Hidden Identities
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the entire world! Except, maybe, my car, a few books, some clothes, oh, that one pencil, and, um, maybe, a coke can and . . .
Summary: What if Hattie had not danced by and snatched off Ella's mask? What if Char had asked Ella THE question? What will Lela do?
Chapter Seven: Betrothal
___
"Ella! Ella! Wake up, Ella!" some one shouted from far away. I groaned. Who was calling and why did I feel like an ogre had hit me over the head? "Ella! Come on!"
My nostrils twitched as something was waved beneath them. A horrible smell that burned as I breathed filled my nose. I opened my eyes, gasping and coughing.
"Oh, good! You're awake!" Mandy cried. She hugged me. I looked around the room I was in. It was small with a white bed on which I was laying, a dresser with a towel and water pitcher, and a chair.
"What happened?" I asked once I had stopped coughing. "Dame Olga's going to marry King Rywan?!"
"Yes, I'm afraid it's true. I have no clue how though, nor why. They were so worried about you when you fainted in court. I have to tell them you're awake."
I sat up and leaned against the bed frame. On the dresser sat a beautiful arrangement of flowers. I stared at them. Who would send me flowers? Mandy smiled at me.
"Those are from His Highness, Prince Aaron. He stopped by a while ago asking about you. He was quite worried about your health."
I blushed. Prince Aaron had sent me flowers? If Hattie was here, she would probably rip them to shreds in jealousy. I looked to the window. The sun had gone down. Stars were shining in the sky.
"How long was I unconscious?"
"For about seven hours."
"Seven hours!"
"I put a bit of magic on you to sleep longer so you wouldn't have to be bothered by anyone. Especially the prince. I don't trust him."
I closed my eyes. The prince was the least of my worries at the moment.
"What's going to happen to me? I'm not related to Dame Olga in any way. I'm not going to become a princess. Why was I in court today?"
"That's something I wanted to talk to you about. Dame Olga told the king about your obedience. I'm sure of it. I overheard one of their conversations outside this room while you were unconscious. Something about you and the prince and Prince Charmont."
"Char?"
"Hush. Some one's coming."
Indeed, there were footsteps echoing in the hall outside the room. It sounded like heeled shoes. The door was opened and Dame Olga walked in.
"Oh, lovely, you're awake!" Dame Olga cried. She tried to hug me, but I stiffened and glared at her. This wasn't regular behavior for Dame Olga. She turned to Mandy. "You may go now. I have no more need of you right now."
Mandy squeezed my hand reassuringly and left. I looked to Dame Olga suspiciously. She smiled.
"Now, as you know, I am getting married tomorrow. I was making some final decisions about the ceremony and dinner." Dame Olga looked to the door as if some one was listening in. She turned back to me. "Are you well enough to walk back to our apartments?"
"I think so," I replied. Dame Olga moved so I could get up. I found I wasn't wearing the green ball gown as before. I was wearing a white nightgown that looked almost see-through. It was a little hard at first to take steps, but by the time I was at the door, I could manage fairly well. As Dame Olga and I walked down the hall I asked, "What decisions did you make?"
"Well, I decided that you were going to be my maid of honor."
I almost fainted again. Maid of honor? What? My mouth dropped open. I paused to stare at her in utter disbelief.
"Keep walking." Dame Olga looked away from me. She seemed to be hiding something. I began to walk again. Dame Olga clasped her hands together.
"Why?"
"No questions until after I'm finished talking to you right now."
My mouth clamped shut. Dame Olga continued.
"Prince Aaron is going to be the king's best man of course. You are to walk with him and talk with him and do anything to please him. You will not say anything rude or unnecessary. Do what he says. Be nice and courteous and polite."
We rounded the last corner and entered the doors to our chambers. My hands clutched the folds of my nightgown. Dame Olga turned to me.
