Hey! OMG, I am so sorry I haven't been able to update! I am sorry! Please forgive me! I accidentally deleted my whole chapter and I had to rewrite it from memory, which was hard.

Sorry!

Disclaimer: I do not own Ella Enchanted.

Let's begin and hopefully, you'll all like this chapter. Hopefully.

A carriage shrieked to a halt behind mine and Hattie ran out of it, practically tripping. Her mother, Dame Olga, followed immediately. Olive came last and slowly.

Dame Olga went into a deep curtsey. "Your Majesty, Hattie told me you were coming to our lovely manor and I thought that the mistress of the manor should be here to greet you. But, if you allow me to question, why did you come to our manor, Your Majesty?"

I looked her in the eye. "I must see Ella."

Dame Olga looked angry for a moment but nodded. "Then enter."

I walked inside and she followed with an angry Hattie and a blank Olive. My men followed them.

I ordered for every person in this household to be present before me. Dame Olga snapped at everyone to bring everyone immediately.

They all went in a straight line and some looked at me, puzzled. What was I doing at the manor? They probably thought.

My men walked among them, looking for Ella. My heart began to pound. What if Ella ran away and never returned? What if I never saw her again?

"Here's a maid!" Sir Stephen called. "Come, lass." I turned to him where he held a lass's arm. She was tugging and trying to break free but to no avail.

I saw her soot covered face. "Ella! Ella? Why are you dressed so?"

Ella's eyes looked terrified. I wanted so bad to pull her into an embrace and never let go of her.

She cleared her throat and began, "Your Majesty, I'm…"

Hattie cut in, smoothly, "That's just Cinders, the scullery maid." She looked at me, batting her eyelashes. I held in my disgust. "Sire, would you care for a refreshment now you're here?"

Refreshment? At this time, now? Was she insane? All I cared for was Ella and it had always been Ella.

I looked at Ella. No, it wasn't someone else. It was Ella…my Ella.

"She's a scullery maid?" I asked. Was it true? Was Ella a scullery maid? And if so, why?

"A scullery maid. Of no account. But our cook, Mandy, has cakes fit for a prince," Hattie said.

I looked at Ella. What if Hattie said was true? That this was a scullery maid named Cinders and was probably terrified out of her wits and didn't know what was going on. I felt disappointment fill me and beat in my heart with every heart beat. Ella was in my grasp; I had held her in the balls and danced with her! How could I have lost her again? How could she be there and I hadn't known.

Suddenly, I remembered something. I remembered when I touched Lela's – Ella's – hand. I felt that same electricity, that same feeling when I was around her. I should have none! I felt so…so…so like a dolt! I should have known!

Suddenly, the lass tugged towards the door. Stephen held tight.

I stepped up to her. "Lass, I won't hurt you, no matter what." She wasn't looking at me. So I cupped her chin and gently lifted her face so she was looking at me. I felt something run from my fingers all the way to my heart. That feeling…only one person could cause that feeling me.

She looked at me and I saw clear green eyes. Something flickered in her green eyes. Wanting. Pleading. Sadness. Why?

I reached into my cloak and brought out the tiny glass slipper. It belonged to Ella, and will fit her alone, whether she is a scullery maid or a duchess."

Someone brought a chair. All I could see was Ella staring at the glass slipper.

Hattie said, "That's my slipper. It's been missing for years."

What a liar! I wanted to call this to her attention but Olive blurted out, "You're feet are too big."

Well, if they were too large, then what harm could it be to let Hattie try it on? Besides, she already snatched it from my hand and took off her slipper. A smell came from her foot and I tried my best not to wrinkle my toes in disgust. She began trying to wedge her toes in. They wouldn't fit.

Her feet were on the large side, as her teeth were.

I looked to Ella, eager for her to try it on and prove she was my Ella, my precious Ella.

Olive spoke up, after her mother elbowed her, "I'm younger than Hattie. So my feet are smaller. Probably."

She tried to make the slipper fit on her foot but her feet were larger than Hattie's.

It was Ella's turn. My heart began to pound faster and faster. I knelt, holding the delicate slipper. Ella extended her foot and I slowly guided it into the glass slipper. Her foot slipped in and it fit perfectly. This was Ella! Ella, my Ella! I thought after I had put the slipper on her foot, my heart would stop pounding. It went faster.

