Disclaimer: I do not know Gail Carson Levine nor am I Gail Carson Levine. Many of the settings and some of the characters used in this story are hers.

A/N: Too bad it's only nearly a kiss, huh? Lol, anyway, thanks to all you reviewers and readers! And it was awesome cuz I got a bunch of people to read Ella Enchanted lately…my mom included. Haha, and she liked it. :)

Thanks to Alqualyne for her editing help—you rock! So if you notice exceptionally wonderful grammar in this chapter…you know who to thank! Lol

Well, here's chapter seven!

Aria's Melody

Chapter Seven: Nearly a Kiss

Portia put down her sewing and bent her head back to relieve the ache in her neck, before turning to the window and pulling back the lacy white curtain.

With disappointment and uneasiness, she noted that the palace grounds below were empty. There were no signs whatsoever of Aria. Feeling a slight twinge of guilt, Portia remembered how yesterday night, she'd been somewhat relieved when Aria hadn't come home. The three years that Portia had been Aria's governess, she'd never once come close to liking the girl.

Not that Aria was awful, really. She would actually be quite lovable, except Portia had always felt uneasy around others, especially those much younger than her and as independent and confident as Aria. Lord Maxmilien's daughter was someone Portia wished she was like, but knew she could never be, and therefore despised.

A little longer of being her governess and I'm done, Portia thought to herself with relief as she bent back down to her sewing. Seconds later, she raised her head again, wondering if she should inform someone of Aria's disappearance. No, she thought, if Lord Maxmilien ever found out, I'd lose this job. She'll appear in the door by tonight, I'm sure.

As much as Portia disliked Aria, she'd never thought about quitting her job as governess for the Delamonts. The Lord was the King's Merchant, the highest title a merchant could hold in Ayortha. He traveled throughout the kingdoms, trading goods that resulted in a rich treasury for King Randall and an ample exchequer for the Delamonts. That of course, meant Portia received quite a nice payment also.

Lord Maxmilien's large chamber suite in the palace was very spacious and comfortable too, Portia observed, sweeping the sitting room with a practiced eye. The Ayorthaian palace was colossal and was divided into sections for the royal family, the king's advisors, and other high titles, including Lord Maxmilien himself.

Suddenly, the door banged open, and Portia gave a sigh of partially unexpected relief. Aria had come back. She looked up—and froze. A tall man stood in the doorway, brown hair peppered with gray, a stern face made even harsher by the wrinkles that had newly appeared since Portia had last seen him.

* * *

"This was the most fun I've had since I've arrived in Ayortha." Terence told Aria as they arrived on the palace grounds at Aloya. He quickly got off the horse and turned to give an outstretched hand to Aria who had been sitting behind him.

"Don't think I can get off a horse by myself?" Aria teased with a smile, jumping off the horse as though it was second nature. Nevertheless, she took Terence's hand once she was on the ground and squeezed it.

Their hands seemed to fit naturally together. Both Terence and Aria stared down at their interlocking hold. It was funny how each couldn't tell whose fingers were whose for a split second.

"Thank you," Aria began softly, looking up to meet Terence's eyes. She felt her stomach flip somewhere inside of her. Aria groaned inwardly and looked down. Great. She didn't even know where her stomach was anymore. She'd never been like this before.

"Are you alright?"

Aria raised her eyes to meet the prince's before covering her quickly blushing face with her free hand. She felt like a little girl with a large infatuation again. "I'm fine," she mumbled, daring to take a peek at Terence through her fingers.

She saw his tilted head looking at her bent head, his suddenly amused eyes searching for hers through her hand. "What's wrong?" Terence asked.

I don't know where my stomach is anymore, Aria thought, answering Terence's question silently.

"Well I'm sure it's somewhere in you. Unless it somehow left after the last time you ate?"

Aria's eyes widened, and she uncovered her face with surprise. "I said that out loud?"

"Unless I suddenly discovered a talent of reading minds," was the prince's reply. "Well, I wouldn't worry," Terence said grinning, "I'm sure it'll be back in no time."

Aria's lips curved into a smile, putting aside her embarrassment for the moment and said dryly, "Thanks for the reassurement."

"Anytime." Terence squeezed her hand, and Aria looked down at their grasp, smiling to herself.

"Thank you again," she whispered, looking up to meet hazel-green eyes that now watched her seriously. "I appreciate all you've done for me yesterday and today."

It was the prince's time to turn pink. "I'm glad I could help." He bowed his head for a moment and when he looked back up, Aria found his face closer than it'd been a moment ago.

