Author's Notes: It took me awhile, but here's the third installment.

Chapter the Third

I took Char's hand cautiously and followed him towards the royal receiving chamber. Though I was clothed in an elegant gown, I was still nervous. It had little to do with the fact that King Jerrold and Queen Daria were Kyrria's sovereigns, however that might have added to it, but I was worried more about explaining my falsehood. Char thought I was silly, I could tell.

"They will forgive you. They will understand." He assured me as a guard opened the chamber door. I took a deep breath.

"I hope you're right." I told him, allowing him to lead me towards his parents. Queen Daria stood up the moment we entered. She didn't look angry, on the contrary, she looked delighted.

"Lady Eleanor was your mother, wasn't she?" She asked me. I nodded and she smiled. "I knew I was right. I told you, Jerrold."

"Welcome to the family, Ella." The king said graciously. I glanced disbelievingly at Char.

"I told them already." He grinned. "I knew they wouldn't mind."

"Of course not, Char. You see, Ella, we understand that Lucinda's gifts were a tad outrageous." Queen Daria smiled; I liked her already. King Jerrold nodded solemnly.

"Good thing you broke the curse or our boy wouldn't have found his queen."

"Oh, about that, Your Majesty, I –"

"Ella, we are close to family, you can call me Jerrold."

"And you can call me Daria, dear." Queen Daria added.

I could?

"Well, about that, Jerrold, I would prefer if I was given that title …"

"Yes. There are some titles she would prefer rather than being a princess. Like Court Linguist and Cook's Helper." Char explained. Jerrold considered, glancing at Daria.

"We don't see a problem with that, but you will most likely be called 'Your Highness' by the servants. You will still be a princess and eventually a queen to the populace." Daria elucidated. "Is that all right?"

"Yes." I said happily, glad this was going so well. And Char seemed so happy.

"We'll set the date for the wedding for a week today, if that would suit you." Jerrold said. I nodded.

"That suits me fine."

"We'll need your guest list." Daria added.

I smiled. "I'll get right on that."

---

"Well, sweet, how do you feel?" Mandy wanted to know. I had been settled into a room in the castle and she had become a cook and given an incredibly nice room next door.

"Deliriously happy, Mandy." I answered, flopping by on the king's ransom of silks. Mandy smiled, kissing my forehead.

"I knew you would find your happy ending, Lady."

And right then, I knew that I had.

End Notes: It's short, I realize, but another chapter will follow shortly.