Hey! OMG, this week has been so busy! First, it was exam week and I probably failed all my exams. Also, I have been setting up for the upcoming dance and I'm so tired. I had this chapter done but had no time to post it! So I'm so sorry!

Oh and yeah, I remembered the brothers, don't worry! LOL

Disclaimer: I do not own Ella Enchanted.

Enjoy and Review!

The beginning of the ball was worse than I had expected. I expected to dance with some ladies, drink and eat, and then maybe escape for a while. The lasses had other ideas.

After my entrance was announced, and I had wanted to kill the announcer, all the ladies made a line to meet me. Immediately, the masks flew off so I could see their classic noses or lovely eyes. And I thought it was to be a masked ball. I had hoped to wear one but Father forbidden it. At least I could have escaped and been hidden.

I talked politely, bowed politely, and everything was polite. I asked not one girl to dance. All of them had that high-pitched giggle, the one that made me want to cringe.

I saw my four brothers: Christopher, fifteen; Michael, fourteen; Tyler and Kyle, the twins and the youngest, thirteen. Christopher grinned at me and mouthed, "Good luck…" then he and my other brothers walked away, laughing. I wanted to strangle them.

Cecilia shot me a look and then danced with a partner. But she kept sending me glares every now and then. She was still mad at me; she thought I should go and find Ella. I couldn't; I had promised to myself I would try and forget her. Cecilia wasn't helping…

One lass, Lady Rebecca with blonde hair, said a joke. It wasn't the best or even close to the best one I have ever heard, but I laughed anyway. Lady Rebecca wasn't a high-pitched giggler; she was a kind, pretty lady. But I still didn't trust her. I had vowed never to trust another lady again.

Once, I felt someone watching me. I turned but I couldn't see anyone that wasn't looking at me. All the ladies would eye me and giggle that hated giggle.

Finally, the last girl in line bid me farewell. At least, I thought it was the last. Right after she left and before I could sigh with relief, another lady came up. I stiffened a groan. I bowed politely and she curtsied. When we both straightened, I studied her. She hadn't unmasked yet but I saw green eyes, I think. It was hard to see through the mask. Her hair was black and she was about my height. She had a beautiful gown on that matched her eyes, if her eyes were green.

I expected her to immediately introduce herself but I saw her watching me carefully. Was there sadness in those eyes? I decided not to think about it. "What's your name, Lady?" I smiled politely but I really wanted her to leave me so I could try and escape the ball.

"Lela," she replied.

We were both silent. I was surprised. Most ladies immediately would try and charm me but this lady didn't. Ella never acted differently to me because I was royal…I was a normal person to her. Ella never acted like all those ladies.

I cursed in my mind. Tonight I couldn't think about her. Tonight…I had to choose a bride. That last word made me feel a little sick.

"Do you live here, Lady Lela?" I asked, curious.

"In Bast, Highness," she replied.

I looked past her, half bored and half hoping to see Ella's face. "I hope you enjoy the ball and your stay in Frell."

Suddenly, she said something in Ayorthaian. I turned back to her, surprise in my eyes but also my attention captured. "You speak Ayorthaian!"

She smiled. "Not well. My uncle was born there. He's a singer. His voice can charm wood."

Replaced with my polite smile was a genuine happy grin. "I miss their songs. I was glad to leave but now I miss everything."

Lela then began to hum one of the songs, the one about a farmer and his family starving. I hummed with her softly. Heads turned to look at us and I wanted to grin. At last, I found a lady who wasn't a high-pitched giggler or a fraud!

After we finished, I bowed. "Would you favor me with a dance?" She nodded and, I swear, I think I saw her eyes shine with happiness.

She was different, like Ella. She had that unique thing about her that had drawn me to ask her to dance. Something told me Lady Lela wasn't like most ladies and I had learned to trust this feeling…

The second our hands touched, I glanced at her, surprised. It was as if our hands knew each other…

"Have we met before, Lady?"

Lela replied, "No, Highness, I have never left Bast my whole life, although I longed to see Frell my whole life."

I nodded but I still had a feeling I knew her but I couldn't tell through that mask of hers.

Suddenly, I had a memory.

