I'm so sorry for not updating sooner! But, I've been very busy! Okay, I had basketball, was sick, and grounded! Sorry! I'll try and keep my word about updating now, I promise!

OH! And I watched a really good movie called La Femme Musketeer and it rocks! It comes out on DVD on July 20th, unfortunately. But trust me, it rocks!

Okay, I'll shut up and let you all read this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ella Enchanted

Enjoy!

The final and last ball. Finally. I couldn't have been happier.

As stupid as it may sound, I practiced asking Lela the question. When I believed to be ready, I left my room.

On my way downstairs, Cecilia tossed me a grin and said, "Well, only one more day of torture and you are free!"

I laughed. I was finally going to be done these wretched balls!

I didn't wait inside. Instead, I went outside and waited on the top of the stairs, shivering a bit as the cold air blew against me. Tonight was when I would ask Lela the question, the question that would either heal most of my broken heart or completely destroy it.

I waited a bit longer, shivering in the cold. Some people asked if I wanted to come inside but I merely told them I was waiting for a friend. Some ladies glared angrily at the road, as if daring the carriage to ride up. I wondered if I should give Lela a guard to defend her from these angry ladies.

When Hattie came, she was about to grab my arm and yank me into the castle, forcing me to dance with her, I could only imagine. I moved away, saying I was waiting for Lela. Hattie's whole face turned red with anger and she glared angrily at the road. She left, with her mother, who shot me fake smiles and compliments. I just nodded politely and kept saying thank you.

Olive just glanced at me and then looked around, her eyes looking bored, her expression blank.

I began to fidget. Soon, Father would make me come inside, with or without Lady Lela.

Right then, an orange carriage pulled up. Never have a I seen an orange carriage. But then I saw Lela's masked face in the window and I rushed down to help her out of the carriage before the coachman could.

The clock struck half after eight. The ball was going to begin.

I bowed immediately and rose with a smile. "You are looking splendid." And she did. Her gown was beautiful. Even though she wore a mask, I could tell there was a beautiful face beneath the mask. I just knew there was.

I held out my arm and she took it. We walked inside and I turned to her. "Your carriage is an unusual color."

She replied, "Not in Bast." I have never been to Bast, as strange as it is. A future ruler hasn't gone there. Maybe this was why Lela hid her face. Perhaps she did not understand you could remove your mask. I thought she would after all the other ladies had but she remained hidden behind the mask.

"May I visit you there?" I asked.

Lela nodded. "Bast would be honored." This wasn't the answer I had expected. I expected her to either say she would be delighted or that she wished that I didn't.

"And you?" My curiosity took over and I asked the question without really knowing I had. When I did realized I had asked her this, I wanted to kick myself. Think before talking, Char! Ugh!

Lela smiled. "I'd be honored to."

I felt my heart pound. "If I'm going to visit your family, you should meet mine."

"I'll be delighted, someday," Lela responded.

"Now is a good time. They're nearby; you're nearby." Of course they were nearby, they were hosting the balls! I dug my heel in my toe.

Lela looked stunned, I think. It was hard to tell through her mask. "Now? King Jerrold?"

Most people were frightened by my father. I chuckled. It was kind of funny. People scared of my father? Hard to imagine there was something to fear. Except for ogres. Be glad you are not an ogre if my father captures you. He shows no mercy. "That's who my father is."

"But…" Lela said, not knowing what to say.

"He's kind to everyone except ogres. You needn't worry," I reassured her. I began to walk where my mother and father were and Lela followed.

Father rose when he saw us. Lela curtsied and I was sure I saw a blush. I also knew it was from her wearing a mask. I frowned. I hoped Father would not say anything.

While Lela was curtseying, Father beamed at me. Mother was smiling as well.

"Mother, Father, may I introduce Lady Lela, my new friend and acquaintance from Bast, where the carriages are orange," I said. Why did I mention the carriages? I can be a dolt sometimes. Actually, a lot of times. I could only pray Lela did not think so.

"Lady Lela," Father said in his deep, round voice. "Welcome to Frell."

Mother embraced Lela. "Most welcome. I've long waited to meet the maiden my son loves."

