Chapter Fifteen

I looked up and saw…no one. {Claidi's thoughts: whoa! What happened? Even I don't know!}

I was puzzled. No one? But how? The ogres were affected by the sound but maybe…but how? It cannot be a hallucination. Of course not! But maybe the enchantment to the ogres left them for a second. Maybe but I do not know. I guess it was a hallucination. I will be eaten by ogres. For a moment, I thought it was Char. But it wasn't him. It's some invisible horse. Mandy, she could be but where is she? It was strange. Very. I didn't see anyone and no twig snapped. I just heard something but when I turned, I saw air. What's wrong with me? Have I gone mad with desperation? At first my heart lightened when I heard the hooves but when I turned it evaporated. I thought there was someone. But there was no one. It was obvious that Char's not here to save me again. And Mandy, who knows where she is?

I sat down on the dirty ground and cried. I lost all my hope. I have gone crazy and delirious because of blind hope. I tried breaking the curse before and it didn't work. Maybe I could do it again! I should try! I wiped away my tears and stood up.

"Walk away from the ogres." I ordered myself. I lifted my legs to work but it didn't. I felt the pain that happened when I resisted coming to the ogres. The pricking pain shot up my legs and I fell. The curse was getting worse and worse each day. I can't do it. I can't.

I cried myself to sleep.

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"Lady, lady," someone whispered. "Wake up."

An order. My eyes fluttered open. I looked around. It was dark and chilly. It must have been midnight at least. My eyes felt heavy and tired. I peered through the darkness.

"Lady…" I knew that voice. And the sound of it brought tears of joy.

"Mandy!" I cried out softly. Mandy was here! She must have been the one making the horses' gallops. I thought it was Char. Well, this is better. If Char was here, he would question me still and be more puzzled. And he will find out about my plan to go to Bast. I was plenty fortunate that it was Mandy.

"Lady, Bast is waiting." She said urgently. 

I was about to climb up to my feet when I remembered the order. "The ogres ordered me to stay, Mandy. A little help please?"

Mandy smiled and said the countermand. I ran to her and hugged her. I was so happy! Hope was lost and back again!

But just as Mandy said, Bast is waiting for me. I took one last look at the snoring ogres with indescribable joy. They won't eat me! I was leaving them and they were still snoring. I wish that I could tell them what I told SEEf and his horde. You are never going to eat me. I'm not an "it" and I am not your dinner…saying that to those idiot ogres was a delight.

When we were walking to Bast, I remembered Char. I thought Char would save me again. I hoped Char would save me again. But he didn't. He was in his castle, still pondering about my running away. I wanted to find out about his happenings. It was still dark so I couldn't read it. I have to wait till morning.

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Mandy and I rested for a night. There were no more ogres. While we were walking, we spotted a wagon with hay. I asked the driver where he is heading and he said he was going to Bast. Mandy and I begged for him to hitchhike us to Bast. He smiled and said it was okay. He said that he had a lot of space. Mandy could stay up front and I could relax in the hay. The driver's name was Jack. He was an elderly man about the age of Mandy if she were not a fairy. He was kind and good-natured. He said he wasn't used with ladies traveling without carriages but he said it was al right. It was kind of him to allow us. We might be a burden to him. With the wagon, we could get to Bast in four days. A lot earlier than I have expected.

I was seated comfortably amidst the sweet smelling hay. Then, I remembered my magic book. I opened my bag  (Mandy was carrying it when she ran) and extracted my book. It was heavier than the last time. What could be within its pages?

I opened it and saw a journal entry from Char.

Lela,

It has been a long time, am I right? I am in the castle as always. There aren't any ogre skirmishes either. I pass the time thinking about an old friend. Funny you remind me of her. Both of you look alike. In a way...

I find this a rather ridiculous letter. Why am I writing a letter for Lela? Goodness knows where she lives! When I mentioned visiting her in Bast, it must have slipped my mind to ask for her address. I asked around about Lela. The dukes, duchesses, earls...but none of them seem to know who she is. And I greatly detest going to the duchesses who just smile politely and present their daughters.

