Hehe, I uploaded! please see my agenda in my profile for the next update, which won't be far away, pretty, soon, actually, considering I have to go to my aunts everytime to update... this chapter reaches a little climax...wait till what i have next, I'm so sxcited I can barely wait to write it!XD

The answer to Chapter 9's quiz was d)- No, because it will be bigger magic to reverse the spell, and Lucinda cannot do anymore big magic, as against the fairy to Neverfall and Tansiana, who got it right!XD

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Chapter 10- Unlocked Secrets

Frell

"Ah, Jerrold, I simply don't know what to do," the poor queen whispered to her consoling husband. "Our only son, our only son, we can't let him hurt this way, he must feel so awfully muddled up."

"Our Char will sort it out, I trust our lad," the king whispered back comfortingly. Daria looked at him sadly, and responded,

"But for how long will it be till it all ends?"

Jerrold remained silent, and Daria just looked at him, a mutual understanding breaching themselves, wrapping them up like a long coil of rope.

We don't know.

In the morning, Char found himself pacing restlessly about his room. Would Lucinda remember? Surely she wouldn't have forgotten, would she? Don't worry so much. Char shook his head. Of course Lucinda would remember. She would bring Ella to him, and she would explain all, and he would explain all. They would both listen to each other.

And he would profess his love for her, which, of course, Ella would probably have known ages ago. If only she would arrive soon, he thought impatiently, walking in long circles around in the empty space at the centre of his room.

Someone knocked on the door. Char twitched and turned instantly towards the door, opening it as quickly a possible. To his disappointment, Char found a maid staring in alarm at his impetuosity. The maid bowed.

"I have a message for you, your highness," she said, curtseying low. Was it from Ella? Char thought instantly, and eagerly took the folded parchment from the maid and read it.

Your Highness,

Do not trust Lucinda, she is an unreliable, untrustworthy fairy who has broken so many laws of our ways. Be weary of her, because surely she is always up to some nasty trick, as she would usually. Do not believe anything she says. I have known Ella for many years; she is so innocent, she does not know what she is doing, following that careless fairy like that. Break off the rendezvous, or trust me, you will be in more strife than you already are in.

Ella's godmother,

Mandy

Char frowned. He knew Mandy vaguely, even met her a few times, in which he had learned numerous facts about Ella. Char was certain that she was trustworthy and reliable person, who had brought Ella up since she was a toddler. But what grudge did she hold against Lucinda. It was true, and Char admitted it, that Lucinda could be very irritable, from what he experienced the few times he had met her, but dangerous? A law-breaker? A criminal? Char didn't think Lucinda was that kind of person. A fairy, as Mandy said. That explained the queer character of the woman in the pale blue robes.

He couldn't break off the meeting, though. For one thing, Lucinda did not give him any way to contact her by, and for another, it was crucial that he talked to Ella before things fell even more by the wayward. And the fact, of course, that he missed her. He missed her so much that it hurt. Hurt both physically and mentally, and Char felt that he simply had to see her, no matter what the consequences, and if Lucinda could give him Ella, he would give anything, sacrifice anything.

Char had read a few novels that had talked of heart sickness, but he had used to wonder how it could be possible; to be sick at heart. He had always thought that as long as you were physically and mentally fine, you were perfectly fit. But now, this was something else, something more spiritual, close to his soul. Char now felt he understood at least the beginning of heart sickness. Ella, he whispered softly to no one in particular. Please, come.

All of a sudden, a rush of wind swept passed the castle. Char stared on ahead, seeing nothing at all. The wind whistled loudly in his ears even though he wasn't affected by it. Suddenly, a strange feeling overcame him, as if a presence was here somewhere, watching him. Char looked to his right, towards the balcony. There they stood, still as the wind was rushing. Lucinda in, as usual, her pale blue robes, and Ella, in a wild green dress, the colour Char liked best on her, because it matched the colour of her eyes.

Char nearly ran towards the door, pulling it open.