"Hattie and Olive are in the dining hall eating with other ladies to get to know them. They are going to be picking ladies-in-waiting. Do you want to join them? No? All right, then I'll send you up a small dinner. You shouldn't eat too much after your fall in court today. Now, run along upstairs and get some rest because you have a big day tomorrow. And remember, do what Prince Aaron says."
I ran upstairs to my room. The revolting scent of Hattie's perfume filtered through the air. I threw myself upon my bad. At once the curse pounded in my head. I was forced up and began walking.
Dame Olga had ordered me to keep walking and I couldn't stop! I panicked for a second. Mandy wasn't here to tell me not to keep walking.
Rap, rap. Some one was outside my chamber. I walked over to the door and opened it. Nancy smiled at me.
"Care for some dinner?" she asked. I nodded and let her in. She carried a bowl of potato soup and some fresh berries. She put them on the dresser. I was walking back and forth. She laughed at me. "Worried about something? I am, too. I can't believe this whole wedding and Hattie becoming a princess! Come sit down now. Carry about your normal life."
"All right," I answered and sat down. The soup was warm and I could tell Mandy had made it to the kitchen and fixed this up for me quickly. Nancy stayed for a while, but left with the empty dishes after I was tucked in bed for an early bedtime.
I reached under my pillow and took out my magic book I had hidden there. Its cover was smooth and glossy in the moonlight. I opened it and flipped through the pages.
There was a picture of Char sitting on a throne in court. It hurt to look at him because he was to be Hattie's. I turned to the next page. It was a letter from Prince Aaron to King Rywan.
~*~
Father,
She is everything the lady said she was. She's perfect. I simply can not wait until tomorrow. When are you going to send the envoy? It must be soon for I can not wait to see the face of my rival when he finds out. You shall announce us at dinner.
Aaron
~*~
I closed the book. Who was "she"? And what was going to be announced tomorrow? That letter was so confusing. I decided to keep an eye on Prince Aaron tomorrow for anything suspicious.
I rolled over onto my side and stared out into the starry night. My thoughts traveled to Char. He probably was looking up into the same sky. Possibly even thinking about me. I shook my head and snuggled closer into the warm sheets. The whispering wind lulled me to sleep.
The next morning dawned cool and gray. A thin layer of mist curled through the trees and meadow. The horses whickered and the birds trilled.
I had been rudely awakened by Hattie who insisted I tell her if she should wear sapphires or rubies with her gold dress. I told her it didn't matter what she wore, because she'd still be the same old Hattie. She didn't like that answer, so she made an angry sound and stomped down the stairs to get a maid to get me up.
I was thrust into a hot bath tub with scented rose petals drifting on the surface. Another maid scrubbed me all over until I was red and squeaky clean. My hair was soaked with lily fragrances and combed out to dry.
Dame Olga was in her new chambers beside the king's. She was with Olive and Hattie getting dressed for her big day. I didn't see anyone I knew. Even Mandy was not around, though tonic was right next to my bed when I woke up.
I was forced to put on a fancy light pink dress. It consisted of a large satin skirt and a tight bodice that was beaded. I sat in pain while my hair was brushed, curled, and piled onto my head. Pearls were placed in my hair and a girl applied a gel that made my dark hair shine. After adding rouge, kohl and other things I had not seen before, I was lead downstairs and into the chapel area.
Dame Olga was squealing over her wedding with Hattie off to the side. Olive looked alarmed at all the people around. She kept looking over to the end of the hall where every so often a cook or servant would run by with food.
I could hear the chatter of the courtiers waiting to watch the wedding in the chapel. Some one handed me a bouquet of white and red flowers. I nervously plucked at them. A hand came down on my shoulder.
"You look like an angel," Prince Aaron whispered into my ear. I blushed and turned to greet him. He wore all black with a small gold crown on his brow. I began to curtsy, but he stopped me. "No need for formalities with me. I want us to be friends."
"Thank you," I replied. He smiled a dazzling smile.
"Call me Aaron. May I call you Ella?"
"If it pleases you."
