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?
Author Note: There were a few questions on the story in the reviews and I would like to answer them.
Frell vs. Kyrria – sorry for saying that Char is the prince of Frell or whatever mistake I did say on this topic; sometimes I am typing so fast it just pops up in my head and I type it out without thinking so I put Frell instead of Kyrria; I will try harder to remember Kyrria instead of Frell from now on
Dame Olga can marry and love another because Lucinda's spell was that Olga and Ella's father would love each other as long as they would live, so now that Ella's father is dead, Olga no longer has to love him (at least, that's my take on the spell thing)
This will be a Char-and-Ella story NO MATTER what happens. I cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye . . . and all that.
Hope I answered all of your questions! If you have anymore, feel free to ask me in a review or in an email! ^_^
Chapter Eight: Peace and Engagement
___
I was sitting in my private garden. The sun was hidden behind a mass of stormy gray clouds that threatened rain any minute. Terrance, my personal guard, kept insisting that we must go in, but I wanted to sit and enjoy the flowers. Even in the shadows of the clouds and under the cool puffs of wind, they still looked happy.
"Ella, we must go in," Terrance said as a drop of water hit his arm. He wore a dark blue tunic and breeches. A long sword was hooked to his belt. Daggers were hidden in his boots. He had dark brown hair and deep blue eyes. I looked up to him from the sea of flowers.
"All right," I answered. I stood up and smoothed the folds of my purple dress. We walked in silence up to my chamber.
"It's going to be all right. Hattie will not win. You have his heart," Terrance whispered. I shook my head. Over the past few months we had grown to be close friends. I had told him all most all of my history with Hattie, Char and my father.
"It's not. The messenger was sent last week with the proposition and Frell would do anything to have peace with Ayortha. Hattie will marry Char. And I will marry Prince Aaron on the solstice."
I sat down on my bed. I had let my ladies-in-waiting go for the day. I did not know how to act around them and they made me nervous. Terrance walked into the sitting room to the left to ask for some wine. I took the opportunity and slid my magic book out from under my pillow. I had checked it every time I could for the past week, hoping for something about Char and the marriage proposition.
After a story about a goose girl who's really a princess, I saw a letter in Char's handwriting. I eagerly read it.
___
Father, There has to be another way around this marriage. Could we not give them something like money for peace instead of my hand in marriage? And this is Princess Hattie, daughter of Queen Olga who used to be Dame Olga. You met her at the balls remember? Something's fishy here and I don't want to ally our kingdom with one that has always wanted to take it over so hastily. There has to be another way.
Char
___
A letter from his father was on the opposite page.
___
My son,
There would be nothing greater for me than to see you marry some one of your own choosing and for this war between Frell and Ayortha end peacefully and easily. But, life deals everyone a hand and whether it is bad or good, we must play it accordingly. I have deliberated upon this matter for a while now, and I think that it is the best way to bring peace. Ayortha has never before offered a way to make peace until now. We shall negotiate peace quickly for another war would cost Frell dreadfully. You would only have to marry Princess Hattie and afterwards send her to a remote castle if you want. I met her and she is a nice lady.
And as for the matter of Dame Olga becoming queen and so soon, I think that your stubbornness against this marriage of peace is making you think that. Try to accept it because it will happen whether you like it or not. I also have invited the Prince Aaron to join us in Frell for your wedding. He is betrothed to a lady in Ayortha and I offered to have them married here with you since Frell is so beautiful in summer. Be on your best behavior with the prince for the peace contract won't be final until your wedding vows are said.
His Majesty, the King of Kyrria
___
I silently read over the letters again. So it was true. Hattie was to marry Char. I was happy that Char did not want to marry Hattie. I would like to see her face when she is sent to a remote castle.
"Oh," I gasped as I realized something. The king had offered to have Aaron and I married in Frell with Char! That couldn't happen! He couldn't see me like that! He would find out everything.
Terrance walked back in that that moment. I didn't see him until he coughed for me to acknowledge his presence. I jumped and the book fell from my hands and thudded on the ground.
"Oh! You startled me!" I said hastily and picked up the book.
"Sorry," Terrance replied. "A page was just here. He gave me this for you. What does it say?"
Terrance handed me a sealed scroll. The wax imprint was that of Hattie's. It was a rose with a heart. I rolled my eyes. Hattie had taken every opportunity to write some one something and seal it with her crest to show that it was a princess who wrote it.
I broke the seal and unraveled the scroll. I was right. It was from Hattie. Though she was now a princess, her new princess lessons were not paying off. Her handwriting was still poor.
~
Ella,
My mother cam by a few minutes ago. Kyrria has finaly sent back an answer to our peace negotiations! You, Olive, and I are to go to the throne rom immediatly. Come at once.
