Disclaimer: I don't own Ella Enchanted… :-(

A/N: Thanks so much to all of my reviewers!

Ella Forever Enchanted?

Chapter Two

Char, of course, insisted that I stay at the palace that night. As odd as it may seem, I wanted nothing more than to stay at Dame Olga's manor. Char knew that something was upsetting me, and I sensed that it was hurting him.

The carriage ride home was mostly silent, as I stared out the window, trying not to let Char see my tear stung face.

"Is something wrong?" Char asked me.

Yes, something is wrong, Char. If only I could tell you… But it was impossible for me to tell him. "You must never tell anyone about your curse, Ella," Mother told me. She had done it for my own protection, I know, but I now needed to tell Char and was unable. Why hadn't Mandy taken Mother's order off?

"No, it's nothing. I'm just tired. That's all." I said, turning to give him a weak smile. If I could tell him, he might find a way to keep anyone from ordering me about, I told myself. Or maybe not, but it isn't right for me to keep it from him.

Oh, how I wished Mandy had been with me. Then that night I could tell her of my need to tell Char my secret and she could make me able to. But she had not come with us and I would have to send for her the next morning.

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We arrived at the palace to find no one but the servants cleaning up after the ball to greet us. It was very late and I couldn't blame Char's parents for having gone to bed. I was actually happy that they weren't there to greet us, as I was covered in dirt and soot.

"Good," Char said as we walked through the ballroom, "they've all gone. I thought I might have to say goodbye to all of my guests when we returned."

I nodded quietly. Then, I gave a small giggle. "And you won't have to sing."

He laughed too. "You're right! And that's very good."

Then there was silence.

"Well, you're tired so I guess you'll want to go right to bed, right?"

I nodded again, with a small smile.

"Right." He turned away from me quickly. "Well, you can have the room adjoining mine. I think you'll like it." He started up the stairs and I followed.

"These are the stairs I was telling you about. Really steep and great for sliding!" He turned and gave me a mischievous smile and wink, and for the first time in the last few hours I really smiled at him. He grinned back. "We shall have to slide tomorrow."

I wanted to say something to make him laugh, but I was too worn out. "Yes, we shall."

"Well, here's your room," Char said, opening the door to an ocean of blues and lavenders. For a moment it reminded me of the "Lavender Room" back at finishing school, but I brushed it aside as I stepped in. "It's beautiful!" I said, very happy to be away from my cellar of a room at Dame Olga's.

Char sat my tiny bag of belongings down on the floor and stated, "And this is mine." He walked through to the threshold of a different doorway into a room of royal blues and reds. They adjoined, as Char had said.

"I think you'll find a nightdress in the closet over there," he pointed to one of the two doorways across the room from where we stood. I assumed the other was a bathroom.

"Um… I'll um…leave you to get some sleep," he said, as he kissed me slowly and softly. The kiss swept through me and I clung to him, trembling. He pulled away, smiling at me, and then went through the door, closing it behind him. I touched my lips with the tips of my fingers. It was my first kiss, and more amazing than I had ever imagined it to be.

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Hours later, I still sat awake in a very comfortable bed with the thoughts of what might become of Char because of me running through my mind.

I got up and walked towards my bag to grab my magic book. I didn't know what I might read, but opened it up anyway.

On the first page was a picture of Char, looking very confused and somewhat upset. On the second page was another one of his journal entries:

Lela of Bast…Ella in disguise. I was more surprised than I have ever been when Hattie removed her mask. I had thought that she had disguised herself to see me—thought that she had actually loved me and that that letter had in fact been a trick and chased after her with the glass slipper that we had found and she had dropped in hand.

I found her, covered in soot in another disguise, and she told me that she loved me. I was so happy to finally hear her say it. And when I asked her to marry me, she said yes. I was happy to finally be engaged to the woman who I love more than anything, and I thought she'd be happy to be engaged to me, but…she wasn't. At least I don't think so. She wasn't happy to be engaged to me, but she had said yes. I still don't understand.

She says she's tired, but I know better. It wasn't until just a little while ago, after we'd arrived here, that she actually smiled at me.

I just don't get it…

I'll ask her about it tomorrow. Maybe then I can get a straight answer out of her.

Poor Char, I thought after reading his entry. I wish I didn't have to hurt him like this... He'll be rid of me soon enough.

I closed the book and cried myself to sleep.

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I awoke the next morning, my eyes slightly swollen from my tears, almost unable to get out of the most comfortable bed I had ever slept in. But I got up anyway and went to my closet to find a gown to wear. The closet had been stocked full of them only this morning, for I had not remembered them from last night.

I bathed put on the simplest one that I could find, peach and cream colored, with a short train in the back. I then quickly brushed my hair and decided to search for Char.

I knocked softly on our adjoining door. Then louder. But he did not answer. Was he still asleep? I opened the door slowly, and peeked into the room. No Char.

I walked out of my room to look for him. But where would I find him? The palace was very big and I could only hope that he was somewhere nearby.

I walked down the stairs timidly. I didn't know anyone in the entire palace, and was almost afraid to explore. What if the King or Queen comes up to me? What will I say? I hoped that I wouldn't see either of them.

A maid nodded deeply as she passed me on the stairs and I asked her, "Do you know where Ch—Prince Charmont is?"

"No, m'lady. Sorry." She answered.

"Thanks anyway." Where was he?

I walked through this hallway and that, asking each servant that I saw if they knew where he was. None of them did and I was beginning to grow anxious. Then, I saw Queen Daria walking down one of the hallways right towards me, smiling broadly. I swallowed hard and smiled back as best I could.

"Eleanor! Or is it Lela? I know who you are, but I'm still a bit confused about your name."

"Eleanor. Please call me Ella." I managed to get out. I had met her once before, but she was the queen.

She hugged me tightly. "So, I'm finally really meeting the girl my son loves." She released me, still smiling. "You look so much like your mother."

I smiled weakly.

"Oh, you must forgive me. I didn't mean to bring it up."

"That's all right." I then asked her, "Do you know where Char is?"

"No. He's around here somewhere, though. He'll meet with us for brunch, though in just a little while."

Have I slept through breakfast? I apparently had.

She hugged me tightly again. "Oh, it's so good to have you here. He would never admit it, but Char was miserable without you. He didn't think anyone noticed how horrible he was feeling, but I did, despite how hard he was trying to hide it."

Char had been miserable without me. I had know that, hadn't I? The assurance of the fact made me hurt for having to perhaps leave Char again so soon. Would I be able to?

Maybe Mandy will help me...

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Well, that's it for chapter 2…See this one was much longer! I'll be looking for, let's say…10 reviews before next chapter. That's not to harsh, right? Just 10. You guys can do it! I'll update as soon as I get them!

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EvelynC.O