The Brothers Grimm, Your Majesty.
Good day, gentlemen.
Thank you so much for coming.
I suppose you're wondering why anyone my age would request an audience...
...with the authors of children's stories.
Your letter was most intriguing, madam.
I find your collection of folk tales quite brilliant actually.
Thank you.
But I must say I was terribly disturbed...
...when I read your version of The Little Cinder Girl.
There are those who swear Perrault's telling...
...with its fairy godmother and magic pumpkins...
...would be closer to the truth.
Some claim the shoe was made of fur.
Others insist it was glass.
Well, I guess we'll never know.
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
Might I enquire about the painting?
She's really quite er...
...extraordinary.
Her name was Danielle...
...de Barbarac.
And this...
...was her glass slipper.
Perhaps you will allow me to set the record straight?
Then it's true... the story?
Yes. Quite.
Now, then.
What is that phrase you use?
Oh, yes.
Once upon a time...
...there lived a young girl...
...who loved her father very much.
Oh, Paulette, it feels just like Christmas!
I get a mother and sisters all in one day!
Yes, it's going to be very exciting here, what with the Baroness and all...
Oh, hold still!
The master deserves some happiness after all this time...
...bringing up the child on his own.
She must be lovely.
I hope she likes me.
She'll love you.
Just be the little angel I know is in there somewhere.
And don't chew on the bones at dinner and give yourself away.
Child, your father arrives any moment!
Gustave, I told you!
Not today!
You look like a girl!
That's what I am, halfwit!
Yeah, but today you look it!
Boy or girl, I can still whip you.
Hah!
Look lively, it's the master.
Welcome home, Monsieur le seigneur.
I see you have brought us a baroness.
I have brought you an entire household, Maurice.
But I seem to be missing a daughter.
Oh... Auguste.
It's absolutely charming, really.
Papa!
Oh ho ho!
Oh, look at you, just as I left.
I'll wager your friend Gustave is around here.
No, sir! I slaughtered him.
He's...
Well, so you did.
I had hoped to present a little lady.
I suppose you'll have to do.
Danielle...
...may I present the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent...
...and her daughters, Marguerite and Jacqueline.
Hello, Danielle. At last we meet.
Your father speaks of nothing else.
Ladies, say hello to your new stepsister.
Mademoiselle.
Utopia.
It means paradise.
This may be a bit thick for an eight-year-old.
But we could add it to our library.
Will you read some?
It's been a very long day.
And you're a husband now.
Yes, I'm a husband.
But a father first and for ever.
We've been two peas in a pod, you and I, for a long time.
I suppose this will take some getting used to.
Did you see the way they ate their supper?
It was perfect!
Like a dance!
- Do you like them? - Very much.
Good, good.
Because I have to go to Avignon in a fortnight.
- But you just got back! - I know.
- For how long? - Only... three weeks.
- One. - Two.
- One! - T... two.
All right, one.
Come on, go to sleep.
Kiss.
Sleep tight.
I've never seen so many gloomy faces around here.
I shall be back in a week.
Then go. The sooner you leave, the sooner we can celebrate your return.
Perhaps by then, the three of you will know each other better.
Huh? I'm counting on you to teach them the ropes around here.
The Baroness isn't used to getting her hands dirty.
Thank you, Maurice.
Safe journey, master.
Come along, ladies. Back to your lessons.
Wait! It's tradition.
He always waves at the gate.
Agh!
Papa!
Auguste!
I- I love you.
I love you.
No.
Papa!
Auguste.
You cannot leave me here.
You cannot leave me here!
Leave me, leave me!
Papa, please come back!
It would be ten years before another man would enter her life.
A man who was still a boy...
... in many, many ways.
I signed a marriage treaty with the King of Spain...
...and that boy will obey me, or there will be hell to pay!
But he does not love her, my lord.
- It's not about love! - Perhaps it should be.
If he is to become King, he must accept his responsibilities.
A sapling cannot grow in the shadow of a mighty oak, Francis.
- He needs sunlight. - He needs a good whipping.
Really, Francis!
Can't this wait till morning?
If I can't sleep, neither shall he.
Henry, wake up!
Oh, no.
Not again.
Call out the guard! Bring him back!
Yah!
Come on, you stupid beast!
Come on! Yah!
