Disclaimer: So as stated in the beginning, the characters belong to Gail Carson Levine as I do not own Ella Enchanted. No money is being made off this piece. The reason I'm stating this again is because the two letters in this chapter are comprised mostly of direct quotes from the novel, so I do not own them.

Thank you for reading! And just a note: The first two chapters were written and posted very quickly as I was off from school. Time between posts will most likely be about a week from here on out.

Since Ella's wake up call, the sunrise, she's been thinking about what she could possibly do to deter Char. She could say that she doesn't like him- that she just thought it would be useful to have a friend in the Palace. But it wouldn't make much sense if she had some scheme to end up telling him the truth. Maybe she could say that she grew a conscious. But wouldn't he just want to get to know the real Ella after that? Or maybe he wouldn't care at all, and just request that she keeps up the act. After all, Sir Stephan said that he laughed more with her one morning than with his knights for 2 weeks.

What if I told Hattie to tell him I moved away? She shouldn't care as it would just mean the Prince would not spend time with me. Though I doubt that would stop him after he saw me get locked in my bedroom.

"If only I had a reason…" Ella muttered to herself while cleaning the dishes, when an idea suddenly struck her. She told Mandy she would be right back and ran to her room quietly, to ensure that she wouldn't wake up any of the sleeping "beauties." Ella quickly pulled out a piece of parchment and some ink, quickly scribbling down in the foreign script:

My dear Prince Charmont,

Your latest corespondence with my stepsister was recieved by my mother, Dame Olga, and myself. Ella and the cook, Mandy, were not here to except it. Ella is absent because she has eloped, taking our cook with her. She left a note which I have enclosed for your perusal.

You have been much decieved in her. For a while, she had ambitions to be queen, beliving she would befriend you first, and then gain your heart. She dispared of it and took another offer after all this time had passed. I do not think she liked living on our generosity, and longed to be able to lord it over us with greater splendor than we could hope for, although we fancy that our stile is very fine.

I don't believe that a respectable Prince, like yourself, would wish to remain friends with this decietful wench, so I've saved you the embarasment by keeping your letter from her. She would often crow over your letters, reading them aloud for Mandy and I to here. I did not approve, of corse, but how can you stop someone like Ella?

Your letter arrived four days after her departure. I know because Demby had a ball that night, and Ella was greatly missed. Her beaux turned to me for consolation, and I gave them the same advice I have for you: Think no more of the minks, because she has already forgotten you.

I am sorry to dismay you, but I hope you will be consoled by the fond wishes of this admirer.

Your angel of comfort,

Hattie

Ella sighed as she put Hattie's signature. She was upset that she had to do something of the sort, but was able to convince herself that this was for the best. Taking a deep breath, she began the next letter.

Mum Olga, Father, Hattie, & Olive,

These are the first words I ever penned as a married lady. You know him, but I shall not write his name, only that he is very old and very rich and lives far from Frell. And he is fool enough to make me his bride. Someday, and the day may not be long in coming, I shall be sole mistress of a vast estate. I shall not write again, but look for me. When my husband dies, I shall visit Frell. Should you spy a carriage that surpasses of others, peer inside. You will find me within, smiling at my jewels and laughing at the world-

Ella

Enclosing the letters so that they be brought to the castle, and to Char, was the hardest part for Ella. This would mark the end of her friendship with Char. Currently, Char was thinking his last positive thoughts about his believed-to-be best friend. He was probably getting ready to see her now.

Ella realized what time it was as the clock rang nine times. She went downstairs quickly and set plates of food out on the table in case Dame Olga and her spawns arose while Ella was out.

"Mandy, if they ask, can you tell them that you sent me to the market?"

"Sure, sweets, but you must realize if you come back with nothing, they would notice."

Mandy listed the things she would need, and though Ella tried to pay attention, she was preoccupied with thoughts of the letters and Char, and ended up missing parts of the list. Ella nodded when Mandy stopped talking, knowing she wouldn't get mad at her if she forgot an item or two considering the circumstances.

Ella left quickly, walking fast paced towards the castle. It wasn't all too far away- just a little past the menagerie. Ella longed to stop to there and see Apple. She longed to stop herself from delivering the letter and ending her friendship with Char. She longed to wait at the menagerie until it was too late to run away. She longed to see Char. But she kept moving towards the castle.

When she arrived at the castle, she walked up to a butler who appeared to be heading inside.

"Sir, sir! Excuse me!"

He turned around, hands grasping each other behind his back, and seemed slightly alarmed. "Are you speaking to me?"

"Yessir." She dropped a quick curtsy and looked up towards his face, sticking out the letter towards him. "I apologize for being so abrupt. But may you deliver this letter to His Highness Prince Charmont." Saying his full name, with title and all, made Ella feel strange. But she knew she would have to get used to it.

"Who shall I say this is from?" Now his look changed more to disgust. Ella quickly realized this must be due to her sooty, rag covered frame.

"It is from my lady, Lady Hattie of Frell. She says that it is urgent."

"Very well. I shall deliver it to him now," he replied, before quickly entering the castle.

Ella stood looking up at the castle for a moment, before the effects of her actions fully settled in, leaving her shaking. Putting a lot of her effort into not crying, Ella quickly turned and briskly walked back towards the house.

It is strange that she used to call that place home. Home is supposed to be a place where you feel comfortable and safe. If she truly wanted a term to fit the way she felt, it would be prison. Though even prison offers a small hope of escape, unlike Dame Olga's house.