Chapter Twenty-Six

I gasped.

How could Areida call me a wench? How could she?

But then when I looked at the person who just called me a wench, I found out that she wasn't Areida. She was scowling and frowning, her large eyes narrowed in suspicion. Her lips were pressed together.

"I'm sorry. I mistook you for someone else." I apologized.

"Areida? Who is she? And how dare you mistook me for her? I'm insulted!" she said.

"I'm really sorry. It's just that you both have the same hair. I know it is kind of stupid, identifying a person through her hair. It's because she's the only person I know who has that hair."

"Yes, stupid. For your information, girl, Areida, whoever she is, is not the only one who has that hair. Stick it to your head."

"What? Excuse me but I apologized. And who do you think you are?" I was angry. I know I made a mistake but she made it a point that I was an idiot.

"I am Vanessa. Lady Vanessa of Erima. And only a total imbecile wouldn't recognize my name," she exulted.

I looked at her. She was indeed beautiful. Loose curls escaped her bun and framed her oval face. It looked as if it was supposed to be that way. She was kind of pale but her cheeks were pink. Her large doe eyes were the color of forget-me-nots that just bloomed. Her lips were the color of a budding rose. She was beautiful, and I couldn't help but think that anyone as beautiful as that couldn't help bragging about it.

"Vanessa!" someone said, "Vanessa, stop annoying people! She just mistook you for someone else! Let it be!"

"Oh Larissa, I'm just plainly teaching this girl not to mistake me for somebody." Vanessa replied.

I saw a girl walk to her from inside the inn. She was of middle height, slender, and her blond hair cascaded down her waist. She was the maiden I saw dance with Char during the balls. The lass who made Char laugh. Her hands were on her waist and she looked crossly at Vanessa.

"You weren't teaching her. You were more like giving her a sermon."

"I am not!" Vanessa said indignantly.

"You were."

"Whatever Larissa." Vanessa gave up and went in.

"I'm very sorry that my sister acted the way she is to you. It's just that sometimes she's…vain. I'm Lady Larissa, her sister, by the way," Larissa told me.

Larissa? Larissa was beautiful also. Like her sister. She looked joyful and lively. Vanessa on the other hand, had the air of a noble and elegant queen.

"I'm Ella. I work in this inn."

"And who are your companions?" She gestured at Cedric and Ivinia. Cedric had his back turned. Ivinia introduced herself. But Larissa's gaze shifted and landed on Cedric. She gasped, "Cedric? What are you doing here?"

Cedric turned. "Larissa? I thought you're in Erima? What are you doing here?"

Larissa chewed on her bottom lip. Then she blushed, "The Basten Ball. My sister, she persuaded me to go."

"What a coincidence! My cousin Ivinia and I are here for that too."

"Really? I didn't know you would go to balls Cedric." She teased.

"I was forced. It's been a longtime now, right Larissa?"

"I know. Ever since you went to Ayortha, I haven't seen you since. When was that? Two months ago?"

"You're sister must have relished my absence," Cedric shrugged.

"No actually. She hardly noticed that you were gone. And besides, we weren't in Erima. We were in Frell. Vanessa persuaded my mother to let her go there so then she could attend the balls Prince Charmont hosted,"

"She must have thought that she could win his heart."

"Isn't that what every girl dreams about?"

 "Not mine," I said.

"Not mine either Ella. I have other things to think about." She blushed again.

"Well, I better go in. Gretchen, the owner is always frantic. You could either stay here or go out. Suit yourselves."

"I'll go with you." Ivinia said.

I smiled and went in. I was right. Gretchen was frantic. She dragged Ivinia and me to the kitchen.

"Did you see the carriage outside?" Gretchen hastily asked me.

"Of course." I replied while dumping the contents of the baskets.

"It's the carriage of Lady Vanessa of Erima! A real noble lady! Here!" Gretchen exulted.

"I've seen her outside." 

"You did! You are so lucky! You stay in this kitchen and I would be the one to serve them! A real lady!" Gretchen squealed as she walked out the kitchen.