Oh Lord. Did Mother have to say that? Did she? Yes, of course she did. It was just a motherly thing to say. But the truth was, as I did love Lela, not as much as I loved Ella. And Mother never met Ella. So she would never known I had loved a girl as strongly as I loved Ella.

"I don't love her, Mother," What was I saying? Lela now probably felt that I hated her. I quickly tried to fix my mistake. "That is, I like her, certainly ."

Mother held Lela arm length away from me, searching her face. I hope Lela did not feel as if Mother was invading her privacy. "I can't tell through the mask, but you remind me of a lady I admired. She had the most playful spirit I ever knew," Was Mother talking about the late Lady Eleanor, Ella's mother? Mother then whispered something in Lela's ear and I only caught my name. I suppressed a groan. Mother was talking about me to Lela. I wondered what she had said. Hopefully, nothing too embarrassing. But then again, she is my mother…

"Lady Lela is proof I haven't been polite and distant to everyone," I declared. It was true. To every other guest, I was polite and distant but not to Lela.

"Excellent proof," Father said. "Bring along some more proof and we'll be convinced." Father frowned at Lela's mask. Oh, Lord, please do not say anything about it, Father.

"We should return to my guest," I said hastily, wanting to get Lela as far away from my parents as possible.

As we left, though, I heard Mother remark, "I don't remember any orange carriages in Bast."

What? Lela told me herself there were! Never mind, Mother was probably mistaken.

But I couldn't help but feel as though Lady Lela of Bast was hiding something from me.

In the hall, I turned to Lela. "May you save me dance later?" I asked, hoping she wouldn't feel offended that I left. I had to leave and be nice to my other guests. But I wanted to spend the rest of the ball with her. She was so close to Ella, so close, it drew me closer to her, wanting to be next to her, never wanting to part… "Just now, I'd better be polite and distant some more."

Something changed in her eyes, I think. Something…pleading. Wanting. Sadness. Pain. But it was all gone as fast as it had appeared. Lela nodded with a small smile. Was…was it my imagination or was that a forced smile?

I left and danced with many ladies, all trying to make me fall in love with them. I would never fall in love as I had with Ella ever again. Never again. I swore to myself that. I may love but never as much as I loved Ella.

Lady Rebecca smiled and tilted her head, causing strands of blond hair to fall over her shoulder. She was beautiful but never and not close to what Ella had been. "Am I boring you, Your Majesty?" She lightly teased.

I laughed but, even to me, the laugh sounded force. Lady Rebecca must have sensed this because her eyes dimmed and her smile slowly faded. She must have realized that not matter how much coaxing, I would never fall for another trick, never fall for one of those tricks, those spells. Never again would I be so fooled.

Over Rebecca's shoulder, I saw Hattie confronting Lela. And it didn't seem as Lela was enjoying this much. Lela wasn't wearing a smile; she looked a bit tired and bored. I wish this dance would finish so I could be by her side again…

I saw surprise come on Lela's face but it was quickly gone. What had Hattie said? What?

The dance finally ended and I hastily bowed and left to go to Lela. Lela was walking away from Hattie.

"Lela, there you are!" I said. Lela looked at me shocked; Hattie only smiled sweetly at me and glared at Lela.

I could care less of Hattie; I was finally able to dance with Lela, the only girl besides Ella I could talk to and…and someone I knew I had begun to fall in love with. Yes. I really thought I was falling in love. Ella had bewitched me into loving her. But Lela would never do such a thing as fooling me. Would she? Of course not!

"Now dance with me," I said. I needed her. After Ella left me with this broken heart, I desperately needed it mended. I needed Lela to mend it. No other lady could do it. "Your prince commands you to. I want to spend the rest of the ball with you." And I truthfully did. I needed to ask Lela the question and…and I needed her to say yes. I must, I had to, make her fall in love for me as I had for her. Hopefully, she would accept me and not reject me as another minx had.

I turned to Hattie, who had her clenched fists and was glaring angrily at Lela. I bowed. "Excuse us."

Lela curtsied politely and we left to dance. But I glanced back at Hattie who was glaring daggers at Lela. And in her eyes, they said she would have her revenge on Lela.

"They are all asking about you," I said to Lela, pulling her closer as the dance required. Lela raised an eyebrow and looked curious. "They ask 'Who is this mysterious stranger?'"