Oh, no, you don't.
Thief! This will teach you to steal my father's horse!
Mine slipped his shoe. I have no choice.
- And our choice is what? To let you? - I was borrowing it.
Get out, or I'll wake the house.
Ow!
Forgive me, Your Highness. I did not see you.
Your aim would suggest otherwise.
And for that I know I must die.
Then er...
...speak of this to no-one and er...
...I shall be lenient.
We have other horses, Highness.
Younger, if that is your wish.
I wish for nothing more than to be free of my gilded cage.
For your silence.
I asked for four-minute eggs, not four one-minute eggs.
And where in God's name is our bread?!
It's just coming out of the oven, my lady.
Marguerite, precious...
...what do I always say about tone?
A lady of breeding ought never to raise her voice...
...above the gentle hum of a whispering wind.
Jacqueline, dear. Do not speak unless you can improve the silence.
I was not shrill, I was resonant.
A courtier knows the difference.
I doubt your style of resonance would be permitted in the Royal Court.
I'm not going to the Royal Court, am I, Mother?
No-one is. Except some Spanish pig they have the nerve to call a princess.
Darling, nothing is final until you're dead.
And even then I'm sure God negotiates.
Why is there no salt on this table?
Danielle!
Coming!
She's in one of her moods!
Did the sun rise in the east?
Yes, Louise, it did.
And it is going to be a beautiful day!
Look at all those feathers!
Child, where did you get this?
From an angel of mercy.
I know what to do with them.
Maurice?
If the Baroness can sell your husband to pay her taxes...
...then these can bring him home.
The Court will have to let him go.
But the King has sold him to Cartier. He's bound for the Americas.
This is our home, and I will not see it fall apart.
We are waiting!
Take heed, mistress...
...or these coins are as good as hers.
Morning, Madame...
...Marguerite, Jacqueline.
I trust you slept well.
What kept you?
I fell off the ladder in the orchard, but I am better now.
Someone's been reading in the fireplace again.
Look at you. Ash and soot everywhere.
Some people read because they cannot think for themselves.
Why don't you sleep with the pigs, Cinder-Soot...
...if you insist on smelling like one?
That was harsh, Marguerite.
Danielle, come here, child.
Your appearance does reflect a certain... crudeness, my dear.
What can I do to make you try?
I do try, Stepmother.
I do wish to please you.
Sometimes, I sit on my own...
...and try to think of what else I could do, how to act...
Oh, calm down, child. Relax.
Perhaps if we brought back Maurice, I would not offend you so.
It is your manner that offends, Danielle.
Throughout these hard times, I have sheltered you and cared for you.
All that I ask in return is that you help me here without complaint.
Is that such an extraordinary request?
- No, my lady. - Very well.
We shall have no more talk of servants coming back. Understood?
Yes, my lady.
After all that I do!
After all I have done!
It's never enough.
Eggs are cold.
Oh, no, there's nothing there!
There's nothing!
I beg you, please leave us alone.
Please!
- No, no, not that. - Out of the way, old man!
- Get on the horses! - It's the Royal Guard! Run!
God, I don't believe this!
The painting...
Please, for the love of God, the painting.
- That man, he's getting away. - The Guard will assist you. I cannot.
Please, sir!
It is... my life.
Aaagh!
Ugly bastard! Fast!
Yah!
Give it to me! Give it to me!
Got you! Give me that!
Aaargh!
No. Too small.
It needs to draw some attention.
I fear, Baroness, anything larger might make her fall over.
Perhaps you are right. I shall have to look elsewhere.
I have just the thing!
Have you lost your marbles?
Do you know what the punishment is...
...for servants who dress above their station?
Five days in the stocks.
You'd do the same for me, admit it.
Me? Pretend to be a courtier?
Prancing round like some nobleman when I've never been to court.
And neither have you!
Then I won't be recognized.
Hand me that gown so I can be on my way.
They'll never buy it.
You are too sweet.
They'll never buy a servant with 20 gold francs either.
I am Maurice's only hope.
And the Baroness, what did you tell her?
I am picking wild flowers.
Gustave, can you still see her?
- They're buying a brooch. - Unbelievable.
She ignores the manor, blames us for her debt...
...and still pretends to have money to burn.
Don't you dare laugh.
I'm coming out.
