Chapter 14

At night, I had nightmares. I had images of me, in a sooty wedding dress. And Earl Surh wearing a suit, beaming at me. The reception clapped loudly. Suddenly, the floor was covered in money. It started rising, until it was up to my neck.

I woke up in the morning, in a fright. This would not happen. We wouldn't get married. I'd get out of it somehow.

There was a knocking on my door.

"Come in," I said. Mandy came into my room.

"This was in front of our house," she said. Se handed me a sack. It was my sack from Henry's house! I looked inside, and I saw my dresses, coins, and my magic book!

"What is it?" she asked.

I told her. "Henry probably dropped it off." I opened it to check my belongings. A parchment paper fell out.

Dear Ella

You left your sack at my house. If you need anything, I'll always be here for you.

Henry

I felt touched by it. Then, I caught sight of the magic book. I snatched it up "Show me what will happen," I murmured into its spine.

I opened it up, but it didn't show me the future. Instead, there was a short entry from Char.

Ella is cursed. With obedience. I don't know what it is, but I am worried for her. I love her even if she's cursed with a million curses. But I am in a state of turmoil. I don't know what I should do. She's a threat to our kingdom if we marry. But I love her. I wish she wasn't cursed. I wish we could marry and live happily. I am just so confused.

He spewed out thought after thought, in a disorganized manner. I could sense his confusion, his distraughtness.

Oh, it was my own careless fault for letting her tell Char. I thought about it. She would've told him anyways. I put my head in my hands. What was i to do? I felt angry and confused at the same time.

Just then, Mandy came into my room.

"Ella, Ella," Hattie shrieked. "Come over here."

I went to her room.

Inside, she was reading the paper. She looked up at me and smiled evilly.

Prince Char is to Forfeit the Throne if He is not married Within a Week.

I looked closer into the article. His father was stepping down, and this was the last week for Char to get married, otherwise the throne would go to his cousin. The kingdom counselors were threatening to take away his power if he wasn't married within the week.

What right did I have for worrying? In any case, I wouldn't be his choice. I probably wouldn't even be considered.

I felt distraught over the issue.

"Char will be happy with the marriage," I tried lying to myself.

"After the marriage, he and his wife will reign happily."

However, it didn't work. I couldn't convince myself of that becuase I knew it wasn't true.

"Now, Char will choose me to be his lovely bride," she said, noticing my distress.

"We will get married and live in a castle and have as much money as we want."

I felt like slapping her in the face. For being so greedy. And hateful.

However, Char was going to get married. He wouldn't forfeit the throne. He loved his country too much.

I forced myself to acknowledge that fact.