Ella and I were dancing at her father's wedding…she had looked so beautiful…

We had found some glass slippers and she had tried them on. She then heard the music from below and began to twirl. I couldn't resist; I bowed and said the lady mustn't dance alone.

We held each other hands and my heart began to pound. I could only pray I didn't begin to sweat and have sweaty palms.

She was an excellent dancer; I was nervous on the other hand and, whenever I was nervous, I would sometimes talk. I named each dance but I knew she knew their names; if she could dance to them, wouldn't she? I wanted to kick myself; I was such an idiot.

But she didn't care. She would flash that magnificent smile of hers and my insides would melt and my heart was pounding so hard I was surprised she didn't hear it.

Her hair would fly in the soft wind and she would look like an angel; the way the sun reflected on her hair it created some sort of halo on her head…she was my angel.

Her hands…they were so soft and I never wanted to let go. I never wanted to let go of her; I always wanted to hold these beautiful hands.

Her eyes sparkled and I felt myself go light-headed. I could hardly breathe from just looking into those magnificent eyes. Her eyes had me in some trance, a trance I didn't want to leave. I could stare at her for hours, days. I wanted, needed, to be by her side the rest of my life. She was the one. Or so I thought.

She had deceived me and made me feel as like a fool. I thought she was mine, my angel. I thought she would love me and we would live like a fairy tale, live happily ever after.

How wrong I had been.

Lela and I have been dancing to a gavotte and when she twirled back to me, I snapped myself out of my thoughts.

It ended and Lela was smiling. "I love a gavotte," she stated and as she did, she touched her mask to make sure it was in place. I wondered what face hid behind the mask… "The rush, the sweep, the whoosh!"

It would have sounded ridiculous to someone else but to me, it sounded just like stair rails. I nodded back, eager to see if she liked to slide. Maybe there was another Ella in this world. A small bubble of hope bubbled inside of me. "It's the same with stair rails, the same feeling," I couldn't help it but my voice became eager. "Do you like to slide?"

A flicked of fear seemed to cross her eyes but it could have been my imagination. After all, her face was masked and there were only two small holes so maybe I had imagined it.

She sighed. "No, Majesty. I'm terrified of heights."

The bubble burst. No, Ella was one in a million. Who could ever have her grace, her smile, her eyes, her-

"Oh," I said politely, saying this because I felt as if I had to say something and to stop my mind from thinking of Ella.

If Ella were here, there wouldn't be any balls. We would be sliding down the banisters, ripping our attire and not even care. She is the only noble that I know of, besides the late Lady Eleanor and Cecilia, that slide down banisters and doesn't think of her dresses at all. If only she were by my side right now. If only she was here and was apologizing to me a million times for not wanting me. If only she didn't marry that old, rich man. If only if I got to her first. If only-

"Do you?" Lela's voice penetrated my thoughts.

I was confused. What? "Do I what?"

"Like to slide down banisters?"

Oh, that. "Oh, yes. I used to." I realized my past tense. The last times before I had gone to Ayortha was at home and with…Ella. What fun we had! The ride was such fun and I just say again! Catching her in my arms at the bottom made my heart pound faster and my pulse race at top speed.

"I wish I could enjoy it. This fear of heights is an affliction," Lela said sadly.

I nodded sympathetically but my thoughts were already drifting back to Ella and her eyes…

"Especially as I've grown taller."

That snapped me out of my thinking and I stared at her for a moment in surprise before I laughed. I hadn't expected that. I didn't laugh easily and the person I had laughed with the most was Ella. But Lela…maybe she could be almost like Ella. But maybe better. Lela wasn't a deceiver, at least I didn't know about.

The clock struck half after eleven. Even though I didn't want to, I knew I had to. "Half after the eleven! I have neglected my other guests!" Who cared? They were only after my crown. If I could have, I would have ignored them and avoid them. "Refreshments are in the next room, if you care to partake of them." I waved my hand archway. I don't know what happened but I found myself saying, "I'll look for you later."

