Chapter Twenty-Seven

This day went by like any other. Except that this day, there was more havoc. Gretchen woke me up to market. Ivinia went with me. When we came back, Vanessa went out looking perfect as usual. She didn't have the same hair as yesterday. She just let it fall and her hair reached her waist. I guess she didn't like the idea of being mistaken as someone else. Larissa was following her and gave Ivinia and myself a wave before she disappeared with the crowd. Ivinia and Cedric went out also. I stayed at the inn, serving, cleaning, and being the inn girl. Ivinia, Cedric, Larissa, and Vanessa came back together. The four of them were carrying big bags.

Larissa and Cedric were both grumbling at Vanessa, who ignored them. I learned that all those bags were hers. Ivinia went near and told me that she and Cedric met Larissa and Vanessa at the market. Larissa invited them. "It wasn't worth it really. We just got tired because of Vanessa. Vanessa dragged us to the dressmakers, gown stores, and jewelry. I swear I saw her try every gown in one shop. She tried them all and ended up buying only two. She says they were the best." Ivinia had said. I in return told her that this day was the usual day, nothing special. Larissa then told me to join them for dinner. Ivinia referred to it as a before ball bash. I wasn't really sure if I could. I explained to them that there was a lot of work to do. Then Cedric pointed out that there were fewer people by then and that I shouldn't force myself to work if there really wasn't. Larissa got tired of my resistance and went directly to Gretchen. She asked if I could and Gretchen said it was all right.

They planned dinner at seven. It was still six. I still have to wait for one hour. I watched them heave the heavy bags up the stairs. I heard Cedric tell Vanessa that he would leave the bags on the floor. And I heard Vanessa beg him not to. Before I entered the kitchen to help Mandy, it entered my mind that it was kind of them to invite me to the ball and to the dinner. They really were friends. I had few friends before. Before Mother died, she was my best friend. Before I hurt Char, he was my friend. Before I ran away from finishing school, Areida was my friend. Before Pamela learned of the curse, she was my friend. Hattie and Olive weren't my friends to begin with even if they pretend to be. My only friend right now was Mandy. Well, until they came. They were really friends. I couldn't wait until seven.

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"I'm excited! The ball! It's tomorrow! I'm going shop a lot more!" Vanessa announced to us.

We were all sitting at the table. Not being the inn girl was good. I had a break and for once, I was the customer. We were already eating. There was a lot of food on the table. Before the food came, Vanessa informed us that she would eat a little. She said, "Staying in shape."  But she couldn't help but put a lot of rice on her plate. We were talking in Ayorthaian, for the sake of Ivinia. It seems that Larissa and Vanessa were both tutored on many languages.

"Haven't you shopped a lot today?" Larissa asked.

"No. Five gowns. Tomorrow they would start selling masks. And tomorrow I would buy jewelry and hair accessories." Vanessa told us.

"That is a lot Vanessa. Five gowns in one day?" I replied.

"It's not normal." Cedric added. Vanessa shot him an annoyed look.

"Of course it's not normal," she said with distinct disgust at the word normal.

"Then why isn't it?" Cedric retorted.

"It's not normal because I am special. And everything I do is special. Thus it isn't normal or typical." Vanessa answered proudly.

"More like abnormal." Cedric muttered.

"What did you say?' Vanessa snapped.

"Nothing at all."

Vanessa rolled her eyes expressively. Then she took a few bites of food.

"Vanessa is always convinced that everything she does, is better than anything else." Larissa whispered to Ivinia and I.

"Are you all excited with the balls?" Vanessa asked.

"Of course we are. I haven't been in a ball for a long time." I said.

"The last ball I attended was the one Prince Charmont hosted. You know, during December." Larissa told us.

Vanessa leaned back at her chair and sighed. Then she had a dazed expression. We all stared. "Oh I wish that Prince Charmont would be at the ball! I wish to meet him again."

"What is with all of you girls and Prince Charmont? He is just one man. Give him a rest." Cedric told Vanessa.

"And besides, you visited him in the castle, almost everyday after the balls." Larissa offered.

Vanessa ignored her sister's voice and answered Cedric. She got out of her expression rather quickly. "Cedric, Cedric, Cedric," she said playfully, "You will never understand. You're a man after all. Prince Charmont is the most eligible bachelor of all time!" Vanessa smiled wistfully, "And besides, he is so charming. Every girl wants him."