Music began to play from inside. Aaron took my hand and we got in line with the other people to walk in. I found myself thinking of my wedding day as I walked down the aisle.
Dame Olga came down the aisle in a flourish of white and gold. She actually looked pretty. I thought it was because she was getting married and becoming a queen. Hattie and Olive marched down the aisle showing off large teeth and lots of curls. Olive had recently gotten a wig exactly like Hattie's.
I closed my eyes as the ceremony began. I didn't want to watch Hattie's dream come true. Prince Aaron stood on the other side of the dais. He stared at me during the entire ceremony.
At the end, a crown was placed on Dame Olga's head. She was now queen. Hattie and Olive bore circlets of gold with emeralds and rubies and diamonds on them. I followed the married couple out the chapel's doors. Crowds of people had gathered in the courtyard. They all clapped when QUEEN Olga walked out.
Queen Olga. Princess Hattie. How could this have happened? Prince Aaron was holding my hand so I couldn't let the tears that were in my eyes fall.
We were led to a private garden where the reception was held. Queen Olga laughed and talked with the other courtiers. I sat on a stone bench away from the festivities. Suddenly, I heard the new queen calling me.
"Lady Ella! Come here!" she shouted. I went to her. She was standing at the edge of a grassy area. A bunch of ladies including, Hattie and Olive, were laughing and trying to get in front of each other. Queen Olga was about to throw her crown of flowers she had worn before she was married to the ladies. Who ever caught the crown had to wear it all day. It supposedly meant that some one was going to propose to you soon.
I sighed and joined the ladies. Hattie stepped on my foot in a meaningful way so I moved to the back. Queen Olga giggled and threw the flowers high into the air. All the ladies squealed and mashed together trying to get the flower crown.
I was thrown from the group and landed on my knees a few feet to the left. A burst of wind came up and countered the course of the crown of flowers. It landed gracefully right in front of me.
My eyes widened. I could hear Hattie shriek in anger. I gently picked up the garland and turned towards the ladies.
"Put it on!" shouted a lady from the side lines. I put it on. Everyone cheered and music began to play. People began to dance in small groups.
"Dance with me, Ella?" Prince Aaron grabbed my hand. I nodded. The orders Queen Olga had forced me to comply with hammered in my head. He swept me away in a flurry of skirts.
Dancing with Aaron was completely different than with Char. Aaron liked to be close. Char left it to me if I wanted to be close with him when we danced. Aaron was handsome and somehow felt safe. I knew he wasn't going to hurt me or try anything with me. But, something in his eyes told me he was up to something. Something that wasn't good.
Char was more handsome, of course, and he always radiated a sense of warmth and love around me. In my early times with him, I mistook the sense of love for friendship. But, that was over now. I was in Ayortha and Hattie was to be engaged to him.
The festivities went on all day. There was dancing, eating, plays, songs, drinking, and merrymaking. I stayed out of Hattie and Olive's way. Prince Aaron stayed by my side the whole day. I only left his presence once and that was to go freshen up.
Dinner was served well after dark in the royal dining room. There were many tables set up for everyone to eat at. I sat with the king and queen, Hattie and Olive, Aaron, the king's aunt, and a young man who was the prince's cousin. Hattie took a delight in the cousin.
Aaron more than once found my hand under the table. He was nice and kind to me, but I didn't think of him in that way. And hadn't he found some one like he said in his letter I read? Queen Olga kept looking over at me as if I was going to run away.
King Rywan stood and the room was silenced. He brought up his wine glass in a toast.
"A toast to my lovely new wife and two new daughters. May their lives be happy and wishes come true."
His toast was met by clapping and cheering. Apparently the courtiers like Queen Olga and her daughters. King Rywan did not step down. He smiled down to Aaron.
"And a toast to my son, Prince Aaron. He is old enough to be married now and he has chosen the perfect lady to be his bride."
Aaron's fingers tightened on my hand. My breathing stopped. What did this mean? I waited for King Rywan to go on.