Hattie ~
"Well? What does the evil step-sister have to say?" Terrance asked. I gave him the scroll and he read it quickly. "Still can't spell after all those weeks in princess lessons and regular academic lessons, I see."
"We better go. Last time, I was late for Hattie's princess tea party with her new friends and she ordered me to clip her tow nails. Ugh, it was horrible," I made a face. Queen Olga had not been there to oversee Hattie's doings, and since she listens to no one else save the king and prince, I had to do it.
Terrance followed me out of my chambers and down the hallway. Servants and maids and courtiers bowed and curtsied to me as I walked by. I did not like them to do that. It made me feel like I was Hattie and they had to bow or curtsy to me.
Finally, we arrived at the throne room. The two guards nodded to Terrance and me and we walked in. King Rywan and Queen Olga sat on their gold thrones. Prince Aaron was sitting on the steps before the thrones drinking a goblet of wine and watching Hattie try to make herself look regal. She wasn't successful. She just made herself look like a pinched horse, if there was such a thing. Olive was sitting on three purple cushions eating a piece of cake. The cake looked like Mandy had made. I missed Mandy a lot. She wasn't allowed to be with me anymore because to Queen Olga princesses and girls marrying princes couldn't tarry with mere cooks.
"Finally!" Hattie cried when she saw me. She shook her head. "I sent that note HOURS ago! We thought you got lost, AGAIN."
I blushed. The castle was so big that I had gotten lost. Quite a few times, actually. But, so had Hattie! She had no right to say those things to me!
"It's fine, Hattie," Queen Olga calmly said. She smiled at her new husband. "Rywan, let's tell them what Kyrria said about the peace negotiations."
"Yes," King Rywan answered. He looked at Hattie. "Hattie, they agreed that you shall marry Prince Charmont and we shall settle the war."
"Ah!" Hattie squealed excitedly. She jumped up and hopped up and down. "I knew it! I'm going to marry, Prince Charmont!"
My heart stopped for a second. It was like Hattie had come up to me and ripped my heart out and threw on the floor to stomp on it and break it into a million pieces and scatter them to the far ends of the world. I swallowed and looked at my feet which were hidden by skirts, but I didn't want anyone to see my tears.
King Rywan stood up and walked over to Hattie. He whispered into her ear for a minute and she nodded. Grinning, he motioned for a page to come forward. The page walked up and presented Hattie with a small red box. My breathing quickened.
Hattie gently opened the lid on the box. Her eyes grew large with happiness at the sight of what was in there. She reached in and pulled out a gold ring set with a diamond and small rubies and garnets on the outside. King Rywan took it and slid it onto her left ring finger.
"It's beautiful!" Hattie shouted. She admired the way the light hit the diamond and sent little rainbows on her fingers. My hands clenched together. She didn't deserve this! Why was she engaged to Char when I should be?
But, I couldn't marry Char. Not now. Not ever. And Hattie marrying Char would kill me.
"It's official then. You are engaged to Prince Charmont. We have settled on a wedding date for the solstice." Dame Olga stood up and went to hug her daughter. Hattie squealed again. Olive watched the diamond with interest and jealousy.
"The solstice?" I whispered to Terrance beside me. That was the same wedding date as Aaron and mine. He shrugged. Prince Aaron took my hand.
"And there is more good news!" Queen Olga exclaimed. She turned to me and Aaron. "To show the hospitality of Kyrria, the king and queen have offered to have you, Ella, and Aaron married with Prince Charmont and Hattie!"
"That's wonderful!" Aaron shouted. His grin grew even larger. I swear I saw something glint in his left eye. He kissed my cheek. "Isn't it, love?"
"I. . . I. . . I," I stammered. Nothing else would come out of my mouth. Aaron didn't seem to care though. He had his own agenda he was thinking about. Terrance looked worriedly at me.
I couldn't think. I had read that this might happen in the letter from the king in my book, but I never thought it would really happen! Why did Queen Olga want me to go to Kyrria to get married? Char would be there and he would see me and have second thoughts about the wedding!
Before I could set my thoughts straight, Hattie grabbed my hand and hugged me.
"Isn't it great, Ella? We're both getting married! And I'm marrying Charmont!" she whispered. I cringed at her use of his name. My mind was whirling with thoughts. This was all too complicated. I needed to find out what Queen Olga and King Rywan and everyone else were planning. And fast.
___
Author Note: Sorry it's a short chapter. Just another interlude until Char and Ella get together which WILL be next chapter (hopefully). If you haven't read the author note at the beginning of this chapter, please scroll up and read it. It answers some of the questions people had. If you have anymore, email or tell me in a review and I will be glad to answer them! Until the next chapter then!
Chapter Nine: Return to Kyrria
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?