The world seemed to suddenly slow and come to a stop as Aria found herself focusing intently on Terence's face. The light sprinkle of freckles across his nose, the hidden mischievous twinkle in his eyes that each person had to discover on their own…

Aria swallowed. The feeling she was experiencing was something new and unpredictable, and for once in her life, she was nervous beyond imagining. Aria closed her eyes and her grip tightened on Terence's hand as she found them slowly leaning closer—

"Oh Aria! How good it is to see you again!"

Aria's eyes flew open. She and Terence quickly pulled apart, faces red from being both embarrassed and annoyed that they'd been seen.

The world began turning once again, and Aria pulled her gaze from Terence to look out onto the field. She groaned inwardly when she saw Jessalyn coming towards her with, she noted with no surprise, Frederick.

"Jessalyn…" Aria murmured, forcing a smile. She looked at Frederick. "Prince Frederick."

Frederick nodded, his face expressionless except for his eyes that drifted towards Terence's and Aria's interlocked hands. Realizing this, Aria quickly dropped her hold on Terence's hand and turned away from the curious gaze Frederick gave her.

Jessalyn gave a sidelong glance at Frederick before clearing her throat quietly. "How have you been Aria?"

"I've been well," Aria said simply. She'd never liked Jessalyn, and something was telling her that Jessalyn had intruded on Terence and her on purpose.

Jessalyn smiled and gave a glance at Terence. "And who's your friend?"

Wouldn't she want to know, Aria thought dryly. "Prince Terence. Of Kyrria."

"How lovely! I'm Jessalyn." Jessalyn curtsied, looking at Terence through thick lashes.

Terence bowed. "Nice to meet you Jessalyn," he said politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"A pleasure to meet you too." Jessalyn paused, and when neither Aria nor Terence said anything, she put on a worried look. "I hope Frederick and I didn't interrupt anything important? We greatly apologize if we did."

Aria noticed the hand Jessalyn laid on Frederick's arm as she gave her apology. "No," she forced out, "you two didn't interrupt anything."

Jessalyn looked at Aria with a smile that seemed too sweet. "Good." She turned her attention to Terence. "I have so many questions about Kyrria that I would just love to…"

* * *

"L-lord Maxmilien!" Portia hastily stood up as she stared at the man at the door to the room. She could feel her pale face draining of any color and found herself feeling slightly light-headed.

"Portia." He gave a simple nod before turning to the servant behind him. "Put my belongings in my room."

"Should I unpack, your Lord?"

The man shook his head at the servant. Portia watched as the servant brought the lord's luggage through the room, carrying along with him small knick-knacks Lord Maxmilien must have received through trades, including a colorful blanket and a shiny, silver-colored vase.

"Back so soon Lord Maxmilien?" Portia gave a bleak smile as she twisted her hands nervously.

Aria's father raised his eyebrows as he turned to the nervous woman in the room. "It's been six months Portia. I haven't been a good father to my child by being away for so long and so frequently."

He walked into the room languidly. "I just finished my business in Kyrria. I think the king will be pleased with my accomplishment on this trip. I'm hoping it'll be one of the last." Lord Maxmilien sighed, his severe features softening for the moment. "I would like to spend more time with Aria. I am sure she has grown up since I've been away."

Portia waited, unsure of what to say.

"Well, where is Aria? Running off again somewhere?"

The governess bit her lip, trying to keep her panic in check. "Y-yes.." She swallowed.

Lord Maxmilien's eyebrows rose again. "Is there something the matter Portia?"

Portia winced before finally spilling the truth. She could almost see her pay disappearing into thin air in front of her eyes.

Five minutes later, Lord Maxmilien was storming the room in anger, fury livid in his eyes. "YOU DIDN'T TELL ANYONE SHE WAS MISSING!"

"You didn't tell anyone she was missing?" he repeated, looking at his child's governess as though she was the lowliest thing on earth.

"N-no.. I'm sorry Lord Maxmilien…I didn't think—"

"YOU'RE DISMISSED!" The lord pointed an enraged finger at the governess before turning and walking out of the suite, slamming the door so hard that the walls seemed to rattle.

Portia stood silently after the door closed, shaking from fear and distress. Well, she thought, I guess I'll be going back home to Tallkes quicker than expected.

A/N: I honestly can't think of where I got the name "Portia" from… Does anyone know a story or a book or something with the name Portia in it?? Luv ya lots, daydream