a legacy. I want our family name to be one that people will remember. That is where you come in, Judith."
I drew back slightly. "Me?"
"The ball is in five days. We will get you a magnificent gown, and you will go there. You will find the Prince, and marry him."
"What about me?" Asked Cinderella.
She patted Cinderella’s hand. "My dear, you’re not an Alcombe, except by your father’s marriage to me. We’ll get you a decent, respectable husband, but Judith is to marry the Prince."
"Can’t I at least go to the ball?"
She smiled sadly. "I don’t think we have enough money for two gowns. I’m sorry dear."
Cinderella was crestfallen. Sadly, she got up and left.
We both watched her go. Once she was gone, Mother took both my hands in hers and said, "Never mind about her. We need to get you ready."
The next few days, I rarely saw Cinderella. Either Mother was taking me to a clothier for my gown, or she was squirreled away in her room doing Lord-knows-what. I was sure she was up to something, but I was too busy to ask her, not that she seemed in the mood for talking to either Mother or me. We all missed Veronica’s claming presence, for she was the peacemaker among us.
Finally, the day of the ball came around. I would swear that Mother was more excited than I was. She spent the day doing our hair and makeup, and getting the both of us dressed. Finally, an hour before sundown, we heard Cinderella’s voice from her room. "Mother, Judith, could you please come here?"
Curious, we both went to her room. What we saw amazed us.
Cinderella was wearing a ball gown. It appeared she had ransacked several garment bags and pieced together a bodice and long skirt, of different but very complimentary fabrics. The effect was endearing and complemented her coloring perfectly. "Wow." I said, in awe of her skill. I smiled. "You look incredible."
Mother was impressed as well. "Bravo, dear, you took the initiative and did a terrific job."
"Then I can come?"
"Of course." She came forward and hugged her. After an initial shock, Cinderella relaxed and returned the hug. I smiled. Perhaps we would work as a family after all.
Mother began to disengage, but it appeared she was having trouble. Cinderella had no idea and began to move away, Mother tried to say something, but before she could, Cinderella had pulled away. A button on her sleeve was still attached to Cinderella’s bodice, and as she moved, we all heard a loud "RRRIP" and a panel on Cinderella’s bodice tore.
We were all frozen for a minute. Cinderella looked at her ruined dress and began to cry. "Oh god, Mother, why?" She cried out.
Mother fought to undo the panel from her sleeve. "I didn’t do anything. It was an accident." She ripped the cloth off her sleeve.
I wanted to step in and say something, but I couldn’t think. Cinderella lashed out. "How dare you ruin my dream? All I wanted was to go and you’ve ruined it."
Mother, however, was not one to be cowed. "It was an accident, Cinderella, and I will not be yelled at." She said icily, with more than a hint of menace in her voice.
Cinderella sat down on her bed, crying in earnest. Mother stalked from the room. I was torn. I wanted to comfort her, but Mother was not one to be denied. I walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. "You wouldn’t have liked it anyway. Nothing to do but fawn over one man."
"Oh, just go away." Said Cinderella, her face in her hands.
I sighed and left, walking down the stairs. I felt bad for her, but what could I do?
The carriage ride to the palace was uneventful, but after we got there, I did see another carriage going the other way, which made me think. Did someone have cold feet? I felt like joining whomever was in that carriage.
The palace was brightly lit. Mother joined the nervous parents and relations of the prospective wives on the south side of the grand ballroom. I saw dozens of women, all of whom were dressed in the best they could afford, waiting nervously in a line.
Then, with a reasonable amount of fanfare, the king and his family arrived. A spectacular old gent, he liked the spectacle and was drinking in the adulation as well. The queen gently guided him to the thrones, followed by what I guessed was their son. Even from the distance I was, I thought I recognized him. The king and queen sat on their thrones and some distance away but still within the royal pavilion, the prince sat on another throne.
One by one, the eligible women were escorted to the prince. After what seemed like an eternity, I was escorted to him. My escort inquired as to my name, and when I walked up the short stairs to the Prince’s throne, he said, "Mistress Judith Alcombe." I took a good look at the prince, and smiled as I curtsied, having recognized him. "A pleasure to meet you, Mistress Alcombe." He said.
"Likewise, your highness. Or should I say, Eric?" He had been the Baron Montrose’s "friend of the family" Cinderella and I had met at the inn.
The Prince blushed slightly. "Not fooled by clothing, are you?"
I shook my head. "Nope. But then again, you knew that." With that, I turned and walked down the stairs.
