I updated! Even though I didn't hit 35 reviews, I got 34! That's still good! Anyways, here's the chapter and I hope you like it! Also, I am using everyone's suggestions! They are all amazing and thanks so much for them!

Disclaimer: I do not own Ella Enchanted.

We finally returned home. I sighed as I looked at Kyrria, the beautiful fields and land. The sun was setting and casting a beautiful glow on my land. The sky was different shades. Pink, purple, a little blue. It was beautiful and looked almost like a picture, as if an artist had drawn it.

The carriage stopped and I found myself looking at the palace. It had been a year since I had last seen it and it remained the same. I saw servants running around outside of the palace, running places, writing down notes. I wonder what was happening.

I strolled out of my carriage and immediately all the servants curtsied or bowed. I arched my hand in the royal custom and hurried inside. I was at the top of the royal staircase. Perfect for sliding down the stair rails. I looked around and sighed. Servants were everywhere and would probably tell mother or father what I was doing. They always did wonder why I rode down the stair rails.

I decided on walking like a prince would. But as I walked, I thought, 'I wonder if Ella would have liked to slide down this stair rail.' I almost groaned. I couldn't seem to forget this girl!

"Char!" I heard my mother's voice exclaim and I looked to the bottom where she was waiting, her arms extended for a hug. I think I stiffened slightly. There was something in her eyes…nervousness…

I embraced her. "Mother, my, the year felt as if it were eternal! I have missed you," I told her, smiling slightly.

Mother beamed. She held me at arm length to get a good look at me. "Char…you look exactly the same when you left!" I felt my heart crack at that.

I wanted to say, "No, mother, I have changed. I had my heart broken by the girl I knew who I was meant to be with." I didn't say this though. I kept silent.

Mother tilted her head. "You haven't grown an inch at all!"

I smiled. "So many things have happened, Mother." I debated whether or not to tell her about Ella. I decided to but I was interrupted by Father's booming voice.

"Char, how wonderful that you have returned!" He walked down the other staircase, since we had two, and he walked towards me with a happy grin on his face. I smiled slightly.

"Hello Father and it is wonderful to see you as well," I said.

Father frowned a little at my lack of enthusiasm but then grinned. "My son! Come, you must start preparing!"

I stared at him. "Prepare for what?"

My father laughed. He waggled a finger in my face. "Now, Char, don't go and pretend that you didn't know you have the first ball tonight!" I think my heart literally stopped. My knees felt like jelly and then my heart began to pound heavily and I found myself sweating a little.

"The…ball? Tonight?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly.

My father laughed that booming laugh of his. "Char, don't tell me you are scared of choosing a bride! You face ogres and you seem more scared now than ever! Go, go on now and get changed! The tailor will find something for you to wear!" He waved his hand in dismissal, as if I were a servant. I felt my anger boil.

"Father, I will not go," I said quietly but firmly.

Father looked at me startled. "By God, yes you will! We have already invited the guests and the guest of honor must be at his own balls!"

I repeated firmly, "I'm not going."

My father's face turned red. "Charmont…" he was using my full name, "…you will go to the balls as told or face severe consequences."

I laughed a little. What got into me? I was never this cruel and certainly never defied my father, the king of Kyrria. But right now, he was my equal.

I began to circle him, watching him. "And what will you do if I don't? Hang me?" I laughed a little bit again.

Father's face got redder, if that was possible. Mother looked worried and scared. And me? I was too furious to care that I was in deep water.

Father was about to speak when I heard a voice, "Char? Char!" Mother, Father, and I all turned and saw Cecilia run down the stairs to see me, her curly brown her flying. Her deep brown eyes brightened when she saw all of us but dimmed a little when she noticed all our expressions. "Who died?" She asked as she gave me a hug.

I chuckled. Cecilia had always been making me laugh. Father yelled, "Charmont, this is not a laughing matter!"

Cecilia's smile froze into place and her eyes widened in fear. She took a step away from Father, glancing at me warily.

Father noticed her backing away and his expression softened. "Forgive me, daughter, it is just that your thick headed brother is thinking of skipping the balls! Outrageous!"

Cecilia raised an eyebrow at me and said quietly to my father, "Father…May I speak to Char only?"

Father snorted but waved his hand. "Do what you must, just get through to him!"