I didn't know what was the big deal. She was beautiful, yes, but the way she acted on me a while ago. She is beautiful but maybe her attitude is foul. Larissa was a lot nicer than her. Maybe Larissa likes Cedric? The way she blushed when Cedric talked to her! But she might have just been embarrassed. But why should she be? Surely this wasn't my business but I couldn't help wondering.

Vanessa being in this inn is a burden. She cried out when she saw a spot of dirt in the table. She whined when she saw a fly pass by. She screamed when there is a spider that is only about five millimeters big. I have to run at her and shoo the fly away, kill the itty-bitty spider, and wipe the table clean of every miniscule piece of dirt. The last time I did clean her table, I wondered, should I just wash it rather than wipe it? So then it would be cleaner. If I weren't the inn girl, I would grab the fly and shove in her face. That should teach her not to be so finicky and act normal for once. But then I am the inn girl and I have to act upon her wishes. It was my duty, much to my dismay. I didn't know why Vanessa goes out of her room. If she is convinced that every single thing would ruin her perfect face, then why isn't she secluded in a place where there isn't an object in sight? I think she just goes out to see the stupid, awestruck expressions of the people she walks by. Luckily, she enjoys seeing this and spends a lot of time outside. If she were here every moment of the day, I wouldn't know what to do with her and her complains. She was just like Hattie!

Larissa on the other hand spent the day with Cedric. I found out that they were close friends. Ivinia was with them. Larissa knew how to speak Ayorthaian so they enjoyed a peaceful conversation. Vanessa wasn't with them. I suppose she out shopping for baubles, and ornaments, and every pretty trinket she sees. I know because she went inside the inn at seven o'clock with a man following her while carrying tons of baggage. Before she left, I heard her say, "Why should I stay in this inn? I should go out to the world so then people could see me!"

The inn had more visitors when Vanessa came. Others just enjoyed watching from the window. This meant bigger work for me. By the end of the day, I was tried and needed the rest I deserved. I saw Larissa.

"Hi Ella." She greeted.

"Hello Larissa. I didn't see you today. Where were you?"

"Oh," Larissa blushed and began chewing furiously on her bottom lip.

"Larissa, stop chewing your lip. It might bleed. And besides, it's a bit annoying." I said nicely.

"It is?" Larissa shrugged, "It has been a habit. I always chew my lip when I'm nervous, confused, scared…in short, a day doesn't pass by without me chewing my lip!"

I laughed. "So what were you doing?"

Larissa nibbled on her lips again. "I went out. With Cedric."

"Cedric?" I cocked one eyebrow. Then I smiled mischievously. "You like him, don't you?"

Larissa chewed on her lip in a faster speed and blushed furiously. "I don't!"

"You do. Don't you think I see?"

"Ella, he is my friend." Larissa calmed down.

"I know. But I see you like him."

"You will promise that you won't tell?"

"Of course." It wasn't an order. But then, I would keep it anyway. I wasn't a blabbermouth.

"I like him. But how could he do that to me? He just thinks of me as a dear friend."

"Larissa, you're a nice girl. I don't know why he wouldn't like you."

"You sure?"

"Positive. Well, I better sleep. I have to wake early tomorrow."

I went up to my room. Before I slept, I opened the magic book. Vanessa's exaggerated handwriting was shown.

Dear Luckiest Diary,

We made our way to Erima. And as I watched Frell go away, my heart felt sore. But then, remedies were always near. By the time we passed Jenn, I saw a sign saying BAST STRAIGHT AHEAD. I begged my sister to allow me to go. I know I am older than her but Mother said to the driver to follow Larissa. I have responsibility! But maybe she thought that responsibility would stress me. She agreed. Fortunately. The Basten Ball. It was a big one indeed. A lot of people go there. And I hope a lot of eligible, young, handsome bachelors would be there. And besides, a ball wouldn't be a ball without Lady Vanessa!