"I don't." I replied. Deep inside I thought, Ella, you are a liar.

"Me neither." Larissa agreed

"I agree with them. I don't too." Ivinia added.

Vanessa stared at us with absolute disgust. "Whatever! Clearly, the three of you aren't normal."

"Yes," Cedric replied. He shot a rueful, boyish look towards Vanessa. "These girls are not normal. They are special."

"You are so unoriginal." Vanessa said blankly. Then she changed the subject. "If I see Lady Tatiana wear the same gown again, I will laugh."

"How'd you know she repeated her gown?" Ivinia asked.

"I know everything. She wore the same sky blue gown during the first and second balls. You know the one Prince Charmont hosted."

"She did?" I asked.

"She did." Vanessa confirmed. "Maybe she doesn't know that I know every gown the girls wore at those balls."

"You do?" What if she still knows the gowns I wore? If I wear that, she might see me as Lela! And the mask too! But then it might not be so. I tested Vanessa.

"Vanessa, who is the person you least saw during those balls?" I asked. I was sure it was I.

"Hmmm, most of them were in clusters…ah yes, that wench Lady Lela of Bast." She spat the name.

"What did she wear?" Please, please don't know the gowns!

"You are really testing me. Well I enjoy the challenge."

"First ball."

"Spring green embroidered with leaves of darker green and plump yellow buds. Waist tapered in a narrow point and a train approximately two feet behind her. And her jewelry is a thin silver chain from which hung a white lily made of glass. And her tiara was fashioned with the same garlands."

"She's right you know. I've been there." Larissa said.

"That accurate?" Ivinia said with awe.

"I suppose." Larissa replied.

Maybe she wouldn't know the second gown. "The second ball."

Vanessa thought. "The gown also had a narrow point and a train but this was silvery blue. It also had a pale purple petticoat. Her tiara and necklace were pink roses. Am right Larissa?"

Larissa nodded.

"You are joking me. No one has that memory." Cedric said doubtfully.

"Cedric, haven't you learned anything? I told you I'm special." Vanessa told him. Cedric ignored her.

"Third and last ball." If she didn't guess this, I would wear that gown. I hope she doesn't. If she does, what would I wear?

"Easy. I saw her most of the time during the third ball. Why? Because she danced with Prince Charmont for a lot of times! And she made herself be seen!" Vanessa said in an outraged voice.

"Alright. What's her gown? And what's her mask? I forgot that." I pressed. I silently prayed she wouldn't guess.

"It's white, with a low neckline edged with lace. The skirt was parted in front to reveal a petticoat with three lace flounces. In back, the skirt was tied with a large bow that flowed into the sweep of her train. Her jewelry was a tiara of woven silver leaves and on a silver chain hung an aster made of lapis. Her mask covered most of her forehead and half her cheeks, with small holes for the eyes. It was white with tiny white beads along its edges."

 Every detail. She was correct. Could a girl like this exist?

"Vanessa, I know all you did during the ball was to dance with Prince Charmont and look at other people's gowns." Larissa said.

"And so far, I know my gown is the best. But I kind of liked the third gown of Lady Lela."

The four of them talked and talked. I didn't know what they were saying. I was too preoccupied to notice. What would I wear? It would suspicious if I suddenly back out on the ball. Not after I asked Vanessa about Lela. And if I went there with my gown? Vanessa would surely recognize me! And if there were other maidens who had the same vast memory as Vanessa's, they would find me out! I still didn't want to borrow. Then I thought of Mandy. Mandy! She could change the gowns like what she did before! She could just change the color, I wouldn't mind, just as long as no one would recognize me! After all, gown styles were often the same. But how about the mask? I could buy a new one. Surely it wouldn't cost much.

"I still couldn't decide what gown I will wear." Vanessa's voice surfaced my thoughts.

"With all those gowns, who couldn't?" Ivinia smiled.

"And if I see other ladies wearing the same masks, I will laugh too."

"You always laugh." Larissa declared.

Vanessa continued boring us all with all her fantasies. And she had to say every single detail of all her gowns. Sometimes I don't even know what she was saying. Her long speech was disturbed when a lady entered in a flurry of people following her. There were a few people in the inn since it was seven forty-five. About four people were here other than us and the four all stared at her.