I was about to yell back when Cecilia tugged on my arm and yanked me to her room. I then sat on her couch. She was watching me carefully. "What?" I asked, confused. I thought Cecilia had rescued me from father but now I just was facing her.

Cecilia put her hands on her hips. "What was with that yelling and screaming downstairs? And why aren't you going to the balls?"

I muttered, looking away, "I have my reasons."

Cecilia smiled. "Pray do tell."

I sighed. "Cecilia, do we have to talk about it?"

Her eyes twinkled. "Yes."

There was no escaping her and her interrogating. When Cecilia wanted to know something, it was better just to tell her.

I sighed again. Cecilia frowned. "Stop sighing, Your Highness," she said sarcastically.

I wanted to laugh but I didn't. I looked at my hands and then said slowly, "Cecilia…have you ever been in love?"

Cecilia looked startled. "Well, err, um…no, I can't say I have. Why are you asking anyway?"

I loved away. "No reason."

Cecilia wasn't dumb. She frowned. "Char…have you ever been in love?"

I wanted to run out of the room and dodge the question. But I knew Cecilia would hunt me down and demand that I tell her and wouldn't be very ladylike about it.

I looked at my hands again. "Yes…" I whispered.

Cecilia's manner changed. She softened and dropped herself to her knees and stared right into my eyes. "With whom?" She asked softly, her eyes curious. "And what have they done to my brother?"

I jumped up, startling her. "Cecilia, just drop it!" I said, my voice rising.

Cecilia stared at me with teary eyes. I instantly regretted my tone of voice. "Cecilia, I'm sorry…"

Cecilia waved my apology away. "No, Char, let's just…drop it." She wiped her eyes and sniffed a little. Then she stared me dead in the eye. "But whoever this girl is, I'm going to hurt her! You were never this mean before and look what she made you become! I hate her and I don't even know her!"

I sighed. She was going to make me feel guilty. "All right, Cecilia, I'll tell you. And she is not to blame. It's my own fault."

Cecilia stared at me. "So who's the girl?" She finally asked.

I looked out the window. "Ella…"It pained me to even say her name.

Cecilia scrunched her forehead in confusion. "Who?"

I said softly, "Eleanor of Frell….the daughter of the late Lady Eleanor."

At that, Cecilia softened again. "Lady Eleanor was very nice and kind. Remember how she use to sneak us candy?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice. Cecilia continued, "She use to slide down the stair rails with us. I remember when we first went down…I was so scared but she caught me at the bottom and we kept doing it again and again. I tore that dress. I was happy because I had hated it."

I laughed a bit. Cecilia smiled. "Now there is my big brother," she said, laughing softly.

I then looked at Cecilia in the eye. She was beautiful and I knew that some man would fall in love with her and she would fall in love also. Would she live happily ever after or will she have her heart shattered like me?

"Cecilia…" I said. "…I'm going to tell you what happened.

"When Lady Eleanor died, I attended the funeral. When it was time for the casket to be closed, a girl went to close it. She was so beautiful. Well, she burst into tears and ran from the casket crying. I followed and found her in a weeping willow, crying. I decided to wait outside and looked at the tombstone and saw our cousin's. When she came out, I told her I hadn't liked my cousin but I had liked her mother. We walked back together and then we met up with her father, Sir Peter of Frell," Cecilia snorted, an obvious sound of disgust and disapproval. "Well, while Ella­­­­­—she told me to call her that—was getting into the carriage, she ripped her dress! Of course, I laughed," Cecilia was laughing right now, laughing very hard. "And then they left. I saw her again at the menagerie, trying to fee a centaur with a piece if cheese. So I gave her an apple to feed the animal. I gave her one too and then she did the most amazing thing." I held my breath, remembering.

Cecilia was impatient. "What did she do?"

I smiled. "She acted like…like a centaur. The same manner it would have acted."

Cecilia frowned. "Um…interesting…"

I could tell that my younger sister thought Ella was weird. I shook my head. "Cecilia, Ella isn't weird. She was merely wanting me to laugh."

Cecilia responded, sitting on the couch next to me, "I didn't say she was weird."

"You were thinking it."

"How do you know what I think and do not think?"

I held up my hands, laughing. "All right, sister, all right. You win this round."

Cecilia smiled. "Good. Now, go on. Ella imitated a centaur. What happened next?" She was intrigued with Ella, I could tell.