"Come in," he said politely, directing a hand inside. Lucinda stepped inside, followed by Ella, who numbly began to step inside too, only to accidentally trip up the little step at the doorway. Char grinned a little, and helped her up. Ella didn't look at him, only staring at the ground, as she thanked his quietly.

"At least you haven't changed," he said, attempting to lighten the mood. Ella smiled at him, but Char saw that it was forced.

Once they were all inside, seated in the armchairs by the closed fireplace, Char called for some tea. The maid, who had delivered the letter, arrived with a large tray of small delicacies and tea, which she set on the small coffee table, before looking curiously at her highness' guests. Nevertheless, she did not say a word, but merely curtseyed, and then walked out of the room.

Lucinda seemed to be at astonishing ease with herself in the Prince's bedchamber, as she settled herself comfortably in Char's favourite armchair, in which Char did not object to, being very courteous of nature. Ella, on the other hand, seemed utterly unused to such a thing, sitting nervously at the edge of her seat, looking at everything every direction except at Char, who was looking at her.

"Well," he said finally, breaking the silence, "Explain, then."

Lucinda cleared her throat, but didn't say anything, her long raven-coloured hair leaning forwards onto her lap. Instead, she turned to Ella, looking at her pointedly, as if Ella was the one meant to be talking. Ella stared back uncomfortably, and mumbled something to Lucinda, which Char couldn't hear. Lucinda frowned.

"Oh!" she suddenly said, looking at her left wrist, though there was no watch attached. "Look at the time, I really must flee, your highness, for I am late. Apologies," and at that, she dramatically rushed towards the balcony, pushing the door open, then vanished like how she always did.

There was a very uncomfortable silence, as Lucinda left the room. Char looked at Ella, while she diverted her gaze firmly at the oriental rug spread richly on the floor, like how Char did in Ayortha, when Count and Countess Fenwick first came to visit. Char felt uneasy. It was clear that Ella didn't want to talk, so there really wasn't any point in explaining, if she didn't want to listen. He could make her, of course, but Char had a feeling that that would be looked upon too kindly. Suddenly, Ella looked up from the rug, and said,

"Lady Emerith said that that was how you looked when she first met you."

Char looked confused at first, but then suddenly laughed, as he caught on.

"Actually, I thought she was going to be you," Char admitted sheepishly. "According to Jhonne, his description of Lady Emerith fitted you exactly."

Ella formed a small smile, in which Char encouraged, and the smile broadened. All of a sudden, another knock sounded the door, and Char, said almost irritably,

"Enter."

And in stormed Mandy, who looked half furious half glad, Char wasn't sure which it was.

"Didn't I tell you that good-for-nothing of a fairy was untrustworthy?" she said irately, as she took Ella by the hand and pulled her up.

"Excuse me," Char said politely, standing up too, but Mandy turned to him furiously too.

"You!" she said, forgetting her manners and also the fact that she was speaking to a prince,

"Didn't I tell you to ignore her? I'm taking her away right now, and woe betide you if you try to follow."

"But," Char said quietly, "Wasn't it you in the first place who wanted me to meet Ella?" Mandy looked exasperated.

"Me, but not Lucinda again!" she said, which didn't make any sense. Ella looked as if she were going to say something, but Mandy marched her out the door.

Char stared confusingly, not understanding what Mandy meant at all. Sighing, Char sat back down onto his seat. At least there was hope. There was hope, because Ella had smiled. She had smiled a real smile. Yes, he thought, smiling a little. Yes there was hope.

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How was that? All right? Please review and tell me, this is a really wierd quiz, by the way, see if you can get it right!XD

Quiz: The maid is not Char's usual butler that serves him with his needs. Why did the maid serve him instead?

His butler was on leave, and the maid was temporarily promoted to work as the butler.

Char's parents ordered the maid to keep an eye on Char, and the best way was for the maid to serve him in place of the butler, who was extremely loyal to his master, and wouldn't dare to report him to the Queen and King.

She was a guest maid, and was given the honour of serving the prince during her stay in Frell.

Char had requested her specially this day, as he had Lucinda and Ella as guests.