The sun had almost vanished beneath the horizon, casting shadows over the town of Frell, from the kingdom of Lamia. Ella sat in her room, lost in contemplation while she looked out the window, the streets gradually emptying as the townsfolk closed up their shops and retreated to their homes for the night.

Ella de Frell had always dreamed of being free. Ever since she was a child, she had felt the weight of her "gift" of obedience that there godmother give her, a curse in fact, that forced her to obey every order given to her.

After her mother's death, Ella decided she could no longer live like that. She must sneak out and find her godmother and run away from her horrible stepsisters, Hattie and Olive.

The journey had been exhausting, and Ella was already beginning to lose hope when she arrived at the Dark Forest, a place she had heard about in her nursemaid's stories.

The forest was shrouded in mystery and danger, but it was also said that powerful magical beings lived there who could help her in her quest.

As Ella cautiously made her way through the forest, she heard a noise in the trees. She stopped, her heart racing, as an elegant female figure appeared before her.

“Who are you?” Ella asked, keeping her distance. The glow of the crown of the woman in front of her is the most striking Ella has ever seen.