Author's Note: I'm sorry that I haven't updated for three days. You know how it is, school, homework, clubs, girlscouts (Yes, I'm still in girlscouts.), chores, and such.

Disclaimer: €lla, Char, and the setting all belong to the acclaimed author of, "€lla €nchanted." Everything else is mine.

Replies to Reviews:

StardustPixie Thanks. What does NE mean? I am not all that in touch with e-lingo and it takes me a while to understand what things mean. I know what LOL, POV, R&R, :), omg, and little else means. I have seen a lot of books change the points of views like that. Besides, that is what the line indicates. The line can also indicate a difference in time. By the way, how do I make my bio?
yin279 I update almost every day. By the way, how do I make my bio?
Emma-J-Riddle :), or rather more of LOL and :P. By the way, how do I make my bio?

Chapter 5: Big Secret

I stood there watching her race to the door. "Why was Arianna acting so strange?" "Stop," I yelled. For some unknown reason, she actually did stop. But why did she stop? Then it occurred to him that something was amiss and he had to find out what was.

He was so frustrated he issued another order. His order was short and crisp. "You will never walk into any door before I do. Now get behind me."

Ariannna was confused by his sudden anger. She walked slowly and quietly behind him, anticipating the chores he set up for her to do.

After she entered the huge mansion, she had an eerie feeling. She was scared and she knew it. He led her to the servants quarters and told a servant named Chloe to help her find some new clothes. He left them so he could ponder the recent happenings.

Chloe was a very nice girl. Plus, she was very pretty too. Arianna admired her because she loved who she was and never fought with anyone unless her friends' feelings, reputations, or even lives were in jeopardy. Chloe always stood up for what she believed in and never took any bull from anyone. She was a tough chick that usually helped others out.

Throughout the next month, Chloe helped Arianna with her chores. One day, when they were done, they went to their favorite spot in the courtyard. As they sat down on the small ledge that surrounded a small circular island with an oak tree in the center Chloe became uneasy.

"Natalie," she began. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Sure," Arianna said.

"My name," she paused, "well my name is not really Chloe. My real name is Leah. Apparently, when I was six, I was kidnapped by our notorious employer. He had a famous chef teach me how to cook and he has kept me ever since then. I long to see my parents again, but if I run away, I will end up as dead as a doornail." Then she laughed at herself. "I don't even know who my parents are."

I nodded in sympathy and understanding. She must be going through a terrible pain. Then she looked up from her tearstained face. "Theres more." She hugged me and said, "You're real name isn't really Natalie."

I stared at her in wide-eyed amazement. "I-I, I always suspected."

"Like I said," she started again, "theres more." I sat quietly, just listening now. She told me about this program that our employer ran. It sounded all right at first, but then it got worse. It was called "Noble Brides." First off, he kidnaps single, noble, beautiful, young women, leaving no trace of their past in their memories. Next, he trains them to become household wives. Then, as if that is not enough, he holds an auction once a year to sell the young brides to rich men who would otherwise rot from ugliness. I did not like where it was going. It seemed as if she was coming to a climax of some sort. I paid special attention to what she said next. "He never sold me because he took a liking to me. That's why I never get into trouble. It's because (sniffle), I'm his wife (sobs).

At this I did not know what to say. She buried her face into my shoulder and I hugged her and tried to comfort her. Now I saw the scared Chloe, the real Leah, as she called herself. I began to cry too, in spite of myself. Then she said one more thing that tore me in two. "And the worst part is (sniffle), you won't be around anymore!" I began to cry harder. I couldn't leave her. She was all I had, besides the ring (on my right hand) that someone gave to me who knows when. It was a month until the auction, when I would lose my eternal freedom.

Author's Note: I hope you guys like the climax. Hint, she'll meet his highness pretty soon.