Author Note: There were a few questions on the story in the reviews and I would like to answer them.
Frell vs. Kyrria – sorry for saying that Char is the prince of Frell or whatever mistake I did say on this topic; sometimes I am typing so fast it just pops up in my head and I type it out without thinking so I put Frell instead of Kyrria; I will try harder to remember Kyrria instead of Frell from now on
Dame Olga can marry and love another because Lucinda's spell was that Olga and Ella's father would love each other as long as they would live, so now that Ella's father is dead, Olga no longer has to love him (at least, that's my take on the spell thing)
This will be a Char-and-Ella story NO MATTER what happens. I cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye . . . and all that.
Hope I answered all of your questions! If you have anymore, feel free to ask me in a review or in an email! ^_^
Chapter Eight: Peace and Engagement
___
I was sitting in my private garden. The sun was hidden behind a mass of stormy gray clouds that threatened rain any minute. Terrance, my personal guard, kept insisting that we must go in, but I wanted to sit and enjoy the flowers. Even in the shadows of the clouds and under the cool puffs of wind, they still looked happy.
"Ella, we must go in," Terrance said as a drop of water hit his arm. He wore a dark blue tunic and breeches. A long sword was hooked to his belt. Daggers were hidden in his boots. He had dark brown hair and deep blue eyes. I looked up to him from the sea of flowers.
"All right," I answered. I stood up and smoothed the folds of my purple dress. We walked in silence up to my chamber.
"It's going to be all right. Hattie will not win. You have his heart," Terrance whispered. I shook my head. Over the past few months we had grown to be close friends. I had told him all most all of my history with Hattie, Char and my father.
"It's not. The messenger was sent last week with the proposition and Frell would do anything to have peace with Ayortha. Hattie will marry Char. And I will marry Prince Aaron on the solstice."
I sat down on my bed. I had let my ladies-in-waiting go for the day. I did not know how to act around them and they made me nervous. Terrance walked into the sitting room to the left to ask for some wine. I took the opportunity and slid my magic book out from under my pillow. I had checked it every time I could for the past week, hoping for something about Char and the marriage proposition.
After a story about a goose girl who's really a princess, I saw a letter in Char's handwriting. I eagerly read it.
___
Father, There has to be another way around this marriage. Could we not give them something like money for peace instead of my hand in marriage? And this is Princess Hattie, daughter of Queen Olga who used to be Dame Olga. You met her at the balls remember? Something's fishy here and I don't want to ally our kingdom with one that has always wanted to take it over so hastily. There has to be another way.
Char
___
A letter from his father was on the opposite page.
___
My son,
There would be nothing greater for me than to see you marry some one of your own choosing and for this war between Frell and Ayortha end peacefully and easily. But, life deals everyone a hand and whether it is bad or good, we must play it accordingly. I have deliberated upon this matter for a while now, and I think that it is the best way to bring peace. Ayortha has never before offered a way to make peace until now. We shall negotiate peace quickly for another war would cost Frell dreadfully. You would only have to marry Princess Hattie and afterwards send her to a remote castle if you want. I met her and she is a nice lady.
And as for the matter of Dame Olga becoming queen and so soon, I think that your stubbornness against this marriage of peace is making you think that. Try to accept it because it will happen whether you like it or not. I also have invited the Prince Aaron to join us in Frell for your wedding. He is betrothed to a lady in Ayortha and I offered to have them married here with you since Frell is so beautiful in summer. Be on your best behavior with the prince for the peace contract won't be final until your wedding vows are said.
His Majesty, the King of Kyrria
___
I silently read over the letters again. So it was true. Hattie was to marry Char. I was happy that Char did not want to marry Hattie. I would like to see her face when she is sent to a remote castle.
"Oh," I gasped as I realized something. The king had offered to have Aaron and I married in Frell with Char! That couldn't happen! He couldn't see me like that! He would find out everything.
Terrance walked back in that that moment. I didn't see him until he coughed for me to acknowledge his presence. I jumped and the book fell from my hands and thudded on the ground.
"Oh! You startled me!" I said hastily and picked up the book.
"Sorry," Terrance replied. "A page was just here. He gave me this for you. What does it say?"
Terrance handed me a sealed scroll. The wax imprint was that of Hattie's. It was a rose with a heart. I rolled my eyes. Hattie had taken every opportunity to write some one something and seal it with her crest to show that it was a princess who wrote it.
I broke the seal and unraveled the scroll. I was right. It was from Hattie. Though she was now a princess, her new princess lessons were not paying off. Her handwriting was still poor.
~
Ella,
My mother cam by a few minutes ago. Kyrria has finaly sent back an answer to our peace negotiations! You, Olive, and I are to go to the throne rom immediatly. Come at once.
