Author Notes: Short chapter ahead. Reason for in the end notes.

Chapter Twenty-Fifth

Something told me that seeing Francois and Hattie together wasn't good for me. I could tell my ladies-in-waiting were nervous; Gretchen most of all. I forced a smile. "Hello, Hattie." I said before glancing at Francois. "I didn't know you knew my stepsister."

"It would be difficult not to know your stepsister." Francois replied in a voice that was devoid of emotions. Hattie looked suspiciously at him.

"What is that supposed to mean?" She demanded.

"Whatever you want it to mean."

I knew instinctively that he didn't like her but seeing them together made me wary. I would have to tread carefully, I decided. I looked at my ladies-in-waiting before returning my attention back to Francois and Hattie.

Quick footsteps broke through the silence and Cecilia, followed by Char, arrived on the scene. Cecilia's eyes flicked warily from Francois to Hattie while Char came to me.

"What's going on?" he whispered to me.

"I don't know." I whispered back.

"Prince Charmont." Hattie chirped. "Princess Cecilia."

"Lady Hattie." Char responded politely. Cecilia nodded curtly, still eyeing her and her brother warily.

"Mother is so excited about you wedding my stepsister." Hattie fluttered her lashes. "She couldn't be more proud."

Char glanced at me and I let out a nervous giggle. "Well," he said, "I will be certainly honoured to be gifted with Ella's entire family's presence."

Nervous giggling aside, I couldn't help but laugh. Gifted with my family's presence? Not likely.

"I will be honoured to be there." Hattie replied, fluttering her lashes again. "But right now, I must go. Prince Francois, will you escort me to my carriage?"

Francois nodded and off they went. As soon as they were out of earshot, Cecilia spoke: "What were they doing together?"

"I have no idea." I admitted. "It makes me worry though."

"Me too." Char said.

"I think I'll see what Mandy has to say." And I hurried away.

-X-

"So what do you think?" I questioned after I had filled Mandy in. Mandy stirred the soup in silence, brow furrowed.

"I can't say that I know any better than you do." Mandy answered. "It could be nothing but it could be something."

"Should we be worried?"

"I think so."

"Okay." I sighed, feeling disheartened. I knew I'd wanted Mandy to tell me that there was nothing to worry about. I wanted her to say that there couldn't be anything going on that could jeopardize my marriage.

Francois and Hattie both wanted the crown, I reminded myself, so it was a possibility. Too probable for me to even want to think about.

End Notes: I'm sorry it's short. I had planned on making it longer but then I ran into a block, if you know what I mean. By the way, I've considered opening a forum in which you can ask me about updates and question me about elements of the story and all sorts of things. I think it would be a nice opportunity for me to answer any individual questions you might have and also, perhaps, take story requests for any future stories. It would also be nice for me if you had ideas to help me through the writer's block. If you think this is a good idea, please let me know. That's all for now, dear readers.