The shoes are too big.
Nobody will be looking at your feet.
Yards of fabric and I still feel naked.
If you're going to be a noblewoman...
...you must play the part.
You look down to no-one.
I am just a servant in a nice dress.
Come. We have to do something with that hair.
Oh!
Thank you.
- Henry, you promised. - I know.
I lied.
I thought...
...I'd see the world before I gave up my life to God and country.
Why on earth did you stop?
I suppose I lack conviction.
You seem to have it in spades.
Besides, you claimed it was a matter of life and death.
A woman always is, Sire.
She laughs at me, sir, as if she knows something I do not.
The lady had many secrets.
I merely painted one of them.
Signor da Vinci has been invited to the palace as the artist in residence.
Leonardo da Vinci?
Michelangelo was trapped under a ceiling in Rome.
I'm just a second choice.
I am on my way to Genoa and I find my salvation on the highway!
Sir, you are the founder of forward thinking...
...and my father is the king of backward.
Could you talk him into the 16th century?
Captain Laurent, do translate.
Prince Henry suffers from an arranged marriage, signore...
...among other things.
Oh! Your Highness.
What a lovely surprise.
To what do we owe this great honor?
I'm returning your horse, Baroness.
- Oh. Was it missing? - Yes.
I took the liberty of borrowing it earlier.
I'm afraid I scared your servant...
A young lady with a... quite a good arm, actually.
- She is mute, my lord. - Really?
She spoke quite forcefully.
Well, it comes and goes.
But as always Your Highness is welcome to anything he wishes.
Anything at all.
Wait for me!
Oh, ladies.
Here you are.
Your Highness.
Your Highness, may I present Marguerite Françoise Louise...
...of the House of Ghent?
And Jacqueline.
You may indeed.
Ladies, forgive me, but you seem to have blossomed overnight.
We're so looking forward...
...to celebrating the engagement to your own Spanish rose.
Yes, well, there have been...
...several new developments with regards to Spain.
I must say, Marguerite, that brooch is...
...stunning.
This old thing?
You're too kind.
These developments...
...I trust are for the best?
Let us hope so.
Good day, ladies.
Make way for the lady.
Come on, move it!
Lord, give me strength.
Come on, come on!
I wish to address the issue of this gentleman.
He is my servant and I am here to pay the debt against him.
You're too late, he's paid for.
I can pay you 20 gold francs.
You can have me for 20 gold francs. Drive on!
I demand you release him at once...
...or I shall take this matter to the King.
The King is the one that sold him. He's now the property of Cartier.
He is not property at all, you ill-mannered tub of guts.
Do you think it right to chain people like chattel?
I demand you release him at once!
Get out of my way!
- You dare raise your voice to a lady, sir? - Your Highness...
F- Forgive me, Sire.
I meant no disrespect.
It's just er...
I'm following orders. It's my job to take these thieves to the coast.
A servant is not a thief, Your Highness...
...and those who are cannot help themselves.
Really?
Well, then. By all means...
...enlighten us.
If you suffer your people to be ill-educated and their manners corrupted from infancy...
...then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them...
...what else is to be concluded, Sire...
...but that you first make thieves and then punish them?
Well, there you have it.
Release him.
- But, Sire... - I said...
...release him!
Yes, Sire.
I thought I was looking at your mother.
Meet me at the bridge.
Prepare the horses! We will leave at once!
I thank you, Your Highness.
Have we met?
I do not believe so, Your Highness.
I could have sworn I knew every courtier in the province.
Well... I'm visiting a cousin.
- Who? - My cousin.
Yes, you said that. Which one?
The only one I have, Sire.
Are you coy on purpose...
...or do you honestly refuse to tell me your name?
No! And yes.
Then, pray, tell me your cousin's name so I might call upon her to learn who you are.
Anyone who can quote Thomas More is well worth the effort.
The Prince has read Utopia?
I found it sentimental and dull.
I confess, the plight of the everyday rustic bores me.
I gather you do not converse with many peasants.
Certainly not, no! Naturally.
Excuse me, Sire, but there is nothing natural about it.
A country's character is defined by its everyday rustics, as you call them.
They are the legs you stand on. That position demands respect, not...
Am I to understand that you find me arrogant?
Well, you gave one man back his life...