I have written before what Father had said. I wouldn't dare write it again. I have been writing the same thing everyday since that visit to Dame Olga. Ella.

When I thought of her, Lela came in too. I have said this many times but they are a bit alike.

I wish I could write or talk to Lela. She was friendly enough not to be like the flirtatious courtiers. I wasn't the least bit intimidated by her.

I do not know why but Lady Vanessa visited today.

Lady Vanessa? Who is she?

Lady Vanessa is beautiful, they say. But they fail to see that I do not consort with beauty only. I never cared about that really. I only cared about the ladies' personality. If a lady is as pretty as a swan, does this mean that she is smart and witty? If a lady is graceful and dainty, does this mean that she is funny? If a lady is tall and refined, does this mean that she is humble and not self-centered. If a lady has a voice like a nightingale, does this mean that every word she speaks is good?

I have only been with Lady Vanessa for a time and I was happy when she exited the castle. Her conversation mainly includes mockery and insulting. She was insulting High Chancellor Thomas and the other lords and ladies of the court as if she was better! But she was funny, in a manner that insults and ridicules. But all the while I was pushed away by her inconsideration and tactlessness to others. I laughed only when appropriate. And I only did so because I have to be polite. Part of me wanted to tell her that she is self-centered and that I do not want to be with her for more than a minute.

Father says she is. Lady Vanessa is the daughter of the Earl of Erima. And one of the most respected ladies in the present society. But I wouldn't care less. Lady Vanessa is what a woman really is: coy and gossiping. She is very not like Lela. And Lela is a favorable lady to me.

I have heard of Vanessa. Vanessa the perfect one. Vanessa, daughter of the Earl of Erima. Vanessa the beauty. But I haven't seen her. Only rumors have I heard about her. And if she were at the ball, than I wouldn't know; I was too busy hiding and concealing myself from the public eye to take notice. That wench must have been hoping to marry Char! And I was sure that his parents are encouraging him. This is horrible! But I have not the right to have a rival. After all, Char is the prince. And every lady dreams of marrying him. If only this curse wasn't here! If only it wasn't cast by that idiot Lucinda! Char might even get married and I have to watch theirs! But Lela…he has written about her being a favorable lady. I could meet him as Lela. But, he would recognize me. Not only does he think he feels the same with Lela as with me, he would see us looking alike! The cover would be blown the second he sees me! It was a ridiculous attempt to wear a mask. It was broad daylight and I am probably not in a ball to meet with him personally. And it was definitely impossible to change my face! Mandy wouldn't do it. And probably Lucinda too. And if it was Lucinda, what will she do with my face? The same way as she did to the carriage and the coachman and the footmen? From objects and animals? Will I have to endure a pumpkin face then? It was without a solution to meet Char unless it is a ball. And I was in no power to host a ball. I was just a runaway from  home. I suppose I could write letters. I could always change my handwriting. I have done so before when deceiving Char through Hattie. But I haven't gotten a place in the first place! And what if he was to visit? But Bast has a lot of possibilities. I mean, I haven't been there before. Me, together with Mandy, could get job as cooks at some extravagant manor. And I will be known as Lela. So if Char sends letters to Lela, it would be for me. And I suppose that my employers wouldn't dare eavesdrop. I would just be a scullery maid and a cook's helper. And if Char goes for Lela…that I couldn't find a solution. The scene itself would be a scam. I could imagine it now.

"I need to speak to Lela, Lady."

"Highness, I do your every request but I do not want to be offensive to your wishes. But Lela? The scullery maid and cook's helper to the excellent Mandy?"

"Scullery maid? Cook's helper?"