My face was close to Ella's. I wanted so bad to just kiss her, to hold her in my arms. I wanted that so much. I just wanted Ella. I would do anything to have her. Anything!

Her face was filled with terror. I wanted so bad to comfort her. "You needn't be Ella if you don't want to be," I said softly.

Ella looked into my eyes but looked away. "I'm not," she whispered. Tears rolled down her cheeks and I longed to wipe them away, wipe her sorrow and pain all away.

I felt hope fill me. The letter saying Ella married. She was here, she wasn't be married. She…wasn't…married. It slowly registered. Ella's not married, she's not married, she's not married. It kept playing over and over in my brain. Ella wasn't out of my reach; she could still marry me, she could still be mine!

"That letter was rubbish. A trick," I said aloud. I glared at Hattie. How could she do that to me, make me go through all that pain, all that suffering. I turned back to Ella and my expression softened. She was crying. I looked to her as if she was a precious jewel and the most important thing in my life. She was and is and will always be. "Do you love me?" I said softly. I knew everyone in the room was straining to hear but I didn't care. I only cared if Ella heard. "Tell me."

Ella said, "I do."

My heart stopped. The words began to play in my mind. I do…I do…she does love me! She was smiling and crying at the same time.

I wanted to scream with joy and kiss Ella and embrace her. I wanted to be only with Ella. "Then marry me!" Yes, she would marry me and we would get away from all of this. We would be together and nothing else would matter if we were together.

Ella nodded and my heart filled with joy. Her hand went into mine and that electricity feeling shot through me.

"Don't marry him, Ella," Hattie ordered. I ignored her. Ella didn't need to listen to her; she could marry me and we could leave and be together.

To my surprise, Ella removed her hand. "I can't."

What? She wasn't going to listen to Hattie…was she?

"Hattie, don't be a fool!" Mum Olga snapped. "Don't you want to be stepsister to the queen and make her give you whatever you like?" She smiled at Ella. "His Highness is kind enough to want to marry you, Ella, my sweet."

What? What were they planning on doing with my Ella? If she hurt Ella…I left the threat unfinished. Let my imagination think of something if she dared laid a finger on Ella.

I looked at Ella. I never felt so happy. It seemed my heart would burst from joy.

"Marry me, Ella," I whispered. I needed to hear her say she would marry. "Say you'll marry me."

Ella looked at me, her gaze torn. Her eyes looked so lost, so scared…so terrified. Why?

Ella swallowed and a strangled noise came from her throat. I looked at her in concern. Was she all right?

I put a hand on Ella's shoulder but she barely noticed. Her eyes were distant, as if she were remembering something. Something that was very important.

I wanted to ask if she was all right, if she wanted to marry. But something held me back. Something told me I shouldn't disturb her because I would interrupt something very important. Still, I wanted to help Ella but didn't know how. Was there anyway I could help her? I would do anything to help Ella.

My heart was pounding faster than I ever imagined possible.

Ella's mouth opened. But she immediately clamped a hand over her mouth.

She looked at me with such sadness, as if remembering something about me. I wondered what she was remembering about me.

Ella began to rock in her chair. Forward, she seemed ready to talk but then she would rock backward and she would pull the words back. It was quiet except for the pounding of the chair legs on the tile, going faster and faster. Soon, it matched my racing heart. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Ella then opened her mouth. "No!" She shouted, surprising me. "I won't marry you. I won't do it. No one can force me!" She swallowed and wiped her mouth. She leaped up and I was still kneeling numbly. She wasn't going to me after all. I had lost. I lost Ella. Wait…who would force her?

"Who would force you?" I asked, shocked.

"No matter who. I won't, I won't. They can't make me, no one can make me. I won't marry you."

Won't…won't…won't. No, please no. She was supposed to say yes, yes, yes! We were suppose to live together and be happy together. It wasn't suppose to be like this!

Olive said, interrupting my thoughts, "She'll marry you. You told her to. She has to listen." What? Why? Olive laughed. "Marry him and give me your money."

Ella shouted, "I won't! Stop ordering me to!"

As much as it hurt me and my heart cracked with every word, I knew I had to say this. "She doesn't have to marry me."

"Hush, Olive," Hattie said. She then looked at Ella. "Ella, go to your room. His Majesty can have no further need of you."

How dare she! I needed Ella more than I needed life itself! I needed Ella to live! "I have great need of her," I said, angry at Hattie.

