Chapter Thirty-Eight

Larissa was already packing her bags. Her trunk was outside her room and a carriage was waiting outside. I told her yesterday about my decision, and she wasn't surprised. She expected it. But even though I wanted to do what I wanted to do, I would have to let go of an important person.

"Are you sure you are not coming?"

Mandy nodded. "Afraid so."

"I would really want you to go with Larissa and me," I said.  

My fairy godmother sighed. "I do want to go, sweet. But Madam Gretchen won't allow me. Don't worry, sweet. I will go to Frell after I teach her to cook just as fine as I do."

I had already spoken with Larissa that I wanted to go. She was ecstatic that I would be going. The only problem was Gretchen. She was willing to let an inn girl go, but she was unyielding to Mandy's departure. She argued that the inn needed a cook, and that she was no proper replacement. She would not accept a replacement because she said Mandy was one in a million.

Mandy suggested that she teach Gretchen how to cook so then she would be able to leave. It would also be better if Gretchen would be the one to do it because she would rule the kitchen. Gretchen agreed but was unsure. She was a terrible cook. I said that she was good in making ale, and it was a good first step to making meals. Mandy would stay there in probably a month.

I would miss her terribly, yet I already knew that I would have to face things on my own. A whole plan was already in my mind. I didn't tell Larissa this, in fear that she would object.

She was already waiting outside, in the carriage.

"Bye Mandy. Please write to me. I could always see it in my book," I said. I embraced Mandy. We would not be far apart for so long.

"You'll be alright." She wouldn't let me go without an order. "Drink your Tonic everyday, sweetie. I don't want you losing your strength in that place. Especially with trouble wandering about. Be careful of them."

I knew what she was talking about. I would not let them get near me. I would be in Frell without Mum Olga, Hattie, or Olive knowing I was there. If they did know I was there, they would drag me back to that insufferable manor and enslave me again. I would die before they do that to me once again.

Larissa suddenly called me. I embraced Mandy again and went to the carriage. I would miss her very much, but I still need to go no matter what.

~*~

"You can't escape. It's now or never," Larissa told me when we were out of Bast. I looked out and saw the town shrinking.

I nodded. "I told you I will go. You know I would."

"I was actually surprised. I really thought you would let this pass. By the time we arrive in Frell, Prince Charmont would be there too. I presume you are waiting for the ball to make your move."

"Why do you presume that?"

"Because it's the only way you can get near him. You can't just step inside the castle demanding for him, you know." She smiled. "But you can try. After all, it had happened before."

Larissa was oblivious about me attending balls as Lela. I had planned to do so again this time, but without her knowledge.

"The ball would be very exciting. It is a masked ball, do you know? Masked balls are very intriguing. But, I think we should do something about you."

She was looking at me so evilly that I feared she would lunge and murder me. "What are you thinking?"

"You must have a proper ball gown. I will take you with me. It wouldn't be a bother. It would be fun! We will have to surprise him with your appearance . He should be enthralled by your presence! Like fairytales!"

"I wouldn't want to get that much attention…" I replied.

"But it is your grand entry. This is your moment, Ella. And what, may I ask, would you wear to the ball."

I smirked. She was right. I didn't have anything to wear to the ball, other than my three gowns which I already wore. And if Larissa were to see that, she would identify me as Lela. And I couldn't possibly tell her that I could seek the help of a fairy for my gown!

"Fine," I said.

~*~

Frell didn't change. The bustling marketplace was still there, and familiar faces were everywhere. I bowed my head so no one would recognize me and eventually point me out to Char.

We stayed at Larissa's Aunt Dulcinea's manor. It was more grand than Mum Olga's. There twice more servants and rooms and windows. It was actually bewildering because Aunt Dulcinea was a widow, with children living in their own houses. She was the sole mistress of the house.

I was still awestruck when she herself welcomed us in the foyer. 

"Larissa! My sweet child!" she called. She was a tall, regal woman with silver hair and kind blue eyes. Her gown was hanging loose from her body. She was an ancient, wizened lady.

She turned to me. "You must be Ella. A pleasure to meet you." She kissed my cheek customarily. "I hope you have a good time here." She stared at me through her glasses, eyes questioning. "I feel I've seen you somewhere."

I decided to tell her the truth. "I lived in Frell once."

"Truly?" she asked. "Where do you stay?"

"Sir Peter is my father."

Her nose wrinkled when she heard my father's name. I heard her mumble, "the miser". I knew that many people see my father in different ways. He was either a noble man or a cheating man. It depended on how he behaved towards them. "Assure me child. Are you not like him?"

"I am not like him, in the light you see him, Lady Dulcinea."

It was enough for her. She quickly called one of her maids to escort me to a guest bedroom. Larissa was led to a room especially for her. The room I was in reminded me of my room back in finishing school. The striped walls were dark and light lavender. The bed was almost like the bed in finishing school, only that it was softer. There was a window seat swathed in lavender-blue silk. The paintings were lavender flowers.

