Her feet pounded against cobblestone as she ran towards the servant's entrance, nearly matching the frenzied beating of her own heart. What had begun as a flight of fancy had ended too soon and not at all as she had expected. It had been childish for her to think that seeing him, Char, would be enough. A year apart had been devastating, but even she did not know the strength of her own desires. One glance had turned into an introduction, one dance had led her to spend all night in his arms. How could she have been so stupid? Even if she was Lady Lela, they knew each other. Their bodies and their hearts…they knew. One little mistake and she had risked his life once again. If she could escape, if she could only save him one more time…she promised herself that she wouldn't risk his well-being for her own happiness ever again.

Ella's toes throbbed from being pressed up against her glass slippers for far too long, but pain meant little at a time like this. Too much was at stake, and she had blown it. Her stupid selfish desires had endangered everyone that mattered to her. Hattie knew, and it wouldn't be too long before the rest of her horrible step-family found out about her little charade at Frell's welcoming ball. Pushing her way into the kitchen, all Ella had to do was place herself in Mandy's eyesight to communicate the situation. With wild-eyes and tangled hair, Ella managed a choked sob before her guardian took over.

Ella stumbled up to her room as quickly as she could, though the frayed and muddy hem of her ball gown was enough of a hindrance, not to mention her shoes. Fingers raked at the ties that had laced her into her mother's beautiful dress, heedless of the damage she created. Cloth could be mended, though it was far too late to apply the same concept to her own life. Tugging the gown haphazardly over her head, she attempted to stuff it into her trunk along with a few other important items, such as her magic book and Slannen's gift. Nothing else mattered.

News of the Prince's arrival wafted up towards her room, and she managed to hide behind her armoire long enough not to be found. Had he actually come for her? Of course he had. He loved her…and all she managed to do was hurt him, over and over again. Ella knew she didn't deserve someone as good as Char. Even now she had to swallow a lump in her throat, heart aching and pulling at her to go and announce her presence. Maybe she would never learn. Thankfully she could make her body remain obedient even if her heart never would be.

She took the back stairs two at a time, flying down recklessly until she was in the kitchens where Mandy was waiting.

"Come, Lady. Let us leave," Mandy spoke in hushed tones before grabbing Ella's hand. The knights that had come along with Char were too busy sorting through the household to guard the kitchen entrance, so escaping was simple. It was only after they had reached the safety of the willows that framed her old home that Ella glanced back. Even though she was too far to make out any particular shapes, it was the fact that her Love was inside, searching for her that tore at her heart.

Ella learned, in that moment, that she could never seek him out ever again. It was really over. Growing up was painful, but this time Ella meant it when she whispered that she never wanted to see him again.

They could have been really, truly happy together…and it had almost happened. Almost.

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This was my first attempt at fanfiction. Let me know if I suck or not, haha. I'll add more chapters later. Wee.