"Hush, Hattie!" Ella said. "I don't want to go to my room. Everyone must know I shan't marry the prince." Ella ran to the door and I thought for a moment she was running away. I stood, ready to stop her if she did. She called out into the dark night, "I shan't marry the prince."

Then Ella ran back to me and threw her arms around me. "I shan't marry you." And she kissed my cheek. My heart stopped. She kissed me. Did…did she really love me then?

I turned her head and kissed her on the lips. The kiss swept through me, from my lips all the way to my toes. I smiled gently from that kiss. She clung to me, trembling. I wanted to soothe her so badly.

Hattie shrilled from behind Ella, "Go to your room this instant. I command you!"

I ignored her. Who cared about her right now? All I cared about was Ella. But why isn't she going to marry me?

I pulled away. I need answers. I was so confused. "Why won't you marry me? Why not, if you love me?"

"I'm cursed. You wouldn't be safe if I was your wife," Ella answered.

Cursed…cursed…suddenly, I remembered the dreams. The voice that I had ignored. "She must obey…she is born to obey… for it is her gift…"

How could I be so blind? I remembered hearing about the fairy, Lucinda, giving gifts to people. Was Ella one of the victims? Was her gift – or curse – obedience?

I then remembered our kiss and smiled. That moment had been perfect, flawless. But then I frowned as I remembered my guess of the curse she was speaking of. Ella wiped off a smudge of soot from my nose.

Ella began to look confused herself. She was thinking and then realization hit her. The fog in her eyes began to clear.

Suddenly, the cook, I presume since she was wearing an apron with some stains on it, came up and hugged Ella. "You're free. The curse is over, love," the cook said, smiling with tears in her eyes. "You rescued yourself when you rescued the prince. I'm that proud and glad, sweet, I could shout."

Wait…she had rescued me? When? What was going on?

Ella looked amazed and she looked so happy. And then it hit me. Her curse was over. It was over because she had rescued me, although I still had no clue on how she did save me.

Wait…if Ella had been my wife and her curse was obedience, what if someone ordered her to…to kill me? She would have to do it, right? So she put my safety first, in front of her marrying me. She had saved me.

Ella tore off the rag that covered her hair. Then she curtsied to me. "When you asked for my hand a few minutes ago, I was still too young to marry." She looked up at me with her green eyes. I began to smile. "I'm older now, so much older that not only can I marry you, but I can beg you to marry me." She knelt and took my hand.

No. She would not kneel before me. People would kneel before her. She would never have to be beneath someone again.

I pulled her up and kissed her, sealing the promise. We would marry and finally be together. After all these months of pain, we would finally be together forever and beyond. We were finally going to get married.

I'm really sorry if you thought that this chapter was bad. I'm sorry. Really, I am!

Okay, review time!

Lillianna-Rose- LOL, I found out it means an editor, someone who checks your chapters before you update them. Speaking of updating…please, PLEASE update your story before this Saturday, because I'm going on vacation and won't be able to read your story! LOL, laughing like a lunatic is fun! LOL. And yes, the one and the only, great author…Lillianna-Rose! LOL. Well, the one and only great me says update your story. Oh and she also says thanks for reviewing!

sweet-strawberry692003- I can't update the 3rd part yet since a part from this story is being remembered in the 3rd story and I don't want to give it away. For the 1st part, I need to write another chapter. LOL, I'm so lazy. Anyway, I got 3 cheers! Count them, 3! LOL. Wasn't your favorite part when Lela was unmasked? That's what you said…hoped you liked it in Char's POV! Thanks for reviewing!

Mage Light- My evil cliffhangers that torture innocent reviewers! LOL. You saw the Ella Enchanted movie? We read the script in class from the Scholastic magazine and that so didn't happen in the book! I wonder what Gail Carson Levine said…anyway, I heard it was terrible. Is it? Thanks for reviewing!

Gayle- Thanks! Yeah, I'm still thinking about the whole italics thing. Might, might not. Thanks for reviewing!

