When Char and I arrived at the castle, it was silent. Evidently, the ball had ended and all of the disappointed maidens had returned home. He led me up the huge stone steps and into the Great Hall after asking the footmen to take my lone trunk up to a guest room.
Inside the Hall, the lights were low. Only small candles sat in their brackets along the stone walls.
"Please hurry, Ella," said Char. "I want to talk to mother and father before they retire."
I stopped in my tracks, thankful that Char hadn't issued on order. The King and Queen! I looked down at my servants' garb. Char hadn't notice; he was too excited and happily smiling at my face the whole ride to the castle. But the Queen was sure to notice, and then there would be questions and the truth would come out—
"Ella?" Char asked, peering at me in the low light. "Are you all right?"
"Char, may I just go to bed? It's been such an eventful night. I think I need some rest."
"But I hoped..." he started, but seeing the pained look on my face, he stopped. "You're right. We'll have breakfast with them tomorrow and they can finally meet you."
I breathed a little easier as he led me to my room. He kissed me goodnight outside the bedroom door—a chaste kiss, however. The servants were watching.
The next morning as two of the servants were tugging hard at the laces on my corset and curling my hair, a knock came on the bedroom door. A smartly dressed young man came in and handed me a piece of parchment.
"It arrived at the gate this morning, madam," he said. After taking my leave, he left quickly. I quickly pulled the piece of paper from the envelope and immediately the overpowering scent of roses and violets flew to my nose. I coughed. It smelled as though the letter were doused in perfume.
I suddenly grew nervous. What could be in the letter? However, the servants were watching me curiously, so I opened it up and began to read.
Dear Ella,
I am soo happy for your engagement to Prince Charmont, but I am desolate that you have left us. The girls and I have decided we must remain a family (your father would command it if he knew of your marriage). So you will tell Char that Hattie, Olive, and I will move into the castle next Friday.
Love,
Mum Olga
I was furious with myself for my foolishness. Hattie, Olive, and Dame Olga moving into the castle? Horrible, wretched...
I seethed silently, slowly tearing the letter to bits. The servants exchanged troubled glances.