I told her about Ella going to finishing school and Cecilia wrinkled her nose. She said she would be devastated if she was forced to go. I smiled, knowing father, that he would make her go. My sister was stubborn but didn't disagree with my parents.

I then continued and told Cecilia about the ogres and how Ella used their magic against them. She laughed. "That's great! So next time I'm captured by ogres, I'll want Ella by my side!"

I pretended to be offended. "What of your eldest brother?"

Cecilia laughed. "And what protection will he offer? Little, I can say. If he couldn't defend himself against ogres and needed a lady's help, then I fear I wouldn't want you as an escort."

We both laughed. It felt good to laugh, after all this pain. I told her about the wedding of her father's and she snorted, saying he was marrying for money. I shrugged, not really sure why he married so soon after the death of his wife.

Continuing, I told Cecilia of us sliding down the stair rails and her new family observing this. Cecilia laughed at the thought.

I told her about the letters we sent and Cecilia smiled at the phrase Ella used in once of her letters. " 'People who blames everyone but themselves and people who blame only themselves,'" Cecilia quoted. She grinned. "Ella seems really smart. That is true. So many people are in those categories. But which is she in?"

I grinned. "She placed herself in the third category, people who know where blame really lies."

Cecilia laughed. "Ha, she is smart!" She waved her hand anxiously. "Go on now. This story had just gotten interesting."

I grinned and told her about the fluke that I had given her years ago. She laughed and then began to ponder where the fluke was. I laughed. She had so desperately wanted it and then she lost it? The mere thought sent me into laughter again.

Then, after gulping, I told her about the letter I sent to Ella, the one confessing my love. I was able to recite every single word and Cecilia listened carefully, leaning forward and waiting for the next word, on the edge of her seat.

I didn't want to continue but Cecilia's gaze made me go on. I told her about Hattie sending me a letter telling me Ella eloped.

I was surprised when Cecilia leaned back and waved her hand disgustedly. "Bah. That Hattie is a trickster and should not be taken seriously. I was walking in the gardens, minding my business when she interrupts my walk and then chatters away with those extremely large teeth of hers. She kept asking about you and I politely told her small things, nothing to personal. I almost called her Lady Rabbit!" I laughed. Cecilia smiled but her eyes were serious. "Char…don't listen to Hattie. That girl wouldn't know the difference between…a rabbit and a beaver!" That set me off in laughter again. Cecilia frowned. "Char, I am trying to tell you something and you're laughing. Pay attention! After your description of Ella, I can tell you this: she doesn't seem the type to do such a thing. And I know many types."

I hung my head. "Cecilia, there was a note…written in Ella's own handwriting and sounded just like her!"

Cecilia shook her head. "Char, Hattie could have made Ella write that letter. Look how eager that lady is to marry you! She is so desperate, it is sad!" She took my hand and squeezed it. "Char, no one couldn't love you. Your…you!" I smiled at that comment. "Even Ella couldn't refuse royalty! Well, maybe…but there must be a reason why she wrote it! Married to an old gentlemen? Right after you propose? I highly doubt it. There is some sort of…plan or trick behind this. Someone is trying to make you hate Ella and I can bet you anything it is that horrible wench, Hattie."

She stared me in the eyes and I wanted to look away but I managed to look her right back in the eyes. Sometimes, Cecilia had an edge to herself that you didn't want to trigger.

She smiled. "Just think of what I said." She then left quietly.

I stayed seated, pondering. Was what Cecilia say was right? Could Ella never betray me like this? But the note…

It could be a trick. That is what I had first thought. But…maybe it was true.

I sighed and walked to the large window that faced the beautiful gardens with their beautiful roses. I had always wanted to take Ella here; she would have loved it. But I never had had my chance.

To the left was a maze. Ella would have had so much fun trying to figure the way out! I could even see her determination to find the exit or make her own by going through the tall bushes that made the maze. Of course, she would prick herself on a rose but I knew she wouldn't care.

Darn, I thought I promised myself to stop thinking of her. I sighed again. Today seemed like a sighing day, I suppose.

I wanted to go to Ella's manor and demanded to see her, demand to know if it was the truth. But I couldn't do that. Hattie would probably attack me before I had a change to open my mouth. I shuddered being near her and her large teeth.