Mindy- I'm asking for 15 reviews for the upcoming chapter.

awaiting impatient person- I always having staring contests with my friends! LOL, it's so funny. Mostly I lose because I think of something funny and I burst out laughing. My friends are weird too! LOL. Yes, crime – um, yeah, finding out the meaning of beta. I found out what it means. It means an editor who checks the author's chapters before he/she posts the chapter. LOL, well, I'll think of a imaginary birthday gift! LOL. I know what you mean about overprotective parents. They seem to always be watching me. I was going to the movies with my friends and they practically cornered me and asked which friends I was going with, when, and if there was going to be boys. That's my parents for you! LOL. We shall be parent's girls together! LOL. Yup, virtual M&M's just don't taste the same. And I will definitely use it, I have the perfect place for your suggestion! Thanks and I'll give all credit to you! And hopefully, I'm still writing by the time of your birthday! And I'll definitely dedicate it to you! And yeah…I'm going to get away from your scary cackling. LOL. Thanks for reviewing and for the long review!

Muse of the Stars- Cliffhangers, don't you hate them? I hate it when people do it to me but I do it to other people. Wow, I'm mean. LOL. Anyway, update your story ASAP, it totally rocks! Thanks for reviewing!

Hikaru-009- Thanks! Poor Char…Confused Char should be his name, getting confused is his game. LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

Arwen Veancawen- Wow, my own series? Well, I do write original stories. Who knows? Can't wait to find out though! And I'm so awesome? You're so awesome! You're more than awesome, you ROCK! You love it? Thanks! YAY, you love it! LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

Angrypickle- Thanks for loving my story and here's the climax and hope you love it! Thanks for reviewing!

KrazyKamaka-zGurl89- LOL, that saying it funny! Oh, was Spider-Man 2 good? I want so bad to see it but I've been so busy. Well, hopefully I'll see it soon! LOL, yeah, you are so going to buy a ticket to fly here and kick my butt and then go home. LOL. Don't worry, I won't strain my brain. And thanks! The greatest writer? Wow, thanks! LOL, you're melting? Than how will you read this chapter? LOL. The best EE story here? Wow, thanks! And sorry about the long wait! Thanks for reviewing!

Jenny- Well, you don't have to wonder any longer! Wow, it's good? Thanks! Thanks for reviewing!

Thea- Amazing to read? Incredibly well written? Wow, thanks for the complements! One of the better EE stories? Thank you! Thanks for reviewing!

E.A. Hopkins- Yeah, sure you can use it! Not like I own it or anything. Thanks for reviewing!

Kyebaka- I use Micro Soft Word. You have to save it on an online version, though. See, on Micro, you go to File and then look for web page preview. Then, it shows you the online version. Save it. Then, upload the file on FF and you got italics! Hope that helped! And yeah, I never knew there was an Ella Enchanted section either! Thanks for reviewing!

Dreamerdoll- Yeah, it's hard to break the habit of mentioned God. And if I make any more mentions, can you tell me? I just don't want to offend anyone. Thanks for reviewing!

Maestra- YAY, I brought Char to life! LOL, don't worry, I know what you meant. I'm thinking of doing a story like that, like without the kids. Maybe I will…Thanks for reviewing!

Dummy me- Thanks! Hope this is soon, although I doubt it. Thanks for reviewing!

Personage- LOL, I never got those "well" and "good" things. I think I failed that test. LOL. Whoops, more shocked. I knew I should have done that! LOL. Those I and me problems are also troubling to me. LOL. Anyway, it's really, really good? Thanks! I love doing people's emotions, for some reason, and I'm glad that people think I captured the emotions perfectly! Thanks for reviewing!

Snowdoll- Sorry about the long update! Sorry! Hope you forgive me! Thanks for reviewing!

Angel of Despair- Thanks! Hope you like this chapter too! Thanks for reviewing!

Okay, we're done with reviews! Now, we have about 3 to 4 chapters left! I'm going to miss you all! Oh and here is some important news that everyone MUST read!

------VERY IMPORTANT!-----

I'm going on vacation for a whole week. From this Saturday to next Sunday, I won't be here. That's my reason for not updating and I'm sorry! I'll try and update as soon as I get back, I promise! Can you please leave some reviews so I can have some nice reviews to read when I get back? Please?

-------FYI-----

Okay, I'm making another story and it's suppose to be funny. So, I'm going to try and balance my updating system with all the stories I have out. Care to check out my new story? I'm posting it tomorrow, hopefully. Thanks to everyone who does, you rock!

Okay, well, since I made you all wait longer than expected for this chapter, I won't ask for any reviews. But please review!