I want a version of Cinderella where the Prince is a radical republican who wants to abolish the monarchy and replace it with a constitutional republic.
Cinderella is an autodidact, under tutelage by candlelight of a kind retired professor and by day works as a lowly merchant at the seaport, hearing about revolutions in far away lands.
Instead of a fairy godmother, Cinderella uncovers rumors about telescopes and after studying the work of Islamic astronomers and seafarers, believes she understands the mechanism and convinces a local carpenter to make one for her.
It’s a success. She perches herself on a hilltop near the shore to see into the future at things that will come ashore and rolls down the hill on a handcart to trade ahead of the ship’s arrival.
Meanwhile the Prince is at the castle as a well dressed refined young lady is brought to court him and they start a conversation. It quickly goes south: “And your Arabian mathematics, have you studied those? The Oriental medicinals?” The Prince asks.
“No sir, I am not literate” is her answer, similar to the rest.
The Prince sighs to his aid after she departs, “It appears women are as capable and oftentimes more so than men but we’ve robbed them of the opportunities to flourish. Many of them have ambitions other than entertaining high society. Half of our greatest people are being held back. I’m going to walk by the sea to clear my head.”
Cinderella is on the mountaintop with a tattered and soiled copy of Euclid’s elements trying to figure out how to improve the telescope when the retired scholar comes by and sees her.
“Do you suppose if we had a Greek Republic, we’d have a library like at Alexandria? I feel as if success and progress is about favorable contexts and resources… Oh there’s a ship, see with my device how you can observe the decks!” she hands the crude telescope to the professor as the Prince crosses their path.
“Disarm your weapons please!” one of his guards tells Cinderella and the man.
“It is only a magnifying tube” the old man says, “so that we can inspect the contents of merchant ships from afar.”
“…and the mountains of the moon” Cinderella adds.
“Do you know about Jupiter?” the Prince asks. “Yes. With the cylinder I can see it has a spot!” Cinderella replies.
“A spot?!”
“I believe so.”
The Prince looks curiously at the device, “old man where did you learn to make this?”
The scholar responds “It was the young lady, she has been studying the Arabian mathematicians.”
The Prince is shocked and takes a step back at the thought of an educated commoner: “I recognize that. That is Musa al-Khwarizmi’s work.’ the Prince gasps looking at some rotting vellum on the dirt.
“Have you read the Greeks? Demosthenes? As a merchant I’m sure you’ve heard of the failed revolution in Bavaria…”
On guard Cinderella lies, “Yes. Yes to all your majesty, but I am no Republican!”
A look of disappointment passes over the Prince, “oh, but don’t you imagine Republics would provide more opportunities for progress than Monarchies?”
“…and be controlled by ruthless merchants without obligation to the general welfare, yes. Who will build the gardens? What will guide the spirit of a society controlled by men with no commitments but to themselves?” Cinderella responds.
The Prince thinks for a moment. “Well I suppose taxes would still be levied and with a proper culture, a freedom from obligation paired with a liberty of responsibility. The castle would become, well perhaps a library.”
“A library?” Cinderella feigns skeptically as she packs her cart, still harboring suspicion of the thought of an anti-monarchist heir apparent.
“Well yes, I already have a library. Nobody but me ever has interest in using it. Come to the palace gates after the market is closed. I have a full copy of the Arabian mathematics book. Show me the spot of Jupiter, I’d be delighted to see it.”
Cinderella calls back, “Sure. As your majesty wishes!” She rides the handcart down to the market to do her early trades.
The scholar stands on the hill alone with the Prince, “she’s unmarried.”
“And clearly prefers it. Not all romance is of the heart” the Prince responds as he walks away.
The old man peers down the hill as Cinderella waves at him with her freshly emptied cart and full sack of gold as the ships unload their cargo.
