Chapter the Second

"What did you just call Lady Lela, Cecilia?"

Cecilia turned to Char. "She reminded me of Lady Eleanor. Forgive me, Lady Lela, I thought you were Lady Eleanor's daughter." She said kindly to me. I smiled through my tears as Char studied us both in turn.

"She does remind me of Lady Eleanor's daughter too." He murmured thoughtfully, watching Cecilia help me to my feet. "I hope you won't think badly of Frellans, Lady Lela, after what Lady Hattie did."

"Oh, no, Char, I could not think badly of Frellans." I told him sincerely. Cecilia smiled a bit.

"I'll go see to your guests, Char." She announced, leaving us alone. Char smiled faintly.

"Good girl, my sister." He said reverently.

"She's very kind."

"Yes, but Lela –"

"Charmont! There you are! You must tell her the truth!" Hattie's voice cut in.

"The truth?" He repeated blankly.

"Yes! Haven't you told her about our engagement?"

"Our engagement! Lady Hattie, we are not engaged!"

Hattie wilted. "But – but – but –"

"Hattie, my treasure, what in the world is wrong?" Mum Olga's syrupy voice found my ears and I froze.

Hattie's gaze shifted to me. "Nothing, Mama, I just came to apologize to Lady Lela. Come here, Lady Lela, let me –"

The order thrust me forward and something sparked in Hattie's eyes. "Wait a moment, Lady, could you-"she broke off as I stopped. "Twirl," she said suddenly.

Panic rose within me.

'No, no, no!' My mind cried.

Yes, obey. Twirl and obey.

I twirled and a smirk figured onto Hattie's lips. "Remove your mask, Ella." She commanded.

"Lady Hattie!" Char gasped, but his eyes were glued to me as I obediently removed my mask. "Ella?!"

"Ella!" Mum Olga exclaimed.

I covered my face with my hands, not allowing anyone to see my tears. I knew Hattie had seen me when she had tried to remove my mask. I needed to run. I needed to be anywhere, but there. I started to move, however, someone grabbed my hand.

Char.

"I thought you were married!" He exclaimed, then he glared at Hattie. "But now I see that the letter was a trick. Oh, Ella, say you'll marry me."

"I –"

"No, Ella! You can't marry him." Hattie interrupted angrily.

"Now, Hattie, don't you want your sister to be happy and give you all that you deserve. Ella, my sweet, the prince wants to marry you. Make him –"

"No! Ella, say no!"

I withdrew my hand from Char's. "I can't –"

"Don't you love me?" Char asked, looking upset.

"Leave, Ella! The prince has no further need of you!" Hattie snapped.

"I have great need of her."

"Ella –"

"Hattie dear, that's enough. Ella, marry the prince." Mum Olga ordered.

Say yes. Say yes and marry him. Say yes and make him happy.

"She doesn't have to marry me if she doesn't want to ..." Char murmured.

Say yes. Marry the prince.

It would be such relief to just say yes. My mouth was in the process of forming the word, but I fought back. I couldn't endanger Char. I couldn't endanger Kyrria. I could hear Lucinda's voice, Mandy's for-your-own-good orders, Hattie wearing Mother's necklace and ...

"NO!" I burst out. "No! I won't marry the prince! I WON'T! No one can make me!"

"No one was trying to make you!" Char protested.

"I won't marry you," I told him, "You are safe from me." I kissed him and he kissed me back. I leant against him, trembling. We parted.

"Why won't you marry me? Don't you love me?"

"Yes, I love you, but I'm under a spell. I –" I broke off. Mother had forbidden me to tell anyone about the curse. I was ... free.

I looked at Char who was looking very bewildered. I cleared my throat.

"Um, just a moment ago I was too young to marry, but now I'm just right. Yes, I'll marry you."

Char let out a whoop and twirled me around, kissing me.

"Ella, stop kissing him!" Hattie cried. I parted from Char a moment and shook my head.

"I don't think so." I told her, kissing Char again. Hattie let out a scream of rage and stalked out into the ballroom, seething with Mum Olga in tow.

End Notes: Some of these lines were taken from the book and others were taken from the movie. Don't sue me, it just makes the fic go along better. Now as it would seem this would be where it ends, but I think I'm going to change a bit of the ending. The next chapters Ella's falsehood will be explained to King Jerrold and Queen Daria, and then the rest of the events I have planned will unfold. Review please!