I bawled all the way to my room to change out of my gown. This was my mother's gown! First Hattie took my mother's necklace and now the gown. She was tearing the only things left of my mother away from me. Good thing she didn't see the slippers.

I changed into my servant's garb and sat on my bed for a full minute until I couldnt stand the dizziness anymore, and I got up and left.

Hattie had changed into a less luxurious gown and was waiting for me at the top of the stairs. I glared at her as I climbed them. She held out her arm when I reached the top and took the dress from me.

I felt weak at the knees.

"What a good girl, Ella. Now run along now to your room and go to sleep."

The curse tugged at me, and I wanted to talk to Mandy so much, but I went downstairs into my room anyway.

*****

The next morning, I was awaken by screaming.

"THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING!" Of course. Hattie.

I got dressed and ran up the stairs to see what was going on. Hattie was reading a paper with the royal stamp on it, infuriated by its contents, obviously. There was a messenger in the door, and he seemed bothered by Hattie's tantrum.

"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Hattie screamed at the squire. He blushed violently and departed. Hattie shut the door and turned to me.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, SERVANT SCUM!"

I was taken aback. What was all my fault? I reached for the paper in her hand, but she pulled it away.

"I'll GIVE it to you, Ella." She handed the paper to me.

BY ROYAL PROCLIMATION

His Royal Highness, King Jerrold, is happy to announce

that his son, Prince Charmont, is to wed.

At that I choked on my own breath. Char? To wed? WHO?



Prince Charmont is to marry Ataniea, Princess of Ayortha,

on September the Fourth at midday. Your presense is requested--

"CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?" Hattie shreiked, taking the paper from my hands.

I shook my head, too shocked for words. Char and married do not belong in the same sentence together unless it is implying to me.

"THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" Hattie repeated. When I didnt reply, she struck me on the face.

I said and did nothing in return. Nothing anyone could do could hurt me more than Char getting married. I suppose I shouldn't have been sad. After all, I had led him to thik that I was married.

I went into the kitchen, my cheek still stinging from Hattie's slap, and sat in a chair, weeping

As expected, Mandy put her arms around me and said, "Sweet, what could be wrong?"

I sniffed. "Char is engaged to the princess of Ayortha."

Mandy said nothing for a long while, only stroked my back as she had many times before. "Lady, you must keep your chin up. Maybe this will be like those fairy tales we hear of. Maybe he will come and sweep you off your feet."

"I don't believe in fairy tales anymore, Mandy."

And with that, I left the room.