"Looks like someone has more people following her than you," Cedric mocked. Vanessa faked a smile.

The lady was tall and looked very conventional. She looked around. "Excuse me?" She asked the people in the inn, "Where is the owner of this inn?"

I stood up. "She's in the kitchen."

"Thank you dear." She walked to the kitchen.

I sat again. Ivinia leaned at us.

"I think she is Lady Marianna." She whispered.

"Lady Marianna? So? I am obviously much more gorgeous than her. But how come she has all those people following her? She must have paid them." Vanessa replied arrogantly. She continued ranting about it even if our attention was focused on Ivinia.

"Lady Marianna is the organizer of the ball, I think. I heard it from my mother."

"Organizer of the ball? What is she doing here?" Larissa demanded.

"How am I to know?" Ivinia answered.

"I'll ask Gretchen after." I offered.

"Do that. Interesting." Vanessa said mischievously.

"Women. Always gossip." Cedric grumbled.

I spotted Lady Marianna come out, smiling. Gretchen followed. She was smiling ecstatically. "Look, she's out." I whispered.

"Why does she look so happy?" Ivinia asked.

Gretchen opened the door. Lady Marianna smiled at her. She went out with her parade of people behind her. Vanessa stood up.

"Well, it's seven thirty. I would go up and look at my gowns. Night." She went up.

"That was fast. I thought she would put a show when she leaves." Cedric said.

"I think I would go to Gretchen. She might need my help." I stood up and waked away.

"Ask her what's with Lady Marianna too!" Ivinia called.

I walked to the kitchen. Helping Gretchen wasn't really my reason. The real reason was because I have to talk to Mandy. She could change it. I suppose it's not big magic. It was just changing the color. She did small magic on my past gowns, why couldn't she now when it's a lot more important than before? And I wanted to go to the ball. I told Ivinia, Cedric, Larissa, and Vanessa. They might be suspicious in some way.

Mandy was sitting down while mixing ingredients in a bowl. I approached quietly.

"Umm…Mandy?" I asked. This was a matter of magic. And Mandy was very serious when it comes to that.

Mandy looked up. "Yes sweet?"

"You see…I have no gown." I told her about Vanessa's vast memory, the possibilities, and why I didn't want them to know I was Lela. Mandy nodded at every sentence. She must have understood. She must!

"I understand, Ella." She replied, "It was a good thing you came to me rather than call on Lucinda."

Lucinda? Why didn't I think of that?

"So you would produce me a new gown?"

"No. I would just change it a little bit. Wash those dishes. You're here to help right?"

"When could you give them to me?" I asked as I made my way to the sink.

"I would put the gowns in your room. They are yours. Look when you're about to sleep. It should be easy. I have something in my mind." Mandy smiled mysteriously. "You would love it."

"Thanks a lot Mandy. It's a big help."

"Anytime sweet. Just as long as it isn't big magic."

I rinsed the dishes. The inn was empty now. It was nearly eight. Gretchen must be cleaning up the rest of the tables. I was already drying the dishes when she entered. She looked as ecstatic as before.

"Guess what?" she asked us excitedly.

"What?" Mandy replied.

"Never mind about the guessing part! Lady Marianna, she came and asked us to make the food for the ball!" Gretchen exulted.

"She did? But the ball's tomorrow." I said.

"I know. When she informed me about it, I really wanted to! I couldn't decline!"

"How can we do that?" Mandy said, "Tomorrow. We still have work."

"It is a hard decision to make but I decided that there would be no cooking tomorrow. It wouldn't be loss anyway. We are getting paid for making the food. Oh and just for cooking a lot more, the two of you would get a pay too."

"But the shopping…" I said.

"Yes, you will shop tomorrow Ella. Someone else would be paying all our expenses. Lady Marianna had already chosen the menu. The ingredients are there too." She handed me two long lists. She also handed Mandy the menu. Mandy and I gaped at the lists Gretchen gave us.

"Well…Lady Marianna is a picky eater." Mandy said.

"Picky eater or not, the point is we are going to cook for the Basten Ball! Which means Mandy, your food is really a delicacy!"