I sighed and sat on the bench, since this was a window seat. I watched my land. It was so beautiful; so peaceful. The sun was setting and cast a beautiful glow on my land. Workers were returning home to their families and I could practically see the smile on their faces. My people's faces.

I then stood. I knew what I had to do.

I went downstairs and found my father. I cleared my throat and he turned to look at me. "Yes?"

I looked him right in the eye. Most people are scared of my father with his piercing eyes and hard gaze but he wasn't cruel or mean, as they might think. Only to ogres. "Father, I have come to a decision," I saw Mother come in with Cecilia out of the corner of my eye. "I…I will attend these balls you have planned and choose my bride from among them."

Father looked glad. He turned to Cecilia, who stepped forward. "Daughter, I thank you for talking back sense in my son." Cecilia only smiled and gave me a look. I don't think she wanted me to go to theses balls.

Mother looked at me wither sad eyes but smiled slightly. I gave her a cold look. I felt betrayed by the two women I loved the most in my life. Ella and Mother.

I nodded at Father and said softly, "I shall prepare for tonight."

My mother looked at my face and her face fell. She averted her eyes to the floor and I walked past her, my shoulder brushing against hers. I didn't even glance at her.

I walked to my room and right when I put my hand on the doorknob, a voice stopped me softly. "So you're going to the balls."

I didn't have to turn around; I knew it was Cecilia. I turned and faced her. "Yes. It is my duty and I must for my people. It…is…my…duty," the words seemed forced out.

Cecilia's eyes narrowed. "Char, I know this isn't what you want! You want Ella and you should-"

I interrupted her angrily, "Cecilia, she doesn't want me! I am unwanted! She told me she married someone else and that's that! She doesn't want me! Now, because of that, because she doesn't want me, I have to go to these balls and choose someone I do not love to be my wife! Of course I don't want it, I wanted Ella! But you always don't get what you wanted!"

Cecilia drew in her breath sharply. But instead of her usual teary face was a stone-face. She backed away, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Char…whatever happened to you, I can tell you're hurt. I can tell you wanted her but she turned you down. If she can't see what she is missing by not choosing you, then she doesn't deserve you!" She then lifted her chin. "But you keep acting like this…then you deserve no one but…but Hattie!"

I snapped my head to look at her sharply and say something but she was already walking away. "Just because you're hurting, doesn't mean you should yell at people trying to help you!" I barely heard her last words but I did and they stung me.

I sighed and walked into my room. Everything was just as it was a year ago. My bed was perfectly made; not even the slightly crease as if no one had slept in it. Everything was perfect as if no one had ever stepped foot in this room. I walked to my bed and then fell backwards on it. I made a indent where I had fallen and messed up all this perfection. Everyone might have thought being a prince meant being perfect. Perfect life, perfect room…perfect wife.

I had had everything perfect, better than anyone else's life, I suppose. But then I met Ella and thought maybe I did have the perfect life. I had finally found the perfect girl…

But then Ella turned me down for an old, rich man. I thought I could have anything I wanted! But, no, I didn't get the girl I wanted! Ella had been so perfect…no, the fraud Ella had been perfect. The real Ella was just like…like all those other girls who were only after my crown! Sometimes I hated being prince. You could never tell which were liars and which were for real.

I felt something course down my cheek and I wiped at it and found my finger wet. I knew it was a tear. But me, the prince of all Kyrria…crying over a girl who betrayed me and my trust?

I hurled one of my blue pillows at the window. Why? Why? That was the word running through my head. Why Ella? Why? I loved you. You could have lived as a princess. You would everything! Riches, jewels…anything! Just name it and I would get it for you, no matter what! But she didn't want me. I never felt so…unwanted. I was always wanted by everyone. Especially girls. Even at an early age they use to chase me.

Once, while walking around the village with my father, a dozen girls began to charge at me. I was but eight years old so of course I got scared and ran back into the carriage and refused to come out. Later, father explained to me why. He said most of them might have fallen in love or, he said while laughing, they were after my crown and were sent by their mothers to chase it.

Mother scolded Father for saying this but I found it to be true. A servant girl, Amelia, once use to come outside and play with me when I was ten. She kept asking me who I would marry until I asked her why did she want to know so badly.

She had smiled and said, "Mother says if I marry you, I can be a princess and be rich."

I had been shocked and asked if that was all she would marry me for, for my crown. She looked confused. "Doesn't everyone?"