"I announce the engagement of Prince Aaron and his chosen, Lady Eleanor."
Cheers and clapping drowned the room. Aaron pulled me up to stand by him. I could feel the blood drain from my face. My knees were shaking. I stared at Queen Olga. She smiled a small smile at me. She had known all along! This was why she had given me all those orders about Aaron! Hattie looked happy. Probably because I was now out of the way for her to get to Char. Olive looked put out.
I looked up to Aaron as he smiled down on me. He hugged me. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to run, but everywhere there were people standing and clapping. And my feet wouldn't move. I just stood there looking at Aaron. His handsome face beamed in happiness.
"Marry me, Ella." He took my hands. A silver ring with a large diamond guarded by two sapphires was slipped onto my left ring finger. He kissed my hand. "Say you will marry me."
It was an order. And Queen Olga had said to do anything he wanted me to do. I nodded my head.
"I will marry you, Aaron," I whispered. He leaned in and kissed me chastely. I wanted to shout "NO!" I wanted to yell and scream and say that I would only marry Char, but I couldn't. I had to be engaged to Aaron. The curse would not relent. I did not have the strength to fight it.
In the weeks that came, I was moved out of my original apartments and into a bed chamber near Aaron's. I was given three ladies-in-waiting. Prince Aaron was nice and kind every time I saw him. King Rywan kept to himself a lot though. He always greeted me, but watched me warily.
I saw little of Hattie and Olive. They were housed in a part of the castle far from where I was. My new status brought new attention to me. I could not walk by myself or I might be assassinated. I was given a personal guard who was with all the time, except when I slept.
I heard nothing of the betrothal I thought would happen between Char and Hattie. It was not until late spring when I finally heard news of Char.
___
Author Note: Another chapter done! Woohoo! Ella and Aaron engaged!? Well, no worries Char-and-Ella fans. Char will come up in either this next chapter or the following one. This story is a Char and Ella story. Thank you for all your reviews! I love them all! Stay tuned for the next chapter!
Chapter Eight: Peace and Engagement
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the entire world! Except, maybe, my car, a few books, some clothes, oh, that one pencil, and, um, maybe, a coke can and . . .
Summary: What if Hattie had not danced by and snatched off Ella's mask? What if Char had asked Ella THE question? What will Lela do?
Chapter Seven: Betrothal
___
"Ella! Ella! Wake up, Ella!" some one shouted from far away. I groaned. Who was calling and why did I feel like an ogre had hit me over the head? "Ella! Come on!"
My nostrils twitched as something was waved beneath them. A horrible smell that burned as I breathed filled my nose. I opened my eyes, gasping and coughing.
"Oh, good! You're awake!" Mandy cried. She hugged me. I looked around the room I was in. It was small with a white bed on which I was laying, a dresser with a towel and water pitcher, and a chair.
"What happened?" I asked once I had stopped coughing. "Dame Olga's going to marry King Rywan?!"
"Yes, I'm afraid it's true. I have no clue how though, nor why. They were so worried about you when you fainted in court. I have to tell them you're awake."
I sat up and leaned against the bed frame. On the dresser sat a beautiful arrangement of flowers. I stared at them. Who would send me flowers? Mandy smiled at me.
"Those are from His Highness, Prince Aaron. He stopped by a while ago asking about you. He was quite worried about your health."
I blushed. Prince Aaron had sent me flowers? If Hattie was here, she would probably rip them to shreds in jealousy. I looked to the window. The sun had gone down. Stars were shining in the sky.
"How long was I unconscious?"
"For about seven hours."
"Seven hours!"
"I put a bit of magic on you to sleep longer so you wouldn't have to be bothered by anyone. Especially the prince. I don't trust him."
I closed my eyes. The prince was the least of my worries at the moment.
"What's going to happen to me? I'm not related to Dame Olga in any way. I'm not going to become a princess. Why was I in court today?"
"That's something I wanted to talk to you about. Dame Olga told the king about your obedience. I'm sure of it. I overheard one of their conversations outside this room while you were unconscious. Something about you and the prince and Prince Charmont."