Gretchen kept talking about the good things about it. I wasn't listening. I was busy thinking about what gown Mandy would give me? What gown would she alter? I didn't have jewelry. The only jewelry I have was the one Vanessa knew about. The one I wore as Lela. She might identify it also. I could buy new jewelry while shopping tomorrow! Gretchen had mentioned paying us! And surely I would have a glimpse of the gown by then. I could find one just right for it. And a mask also. I quickly finished my other chores. I wanted to go to my room and see the gown Mandy said she would give me. But Mandy's order was there. Look when you're about to sleep. I couldn't look at it after my chores. I have to wait. But the order didn't say I shouldn't be quick. Pretty soon, I was in my room, about to sleep. Mandy must have placed the gowns already. I was excited. I opened the closet door.

The gowns were there. The silvery blue one remained unchanged. The white one too. I was a bit disappointed. The white one was my favorite and I expected Mandy to alter the white one. My gaze landed on the third gown. I gasped.

The gown that was once yellow was now red. The skirt was a shade of deep red and the top portion of the gown was white. The gown once had green leaves and plump yellow buds embroidered on it. The green leaves were still there but the buds were not the color of yellow; they were the color red. It reminded me of a closed rose bud. The long sleeves were there—the sleeves that clung to your skin—only now it was off-shoulder. The train was gone. It was beautiful and simple at the same time.

After seeing the gown, I imagined myself wearing it. Looking radiant and beautiful. The ball would be exciting. I felt the anxiousness of Vanessa. I didn't wear the gown though. I didn't want to muss the dress. Wearing it could wait until tomorrow night.

Gretchen explained to us that we would be at the kitchen of the hall. I decided that I would go back to the inn to bathe, and dress up. And besides, Ivinia and the others would be here. The inn wasn't to be closed. The inn won't just have the food the people wanted badly. Ben would be staying, giving them ale and beer. I would come back at seven. It was enough time. I would be going to the ball with them.

I fell asleep imagining about the ball. How many people would be there? Before I truly fell asleep, I remembered one imagination. An imagination I dare not hope. I imagined seeing Char there. And I imagined that we were dancing together with the music.

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Even if we were cooking in the kitchen of the Basten Hall, I didn't see the hall itself. The kitchen was behind it so I only saw the back portion. I didn't want to see the hall anyway. I wanted to see it in its entire splendor during the ball itself. I suppose I wanted to be surprised. During the morning, I shopped. I met my friends at the market. Gretchen, Mandy, and I left earlier for the hall. Vanessa was being followed by a mob. A man behind her carried some bags. Larissa told me that Vanessa wanted more things to buy. Cedric grumbled to me, saying that I should save him from all of it. Ivinia just laughed. I didn't go with them. I was destined for the butcher's shop, the fish vendors, and other sellers of food.

Before I left Gretchen and Mandy at the kitchen, I asked Gretchen if I could buy the jewelry and the mask. She happily said yes and reminded me not to spend all. She said it in the form of an order so I had to comply. I would even if it wasn't though. After shopping for everything in the list, I ventured to the jewelry maker. I admired all the pieces. Then I bought a set, which I know suited my gown well. It was a simple chain with a red budding rose as a pendant. The tiara too had roses. It was simple and elegant. The mask I bought was almost alike to my old mask. The white beads were there only it formed intricate designs.

The menu Lady Marianna chose for the ball included almost every kind of special delicacy ever made. It was a good thing Mandy knew how to make them all. When I saw it, I just stared at it dumbfound, wondering what on earth was chalerone with a sha-. I thought it was some exotic foreign dish. I asked Mandy what it was and she explained that it was just an elaborate term for cream trifle. Lady Marianna had a way to confuse people. Could she just use the word cream trifle? Her catchphrase must be "The name of the food affects its taste". Mandy and I decided that Gretchen should learn to cook. We taught her the whole time we were there. We soon found out the reason why Gretchen can't cook. She knew almost every way but she was frightened and her timing was terrible. She knew how to fry but she was scared of the oil landing on her arms. She knew how to boil but she said it was hot and might fall on her. She knew how to bake but she always burned the food. Gretchen explained all this to Mandy and I. But with Mandy's careful instruction, Gretchen slowly learned. But she still needed a few more days.