I saw my sister's diary. I always read her pathetic thoughts. Interesting sometimes, but mostly not. It's always, we did this, and we did that. It was a bore sometimes. And she is so childish to call her diary…wait I have to laugh first…Sunflower!!! Why not Rose? I mean it is the most beautiful flower in the world. To me, a sunflower is nothing but a pretty weed. Who is this friend she says she likes? Interesting. And she dare say that she isn't interested in Prince Charmont! In my book, I believe that EVERY girl should be interested. He is a prince for crying out loud! And besides, he is the most dashing one indeed. But I am also happy that she isn't because I wouldn't have that much of rivals.

I have to find out who is that mysterious gentleman Larissa talks about. Maybe he is a lot better than MY Prince Charmont. Oh dear what am I thinking!!! Prince Charmont is the one and only.

And how come she talked about Lady Lela? I hope Lady Lela would go. I hope she wouldn't show her masked face in the ball! I would be sore stricken!

Yours truly,

(I am practically sure of this) The future wife of Prince Charmont and (obviously) the future and rightful queen of Kyrria, oh, and not to mention, the most beautiful being ever created, Vanessa

The magic book gave me information a little to late. I flipped the page. It was Larissa's.

Today Vanessa begged me or rather forced me to go to Bast. She said something about the Basten Ball. My sister's head thinksonly of these things: 1. Prince Charmont 2. Her face 3. Gossip 4. Gowns 5. Jewelry 6. Rivals 7. Men 8. Insulting 9. Royalty 10. Balls.

For all I care, she would be fluttering about like a butterfly, flirting with every man she sees. If she likes Prince Charmont that much, why does she look at others? She is strange indeed.

Bast…I remember Lady Lela. Is she there? Would she attend? Maybe, maybe not. She is a Basten right? She might attend. I really hope I would be of an acquaintance to her. She must have been a really enjoyable person to capture the attention of the Prince. And yet it proves to have consequences. She was once the center of gossip.

Vanessa, every now or then, would say, "Sunflower" At first I wondered. Then I realized she must have read this!

"Did you read my diary?" I asked her.

"What diary? I don't see a diary?" She replied.

"You did." I said.

"Alright, I did. What's your point?"

I threatened not to go to Bast. Mother made me in charge. Then she begged me not to. And she promised not to ever, ever annoy me. Hmm…being in charge feels good.

I was dealing with two sisters. One trying to get rid of me. And the other trying to find me. Was that too much? I wouldn't be at the ball as Lela anyway. Lela is gone. No more. And I wouldn't dare go back to being her. Never again.

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Vanessa is so mean! I made her that way but I couldn't help but think that I think I overreacted. But then, I should make Ella be annoyed at Vanessa. I guess too much beauty is bad. In Vanessa's case that is. One more day to the ball! Yeah! But bad luck always follows Ella. You'll find out in the next chapter. Something to do with…gowns. If you're asking why SsLEen made a very short appearance, well I'll give you a sort of vague answer: Information. A little spice to add in the future chapters. And when I mean spice, I mean really, really spicy spice! I'm excited just thinking about it. No one's going to die. Someone would just be hurt. Or maybe three people would be hurt. Or maybe just two. But the point is, it revolves around them. I do hope you like this chapter! If this chapter were not here, the whole plot of the story would crumble to dust. Maybe I'm overreacting. But no, I'm not. The new people I introduced to you (Ivinia, Cedric, Vanessa, and Larissa) play a big part. And they should be at the ball. And they should know Ella. And they should be friends. Because if they weren't, Ella wouldn't be at the ball in the first place. And the ball is a BIG part. I'll shut up now because I'm spilling a lot of things. And I plan to surprise you all. You know the cliffhangers. Suspense to you all!!! Let's just say that everything that happens in Bast is a vital and very essential addition to the ending. And when I mean vital and very essential, I mean it. It's not just there for decoration. It's there because of the ending. Oh that is so melodramatic.

tY to the reviewers!

Ironic Paradise, cool camzy blue, Sailor Capricorn, V-Babe, zumamoonlight, blue-angel1204, mabel, Impulse_k9, Little Comet, Natasha, Eponine  

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