"Char?"
"Hush. Some one's coming."
Indeed, there were footsteps echoing in the hall outside the room. It sounded like heeled shoes. The door was opened and Dame Olga walked in.
"Oh, lovely, you're awake!" Dame Olga cried. She tried to hug me, but I stiffened and glared at her. This wasn't regular behavior for Dame Olga. She turned to Mandy. "You may go now. I have no more need of you right now."
Mandy squeezed my hand reassuringly and left. I looked to Dame Olga suspiciously. She smiled.
"Now, as you know, I am getting married tomorrow. I was making some final decisions about the ceremony and dinner." Dame Olga looked to the door as if some one was listening in. She turned back to me. "Are you well enough to walk back to our apartments?"
"I think so," I replied. Dame Olga moved so I could get up. I found I wasn't wearing the green ball gown as before. I was wearing a white nightgown that looked almost see-through. It was a little hard at first to take steps, but by the time I was at the door, I could manage fairly well. As Dame Olga and I walked down the hall I asked, "What decisions did you make?"
"Well, I decided that you were going to be my maid of honor."
I almost fainted again. Maid of honor? What? My mouth dropped open. I paused to stare at her in utter disbelief.
"Keep walking." Dame Olga looked away from me. She seemed to be hiding something. I began to walk again. Dame Olga clasped her hands together.
"Why?"
"No questions until after I'm finished talking to you right now."
My mouth clamped shut. Dame Olga continued.
"Prince Aaron is going to be the king's best man of course. You are to walk with him and talk with him and do anything to please him. You will not say anything rude or unnecessary. Do what he says. Be nice and courteous and polite."
We rounded the last corner and entered the doors to our chambers. My hands clutched the folds of my nightgown. Dame Olga turned to me.
"Hattie and Olive are in the dining hall eating with other ladies to get to know them. They are going to be picking ladies-in-waiting. Do you want to join them? No? All right, then I'll send you up a small dinner. You shouldn't eat too much after your fall in court today. Now, run along upstairs and get some rest because you have a big day tomorrow. And remember, do what Prince Aaron says."
I ran upstairs to my room. The revolting scent of Hattie's perfume filtered through the air. I threw myself upon my bad. At once the curse pounded in my head. I was forced up and began walking.
Dame Olga had ordered me to keep walking and I couldn't stop! I panicked for a second. Mandy wasn't here to tell me not to keep walking.
Rap, rap. Some one was outside my chamber. I walked over to the door and opened it. Nancy smiled at me.
"Care for some dinner?" she asked. I nodded and let her in. She carried a bowl of potato soup and some fresh berries. She put them on the dresser. I was walking back and forth. She laughed at me. "Worried about something? I am, too. I can't believe this whole wedding and Hattie becoming a princess! Come sit down now. Carry about your normal life."
"All right," I answered and sat down. The soup was warm and I could tell Mandy had made it to the kitchen and fixed this up for me quickly. Nancy stayed for a while, but left with the empty dishes after I was tucked in bed for an early bedtime.
I reached under my pillow and took out my magic book I had hidden there. Its cover was smooth and glossy in the moonlight. I opened it and flipped through the pages.
There was a picture of Char sitting on a throne in court. It hurt to look at him because he was to be Hattie's. I turned to the next page. It was a letter from Prince Aaron to King Rywan.
~*~
Father,
She is everything the lady said she was. She's perfect. I simply can not wait until tomorrow. When are you going to send the envoy? It must be soon for I can not wait to see the face of my rival when he finds out. You shall announce us at dinner.
Aaron
~*~
I closed the book. Who was "she"? And what was going to be announced tomorrow? That letter was so confusing. I decided to keep an eye on Prince Aaron tomorrow for anything suspicious.
I rolled over onto my side and stared out into the starry night. My thoughts traveled to Char. He probably was looking up into the same sky. Possibly even thinking about me. I shook my head and snuggled closer into the warm sheets. The whispering wind lulled me to sleep.
