A/n I beg of you to forgive me… for it has been almost 3 months since I have updated.. terribly terribly sorry and remember I love all of my readers and reviewers more than anything.. specially when I don't update for months..
 
 
 
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        Ella and Char walked out of the library. He dried her tears with a handkerchief and gave her a loving squeeze on her hand. He had a smile on his face that made Ella think she could get through anything.
 
        They strolled out into the garden hand and hand. Char looked down at Ella and saw that she was more than a little nervous. He looked around and saw Victoria. That's it! He'd introduce them.
 
        The newly reunited couple glided, or so it seemed, through the crowd to arrive near the fountain where Victoria flirted with one of her many admires. Just as the vile lady began to wonder when her 'darling' Char was going to return he appeared with some child holding on to his hand, as if it was a life line. "Oh how cute Char, she's so adorable. Where ever did you find her? Must of lost her mother in this crowd, oh dear."
 
        Ella looked puzzled. Who was this lady, and why did she think she was some little girl. Ella recalled that her eyes must be puffy red and she must look a mess. She forced a smile.
 
        Char oblivious to what was going on introduced the ladies. "Victoria this is my fiancée Ella, that is if she still wants me." Ella glanced at Char with a look of disbelief. He still wanted her after she had run away, didn't contact him, and was cursed.
 
        Ella realized suddenly. No matter what she did or how many mistakes she ever made Char would love her. She smiled a smile that reached her ears and jumped as if she truly was the little girl Victoria believed her to be. She grabbed Char into a suffocating hug and he twirled her around. Her dress was going in a hundred directions at once, sometimes hitting Victoria.
 
        While the 'happy' couple was celebrating, getting cheers from most of the folks nearby, people were such eavesdroppers, Victoria turned a bright shade of red.  This was not what was supposed to happen. It ruined all of her plans. Why now when she was so close? The throne was in her reach! Victoria suddenly reached out and slapped Ella.
 
        Char and Ella had long stopped spinning and were staring at each other with puppy dog love eyes. Ella reached up to her cheek, it stung with a passion.  Char got a look of hatred in his eye, she hadn't known he possessed.  
 
        The gentle and collected Char wasn't there anymore.  That was beyond called for.  He had never promised anything to Victoria and she was lucky that he had done more for her than what was politely dictated from his role in the kingdom.  This was the women he loved, this was the future queen of the realm, this was his Ella, and she had neither right nor position to do that!
 
        Char remained calm for the most part.  Ella was a bit stressed as she had every right to be.  He simply turned disgusted away from Victoria after a brief speech.  "Be expected to find your own way back to the palace Victoria, and when you get there you may pack up your belongings and remove yourself from my sight."
 
        It was a bit cold on his part, but what did she deserve? No more than what she was dealt.  Char pulled Ella away from the fountain and hugged her close to him.  They moved to the dance floor with Ella's face buried in his tunic.  
 
        After a few moments of dancing Char coaxed Ella to show him the pretty face he knew she held.  She lifted her self slightly to give him the look he needed.  Her face was again strewn with tears.  
 
        Char lifted her head and whipped away the mess with his thumbs.  She had to smile softly.  Ever since she'd seen him again, after all these months, she was crying.  With that smile Char hopes began to soar. They just had to make it through this hard time and then things would be better, or at least he hoped.
 
        They descended from the dance floor when the soft song ended.  Only to be corned by Julia.  Ella had a false stern look on her face.  "You planned that!"  Julia could only smile softly.  Char did the only thing he could think of and gave her a soft friendly hug.  "Thank you."
 
        That was all the thanks Julia needed for a job well done.  Although her new friend would be leaving, Julia looked forward to hearing about their magical wedding coming forth in a few months.
 
        The bell chimed loudly in the court yard.  Midnight already.  Char looked at Ella half expecting her to run off like the balls of the old days.  She smiled more to herself as reassurance, she had nothing to run from now. 
 
        Unnoticed from a dark corner the young couple was watched.  Andrew stood there leaning against the wall.  He had a faint smile on his lips.  The perfect girl, with the perfect guy, of course it had been too good.  Char had always been his better, why would things change now?  But as long as Ella was happy, really happy, he guessed it wouldn't hurt too much, would it?
 
        Victoria was more than humiliated.  She glanced around for some comfort but her "posse" had long since melted into the crowd. She threw daggers with her mind at Char and imagined a death worse than one should ever dream.  A brilliantly evil plan came to her at a glance.  That fellow in the corner, didn't he come to the ball with that twit of a girl?  
 
        The snake made her way to the corner, and the real story begins…
 
 
 
A/n: thanks for you guys who stayed with me… as I FINALLY got to the real plot of the story.  I guess now that I made it past an impossibly long introduction I hope to update more.  Thanks to LoniGirl, Gothamin, babyjavy, and blueglass25 for having me on your author alerts and favorites lists.  And I really do appreciate reviews.. so make sure to leave one on your way out!!