She and her mother had been reassigned somewhere else, far from Frell. But I still felt the sting of her words. They only wanted to marry me because of my crown…

A knock filled my room and interrupted my thinking. I thought it was Cecilia so I called for the person to come in and I stayed seated on my bed.

Someone walked in, stopped and then continued walking to my bed. Then I saw the royal dress of…mother's. I didn't look up. "Hello, mother," I said stiffly.

Mother sat down on my bed and put her hand on my knee. I then looked into her eyes and saw sadness. "Char…I am sorry about the balls. But…you must marry and you know that. You need a queen and a heir to the crown. We don't want to put you in this situation but we must, Char. We expected you to find someone you loved by now. But…you haven't. You understand, honey, right?"

How wrong was she. I had found love. But my affections weren't returned. I debated whether or not I should tell her but decided not to.

I stiffened. "Yes, mother. I understand. I understand why you wish to force me into wedlock. Oh, don't worry, I'll be perfectly fine. As long as you get the heir for the throne and a wife for me, everything will be perfectly fine!" I said sarcastically.

Mother frowned. "Char, son, please understand…"

I laughed bitterly. "Of course, mother. I told you, I understand. It is for the good of Kyrria, the good for the royal family, it is good for you. It is good for everyone but me."

Mother stood up and removed her hand from my knee. "Char, I am sorry. But we must. Please, get changed. And dress nicely, please." She left and I felt a pang of guilt. I hadn't meant to act so rudely to her. I was just…hurt that she would do this.

I sighed and changed into royal attire. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw a face so full of…sadness. I put a polite smile on but my eyes still held that sadness.

I heard trumpets blare and I knew it was time. I straightened my white vest with its gold threads at the edges. I stared at the sad boy in the mirror. I would leave him here and I would pretend to enjoy myself.

I then walked out of my room, trying to forget the sadness in my eyes that I had seen in my reflection. I only could hope that I managed to erase the sadness and replaced it with a fake pleasure. If only I could erase my feelings that were in my heart, they ones that told me I still loved Ella. If only…

I hope you all liked it!! Can I please get 15 more reviews before the next chapter? Please?

And this story might range from 8 chapters to 14 chapters.

Review time!

sweet-strawberry692003- cool, Canada? I went there for vacation. Pretty cool. And yes, I'm doing the balls and the manor!

Lillianna-Rose- LOL, bouncy, bouncy...LOL! Yup, doing all 3 balls! And who said it would be happy? Mwhaaa!! LOL! Yeah, I just thought Char needed a younger friend to talk to, kind of. Oh and update your story or else!! LOL

Lady Emma- Thanks! This chapter is on your suggestion! Thanks so much for it! But a very good idea! Thank you!

KrazyKamaka-zGurl89- Thanks! I'm doing your first suggestion a little later, though, but I did do that he was thinking about going to the manor! Thanks for both suggestions! You're the one who told me this should be more than a one-shot! Thanks for the comments! A great story AND I update soon? Hm, might have to hold up on the update thing. I have to update my other Ella Enchanted story soon. But thanks for the comments! And yeah...robots...uh...LOL, mess up! LOL, thanks for correcting me there, I have no sense of history! LOL

muse of the stars- Thank you! I just thought Ettime sounded like a cute little girl and who could help Char a bit. Thanks and I love your stories, update soon!

Gayle- No problem. LOL, I am now! LOL

Arwen Veancawen- Thanks! I love trying to type character's feeling because without them, the story will suck really bad. That's my main problem, trying to get their feelings to show but not so much that it seems that they don't like to keep their emotions private and i don't feel like spending a whole page all on one emotion. And this story might range from 8 to 14 chapters! Oh yeah! LOL. And I will read your story if you post it, I promise!

princessofhearts- I don't think it is either but MicroSoft Word 2000 didn't say it wasn't so I hope my computer isn't going dumb or something...LOL

cutie20- Emotions are the hardest things to do. You have to know when to add them and when you can't have so much, it overwhelms the reader. That's my main problem: trying not to go overobard with the emotions and not going so little descripition of the emotions. But thanks so much! And yup, I'm going to the end of the book! Whoohoo! LOL

Okay I'm sorry that I didn't do all of you, I'm just really busy and you all want to review already, don't you? LOL, that's my dream.

Okay...PLEASE REVIEW! PLEASE! LOL! REVIEW PLEASE!