The room invoked in me hateful memories of finishing school. I remembered the strict mistresses who wouldn't recognize fun if it danced naked infront of them. If it that happened though, they would blush beet red and run away before fun could taint their innocent eyes and mind. The students were no exception also. They were being groomed into the things I hated most next to stepfamilies and ogres: finishing school mistresses.

But Areida was in those memories, and I missed her. I prayed deep inside that she still considered me a friend, even though I ran away without telling her. One day, if I break this curse, I would reconcile with her.

My reminiscence was interrupted by a maid who said it was dinner time.

~*~

Dinner was exhausting. Lady Dulcinea asked me many questions. She didn't mean any offense, but I didn't like being asked questions. Larissa mentioned that she wanted today to end quickly. I knew the reason why. Three days from now there would be a ball for Princess Ava of Ayortha. Tomorrow, she would help me pick clothes for the ball.

Before I slept, I opened the magic book. I wanted to see if Mandy wrote something for me.

I was right.

Dear Ella,

Life in the inn is much different without you. There is more to cook. The new inn girl doesn't know how to cook unlike you, so I doubt that she would help with the making of white cakes or other things.

Gretchen is doing splendidly with her lessons. She could now easily make wild rice without causing a widespread fire. She is difficult to teach, I must admit. The only she knew about cooking was stirring, lighting a fire, and tasting. I advised her to buy a cookbook. It would teach her invaluable things. For now, I could only teach her the basics.

I promise to come to you as soon as possible.

I hope you are having a splendid time in Frell. Just remember to avoid your stepfamily. Who knows what they would do to you once they get their hands on you!

Yes, dear, I know I worry to much. I can't help worry for your sake.

From your worried cook,

Mandy

P.S. Drink your Tonic.

I already drank my Tonic some few minutes ago. I flipped the pages. There was a journal entry. And it was from Char. It was short, more of a scribble than an entry to a journal.

Another ball. Should I be glad or worried? Recently, balls, to my point of view, have become settings for something significant.

I'm worried, yet I am glad. What would happen in this ball for Princess Ava? I'm anticipating something, but I don't want to look forward to it.

~*~

My head spun with different types of fabrics and colors and patterns. There was muslin and silk, azure to purple, spotted—though I thought it was rather revolting—to stripes, bell-sleeves to tightly fitted, low necks to off the shoulder cuts. Whatever the dress was, Larissa made me try it on. One may think that she was different from her image-obsessed sister, but the only thing that differs was that Larissa was subtle about it in public. Unfortunately, she blew it all out on me.

I didn't take part in the choosing of dresses. She was the one who yanked gowns and placed them in my hands. I was not one who cared much about clothes. The only contribution I gave to the final choice of the gown was whether I liked it or not. I hated the puffy, frilly gowns with bows that didn't allow you to walk properly.

"I think this orange one suits you," Larissa told me.

I looked at myself. It was pretty, I guess, with the embroidered bodice and slit sleeves. But I didn't like it. The orange gown made me look like a pumpkin, reminiscent of my pumpkin coach.

I shook my head. " I don't like it very much."

This time, Larissa threw up her hands in exasperation. "Ella, Ella, Ella! We've tried almost every gown that is adequate to your expectations. Can't you choose one?"

"First of all, you were the one letting me try on the gowns. I should be the one exhausted because I'm the one getting in and out of the many, many, many gowns that you make me try on," I retorted.

She sighed. She then gave me another gown. The fabric was soft.

"I like the fabric," I admitted.

"Well that's a good start," Larissa replied.

The gown was much better than all the rest, that it made me wonder why I only tried it on now. The neck was low and rounded, with an embroidered hem of blue roses. There was a macramé belt that reached near the near the floor. The sleeves were loose and flowing. The fabric was thin and airy for the sleeves but not so for the rest of the gown.  It was simple yet elegant. The color of the gown struck me the most. It was green, a little spicy but more daring and sophisticated. I remembered Mother when I first saw myself in the mirror.

Larissa loved the gown as much as I did. I was beginning to feel that she wanted it for herself. She bought herself a gown too. It was silver and blue mixed together. And with her glorious blonde hair, it would seem like it was a sunny winter day.

She was generous enough to pay for my expenses. She even threw in a tiara and necklace with topazes. She also bought a mask for the bought of us. Mine was green with blue beads while hers was blue with white beads. It made me feel terrible, like a parasite. Yet, she insisted.

~*~

The preparation for the ball couldn't be compared with my preparation before. I missed Mandy so much. She was still in Bast, trying hard to teach Gretchen how to cook. Everything would be so much easier if she were to be by my side. And if I were to run away again, I would have to do so alone.

