In the present, the Brothers Grimm visit the Grande Dame where they discuss the story of Cinderella. The Grand Dame then delves into the story of Danielle de Barbarac, thereby setting up the premises for the events of the movie.
Auguste de Barbarac and his daughter Danielle are a loving father and daughter duo who happily live together. However, August feels that Danielle requires a mother figure in her life therefore he marries Rodmilla de Ghent and becomes step father to her two daughters, Marguerite and Jacqueline. However, August unexpectedly dies and he leaves his last words to Danielle, thereby making Rodmilla's hatred of Danielle permanent.
Forwarded on ten years later, their estate is suffering financially and as a result, Rodmilla has become devoted to marrying off one of her daughters to the Prince. Marguerite takes after her mother and is particularly vicious to Danielle and mistreats her.
One day, Daneille sees a thief stealing her father's horse and realises it is Prince Henry. Henry witnesses gypsies stealing from Leonardo da Vinci and manages to return his painting back to him. Danielle decides to buy back one of her friends, Maurice, who worked alongside her a servant, and who Rodmilla sold off. Henry sees this and manages to get Maurice released from enslavement.
Henry's father later tells him that it is paramount that he wed, and unless he chooses a bride at a masquerade ball he will be hosting, he will have to marry the Princess of Spain. In preparation for the event, Rodmilla takes Danielle's mothers dresses and gives them to Marguerite to wear. Danielle, angered, punches Marguerite in the face after she insults her mother's death. Marguerite burns Danielle's favourite book from her father, Utopia, in the fireplace as revenge. Danielle is whipped for her insolence and is later treated by Jacqueline.
Rodmilla lunches with the Queen one afternoon and the Queen goes into depth describing the mysterious girl Prince Henry is infatuated with. Rodmilla realises she is speaking of Daneille, Rodmilla locks Danielle in the pantry to prevent her from going to the event. However, da Vinci helps her escape and makes her an outfit using her mother's dress. Rodmilla exposes Danielle at the event and Henry, feeling betrayed by her lies, suns her in front of everyone. Danielle runs away in tears.
Da Vinci finds Danielle's slipper that she lost when fleeing the castle. He angrily reprimands Henry for his attitude, leaving him with the slipper.
Henry then has no choice but to marry Gabriella the Princess of Spain, but at the last minute calls off the wedding and goes to look for Danielle. However, Rodmilla sells off Danielle to Pierre le Pieu, where he proceeds to act sexual towards her. However, Danielle manages to escape and bumps into Prince Henry on her way out. He apologises for his actions and gives her the glass slipper she left behind.
The two marry and Danielle decides to punish Rodmilla and Marguerite by showing them the same treatment they showed her.
The movie then cuts back to the Grand Dame who informs the Brothers Grimm that Danielle is her great-great-grandmother. She reveals that Danielle and Henry lived happily ever after.