It was true. That was all I heard in hushed whispers as every eye was on Lela.

"The maiden who wears a mask," Lela replied. I was startled. Was she surprised people were talking behind her back? Or angry? Would she leave? I felt my heart beat quicken. She mustn't!

"Why…" I was going to ask her why did she wear a mask but I caught myself. I changed the topic to court affairs, a safe topic.

Lela didn't seem to pay attention. While I talked, although I had no clue what I was saying, I could have been saying we were all going to be blown up tomorrow and I didn't know. I just filled my eyes with her. I knew she would mend most of my broken heart. I just knew it! She had to be the one who could.

Suddenly, a tear coursed down her cheek. I was startled. Was she crying because people spoke of her? "Lela, I am so sorry!" And I was. I'm the one who told her. Idiot! Dolt!

Lela replied, "Why? What were you saying? I'm the one to apologize. I wasn't listening. I was thinking how sad I'll be to leave Frell." She laughed a little but it wasn't happy at all. "No more balls every night."

Was she saying she could never return? I was going to give myself a heart attack, I was sure of it. "But you can come back, can't you?" Yes, yes, yes, yes…

"I suppose," my heart slowed down when she said that. She continued, "But it won't be the same. You can never go back to a moment when you were happy."

I thought of that. It was true. I was so happy with Ella but when I returned to spots where we had been together, it wasn't the same.

"That's true," I replied. She didn't know how true that was to me. The dance ended. "Would you like to go outside? Every time the musicians start up, I'm reminded of all the maidens with whom I should be dancing."

She agreed and we quickly left but not before Lela received some glares from some ladies. Thank God, Lela didn't see them.

We strode through the castle gardens. It was where I wanted to be with Ella. I knew she would have loved everything. And I would have showed her the garden maze that was simply beautiful with roses inside and a fountain in the middle with a stone bench.

I asked Lela about Frell, whether she visited this or that.

The air was fresh and the moon was beautiful, shining down on us. The clock ticked away until it was half after eleven. I knew Mother would start looking for me.

"That's enough," I said. "I can face them again." Actually, no I couldn't.

We danced inside again. "Soon it will be time for me to sing. After that, I will be either surrounded by worshiping music lovers or be shunned by all."

I wondered if the maidens would still like to marry me if they heard me sing. Hmm…

"Surrounded," Lela said. "And I would never shun you."

"I wonder. You may shun me if you know the truth." I was going to say the truth. I never did want to marry. But I had to, as the duties of the future ruler of Kyrria. "I apologize if I unintentionally raised your expectations, but I've resolved never to marry." I didn't say the last words. Never to marry…out of true love. I may marry but it would never be the same.

Actually, my parents wanted me to have the balls, to find a bride. I could find a bride but would it be Ella? No.

I waited for the slap across my face or the tears but, surprisingly, none came.

Lela stifled a laugh. A laugh? What? "You didn't mislead me," she told me. "I've only been saving stories for home. I'll tell them, 'The prince said thus-and-so to me, and I said thus-and-so back to him. And, Mother, I made him laugh. I made our prince laugh. And, Father he danced with me---one night with almost no one except me.' 'What did he wear?' my sister will want to know. 'Did he have his sword with him always?' Father will ask."

I tightened my hold on her. I was going to ask her. There was no going back, no changing my mind. My heart was pounding in my chest.

"Marriage is supposed to be forever, but friendship can be forever too. Will you…" I wanted to marry her as a friend. Nothing more. Because she was the only one who could mend my broken heart. I needed Lela of Bast to heal my broken heart. I needed her.

Before I could finish, before I could ever find out if she said yes or no, Hattie snatched off Lela's mask.

Everything slowed down, time slowed down, I'm sure of it. A million thoughts ran through my mind:

How could she? I knew Hattie wanted revenge but to invade Lela's privacy!

Hattie ruined my chance with Lela, my chance with happiness…she ruined the perfect moment.

Lela must be angry; she won't have time to listen to me!

Lela…would she have said yes or no?

Lela…was she all right?

I then looked into Lela's face for the first time and gasped. Before me stood the girl who haunted my dreams, my thoughts…it was her. She had been Lela all this time, hidden behind the mask.