She then left and I sighed and leaned against a wall, a small smile on my face as I stared at the huge doors where she had disappeared through. An almost Ella. Almost. But it was better than none. It was better than-

"Oh, Charmont!" A high-pitched voice made me jump away from the wall and my smile vanished from my face. Hattie came towards me with her large teeth. She grabbed my arm and practically dragged me to dance. "Come on, Charmont, let us dance! It will be fun!"

Being tortured by blood sucking trolls was fun compared to this. I winced a little at the thought of actually having to dance with her. That would make me have to…hold her. I think I was going to be sick.

But me, being polite, smiled politely. "As you wish, Lady Hattie."

She grinned even larger, if possible, and began to dance, stepping on my toes. I wanted to cringe in pain but I managed not to.

While Hattie chattered away, I couldn't help but look at the doors where Lela had disappeared through and smile that small smile again. Maybe the balls weren't going to be that bad if she came and relieved me from ladies like Hattie, only after the crown and riches.

I sighed and tried to pretend I was listening and not completely tune out.

And when the night finally ended and all my guests bid me farewell (Hattie's was the longest and most painful one) I went upstairs to my room.

There, I saw a figure at my door. I wanted to groan: Cecilia.

She smiled when she saw my worn out face and tired eyes. "Have fun?" She teased.

I could only sigh and she punched me lightly in the arm. I opened my room and she walked in before I could. I had hoped she would leave and I could sleep but I guess that wasn't going to happen.

She laid on my bed. I wanted to groan. "So…what happened, who did you dance with, and was Ella there?"

I answered as best as I could. "Danced and am worn out from it. I danced with Lady Hattie, Lady Olive by force," I then began to name all the other ladies I danced with. I ended with, "and Lady Lela of Bast. And, no, she wasn't there." It pained me Ella hadn't been there. I wished she had. At least I could fill my eyes with her and maybe fill my ears with her beautiful voice…

Cecilia began to study me with the same intense look like Ettime. I wanted to cringe again. "Lela…" she muttered. "Who is Lela?"

I cleared my throat. "Lady Lela of Bast is…well, from Bast…and, err, she is scared of heights…she likes to joke…err…um…her uncle is a singer in Ayortha. And…um…"

I realized how little I knew of her. I felt myself turn red. Cecilia watched me with that intense gaze again.

She arched one perfect eyebrow. "How did Lady Lela look? And Ella didn't come?" She frowned when she said Lela and then looked thoughtful when she said Ella. Wheels were turning in her head as she seemed to analyze those two names.

I looked away. "Err…she never unmasked."

Cecilia stopped thinking. "So, she could be a wench after your money? I wonder why she never took off her mask…what is she hiding?" Cecilia's face began to change. First, it was confusion and determination. Then, it became understanding. Then, a small smile.

She stood up slowly. "Char, I'm tired so I'll be going to bed. Goodnight."

She reached my door and turned back to me, her eyes slightly amused. "Just think a little about Lady Lela and why she conceals her face. Just think really hard, Char, and the answer might become clear…"

She left and I stared at the door in confusion. What had she just figured out? Was there something to even figure out? I shook my head, ridding myself of these thoughts. I then realized how tired I was and I laid on my bed.

My last thoughts were of Lela. Who was she? And could she replace Ella and my mend my broke heart? Could she?

Wow, that was sort of hard since it was just a re-written script. Anyways, review time!

Awaiting Impatient Person- LOL, I used the trumpets blare in chapter 4. Thanks!

Arwen Veancawen- Thanks! I feel really talented when I probably am the worst ever! LOL. And I read your story, I like!

sweet-strawberry692003- I can't wait for that part either! I love it! LOL! And thanks for loving this story so much!

Lillianna-Rose- LOL. I love the bouncy, it rocks! LOL. And UPDATE YOUR STORY! I NEED TO READ MORE! LOL.

KrazyKamaka-zGurl89- I felt that Char needed a little bad side…LOL. And you're the one who told me to keep going so thanks so much!

EllaFreak- LOL, yeah, I put the brothers up there somewhere. LOL. I think so too, that they would get along! And yeah, Cecilia is smart. Listen to her, Char! LOL.

Well, that's all for now! Okay, if I get 10 reviews today (June 5) I'll give you all the next chapter today! It's kind of short but…Lucinda's back and is going to try and help things along. LOL.

Now review please!