Disclaimer: The place, setting, Char, and Ella belong to the acclaimed writer of, "Ella Enchanted." Everything else is mine.
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Chapter 3: Frantic Search
He stared at the limp figures on the ground. He chuckled to himself. It had worked and the noble had done his job perfectly. He had decided it would have been better to have the young man knocked out also, so he wouldn't blow their cover. He picked up the unconscious Arianna and crept quietly to his carriage. There, he bound and gagged her pale form and rushed back through the garden and into the ballroom. He paid his respects to their majesties and hastily left.
It's a good thing my nephew was not there tonight. He bellowed with laughter. Stupid Brandon, always getting in the way of my plans. He didn't stop me from the jackpot tonight.
After most of the guests had gone, it was time to say goodbye to King John. "I am sorry that my son Brandon couldn't make the celebration Char," said King John.
"Oh," Char began, "he can just come to the spring festival next month if you really think that it's necessary John." King John bellowed with laughter.
"By the way, I'm also sorry that Maurice, my younger brother wasn't much fun to have around," King John finished.
"Has anyone seen Ary?" asked Ella as she entered the room. Mandy had gone to bed early out of tiredness on account of doing all of her normal duties, and the extra-added weight of her ball duties.
Char looked stunned. He hadn't noticed her absence until now and was looking around himself frantically.
"Didn't she go outside with that young man towards the gardens?" King John piped up.
"Yes," Char said remembering, "Yes, she did. Should we go out and look for her?" He had directed the last question at Ella.
Ella thought for a second, then decided, "Yes, we should. What about you John, would you like to help?"
He smiled, "Yes, I'll help too. Well, what are we waiting for? Let us go find the cheery girl," he said with high spirits. Then, outside they went. They searched and searched until Ella saw a young man on the ground next to a stone bench and called both kings over to her. Then King John said, "Isn't that the young chap who asked her for a walk? My goodness, it is, and there certainly is a big bump on his head, like he was knocked out."
"Arianna sweetie, this isn't funny. Come out and stop playing around," Ella said. After an hour of search, Ella began to tremble. Where was she?
Just then the young man woke up. He looked around him and saw their highnesses searching for something. His head throbbed like the back of it had been shattered. He sat up but his head began to swim and he groaned, loudly. He scooted back some of the way and leaned against the stone bench for support. His head finally cleared somewhat.
Char was hugging Ella trying to calm her down. Apparently, something had upset her and she was on the verge of tears. King John of Aythoria came up to the young nobleman. "All right young man, you will tell us everything that happened tonight. Explain why their daughter is missing, and you'd better be telling the truth."