After all the women had been introduced, we were taken into the grand ballroom. A smattering of nobles and anxious parents were lining the walls. Finally, the Prince entered. He walked among the assembled women, picked one, a dark-haired girl in a pale blue dress, took her out on the floor, and as the music started, they began to dance.
After the song ended, he bowed to the girl and kissed her hand. He then walked up to me, and took my hand. My face lit up and I walked with all the grace I could muster to the floor.
The music started, and the Prince swept me into the dance. I had to admit he was an excellent dancer, and I silently thanked Mother for making take more lessons during the week.
"The Baron Montrose tells me you’re something of an artist." He said.
I smiled. "Well, your highness, I do try. The baron may be a little praising me a little too much." I said, trying to be humble.
"Oh no, I seen the portrait you did, it is quite good."
My smiled turned to a grin. "Well, thank you very much, your highness."
He smiled. "Perhaps I’ll have a commission for you as well. My wedding portrait."
At once, I was crestfallen and excited. I was obviously not what the Prince wanted in a wife, but doing a portrait of him and his bride, my head reeled with the implications of that. I swallowed but kept smiling, saying nothing.
The music ended. The prince bowed and kissed my hand. I curtsied and he moved on. I was sort of relieved. I walked over to a punchbowl and poured myself a cup.
"My lady, you look absolutely divine." Said a very familiar voice behind me.
I turned. "Baron Montrose, hello."
"I saw you dance with the Prince. Dare I hope…?" He asked.
I sighed. "No. He didn’t see me as a wife. He offered me a commission. To paint his wedding portrait."
The Baron sighed as well. "It’s probably just as well. I’ve been told he snores really loudly."
I giggled.
The Baron and I sat together and talked while the Prince continued to trade off dancing partners. After about and hour, a new woman walked into the ballroom. Everyone looked at her. She was dressed in an incredibly beautiful white gown, which seemed to put all the others to shame. Unlike most of the other women, she also wore a mask. Not entirely unusual, considering some of the things people were wearing.
She was captivating. The Prince looked at her, and stopped dancing. He quickly bowed to the woman he had been with and hurried over to the new woman. He looked her up and down, took her hand, and went back to the dance floor. He signaled to the musicians and began dancing with her.
"I think we have a winner." Said the Baron.
I studied her. Something was nagging me. She looked very familiar, but because part of her face was obscured, I had no idea who she was. It was like trying to tell what fruit I held by touch alone.
As the night progressed, the Prince danced with no one else. While I was curious, I didn’t want to intrude on what I was sure was the beginnings of love, so the Baron and I wandered around the ballroom. We eventually ran into my mother, who was engaging in small talk with Lord Franco again. "Oh, hello, dear." She said, then added, "Baron Montrose."
"Lady Alcombe." He said with all the politeness he could muster.
"Lord Franco and I were talking about the mystery woman with the Prince. Lord Franco tells me there is no foreign woman here."
"Then our mysterious guest must be a native. I wonder who it is." Replied the Baron.
I suddenly had an idea, but it seemed so far-fetched I didn’t speak.
Time passed, and the prince and his mystery woman were inseparable. Some of the women went home, others stood by, waiting for some sort of opening, but the mystery woman gave none. They eventually gave up, though, and found partners among friends, fathers, or strangers.
The clock struck twelve. Midnight had come, the witching hour. The Prince took the woman’s hands, and said something. What happened next was very unusual.
The woman detached herself from the Prince, said something, and began to leave. The Prince, flabbergasted, began to follow. She hitched up her skirts and began to run. The prince followed, as did a number of the party guests. The woman ran down the stairs, into the foyer, and onto the porch. A carriage was waiting for her. She stumbled, then quickly half-jumped in. The carriage took off into the night.
We all saw the shoe she had left on the steps. The prince picked it up and looked at the rapidly disappearing carriage. "Wait!" He cried out.
He wandered back inside, but not towards the ballroom. The remaining guests, including myself, the Baron, Lord Franco, and Mother, all took this as a cue to leave. Amid much muttering and talking, we left.
Mother spoke of little on the way back to the house. No doubt, in her mind, the mysterious woman who had arrived had driven the final nail in the coffin that ended her plans to have me marry the Prince. I knew the truth, however. The Prince had just never thought of me as a wife. It didn’t make me feel any better.
We got home, and Mother went to bed. I decided to go and visit Cinderella. I knocked on the door, and hear her say "Come in." I opened the door and entered.