 Char would freak. Then his hate for women and his beliefs about minxes and harpies living inside women's souls would be permanent in his heart! And he would find me out. He might even be regretful for knowing Lela or me, in other words! The picturing of the scene itself is atrocious! I would write to Char as Lela but if he ever comes here to Bast, I would run and tell my mistress that I would be out. Then he won't be able to find out. Hopefully. I was risking Lela's unknown stature just to prevent Char from going to some else. I love him so and I couldn't bear to hear the news of his recent engagement to some wench. If Lela was there, he wouldn't be flocked by so many women, knowing that he was in correspondence with…I dare not say this, but…a possible candidate for his heart. Or they might flock to him even more! And knowingly, they would do their best to get Char's attention. I was warrant that they would also search for the mysterious Lela of Bast. I could tell Char to be quiet about it. And Char is filled with gentleman manner. He wouldn't decline. I did it before too. I could just tell him that my sister is a gossiping little twit who reads my letters. I could also tell him that he should keep our correspondence a secret so then no one would bother the both of us about it. And certainly a correspondence with the lady he danced with all the time in the balls would surely intrigued the people even the most anti-social of them all! Char also didn't say anything when I requested to have a subterfuge before. He would just think it normal.

While all those ponderings came to me, I hadn't realized that there were still unread portions in my magic book. I turned the next page. It was another journal entry. Written in exaggerated flourishes and filled with wrong spellings. It was written by…Hattie?

I have only startted a diari sence yesterday. I feel that I shold write sumthing about all the happenings in the house. I haven't writtin anything yet.

First of all, Ella ran away again. It was because of Prince Charmont. I do not know why but I am happi to rid the manor of her foul presence. Maybe she ran away because she found herself too unworthy for the prince to see.

That wench! She dare try to make Prince Charmont laugh with that mutton fork! Whatever that means! I know that this inceedent has happened a long time ago but I cannot bear to erase that atrocios memory. And that deceetful Ella!  How dare she steel my Prince Charmont!

Wen Ella ran away, Mandy was with her! Oh the desolation! But lukily Mama had Father to get us a new cook. Her name is Flora and she always wears this green seemple gown with a darker green apron with freells. And her hair was always tied in a bun. Ollie wanted Mandy even eef Flora's coking is good but not as good. But then, Ollie always go to the kitchen to have Flora talk to her while making her bake white cake.

Ella's disapeerance has caused havoc in the household. Becuse if she didn't disapeer, Mandy would steel be with us and her food also. Eef Ella comes back, I would give her more chores and more edicts and more demands! That is what she'll get for giving my family a famine by ridding us of delicios food!

Mama bought me a new gown today. It is orange with darker shades of orange. Ollie says I look like a pumpkin but Mama says I could marry Prince Charmont with this. But I say that this would be my engagement party gown. Blossom who bisited us say my gown is will bee like the gown she will wear on the day her uncle dies and gives her his inheritance. Delicia said nothing but when Ollie went in the room, she kept complaining about Ollie's gown which is tight around the waist. I thought it was suppose to be like that.

The next five paragraphs were about the cotillion she just attended. It was that long because she scrutinized and described every one of the guests clothes. Then at the end was her usual gigantic flourish, Hattie. By what is written here, it seems that they are doing well. And Hattie's spelling hasn't changed. And to think she was only angry at me for getting Mandy! Well, it serves her right. Mandy has been utterly exhausted because of the mountains of food they have to eat every second of the day! But it was not my concern any longer. I saw an illustration next to it. The picture was Olive talking to a tired-looking middle-aged woman—Flora—cooking something. Flora must be sucked dry, as I was with Olive. The next page was another journal entry…by Olive. I was prepared to read cross-outs and blots.

Hattie is writting a diari so I thoght I shold to. I hav sumthing to rite abot. Ella left agayn. She was bad not to tak mee wit her. And Mandy two. Dey wer both verry meen. I am allwais  hungri witout Mandy and Ella. Ella can cok delicios wite cak and Mandy can cok delicios fod. Any fod. Flora can cok god to but she doesnt wan to talk two mee.

Muther sade zat Ella wont come bak. I tink she is hapi zat Ella wont be ner her. Ella allwais did evrithing anyon toled her too do. Even mee. But she obayed Hattie eben if it ment skrubing the dirti flor. Hattie doesnt wan Ella too com bak.  But I want Ella too com bak so she can cok wite cak eshpeshally four mee.

I hav alredy ben writting for too or for or fibe or ate minutes. I do not now. But I now it has two be a long tyme becoz my head hurts wen I rite and red it agayn. I weel stop. I remeber Writting Meestress. She must steel say I am an idiyot but she wont lissen wen I tel her that reading is bad four the iyes. Muther toled me dat but Writting Meestress is stuborn and a lot moar biger idiyot dan mee.