The next morning dawned cool and gray. A thin layer of mist curled through the trees and meadow. The horses whickered and the birds trilled.
I had been rudely awakened by Hattie who insisted I tell her if she should wear sapphires or rubies with her gold dress. I told her it didn't matter what she wore, because she'd still be the same old Hattie. She didn't like that answer, so she made an angry sound and stomped down the stairs to get a maid to get me up.
I was thrust into a hot bath tub with scented rose petals drifting on the surface. Another maid scrubbed me all over until I was red and squeaky clean. My hair was soaked with lily fragrances and combed out to dry.
Dame Olga was in her new chambers beside the king's. She was with Olive and Hattie getting dressed for her big day. I didn't see anyone I knew. Even Mandy was not around, though tonic was right next to my bed when I woke up.
I was forced to put on a fancy light pink dress. It consisted of a large satin skirt and a tight bodice that was beaded. I sat in pain while my hair was brushed, curled, and piled onto my head. Pearls were placed in my hair and a girl applied a gel that made my dark hair shine. After adding rouge, kohl and other things I had not seen before, I was lead downstairs and into the chapel area.
Dame Olga was squealing over her wedding with Hattie off to the side. Olive looked alarmed at all the people around. She kept looking over to the end of the hall where every so often a cook or servant would run by with food.
I could hear the chatter of the courtiers waiting to watch the wedding in the chapel. Some one handed me a bouquet of white and red flowers. I nervously plucked at them. A hand came down on my shoulder.
"You look like an angel," Prince Aaron whispered into my ear. I blushed and turned to greet him. He wore all black with a small gold crown on his brow. I began to curtsy, but he stopped me. "No need for formalities with me. I want us to be friends."
"Thank you," I replied. He smiled a dazzling smile.
"Call me Aaron. May I call you Ella?"
"If it pleases you."
Music began to play from inside. Aaron took my hand and we got in line with the other people to walk in. I found myself thinking of my wedding day as I walked down the aisle.
Dame Olga came down the aisle in a flourish of white and gold. She actually looked pretty. I thought it was because she was getting married and becoming a queen. Hattie and Olive marched down the aisle showing off large teeth and lots of curls. Olive had recently gotten a wig exactly like Hattie's.
I closed my eyes as the ceremony began. I didn't want to watch Hattie's dream come true. Prince Aaron stood on the other side of the dais. He stared at me during the entire ceremony.
At the end, a crown was placed on Dame Olga's head. She was now queen. Hattie and Olive bore circlets of gold with emeralds and rubies and diamonds on them. I followed the married couple out the chapel's doors. Crowds of people had gathered in the courtyard. They all clapped when QUEEN Olga walked out.
Queen Olga. Princess Hattie. How could this have happened? Prince Aaron was holding my hand so I couldn't let the tears that were in my eyes fall.
We were led to a private garden where the reception was held. Queen Olga laughed and talked with the other courtiers. I sat on a stone bench away from the festivities. Suddenly, I heard the new queen calling me.
"Lady Ella! Come here!" she shouted. I went to her. She was standing at the edge of a grassy area. A bunch of ladies including, Hattie and Olive, were laughing and trying to get in front of each other. Queen Olga was about to throw her crown of flowers she had worn before she was married to the ladies. Who ever caught the crown had to wear it all day. It supposedly meant that some one was going to propose to you soon.
I sighed and joined the ladies. Hattie stepped on my foot in a meaningful way so I moved to the back. Queen Olga giggled and threw the flowers high into the air. All the ladies squealed and mashed together trying to get the flower crown.
I was thrown from the group and landed on my knees a few feet to the left. A burst of wind came up and countered the course of the crown of flowers. It landed gracefully right in front of me.
My eyes widened. I could hear Hattie shriek in anger. I gently picked up the garland and turned towards the ladies.