...but did you even glance at the others?
Please, I beg of you...
...a name. Any name.
I fear that the only name to leave you with...
...is Comtesse Nicole de Lancret.
There now.
That wasn't so hard.
Oh, Henry!
You're back.
Hello, Mother.
The King would like a word with you.
Several, in fact.
He usually does.
I shall be right in.
Ooh!
Oooh-ho-ho!
You, sir, are restricted to the grounds.
Am I under house arrest?
Do not mock me, boy, for I am in a foul disposition.
- And I will have my way. - Or what?
You'll send me to the Americas like some criminal?
All for the sake of your stupid contract.
You are the Crown Prince of France.
And it is my life.
Francis, sit down before you have a stroke.
Really, the two of you.
Sweetheart...
...you were born to privilege, and with that comes specific obligations.
Forgive me, Mother, but marriage to a stranger...
...never made anyone in this room very happy.
Marry Gabriela by the next full moon or I will strike at you in any way I can.
What's it to be, Father? Hot oil or the rack?
I will simply deny you the crown...
...and... live for ever!
Good.
Agreed.
I don't want it.
He's your son!
What do you mean?
You stupid, stupid girl!
How dare you do this to me?
To Marguerite? It all makes me sick!
It's deceitfulness and I will not have it in this house!
What did I do?
Think, Danielle.
Think really hard.
Prince Henry stole our horse this morning?
Yes!
And that would explain why he returned it this afternoon.
How dare you let him surprise us like that?
I'm sorry.
Luckily for you, Marguerite turned in a beautiful performance.
She and the Prince had quite an interlude.
I shouldn't be surprised if he drops by again.
Come, come! I must know exactly what was said.
The simplest phrase can have a thousand meanings.
He said you were forceful. What did you say?
I- I called him a thief, madam.
I did not recognize him.
Oh, Danielle.
You poor, little country girl.
Well, we must work extra hard to make sure the manor is spotless.
We cannot have a royal bottom sitting on a dirty chaise, can we?
No.
What is he doing here?
I- I have worked off your...
My debt, Madame.
They told me I could go home.
Fine.
Go... catch a chicken!
Who, dear?
Comtesse Nicole de Lancret.
She's a cousin of...
Actually, I don't know who her cousin is.
Surely you have heard of her?
Oh, darling...
...there are simply too many courtiers to remember them all by name.
Why do you ask?
Mm?
Oh, never mind.
In honor of Signor da Vinci...
...I have decided to throw a ball.
A masked ball.
At which point, you and I will strike a compromise.
Compromise? You?
If love is what you seek...
...I suggest you find it before then.
Five days hence, at the stroke of midnight...
...you will announce your engagement to the girl of your choice...
...or... I will announce it for you.
Are we agreed?
What of your treaty?
Let me worry about Spain. You've got bigger problems.
Choose wisely, Henry.
Divorce is only something they do in England.
What news of the engagement?
Cancelled.
Rumor has it he must find himself a bride before that very night.
Well, that doesn't give us very much time.
I shall need to know...
...who the competition is, every move he makes...
...his agenda...
...and any other titbits you might pick up.
He's playing tennis with the Marquis de Limoges tomorrow at noon.
A skin of such... elegance...
...concealing such... ruthlessness.
I've grown rather fond of our intrigues together.
Surely you must know that.
I'm having an inkling, my lady.
When my daughter is Queen...
...perhaps we might come to a new arrangement.
I'd have given anything to see you all dressed up like a courtier.
Speaking to the Prince like a lady.
Scolding him is more like it.
I cannot believe I gave him my mother's name.
The man is insufferable.
Yes. You've been saying that...
...all day.
Well, it's as true now as it was this morning.
Oh!
Darling, he's royalty.
They're born like that.
Then I suppose the penalty for being wealthy is having to live with the rich.
I'll bet he's quite charming...
...once you get to know him.
I think he and Marguerite deserve each other.
Oh! Bite your tongue!
The only throne I want her sitting on is the one I have to clean every day.
What's wrong with this one?
- It's blue. - Henry loves blue!
And 50 other girls will be wearing the same color.
Very good, Marguerite.
This one is too small.
We shall just have to get you a tighter cinch.
I cannot breathe as it is.
If one cannot breathe, one cannot eat.