Poar Ella and Mandy. They must be sad dat dey wont cok four me anymor. I hop dey com bak. I am mizzurebel without them.

Olive writing a diary with spelling and calligraphy that bad? The blots were plentiful. I could see them even if I stand away from the page. Olive couldn't write even if it is to save her life! I really wonder if she will learn how to write. But then, it would be of no use to her since all she does is to eat and to sleep. And to listen.  I give my condolences to Flora who must have been sucked dry by Olive. There were more in the magic book. Maybe if I read it less, the more things it would give. I turned the page. There was a letter written in unrecognizable handwriting. All I could say is the handwriting seems to flow and is as smooth as cream. It had lots of flourishes like Hattie's but hers are elegantly made as if every letter took a minute. The handwriting was so elaborate it was a surprise you could read it. 

Dear Papa,

I have visited Prince Charmont, just as you have said. I know that a lot of people have expectations for me. Well, I have higher expectations. I plan to marry Prince Charmont. I know I have the beauty and the grace to captivate him. And a good advantage for me is that King Jerrold and Queen Daria favor me.

Nothing much happened during my visit really. Prince Charmont said a handful of words to me. I believe he is thinking of other things. Because of this, I talked to him without expecting a reply. It was a rude manner for a gentleman to ignore a lady but Prince Charmont was aware of that. He nodded once or twice. And he offered an argument or a comment. But his mind wanders.

I wonder what he is thinking about. It could be how he will propose to me, I hope. Or our engagement. Or the dress I will wear on our wedding day.

Though my wonderings are about my wonderful future with him, I fail not to realize the other question. Worse. Who is he thinking about other than me? I remember the ball. Can you believe that after the three balls, I have only danced with him for twelve times?! To other ladies, this is more than enough; an enviable number. But to me? No. I am green with jealousy with that flirting harpy named Lady Lela of Bast. He danced with her for...lots of times! I mean, he danced with her the whole night of the next to balls that I failed to count the number! That fake minx, Lady Hattie danced with him for four times. Lady Olive, her utterly stupid simpleton sister, danced with him for five times. Lady Genevieve for three times...in her case, I feel I should say that she is too ugly and witch-looking to dance more than one time with my Prince Charmont. Lady Jane for eight times. Lady Katharine for five times. Lady Janice for five times too. Lady Sophronia for seven times. Lady Mercedes danced with him for two times. Ladies Reyna, Theresa, Sabina, Bernadette, Rosaline, Millicent, Yasmine, Zelda, Virginia, Ursula, Octavia, Prudence, Natalie, Lisette, Jacqueline, Germaine, Hermione, Isadora, Esmeralda, Blanche, Alexandra Fiona, Constance, Elspeth, Melanie, Catalina, Camellia, Erica, Marcella, Margarita, Regina, Mercy, Gwendolyn, Jamie Lynn,  Pamela, Christine, Tatiana, Johanna, Angeli, Larissa, Magdalene, and Celina danced with him for a close ten times. No one danced with him for more than eleven times. Except me and Lady Lela. I suppose now, Papa, that you are amazed with my comprehensible memory. Well, I have memorized all and I fear a competition.    

Lady Lela, I fear, is ugly. She wore a mask the whole time during the ball and only danced with two people, a squire and, of course, Prince Charmont. I have told this to you before for a many dozen times but Papa, Lady Lela is buried in my mind as a strong antagonism for the affections of My Beloved Prince Charmont! I am indeed more beautiful, confident, graceful and better than a million of her! I do not know what Prince Charmont sees in that masked weasel. I haven't told you this before because I kept denying it to myself. But now, I will. Prince Charmont goes out with her often in the terraces. If I weren't dancing I would have spied on them but every second of my precious time is demanded by handsome and favorable gentlemen. But unfortunately, they are not as favorable as Prince Charmont.