"Put it on!" shouted a lady from the side lines. I put it on. Everyone cheered and music began to play. People began to dance in small groups.
"Dance with me, Ella?" Prince Aaron grabbed my hand. I nodded. The orders Queen Olga had forced me to comply with hammered in my head. He swept me away in a flurry of skirts.
Dancing with Aaron was completely different than with Char. Aaron liked to be close. Char left it to me if I wanted to be close with him when we danced. Aaron was handsome and somehow felt safe. I knew he wasn't going to hurt me or try anything with me. But, something in his eyes told me he was up to something. Something that wasn't good.
Char was more handsome, of course, and he always radiated a sense of warmth and love around me. In my early times with him, I mistook the sense of love for friendship. But, that was over now. I was in Ayortha and Hattie was to be engaged to him.
The festivities went on all day. There was dancing, eating, plays, songs, drinking, and merrymaking. I stayed out of Hattie and Olive's way. Prince Aaron stayed by my side the whole day. I only left his presence once and that was to go freshen up.
Dinner was served well after dark in the royal dining room. There were many tables set up for everyone to eat at. I sat with the king and queen, Hattie and Olive, Aaron, the king's aunt, and a young man who was the prince's cousin. Hattie took a delight in the cousin.
Aaron more than once found my hand under the table. He was nice and kind to me, but I didn't think of him in that way. And hadn't he found some one like he said in his letter I read? Queen Olga kept looking over at me as if I was going to run away.
King Rywan stood and the room was silenced. He brought up his wine glass in a toast.
"A toast to my lovely new wife and two new daughters. May their lives be happy and wishes come true."
His toast was met by clapping and cheering. Apparently the courtiers like Queen Olga and her daughters. King Rywan did not step down. He smiled down to Aaron.
"And a toast to my son, Prince Aaron. He is old enough to be married now and he has chosen the perfect lady to be his bride."
Aaron's fingers tightened on my hand. My breathing stopped. What did this mean? I waited for King Rywan to go on.
"I announce the engagement of Prince Aaron and his chosen, Lady Eleanor."
Cheers and clapping drowned the room. Aaron pulled me up to stand by him. I could feel the blood drain from my face. My knees were shaking. I stared at Queen Olga. She smiled a small smile at me. She had known all along! This was why she had given me all those orders about Aaron! Hattie looked happy. Probably because I was now out of the way for her to get to Char. Olive looked put out.
I looked up to Aaron as he smiled down on me. He hugged me. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to run, but everywhere there were people standing and clapping. And my feet wouldn't move. I just stood there looking at Aaron. His handsome face beamed in happiness.
"Marry me, Ella." He took my hands. A silver ring with a large diamond guarded by two sapphires was slipped onto my left ring finger. He kissed my hand. "Say you will marry me."
It was an order. And Queen Olga had said to do anything he wanted me to do. I nodded my head.
"I will marry you, Aaron," I whispered. He leaned in and kissed me chastely. I wanted to shout "NO!" I wanted to yell and scream and say that I would only marry Char, but I couldn't. I had to be engaged to Aaron. The curse would not relent. I did not have the strength to fight it.
In the weeks that came, I was moved out of my original apartments and into a bed chamber near Aaron's. I was given three ladies-in-waiting. Prince Aaron was nice and kind every time I saw him. King Rywan kept to himself a lot though. He always greeted me, but watched me warily.
I saw little of Hattie and Olive. They were housed in a part of the castle far from where I was. My new status brought new attention to me. I could not walk by myself or I might be assassinated. I was given a personal guard who was with all the time, except when I slept.
I heard nothing of the betrothal I thought would happen between Char and Hattie. It was not until late spring when I finally heard news of Char.
___
Author Note: Another chapter done! Woohoo! Ella and Aaron engaged!? Well, no worries Char-and-Ella fans. Char will come up in either this next chapter or the following one. This story is a Char and Ella story. Thank you for all your reviews! I love them all! Stay tuned for the next chapter!
Chapter Eight: Peace and Engagement