Mother, focus, please!
Perhaps if I knew what you were looking for!
Something fit for a queen!
Come, ladies. I have just the thing.
But we must speak of this to no-one.
Oh, I do love a good intrigue!
Waste not...
...want not.
Oh, perfect!
Oh, look at these shoes.
Where did you get these?
They're Danielle's dowry, for her wedding.
Cinderella? Married?
To who, the chimney sweep?
If that dress is hers, perhaps she'll want to wear it to the ball.
Since when does a royal function include commoners?
Well, never.
But she is our stepsister...
...and the invitation did say, "To the ladies of the house".
- She's not of noble blood. - And who would notice?
Honestly, Jacqueline, whose side are you on?
What are you doing?
Airing out your dress... for the masque.
Her dress? But you just said...
I suppose for a commoner, it'll have to do. I mean, look at it.
It's practically an antique.
You wish me... to go to a masque?
- Mm. - Of course.
I don't know what to say.
Say? Honestly, Danielle.
It hurts me you don't feel like one of my daughters.
I only meant...
I thought we could all go as one big happy family.
That is, if you complete your chores in time, mind your manners till then.
What's the matter with her?
Oh... She doesn't want you to go.
Do you really think there is only one perfect mate?
As a matter of fact, I do.
How can you be certain to find them?
And if you find them, are they really the one for you...
...or do you only think they are?
What if the person you're meant to be with never appears?
Or she does, but... but you're too distracted to notice?
You learn to pay attention.
Then, let's say...
...God puts two people on earth...
...and they are lucky enough to find one another.
But... one of them gets hit by lightning.
Well, then what?
Is that it?
Or perchance you meet someone new and marry again.
Is that the lady you should be with? Or was it the first?
When the two of them are side by side, were they both the one for you...
...and you just met the first one first?
Or is the second one supposed to be first?
And is everything just chance...
...or are some things meant to be?
You cannot leave everything to fate, boy.
She's got a lot to do. Sometimes you must give her a hand.
What's this project?
Would you care to see if they work?
It looks like rain.
Signor da Vinci!
Are you all right?
I should leave walking on water to the Son of God.
Fortunately, I tripped over an angel.
Comtesse!
Your Highness! Oh!
Oh, careful, it's very slippery right there.
Here, please. Allow me.
Oh!
Thank you.
Where are your attendants?
I decided to give them the day off.
Day off?
From what? Life?
Don't you tire of people waiting on you all the time?
Yes, but... they're servants. It's what they do.
I wish I could dismiss mine as easily as you do yours.
I must be going.
- You're angry with me. - No.
Admit it.
- Well, yes, if you must know. - Why?
Because you are trying to bait me with your snobbery.
I'm afraid, mademoiselle, you are a walking contradiction...
...and I find that rather fascinating.
- Me? - Yes, you.
You spout the ideals of a Utopian society, yet you live the life of a courtier.
You own all the land there is, yet you take no pride in working it.
Is that not also a contradiction?
First I'm arrogant, and now I have no pride.
However do I manage that?
You have everything and still the world holds no joy.
Yet you make fun of those who would see it for its possibilities.
How do you do it?
What?
Live each day with this kind of passion? Don't you find it exhausting?
Only when I'm around you.
Why do you like to irritate me so?
Why do you rise to the occasion?
Danielle!
Er...
Forgive me, Your Highness, I've lost track of the hour.
But the wind...
- It's perfect! - I am sorry.
I'm playing tennis tomorrow.
- Will you come? - I must go.
Why does she keep doing that?
Paulette.
Where are the candlesticks?
We can hardly see our plates.
They're missing, my lady. I've searched high and low.
The painting in the hall is gone too.
It seems we have a thief in our midst.
Hmm. So this is how I'm treated after all our years together.
My husband's prize possessions!
Well, I shall just garnish your wages until the pilfered items are returned.
- Is that quite understood? - Yes, ma'am.
Perhaps I shall ship you to the Americas with all the other thieves.
Oh. Didn't you hear?
The Prince asked the King to release all those men.
- He didn't! - Mmm.
Now, by...
By royal decree, any man who sails must be compensated.
Compensated!
Honestly! What is the world coming to?
I want to know who this Comtesse is everyone keeps talking about.
