I sat down on the stone bench, my hands folding primly in my lap. The night air was cool and the stars were bright; it cleared my head. Had I led a very different life, one where I wasn't cursed, I might have sat with Char on this very bench, his hands in mine. This was a night for romance, a night for lovers to walk in the gardens. A night for normal, uncursed people to proclaim their love.

I brushed a tear angrily from my cheek and strode to the glass doors. I peered inside. The line was dwindling down; apparently, Char had shaken off Hattie and had gone through almost all his other guests.

The servant saw me looking through the glass and quickly opened the doors. I managed a quiet "thank you" and hurried toward the line. I only had to wait a few minutes before getting back to the front; Char was receiving each guest with thinly veiled unenthusiasm and chilly politeness. I was relieved he knew the real agendas of all the girls in line.

Finally, it was my turn. The girl who had been in front of me grinned one last time at Char and swept away from him. I was disappointed to see how beautiful her face was, and how her hair cascaded down her back like a golden stream. As I moved toward Char, my heart thumping, I noticed a peculiar look on his face. Ah, he noticed her beauty as well? I silently cursed her, even though I knew this was unkind. I couldn't marry him anyway, and he might as well be happy with someone else. She might be a genuinely nice person.

I swept a low curtsy in front of him. He bowed before me. As he straightened, a beautiful brown curl fell across his eyes. He swept it away from his face with his large, square hand. How I could have kissed him in that moment.

"My lady," he said stiffly. I hated the formality in his voice.

"My lord," I repeated, trembling.

"I hope you have a wonderful time at the ball tonight," he intoned, without emotion. He bowed again and turned away.

"Char," I said, without thinking. He stopped in his tracks. I could see the muscles tensing in his neck. Suddenly, I felt like this wasn't a good idea. I began to hurry away but stopped quickly when I heard the next word he said.

"Ella," he whispered. "ELLA!" He began to run. I knew instantly I had made a horrible mistake. I picked up my skirts and began hurrying through the crowd, trying to reach the heavy doors and get into my carriage before he could catch me. I stopped before the Grand Staircase, realizing instantly I would never make it in time. I veered off to the right, rushing toward the poor little doorman who had let me out into the garden before. He jumped in alarm and threw the door open. I stopped, gasping for breath on the stone patio. My feet ached in their glass slippers.

Taking another deep breath, I started toward a stone path that would lead me through the gardens. Hopefully I could find a way back to the front of the castle, or hide until Char gave up.

However, when I tried to run again, I heard a command behind me.

"Stop!" I froze in place. It was Char's voice. "Look at me." I gulped and whirled around to face him. He stood in the doorway, breathing heavily and pushing his hair out of his eyes. The doorman peered behind him anxiously before Char shut the door, practically in the poor man's face.

"I'm not Ella," I said, my voice trembling. "I don't know what you're talking about, Prince Charmont." He stepped toward me, a sad look on his face. Suddenly he reached up and I flinched, thinking he might strike me.

"I won't hurt you," he said softly. "I just want to know..." He tugged on the strings of my mask until they came loose. The mask slid off my face and onto the stone ground. I kept my head lowered. We both looked at the mask for a minute longer.

"Are you married? Tell me the truth," he finally said.

"No," I said miserably.

"You could have told me, Ella," he said, his voice breaking. "You stopped writing to me after I sent that letter where I poured my heart out...Why did you let Hattie trick me? I got a letter from her saying that you had gone off, marrying an ancient rich man."

"I—I don't know what to say," I said, desperate to tell him the truth. "Char, I need to tell you something—"but I stopped, because my head began aching. And I suddenly knew why. My mother had commanded me never to tell anyone about the curse. I had not had anyone to countermand it. I could not tell Char. I almost screamed in fury. I was a fool, an idiot!"

"Do you love me?" he asked, his brown eyes wide. I wanted to kiss him, but I pulled away.

"I don't know," I sobbed.

"Do you love me? Tell me!" He took my hand.

"I do, I do," I was crying hysterically now.

"Marry me," he said. "Marry me, Ella. Say you'll marry me."

I gulped. My head swam, and I saw red spots. A command that I actually liked, but it could endanger Char. It could endanger the kingdom! But he looked so sweet and earnest sitting there, so expectant. I could never break his heart.

"I'll marry you," I whispered. The curse complaints stopped. He grabbed me and pulled me into an embrace, kissing me on the mouth. I melted, brimming with happiness, but something nagged me at the back of my mind. I was still cursed, but Char didn't know.

I can deal with this, I thought. I'll have Mandy countermand the curse, and Char will know. He'll protect me from Hattie or anyone else. I can handle this.

I hope.