Hattie ~
"Well? What does the evil step-sister have to say?" Terrance asked. I gave him the scroll and he read it quickly. "Still can't spell after all those weeks in princess lessons and regular academic lessons, I see."
"We better go. Last time, I was late for Hattie's princess tea party with her new friends and she ordered me to clip her tow nails. Ugh, it was horrible," I made a face. Queen Olga had not been there to oversee Hattie's doings, and since she listens to no one else save the king and prince, I had to do it.
Terrance followed me out of my chambers and down the hallway. Servants and maids and courtiers bowed and curtsied to me as I walked by. I did not like them to do that. It made me feel like I was Hattie and they had to bow or curtsy to me.
Finally, we arrived at the throne room. The two guards nodded to Terrance and me and we walked in. King Rywan and Queen Olga sat on their gold thrones. Prince Aaron was sitting on the steps before the thrones drinking a goblet of wine and watching Hattie try to make herself look regal. She wasn't successful. She just made herself look like a pinched horse, if there was such a thing. Olive was sitting on three purple cushions eating a piece of cake. The cake looked like Mandy had made. I missed Mandy a lot. She wasn't allowed to be with me anymore because to Queen Olga princesses and girls marrying princes couldn't tarry with mere cooks.
"Finally!" Hattie cried when she saw me. She shook her head. "I sent that note HOURS ago! We thought you got lost, AGAIN."
I blushed. The castle was so big that I had gotten lost. Quite a few times, actually. But, so had Hattie! She had no right to say those things to me!
"It's fine, Hattie," Queen Olga calmly said. She smiled at her new husband. "Rywan, let's tell them what Kyrria said about the peace negotiations."
"Yes," King Rywan answered. He looked at Hattie. "Hattie, they agreed that you shall marry Prince Charmont and we shall settle the war."
"Ah!" Hattie squealed excitedly. She jumped up and hopped up and down. "I knew it! I'm going to marry, Prince Charmont!"
My heart stopped for a second. It was like Hattie had come up to me and ripped my heart out and threw on the floor to stomp on it and break it into a million pieces and scatter them to the far ends of the world. I swallowed and looked at my feet which were hidden by skirts, but I didn't want anyone to see my tears.
King Rywan stood up and walked over to Hattie. He whispered into her ear for a minute and she nodded. Grinning, he motioned for a page to come forward. The page walked up and presented Hattie with a small red box. My breathing quickened.
Hattie gently opened the lid on the box. Her eyes grew large with happiness at the sight of what was in there. She reached in and pulled out a gold ring set with a diamond and small rubies and garnets on the outside. King Rywan took it and slid it onto her left ring finger.
"It's beautiful!" Hattie shouted. She admired the way the light hit the diamond and sent little rainbows on her fingers. My hands clenched together. She didn't deserve this! Why was she engaged to Char when I should be?
But, I couldn't marry Char. Not now. Not ever. And Hattie marrying Char would kill me.
"It's official then. You are engaged to Prince Charmont. We have settled on a wedding date for the solstice." Dame Olga stood up and went to hug her daughter. Hattie squealed again. Olive watched the diamond with interest and jealousy.
"The solstice?" I whispered to Terrance beside me. That was the same wedding date as Aaron and mine. He shrugged. Prince Aaron took my hand.
"And there is more good news!" Queen Olga exclaimed. She turned to me and Aaron. "To show the hospitality of Kyrria, the king and queen have offered to have you, Ella, and Aaron married with Prince Charmont and Hattie!"
"That's wonderful!" Aaron shouted. His grin grew even larger. I swear I saw something glint in his left eye. He kissed my cheek. "Isn't it, love?"
"I. . . I. . . I," I stammered. Nothing else would come out of my mouth. Aaron didn't seem to care though. He had his own agenda he was thinking about. Terrance looked worriedly at me.
I couldn't think. I had read that this might happen in the letter from the king in my book, but I never thought it would really happen! Why did Queen Olga want me to go to Kyrria to get married? Char would be there and he would see me and have second thoughts about the wedding!
Before I could set my thoughts straight, Hattie grabbed my hand and hugged me.
"Isn't it great, Ella? We're both getting married! And I'm marrying Charmont!" she whispered. I cringed at her use of his name. My mind was whirling with thoughts. This was all too complicated. I needed to find out what Queen Olga and King Rywan and everyone else were planning. And fast.
___
Author Note: Sorry it's a short chapter. Just another interlude until Char and Ella get together which WILL be next chapter (hopefully). If you haven't read the author note at the beginning of this chapter, please scroll up and read it. It answers some of the questions people had. If you have anymore, email or tell me in a review and I will be glad to answer them! Until the next chapter then!
Chapter Nine: Return to Kyrria