Cinderella
Role: ProtagonistArc: From controlled pawn to empowered survivorTraits: Resilient, conflicted, brave, empathetic, introspective
Cinderella begins as a seemingly passive character, trapped in the prince's palace and manipulated through a magical mark that binds her to his control. On the surface, she's graceful and obedient—but beneath that is a girl who's endured years of emotional manipulation and magical restraint. Her quiet strength emerges as she begins to question her reality and break free.
As the story progresses, Cinderella becomes a symbol of inner power and self-determination. She struggles deeply with the magical abilities she inherits after the prince's downfall, fearing she might become like him. Her arc is about learning to wield her power without being consumed by it—and, more importantly, reclaiming her identity beyond the trauma.
Her relationship with Red becomes a cornerstone of her growth—Red becomes not only an ally, but a mirror to her own resilience and vulnerability.
Red
Role: Co-protagonist, NarratorArc: From observer to protector to partnerTraits: Fierce, intuitive, witty, emotionally guarded, loyal
Red is the story's narrator and emotional anchor. She begins as an outsider—intelligent, observant, and a bit of a skeptic. She's street-smart and courageous, often hiding her pain behind sarcasm and wit. Her mysterious past is hinted at but never fully revealed, suggesting that she too has experienced manipulation and loss.
She connects with Cinderella through a shared understanding of pain and resilience. Where Cinderella struggles with uncertainty and emotion, Red is more practical, grounded, and direct. Over time, Red shifts from simply helping Cinderella escape to truly caring about her future—and finding her own sense of purpose in the process.
Her arc is subtle: from someone who keeps others at arm's length to someone who allows herself to be part of something meaningful.
The Prince
Role: AntagonistArc: From charming ruler to a tyrant undone by his own darknessTraits: Charismatic, manipulative, power-hungry, cold
The prince is the embodiment of toxic control wrapped in fairy-tale charm. Outwardly handsome and regal, his true nature is sinister—he uses magic to control others, especially Cinderella, hiding his cruelty behind a carefully crafted image of royalty.
He sees people as tools and believes in absolute control through magical domination. His obsession with Cinderella is not love, but ownership—he believes he created her, and therefore she belongs to him.
As the story unfolds, we learn he fears losing control more than anything, and that fear becomes his downfall. His death is symbolic—not just the end of a tyrant, but the collapse of an illusion of power that enslaved many.
The Fairy Godmother (Optional/Expanded Role)
Role: Guide/Conflicted MentorTraits: Enigmatic, wise, morally grey
In this version, the Fairy Godmother could be reimagined as a figure who originally helped Cinderella gain her magical mark—but now regrets it. She straddles the line between ally and manipulator, representing the blurred morality of those who believe power can be used for good, even if it comes at a cost.
She reappears later to warn Cinderella of the power left behind by the prince. Whether she helps or hinders Cinderella depends on how she's written—but her presence adds complexity to the magical lore.
Villagers, Rebels, and Other Side Characters
These characters serve as reflections of the main conflict—either by suffering under the prince's rule or aiding in the resistance. Some may challenge Cinderella's decisions, fearing her power. Others might see her as a savior or symbol of hope. Their perspectives help ground the story in a larger world and remind Cinderella and Red what's at stake.