She was fidgeting in bed, but looked a lot better than she did when we left. "Hi, hon. How are you doing?" I asked.
She smiled wanly. "Better, I guess."
"Well, the ball was interesting. A mysterious woman arrived late, and the Prince just fell for her head over heels."
"I’ll bet Mother wasn’t happy she stole him from you."
I shook my head. "The Prince never even thought of me as a wife. I was someone to do his portrait, not a woman – an employee." I bit my lip.
She leaned forward and hugged me. "It’s all right." She said, rubbing my back.
I opened my eyes and saw white lawn. I squirmed and pulled the cover back. Cinderella was wearing the dress! "You!" I exclaimed, "You were the mysterious woman!"
"Shhhh." She gestured. "Don’t let Mother know."
"But, but how?"
She smiled wanly. "I had a benefactor. I’m sworn to secrecy on this, so please don’t ask me."
I rolled my eyes. "Ok." I got up. "You can tell me more later. I’m going to bed."
She smiled. "Goodnight."
I went to my room, stripped down, and lay in bed. I felt a weird jealousy. Granted, Cinderella and I weren’t really in competition, considering the Prince’s attitude towards me, but it just felt wrong. I drifted off, trying to reconcile what I knew and what I felt.
The next day, I was going through what I would need for another portrait, when there was a knock at the door. Mother was in the garden, and Cinderella was upstairs. I went to the door and answered it.
I was met by the Prince, who was looking a bit haggard. He was accompanied by the Baron Montrose, and a page. "Greetings, Mistress Alcombe. May we come in?"
My eyes went wide, but I said, "Yes, of course." I escorted them in. As I did, Mother came in as well. "My word, your highness!" She exclaimed.
"Lady Alcombe, Mistress Judith, I need your help. The page came forward and produced a shoe, the same one from last night. "Do either of you know who this shoe belongs to? I must find her!"
I just felt so sad then. I couldn’t make anyone interested in me, yet here was the Prince needing my sister! I sighed. "Yes, I do."
Everyone’s eyes went round and looked at me. "Who?"
I stood up. "Let me get her." I went out of the room. Mother met me at the stairs. "You mean, Cinderella?" She looked at me, puzzled.
"She told me last night. A "benefactor" arranged for a dress for her, and a ride." I shook my head.
"It doesn’t have to be like this. You could always say that the girl is sick, and then…."
I exhaled. "Mother stop. He was never interested in me. And as bad as I feel now, I don’t want Cinderella or the Prince feeling like this." I slowly trudged up the stairs. I walked to her door and opened it.
"Yes?" She asked.
"I hate you right now. I can’t get anyone interested in me, and after only a few hours, someone is completely obsessed with you. The Prince is waiting downstairs to meet the woman from last night." I put my face in hand. "I didn’t think I was that ugly or boring." I began to cry.
She immediately came forward and embraced me. "Oh, honey you’re not. I think this is true love."
I wiped my eyes. "Let’s go down stairs."
I went down followed by her. I felt absolutely miserable. When we got to the parlor, I said, "Your highness, here she is, my sister Cinderella."
She swept into the room, and that was that. He dropped the shoe and embraced her. "Oh, don’t you ever leave my side again!" He began to leave then, still holding her. They left, followed by the page and the baron. I sank into a chair, thoroughly depressed. Mother stood her hands on her hips. "What just happened here?"
I looked at her. "The glory you sought for us is Cinderella’s. She’s going to marry the Prince."
She sighed. "Well, something will just have to be done." With that, she left the room.
I idly wondered what she would cook up, then heard a knock at the door. I wiped my eyes and got up, and opened the door.
Standing at the door was Baron Montrose. He came in, looked outside for a minute, and then faced me. He looked sort of desperately earnest.
"Judith, sometimes it takes seeing others in love to make you realize something. I was a fool, thinking that the painting and the attention were enough. Judith, I love you." He fished a ring out of his pouch, and dropped to one knee, presenting it. "Will you marry me?" He looked up at me, hope shining in his eyes.
I started crying again. In an instant, I realized it myself. "Oh god, yes!" I threw my arms around his neck, and wept in happiness.
Mother came in then, wondering what the commotion was. She looked at us. She smiled. "Good work, my girl." She said softly, and left.
That is what actually happened. Happily ever after? Yes, for all of us. As for Cinderella’s mysterious benefactor, well it wasn’t a "fairy godmother" or the ghost of her mother. It was the Baron. He could see true love in others far better than he could in himself.