The Glass Slipper

A lonely, misunderstood servant in a European duchy who endures ridicule from her stepfamily but clings to a dream of life in the palace. Her quiet resilience and inner strength drive her toward a transformative romance when the prince notices her. She is wary of others yet hopeful, and her courage shapes the story's turning points.

The prince of the duchy, returned home after years abroad. He recognizes Ella from childhood, sparking a romance that crosses class lines. His charm is tempered by a sense of duty and curiosity about what lies beyond court life. He becomes a catalyst for Ella's ascent to the palace.

Ella's stepmother, who cares more about appearances and propriety than her stepdaughter's well-being. She participates in social rituals, often dismissing Ella, and presides over the household with vanity. Her actions underscore the cruelty of the stepfamily world that Ella must escape.

Ella's self-centered stepsister who embodies vanity and social climbing. She treats Ella as an obstacle to her own comfort at courtly events. Her behavior highlights the sting of social pressure and the fragility of appearances.

Ella's other stepsister, equally focused on appearances and social status. She participates in the ball’s spectacle and mirrors the conflict of class expectations. Her stance reinforces the pressure Ella faces to conform.

An eccentric, wandering helper who becomes Ella's friend and, later revealed, her fairy godmother. She arranges the magical elements—the dress, the coach, and the slippers—that enable Ella's palace visit. Her guidance anchors Ella's transformation within a fairy-tale frame.

A scheming friend who seizes the moment to mislead others about Ella's origins. He manipulates the information that Ella is an Egyptian princess, catalyzing a crisis of identity and trust. His actions illustrate how rumor and status can alter a romance’s course.

The ruler of the principality and father to Prince Charles. He embodies the institutional authority and expectations that shape the romance’s stakes. His presence anchors the courtly backdrop against which Ella's ascent unfolds.

A wealthy cousin visiting the duchy, whose presence highlights the world of privilege and social spectacle. Her arrival catalyzes the ball’s guest list and heightens the stakes for Ella's potential transformation.