Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or places in Ella Enchanted, they belong to Ms. Gail Levine Carlson and anything else you recognize from the masterpiece that is Ella Enchanted. The plot is mine, however.
Chapter the First"Will you ..."
I felt something at the back of my head. Hattie, dancing nearby with the Earl of Demby, snatched off my mask. I let go of Char and was about to cover the face when my mask found its way to my face. A curly-haired girl had appeared as if by magic. In a blur, I saw Char glaring at Hattie and her apologizing profusely.
"I am sorry, Charmont, truly I am!" Her face was flushed with embarrassment.
"Don't apologize to me! Apologize to Lela!" Char thundered – one day I knew he would make Kyrria an admirable king. Tears cascaded down my cheeks – I had to leave. Numbly, I skirted past everyone dancing, deaf to all sounds until I reached the balcony. Once there, I collapsed.
"Lady Lela? Are you hurt?" A feminine voice asked. I looked up; it was the maiden that had aided me. "Please tell me why you cry."
An order. "I - I have endangered Char and Kyrria. I shouldn't b - be here." I stammered.
The maiden looked at me, her pretty face etched with worry. "Calm down, lass." She said in a pacifying tone and handed me her handkerchief.
"Thank you, Lady." I whispered, wiping my eyes beneath my mask. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now why are you out here?"
"I - I am an old friend of Char's and I ... I don't want him to know that it's me."
The maiden looked bewildered. "Why? If you are a friend, wouldn't you want him to know you are here?" she questioned and I found myself telling her the whole story about Char and I with the exception of my curse.
She took my masked face in her hands. "Ella, you needn't be afraid. I'm sure he'll understand."
"What did you just call Lady Lela, Cecilia?" It was Char, but wait, he called her- Cecilia? She was Char's sister!
End Notes: Could this be called a cliffhanger? I don't know. Oh well. Review please!