When it was seven and Gretchen and Mandy had started to lay the food on the tables, I left with permission of course. When I reached the inn, I saw Larissa coming up the stairs.

"You're going to change?" she asked.

"Of course. Can't wait."

"Here's a juicy tidbit. Vanessa's been preparing since noon."

I laughed. I bathed quickly. Then I went to my room. I put on the dressed. It was lovely and it fitted well. It felt nice on my body and when I looked at the mirror, I saw myself better than the past balls. I placed the necklace and tiara on. I placed the glass slippers on my feet. I didn't put the mask yet. I planned to put it before we enter the hall. I heard a knock on the door. I opened it. It was Ivinia. She was already dressed in a dark green gown. She gasped at the sight of me.

"That's so lovely!" she said, "Where did you get it?" 

"It's my mother's." It was, sort of.

"Well we better go down. We're all waiting for Vanessa. I suppose she's preparing a grand entrance."

We went down. Larissa was already down. Her blue gown brought out the color of her eyes.

"Well look who's not inn girl today." Cedric commented.

"Doesn't she look lovely?" Ivinia said.

"Truly. Let's see what Vanessa thinks about it." Larissa replied. Then she said in an impersonation of Vanessa's haughty voice: "I'm lovelier than her. No one is lovelier than me."

They were spoiling me. They really were. We were talking excitedly about the ball when we Vanessa's footsteps. We looked.

"Hello there! Don't I look positively magnificent?" Vanessa exulted.

She did look magnificent. Her gown was a dark shade of purple with a darker shade of purple for a petticoat. Her hair was on a bun again but not like Areida's. After we said she was magnificent (Vanessa insisted we do else we won't go out of this inn), we went out of the inn and entered the extravagant coach that was hers. Since Vanessa was there, our conversation was about the ball. She showed us her mask. It only covered her eyes. Obviously the reason was because she didn't what her whole face remain unseen. We arrived at the Basten Hall.

When we got there, Lady Marianna was already at the end of the staircase. She saw Ivinia and regarded her as a special guest. She dragged Ivinia away. We placed on our masks as soon as we arrived.

Before we came in, we placed on our masks and Vanessa grimaced. It was beautiful, the hall. You have to climb the marble steps to get to it. Gardens with topiaries of animals, flowers, and, butterflies were elevated so then it would surround the hall. The hall was almost as tall as the castle's. It was almost open because of the many archways. There was a marble staircase leading to another floor. There were a multitude of chairs. The marble floor was so shiny; I could see a vague reflection. At one end was the food. At the other end of the hall was a huge clock. I asked Larissa what was it about and she replied that before it would be twelve, before the clock chimes twelve, everyone in this hall would look at it. By the time it chimes, the people should take of the masks.

There were a lot of people, or rather women, forming a crowd around one person. I couldn't see who it was. Probably someone important. We were far away from the crowd of women. The music hadn't started yet. It was still seven forty.

When we came nearer to find out who it was, Vanessa said happily before she ran to the crowd, "Oh my pleas have been answered!"

Larissa, Cedric, and I watched as she squeezed her way to the person.

"What pleas?" I heard Larissa.

I craned my neck to see. But I realized it was of no use. The person I was looking at was tall. And even if he had a mask on, I could see his tawny hair. I could see his polite smile as women flocked to him. I felt my heart skip a beat.

"Isn't it obvious?" Cedric's voice penetrated my thoughts, "It's Prince Charmont."

I still couldn't believe it. Char was present in this ball.

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Wow…200 reviews…that's a really big shock!!! I thought I wouldn't get to 200!  Thank you so much for reviewing! I decided to give you a long chapter as a thank you (thanks Ironic Paradise for your suggestion! It really helped!) for reviewing (I was thinking You all want a long chapter? I'll give you a very, very long chapter!). And the other reason is because I also cannot wait to write the Basten Ball. I know you can't wait too. I just love balls. And besides, I guess you're all practically asking, "Where is Char?" Oh he is there all right. Oooh I can't wait to write what happens next!!  I'll shut up and write it now.

:-)

Thanks SOOOOOOOOOOO much to the reviewers! I still can't believe it! But I guess I have to believe it sooner or later!

Sailor Capricorn, Ironic Paradise, Little Comet, zumamoonlight, SJS, cool camzy blue, fufie, mel, and JupeJupe