A maid helped me but I deemed it unnecessary. Although I sent her away during the bath, she returned to help me with my hair. When I sent her away again, she looked as if she would burst into tears. I pitied her and decided to let her do her job. I should have not let her do so, or I should have at least protested. She was a skilled hairdresser, but I didn't wish to be so…extravagant.

My hair was still down, and I wanted it to remain down. Yet the maid curled layers of my hair and let it flow with the straight black hair. It would really make me unrecognizable to Char as Ella or Elalaine, but maybe recognizable enough to be Lela.   

Larissa smiled when she saw me come out. She was so certain that I would actually speak to Char as Ella, something I would never do especially at a time like this. She was lovely in her gown, and her smile made her more lovelier.

Before we left, Lady Dulcinea came out of one of her rooms and gazed at us. She commented the two of us. She said Larissa was seasonal, and I was a type of flora she couldn't put to place. She led us to the carriage that was waiting. When we were inside, I decided to tell Larissa of my plan.

"You will pretend you don't know me," I told her.

Larissa looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Why so?"

"Because if you know me, Char would know I am Ella."

She laughed. "What's wrong about that?"

"I don't want that to happen."

She stopped and took my arm. "I don't want you running away, alright?" she told me. "If you did, I would hunt you down for certain."

"I won't run away! I've already had for the past many times! I will not just show myself as Ella because if I did, unexpected things might happen. And I don't want that to occur."

"Then how are you going to speak with him?"

"A lot of ladies have danced with him. I might be one of them."

"He will not listen—"

"He will! Trust me on this one Larissa. No one knows Char the way I do, and I can do this."

She shook her head. "I trust you but if something comes up, I will jump on it."

"By the way, if any talking surfaces while I'm with him, promise you will not say it is I, Ella. Just believe it and nod as if you understand."

Larissa was thinking about it for awhile and I was beginning to feel that she wouldn't have it my way. "I will do as you say. But I will jump on it if something drastic happens. I can't let you go out there without support!"

"Then support me by not being there. I've done this many times, I assure you."

"It's not  like I can do anything to stop you, Ella."

"Thanks Larissa."

We talked about other things on the way, but it didn't erase the worry that was growing in me. What if something drastic does happen? What if I can't do it? My anxiety increased when we reached the palace. Larissa suggested that we shouldn't get off the carriage at the same time. She let me go first and then she made the carriage turn around.

My mask was securely tied and I made sure it stayed that way. The hall remained the same as the last time I came. The tapestries were all at the right places. There were already many courtiers. As I had expected, they were lining up to greet the Princess Ava and Prince Charmont. The gentlemen all gazed at her exotic features, while the women swooned at their prince. The line was as long as before, and I didn't intend to go with the line.

If I was lucky enough, the events of this ball would not be so different as the last one I attended at the very same hall.

~*~

Finished! We're all nearing the end of What If! Tsk, tsk. I'll miss writing this but I still have oh so many other stories to write. I decided to focus on this one because it is the longest and more successful. ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ

I decided to cut this at the beginning of the ball. I feel that ball deserves its own chapter because it is very important. I gave away some hints on what Ella might do on the next chapter, and I believe it's not hard to spot…

Anyways, yes, the last chapter made me think more than usual. If you want to write something insightful, be insightful.

Another Reviewer: It's hard to read the Hattie part. It makes me sick writing it too! And Beta-Reader? What's that?? Heehee…sorry, I can be so ignorant sometimes…ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ

I know, this took me an eternity to write. Yesterday, we had an orientation at school. I have to listen to teachers droning about the school policies that I already know. You see, school here in the Philippines is different from the school of other countries. Our summer vacation is based on the weather. April and May are the sunniest months that's why it's our vacation. On the other hand, the beginning of school, which is June, is rainy most of the time. I like it better this way because I don't have to worry about rain while on vacation in a beach.

And I need some peace and quiet when I write stories. Unfortunately, it's not available. My cousin who is nine is staying with us and he won't leave me alone!! The minute I am writing this sentence, he is banging on the door demanding me to let him in!!! ARGH!!!! I HATE KIDS!!! Or maybe dislike… And I hate it when someone is breathing down my neck, reading while I'm writing. It's annoying… Yeah, I know, I am a very demanding person. ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ

I also warn you again that it might take long, once again. Our new debate club moderator made me part of the temporary core. Now I have to help make a presentation for the freshmen. "Join our club! You'll have fun! Not to mention meet cute guys from other school!" I might just say. Wait! I DID NOT MEET CUTE GUYS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS. It's a bait for flirty girls who want to meet people. Hah! What makes me interested with the opposite sex ANYWAY??

Ok..stop. I hope you like this chapter! It's not much but it's still part of What If. BTW, I added a new "story". It's called "Cinders". It's just the thoughts of Cinderella after the phrase, Happily Ever After.

Thanks to all the reviewers! You mean SO much to me!!

ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ SMILEYS!!!!!!!!