Ten courtiers were speaking of her today and how the Prince fell all over himself.
We should find out who she is and bury her.
You're looking well, Marguerite.
You're welcome to look, Your Highness.
Danielle de Barbarac.
You get prettier every week.
And you, Monsieur le Pieu, are wasting your flattery.
It's a pity your soil's the best in the province...
...and yet so poorly tended.
We have limited resources, sir.
- We do the best we can. - Anything I can do?
You should bring it up with the Baroness and stick to shopping.
I'd rather discuss it with Danielle, if you don't mind.
I may be twice your age, child, but I'm well-endowed.
As evidenced by my estate.
I've always had a soft spot for the less fortunate.
You need a wealthy benefactor.
And I need a young lady with spirit.
Prunes?
No.
I'll buy nothing this week.
And you'd do well to remember that without my generosity...
...your pathetic little farm would cease to exist.
So I'd be very, very careful if I were you.
Ooh! Horrible man!
If he didn't buy a bushel of vegetables every week...
...I’d spit on him.
Here.
Never have you tasted anything so...
...delicious.
Mmm.
Don't even think about it.
Like it?
Why, it's positively sinful.
What's it called?
Er... chocolate.
The Spanish monks keep sending bricks of it.
These are our servants, Your Highness.
Really? Oh, I'd love to meet them.
Good day, ladies.
What are you doing? Trying to scare the Prince to death?
We were startled, that's all.
Were there just the two of you?
And the chicken, Your Highness.
We must press for a quick engagement.
Paris at Christmas.
Can you imagine?
No. I don't suppose you can.
My mother was hard on me too, you know.
She taught me that cleanliness was next to godliness.
She forced me to wash my face at least 20 times a day...
...convinced it was never clean enough.
I was very grateful to her.
She wanted me to be all that I could be.
And here I am...
...a baroness.
And Marguerite shall be Queen.
It's a pity you never knew your mother.
There must be a little bit of her in you somewhere.
I wish I knew what she looked like.
Yes. Well, we must never feel sorry for ourselves, must we?
No matter how bad things get, they can always get worse.
Yes, madam.
You have so much of your father in you.
Sometimes I can almost see him looking out through your eyes.
Really?
Yes, well...
Your features are so... masculine.
Well... to be raised by a man...
No wonder you're built for hard labor.
Did you love my father?
Well, I barely knew him.
Now go away.
I'm tired.
Look, Gustave! It's floating!
Why are you so happy?
You'll be swimming in manure if they get married.
I don't know why it bothers you so.
I couldn't care less.
You're lying! The Prince would be your brother-in-law...
...and you, Comtesse de Lancret, would be bringing them breakfast in bed.
But they would move into the palace...
...and I could stay with the manor and turn things around.
You like him. Admit it.
Nope.
And I-I suppose if you saw him again...
...y- y-you'd simply...
I'd walk right up to him and say...
..."Your Highness, my family is your family. "
"Please, take them away. "
Good. Because here's your big chance. He's headed this way.
I'm looking for Signor da Vinci.
We're to go to the monastery. Have you seen him?
Da Vinci?
No, Your Highness.
Well, is that not his flying contraption?
- Where did you get it? - From er...
...the Comtesse de Lancret.
She is a friend of his.
You know her?
Please, I must find her. Where is she staying?
Er...
I believe, Your Highness...
...that she is staying with a cousin.
The erm...
...Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent.
Hmm.
That does present a problem.
But...
...I do know that she is there...
...alone, by herself...
...at this very moment.
Excellent.
Nice painting.
Gustave!
You horrible little snipe!
Did you hear? He likes my work!
And he is headed toward my house!
Then I suggest you run.
Paulette! Louise! Quick!
Your Highness.
What an unexpected surprise.
Why, Comtesse.
Do you not attend church?
My faith is better served away from the rabid crowd.
Yes, I'm afraid my father's edict has created quite a um...
...a phenomenon.
Which is why I am bound for the monastery.
The Franciscans have an astonishing library.
Since you are so fond of reading, I thought you might join me?
It is not fair, Sire.
You have found my weakness...
...but I have yet to learn yours.
I should think it was quite obvious.
Captain Laurent!
I shall not need my horse or your services.
Today, I am simply...
...Henry.
Prince Henry left early this morning, Baroness.