I had been fooled twice by this girl; under her spell. She deceived me once and now again. She has played with my heart, filling it with pain. I felt like a fool to believe there was more than one girl like her. No one could be like her. No one could ever take her place in my heart. So she went under another identity to fool me and broke my heart again. Because I lost my only other chance at love and she ripped it away from me.

I thought my heart was already broken but I felt it crack at the sight of her. She…deceived…me…she played with my heart again as if it were some game.

But if it were some game, then why was she looking so scared, so sad…so full of pain?

Hattie confirmed who I thought it was. "Ella!" She shrieked.

I breathed the one name, the girl who could mend my broken heart or destroy it, the only girl who I truly loved. "Ella?"

That would be considered a cliffhanger, right? LOL! I'm sorry! I'll update this time on time! I promise! Okay review time!

Lillianna-Rose- LOL. Of course we could never kill you! You have to keep updating! YAY! On the 13th? Want me to wait until then to update then? LOL. Oh and I'm the Eastern time zone. LOL so you can update soon? Like tomorrow? LOL. You're rambling and I'm nagging. LOL. I still love you! (Not THAT way but…you understand. LOL). Thanks for reviewing!

Shortyst1- LOL, I know detail can be the pain in the neck sometimes. I just think it adds interest and I love reading. I just hate having to write everything. I like other people to do it. LOL. I know, it takes long! It takes me awhile to write a chapter and then I have to reread it and then, sometimes, I delete stuff and add things and make it more interesting. I like to make things short too. LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

Catakit- Thank you! I love the dollop praise! I'll try and keep to my word now and update more often. Thanks for reviewing!

Muse456- WAH, we're almost done this story! WAH! LOL. I'm going to go miss everyone. WAH! LOL. And same here, I'm always fighting with my sister too. Maybe that's what inspired me to write it. I get inspiration from weird places. LOL. I could be walking and I get ideas. LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

DiabloDude1- At least I stick to my stories, good or bad. For example, you write one chapter and you're done. And your comment was what to kind of expect from an Ella Enchanted hater, you know. And question: Why did you read Ella Enchanted? It doesn't seem boy-ish. Oh well, doesn't matter. Anyways, it's 139 reviews against your one flame. Um, which would I believe?

Ellafreak- You should feel special! LOL. And don't worry, I will! And it did take awhile but anything for my loyal reviewers! LOL. How I get my ideas? Well, it comes from everyday life. Like from movies. And just real life. Anyways, Cecilia and Ella will be great friends because they both rock! LOL. I'm happy they have a better relationship too! Oh and Lord William? Well…he may be back sooner than you think. LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

Awaiting Impatient Person- Ellafreak says thanks for saying happy birthday! You are really funny! And my natural disposition is being happy. My friends would be shocked if I frowned. LOL. Seriously, I just love being happy! LOL. I'm always the one being hyper and happy in my friends. LOL. For your list of things, I have some of that but I'm not going to say because then I'll feel like I'm bragging and I'm not a bragging kind of person. LOL. I just hate it when people are mad at me. Well, it isn't my birthday soon so I'll start thinking of what I want. OH! The La Femme Musketeer DVD! Love that movie so much! And chocolate! I think I have a pack of M&Ms around here somewhere…aha! LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

Gayle- I'm happy that they have a better relationship too. YAY! LOL. And LOL, down with the stupid people! LOL. Well written? Thank you! It took me awhile to write that so thank you! Thanks for reviewing!

Awaiting your next update- LOL, it's okay. I don't mind, I'm just happy you are rereading my story! LOL, I have no life either! LOL. Yeah, I know your review is for chapter 10! LOL, Chapter 10 was 10 pages. Isn't that funny? LOL. Yeah, I'm glad they have a better relationship too! Thanks for reviewing!

Jessica- Yeah, she's making. Why did she make Ella die? Bad Lucinda! LOL. Yeah, that chapter was long! Chapter 10 was 10 pages. LOL. And YAY they have a better relationship! LOL. I know, I want authors to write longer chapters too! I wish they did. And Cecilia and Ella would get along great! Thanks for reviewing!