Please pray for you beloved daughter and wish with all you heart that I will win the heart of our Majesty. I would undoubtedly kill myself if Prince Charmont weds someone who is not me. That is all there is to write and I fear pen paralysis which writers have experienced. Certainly you do not wish your daughter to have that. Well, goodbye dear, adoring father. Your resplendently beautiful and gorgeous daughter bids you farewell through her writings and hope that this letter finds you safe. I will stay in Frell for a few more weeks. I know Aunt Dulcinea won't mind her magnificently dazzling and charming niece to stay with her. I plan to grab the affections of Prince Charmont while in here. Farewell and see you soon.      

Your utterly beautiful, admirable, adorable and charming daughter,

Vanessa

This is Vanessa? A girl doing everything just to get Char? And she is willing to be an enemy to Lela and thus an enemy to me in a sense. She is that desperate! And by reading this letter I couldn't bear to think of leaving Char to this…woman. She is so vain and self-centered! She thinks of herself as the queen of the world! And she does have hopes of being queen! And the bad news is that King Jerrold and Queen Daria favor her. And unfortunately, they don't favor me. And why would anyone like a girl who memorizes names for the sake of tallying the number of times she danced with Char? And so full of pride!  Your utterly beautiful, admirable, adorable and charming daughter? Your resplendently beautiful and gorgeous daughter? I am indeed more beautiful, confident, graceful and better than a million of her? Magnificently dazzling and charming niece? She thinks the world revolves around her. And because of the knowledge of this letter, anger builds up. Basically, I was angry at her for thinking she is a superior. And for actively flirting with Char and grabbing every moment of his! But then, I have to stop myself. I had no right to resent a rival. It was normal for ladies to feel that way. And Char was like the rope in a tug-of-war game for little kids. I promised myself thereon, that I will not be like the others who try their best to claim his affections. I would be like myself before Char ever said his feelings for me. I would not get his love, only his friendship. With his friendship, I was with full confidence that I can tell him the truth. I was sure he would understand. And I knew he would respect me more if I only ask for his friendship.      

The next few pages was a story about twelve dancing princesses. It was a beautiful story with mystery. Where were the princesses? Why were their slippers torn and ruined? When I finished reading, I closed the book, placed it on my bag and snuggled amidst the golden sweet-smelling hay.

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I seriously placed a freaking cliffhanger. Bet you were expecting lots about it! Anyway, I just got bored out of my head and suddenly I just wrote and wrote and wrote! I was in a trance when I was writing it! Swear! SO when I finished this very long chapter I couldn't bear to erase it! So much! And if I do, then I have to scourge and unearth more ideas from my poor tired brain!

Hallelujah the finals are now done and summer has come! You, like me, must have felt indescribable joy every time you finish a long line of exams. But…I am sure I will fail in History and Filipino. It was hard and all my classmates thought so too. When me and my friends spotted our History teacher at the mall, we have to fight the urge to tell her that her test was freaking difficult!

The summer is scorching and the computer room is toasted. But of course, I still write. Can't move away from the computer! J

This chapter, the beginning part, was a bit boring to me. It's just that I had this major writer's block and I couldn't think of anything. Hahaha. I'm just completely bored. And also, my mind was sucked dry by the freaking final exams!

His chapter would probably be the longest! I had fun choosing the names for Vanessa's letter. Some names are "revised" ones. The names of my friends actually. Catalina, if you look, is actually for me! Well! Catalina, for me, sounds like my name, Cathleen! And it seems Spanish…anyway, it's hard writing Hattie's and Olive's diary entries because it is extremely difficult to write in wrong spelling! I challenge you to write something like that!

Anyway before I would be completely overcome by the urge to tell my life story, I would so much like to thank all those who reviewed namely, Eri, a girl writing fiction, Rose-Star988, Ironic Paradise, Eowyn, Cherri Lee who seriously scared me out of my wits ^_^ joking, Chi Chi, Humbug Rabbit and Little Comet. And blue-angel1204! It's soooo nice of you to review after every chapter! (you know, everytime I do this "thank you" thing, I feel like I've won the Oscars! LOL!)

-Nayie

pS

I have a new story! It's called the Charming Case. Check it out will you?