"Now," said Char, pulling away from our embrace. "Let's go inside! I want to announce to everyone about our engagement!"

Everyone! That meant Hattie, Olive, and Dame Olga! I felt sick at the thought.

"No, no, Char, we can't. I don't want my stepfamily to see," I pleaded. "They won't allow it."

Char peered curiously at me. "Why do you always listen to them?" he asked. "I doubt they're very kind to you."

"I don't know," I lied bitterly. How I wished I could tell him. Suddenly, the clock boomed inside. I jumped. "What time is it?"

"Eleven thirty," answered Char, still giving me a peculiar look. "It chimes on the half-hour as well."

"Oh," I said, relieved. I glanced toward the doors, wondering if I could manage to get away before Char tried to announce our engagement to everyone. Suddenly Char sat down heavily on the stone bench. I was left standing, clutching one of his hands.

"I still don't understand a few things," he said. "Why did you come to the ball masked? Why did you stop writing to me after that last letter?" He looked up and I saw there were tears in his eyes.

"I—my stepfamily told me to," I said desperately.

"Again with the stepfamily!" he said, jumping up. "What have they done to you to make you so obedient? They're horrid, Ella. Absolutely horrid."

"I'm so sorry Char. When I got that letter, I just wanted to ride to Ayortha and kiss you. I did. I came to this ball tonight to explain everything to you."

"Except you've explained nothing!" he said. I had never seen him angry before, and it scared me. There was a long silence; we both stared at the ground. "I'm sorry," he said after awhile. "Now that we will be married, it doesn't matter. I just can't tell you how relieved I am, Ella. I was so close to losing you."

"I know, I know," I said soothingly, wrapping my arms around him. God, how I loved him. To think I had almost broken things off with him!

"Let's go inside," he said, wiping his eyes. "I want to show you off to mother and father. They'd be so pleased. They'll love you."

"I—can't, please, Char!" I stuttered, but he tugged on my hand.

"Come."

An order. I followed along miserably.

As soon as the door was opened, Char was bombarded with dozens of female fans. He moved quickly through them and led me up the grand staircase the opened up into the ballroom. From the top, you could see the entire ballroom and halls beyond. The eager chattering of the crowd died down quickly when Char and I reached the top.

"I have come to announce that Ella, daughter of Sir Peter of Frell, will be my wife by the end of this year," he said, a huge smile on his face. There came a mixed reaction from the crowd; almost a collective angry hiss came from the girls, but hearty cheering came from several of the lesser noblemen, no doubt friends of Char.

Char took this all in stride. He turned to me, still grinning. I could only give a frightened grimace, for I had seen Hattie right at the front of the crowd, glowering. Soon after, Olive pushed through the crowd, a turkey leg in her hand. She stared, eyes round and dull like a cows. I gulped.

"Come," Char said, turning to me. "Let us go back to your manor and pack your things. You'll live with those horrid people no longer." He offered me his arm and we moved off down the Great Hall, leaving an astonished crowd behind us. As we moved off, I stole a glance at the clock. It was 11:45. I cursed silently, hoping the journey to Dame Olga's manor would be quick.

We arrived at the huge manor in one of the royal carriages; it made me smile to think of what guests who were leaving would think when they found their carriages parked next to a huge pumpkin. We left Char's attendants outside the manor and went in quietly, so as not to attract attention.

Mandy was just leaving the kitchen with a basket of dish towels. "Ella!" she cried, taking in my beautiful gown. "Prince Charmont!" she shrieked, as if she just noticed the handsome future king on my arm. "I don't know what to say!"

"Perhaps a congratulations is in order!" said Char. "We are engaged."

Mandy dropped the basket, an ecstatic smile on her face. "I don't...oh sweet, oh Charmont! I mean, Prince Charmont! Oh!" She attacked me, kissing and hugging and squeezing. While she was assaulting Char, I stole a glance at the huge grandfather clock that stood in the foyer. Five minutes until midnight!

"I can't believe you broke it!" said Mandy, glowing.

"Broke what?" asked Char, confused.

"You didn't tell him?" Mandy laughed, amazed. "Oh dear..."

"Mandy!" I said, suddenly. "Perhaps Char wants some tea?"

"No, I'm fine, really," Char protested. "I would like to just get both of you out of here and—"

"I insist!" I said, pulling Mandy out of the foyer and into the kitchen.

"Sweet, what were you doing at the ball?" asked Mandy. "And where did you get that dress?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth, there was a popping sound. Seconds later, I was standing in my servants' garb. Her face darkened. "You've been up to tricks with Lucinda," she growled.

"I had to go to the ball, Mandy. I didn't think you would understand." I went over to the sink and pumped some water into the kettle. "I couldn't leave things the way they were with Char."

"I would have understood, dear," said Mandy, taking the kettle from me and placing it on the stove. As she turned away, she accidentally knocked the kettle from its perch. "Oh, carrots! Catch it!" she said, almost reflexively. But it was an order to me. I leaped forward and dove on the ground, catching the heavy kettle in my outstretched hands and landing on the floor. Water sloshed out, all over me. As I stood up, Mandy was staring at me, aghast.

"You haven't broken the curse," she said, her voice shaking. I stood the kettle on the counter.

"Oh Mandy," I said, sighing. "I'm going to marry the prince."

"You are still cursed," she said, her voice steely. "You are putting yourself in danger. You are putting Char in danger. You are putting the entire kingdom in danger."

"Mandy, he told me to marry him."

"I can easily countermand that."

"Don't you dare!" I cried. "You can't make a decision like this for me."

"I know," she sighed. "But I hoped you would make the right one."

I said nothing. She strode toward the door but paused before going through.

"You can let yourself out. Have a lovely wedding."

She was gone before I could say anything. I sank to the floor, sobbing. Mandy was almost a mother to me! Her disapproval hurt me more than anything else. And now I wouldn't be able to tell Char of the curse. I had to deal with it on my own.

After I composed myself, I went into the drawing room where Char waited. "Where's Mandy?" he asked, a lovely grin still playing on his face. He was so sweet, so innocent.

"She's angry with me," I said stupidly.

"She didn't seem angry before!" he protested.

"Maybe I should pack before the others get home," I said, ignoring his exclamation.

"Uh yeah, good idea," he said. "I'll just wait here."

I was relieved. I didn't want him to see my quarters, where all the servants were.