NickieEnchanted- LOL, that is unfair! That happens to me too! I hate it when that happens. GR! LOL. Thank you! After this story is done, I'm going to concentrate on Before a Broken Heart and then my sequel to this story. More stories, YAY! LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

Becca- They totally are! LOL. Of course, Char is smart, we all love him! I'm a great author? Thanks! Thanks for reviewing! Cinnamon Babe- Oh, that whole thing about not able to review under the current chapter happens to me too! GR, I hate it! Stupid computer! LOL. A thoughtful chapter? Thanks! Wow, a great writer? Thank you! Thanks for reviewing!

Elle- Well, Cecilia doesn't have a bad relationship with her other brothers because they aren't close to her in age. So she doesn't…well, hang with them to have a bad relationship with them. Both Christopher and Char are both closer to her in age but she shares more interests with Char and not a lot with Christopher. So, no, she doesn't have a bad relationship with her other brothers since they are younger and don't share her interests. It's like putting a smart person and a stupid person to talk together. Doesn't work. LOL. Hope that answers your question. Thanks for reviewing!

sweet-strawberry692003- here is the next chapter! And I left a cliffhanger! Bad me, BAD! LOL! Thanks for reviewing!

This review is for Chapter 10- Yeah, that's been happening to a lot of people, not being able to review for the current chapter. Lord William is just annoying. LOL. Thanks for reviewing! LizzieEnchanted- Thank you! Is this story that good? Wow! Thanks! Yeah, Christopher, it just had to be him! LOL! Yeah, he shouldn't get over Ella! He should fight for her! LOL. It's okay, sometimes I tend to babble nonsense too! LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

Lady Jackie- Wow, you read the whole thing? Wow! You must really like it! YAY! LOL. Cecilia is just a princess with individuality! You got to love her! LOL. And I know, Ella and Cecilia would be great friends. LOL. I know, girls rule! Oh yeah! LOL! Thanks for reviewing!

Meghan- Yeah, I wish she did tell Mandy to do that but what if Mandy didn't do it? LOL, still, poor Char and his little broken heart. Aw. LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

KrazyKamaka-zGurl89- LOL, okay I decided what you could do. Anything your little heart desires. Kick his butt, stop driving him places, anything you want. Have fun! LOL. Oh and I remember once I was at this dentist place and they only had one channel on the TV and it was Liberty Kids so I was watching that and I fell asleep and then I was woken up by something from the show, I don't know what they were doing, it was just something loud, and I screamed because it had scared me and all the people there looked at me and then the dentist said it was my turn and I left. LOL. Poor you, having him as your littler brother. I will pray for you. LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

Arwen Veancawen- Thank you! I always wanted to know how his other brothers and Cecilia acted, like were they snobby or were they nice so I just put that little piece in! Thanks for the compliments! Thanks for reviewing!

WintryDance- LOL, I wish I were royal so no one can defy me. LOL, I loved how Cecilia rebutted him too! Go Cecilia! LOL.Yeah, Lord William was a pain and a mean and boring! LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

marina eyes- LOL, I thought that line was funny too. Yeah, those dreams were sad but nice to write, seeing that Lucinda cannot resist the urge to "help." LOL. I hope you update Sarah Enchanted very soon, that story just rocks! Seriously, I love the whole idea of it. Thanks for reviewing!

Hikaru-009- LOL, I tend to talk to no one a lot. LOL. Yeah, the ending is going to be hard with trying to get all of Char's emotions together but I shall do my best! LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

Soprano2-02-06- Yeah, I decided that since Char is too wrapped with his pain he doesn't notice but then Cecilia does since she thinks clearly. Oh well! LOL. He will find out soon! Thanks for reviewing!

Ella- LOL, yes, it was a sad time for you, when you still had that terrible curse. I'm happy to hear you have broken it. LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

WEEEEEEE!!!!!!- Wow, thank you! I love saying WEEEEE too! It's fun! We'll sound like wind chimes together! LOL. I usually am hyper too! YAY! LOL. Thanks for reviewing! tayk- I updated and now left a cliffhanger! I'm bad. LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

Okay, that's all for now! Next chapter! YAY! LOL.

Can I get 15 reviews for the next chapter? Please review!