"Highness, may I enter?"

"Yes, come in." Char was facing his mirror, straightening out his doublet and trying to fix his hair. He wanted to look his best when he sees Ella again.

"I just received an urgent notice from her Lady Hattie. It is addressed to you, your majesty."

Char wanted to correct his formalities, but you can only say it so many times before you realize they refuse to listen. Char went over to the butler and took the letter. "Thank you."

Char initially wasn't planning on opening the letter, but he knew he had to stop worrying about his meeting with Ella and decided to sit down and open it.

He read the letter quickly, not truly paying attention to it until he saw Ella's name written down. He went back and read it again, carefully this time, to ensure that he truly understood the meaning. Ella? Married? She would never marry for wealth. She wasn't like that. But the letter in Ella's hand... It must have been true.

The clock struck ten times outside and Char stood up quickly, thinking about how he should be going to see Ella. He was just about to walk out the door and push his thoughts to the side when he realized this meant Ella was not to be meeting him. He collapsed back into his chair, trying to sort through the mix of frustration, anger, sadness, and confusion that were all battling for dominance within his skull.

Char didn't notice when he first started crying, but the wet trails began dripping on to his lap. He read the letter an innumerable amount of times, yet those treacherous words held the same meaning. He fell for Ella's trick. She drew him in, acting like the friend he desperately wanted, only to ditch him when he fell for her, leaving him to hit the ground. Was it really all a trick? What about all those letters? Why would she never mention it to him? There was no way she was betrothed and married within a few days. Would she really leave him to figure this out from Hattie- of all people?

Just then, it struck Char. It was over an hour after he recieved the letter when he finally found some hope in the darkness. What if Hattie found out about the letters? Char couldn't help but think it was strange that he was to address his letters to Mandy. Maybe Hattie would've been jealous. She could've commanded her to write that letter!

Char knew that his theory of Ella having a curse may have been totally false, but he needed something to believe him. Because of Ella truly was just a trickster, Char wouldn't be able to make it through the next couple of days. And he definitely wouldn't have made it through his parents constant asking of "Do you fancy any lady yet?"

Still, there was a voice, whispering that Ella was a minx and that he was just going to embarrass himself. But Char ignored it because his heart would've broken had he listened to it. He believed the best in Ella. He had to.

Once he pushed his negative thoughts to the side, he quickly wiped his cheeks dry, put on his cloak, due to the cold December weather, and left his room. He had a rather quick stride, trying to do everything to keep himself from running. He noticed his brothers sparring in the great hall, and though he normally would've broken up, he figured that his parents would get to it. After all, that was their job.

"Char, where are you off to in such a hurry?" As if summoned by thoughts of her, his mother was standing behind him.

"Sorry mother, but I must go see Ella. It is of the utmost importance."

"Char, I know you and Lady Ella are very close. And her late mother was a wonderful woman, so I can only imagine that she is the same. But me and your father must speak with you now. I'm sure she will understand."

"But mother, I-"

"Unless you are going to Ella's side to ask for her hand, there is no reason for you to leave right away. After all, she will still be at her manor later in the day."

Char desperately wanted that to be the case. For him to ask for Ella's hand and for her to say yes. But if that letter had been true. If Ella had not been at the manor, if Ella had not loved him- No, he was too prideful to admit his love to someone who may be married for all he knew. "But I told her I'd meet her! I'm already very late!"

"Well then, you're already late. So what difference will it make if you take a bit more time? Now come on now, your father doesn't have all day."

Char sighed, knowing he lost this battle. Hopefully, Ella would still be at the manor, unmarried and possibly even uncursed.

He followed his mother to Father's study, trying to push aside his thoughts of Ella and focus on what his father and mother may want of him. After all, he was doing well in his lessons and he thought he kept friendly relationships in Ayortha. Maybe it was about Cecilia, and his parents wanted his advice. After all, he was the closest to Cecilia.

"There you are, son. Sit down, we have some important matters we wish to discuss with you."

Nothing as important as figuring out the truth about Ella, Father. Char sat down in the seat on the other side of his Father's desk, awaiting the news coming his way.

His mother, who was seated next to his father, spoke up first, however. "I know that you keep saying that you aren't interested in suiting any maidens at the mo-"

Char immediately stood up, almost knocking the chair behind him over, and interrupted his mother. "Is that what this was about? My finding of a Princess? Mother. Father. I've told you both that no lady has struck my interest. I even told Cecilia this last night. If that is what you are interrupting my meeting with Ella about, I'm-"

"Son, sit down." His father's voice was rather strict, compared to his normal tone. Char quickly realized his mistake of interrupting his mother and apologized quietly and took his seat once again before his father continued. "Charmont, we need to have an heir to the throne, you must realize this. And you are of wedding age. As the Prince of Kyrria, it is your duty to marry. Whether it be due to love or an arranged marriage is up to you. We do not wish you to be forced to marry someone from another kingdom, but you will have to if you do not find someone soon."

"Father, I understand your concerns, but an arranged marriage? I thought you believed in the concept of marriage due to love, not politics."

"He does, Char. We both do. And we want nothing more than for you to find your love. But people are chattering Char. We worry that if you don't at least start looking for a suitor, you may never find one, and we will be left with no choice."

Char sighed. "Very well, I will look for a suitor. But bear in mind that it is not my fault if I come up empty-handed." He hoped that by agreeing with his parents, they would get off his back. The clock was just striking twelve outside, and Char was getting a bit jumpy about missing Ella. Maybe she's still at the manor, but leaving today to find her husband. Maybe he can convince her to stay and be with him. Even if she was just after the riches, would it be that terrible if she kept the act up for him?

"No, that will not be necessary. For your mother had thought up a brilliant idea. We will hold balls for the next three nights, as part of a welcoming to your arrival. All the ladies of Kyrria will be invited to come, so that you can meet them and get to know one, until, hopefully, your feelings will foster into love."

Char desperately wanted to shout that he was already in love, and that there was no hope for him to find love in these balls. But he also knew one thing. Hattie would not miss that chance. And from Hattie, he would most likely be able to find out more about Ella.

"Very well, Mother. Maybe you are right. Maybe I will find my love at these balls." Or at least the truth about her.