Disclaimer: I don't own Ella Enchanted (duh).
A/N: I wanted to get this one out sooner, but I had a major writer's block. So, I made it long! 1169 words! Aren't you proud? Lol Also, thank you to everyone that reviewed! I love you guys!
To Belle Quest: Thank you so much for your honest opinion! Let me know how this one is.
To amelia: Lol, most of my friends like Duke, so I just go along with it.
To Smittened By Marauders: Thanks for reviewing! I really love your story too.
To flammingirl: They're seventeen. I think it's at the end of the second chapter. Thanks for your review!
To hiGhfLyer28: lol Yea, Ella's the queen, and it's the same Ella.
Chapter 5:
When I saw Fausta the next morning, it took all of my acting training to keep from laughing. The green color was most revolting, and it looked as though she had spent too much time in a algae filled pond.
The instant she saw me walking into the hall, Fausta started to screech.
"You! I know you had something to do with this!"
Ella, who was standing near by, looked shocked.
"Of course not! It was merely a mistake a the store, that's all," she said, trying to be reasonable. I knew she was just trying to cover up for me. All though no one would tell Fausta, they all knew who the real culprit was.
Fausta stopped screaming, but shot me a suspicious 'I'm watching you,' look.
As our belongings were being packed into the carriages, we said goodbye. Kell wished me good luck, and told me to be careful. Ella also told me to be careful, and added that it she only take a week or two to make sure that everything was safe.
At last, I, in my over-sized 'princess dress,' climbed into the first carriage, along with Fausta, who was in the garb of a lady-in waiting. The rest of the servants got into to the second carriage, and we were off.
"I know you were the one who switched the dye, so don't deny it," was the first thing Fausta said to me. I, however, did not feel like arguing with her this early in the morning. So, I took the easiest plan of action, and pretended to fall asleep.
"Don't try to pretend to be asleep, I know your still awake."
Gee, she's quick. Nothing gets past her.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you, you lowly wench!" Fausta continued to screech. "If you don't start acting more respectful, I'll... I'll..." she sputtered, not able to think of anything she could do. I about busted out laughing then and there.
"Argh!"
I shifted to get more comfortable, and tried to hide my smirk. Once again, I had gotten the better of her, or, rather, let her get the better of herself.
The daylight was fading into night when the carriage finally pulled to a stop in front of an Inn. My eyes immediately snapped open, and I bounded out of the carriage. Fausta remained asleep, snoring, with saliva running out of her mouth making her hair look even worse. I giggled and continued into the Inn.
The servants had requested two rooms, and we were immediately escorted to them by an elderly woman. She told us that breakfast was served at eight, and to come to her in her room at the front of the Inn if we needed anything. I figured that we were already over the Allassian border, because she not only didn't seem to recognize me, but also had an accent that I was unfamiliar with.
My belongings were brought into the room by the servants, and Fausta walked in. Apparently she had decided to ignore me, which was more than ok with me.
I had trouble falling to sleep that night. I was too busy thinking about what tomorrow would bring. I hoped that Prince Conner was at least somewhat decent, not the barbarian that Fausta thought him to be. The way she talked, you would think that the Allassians were hairy, grunting cave-men that hit people over the head with stone clubs when they want something.
After imagining what I would say to a grunting prince, I fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning, I awoke to one of the servants, Carlene, telling me that I should get ready for breakfast. I slowly got out of bed, as if it would delay meeting the Allassian royalty.
Fausta, who still wasn't speaking to me, didn't seem to want to get up either. Not that I could blame her, I wouldn't want to be seen with that hair either.
My hungry stomach finally motivated. After getting into one of the horrible gowns (how did people where those things?), complete with volumous petty-coats, I walked down to the dinning area.
The smell that filled my nose was fantastic. I loaded my plate as much as a princess could without being thought a pig. The item that made my mouth water the most, was the cinnamon bread. It was warmth, with raisins and nuts, made me want to eat a whole loaf.
As I was sitting down, an attractive boy with dark features walked up. He looked to be about eighteen or nineteen. When I glanced at Fausta, she was nearly drooling. One would think that she wasn't engaged!
"Do you mind if I sit here?" he asked, motioning to the seat across from me.
"Not at all," I answered, giving him a friendly smile.
"Thanks," the boy said, returning the smile. "I'm Conner, by the way."
"I'm Fausta." I didn't tell him that I was (or wasn't), the princess. I wanted to enjoy my bread with a nice conversation, not receive unwanted attention.
"I'm Necia," Fausta put in, fluttering her eyelashes flirtatiously.
Conner looked at her hair and flirtatious behavior oddly. He must have thought her to be just another desperate girl, because he quickly turned back to me.
"So where are you from?" he asked, obviously trying to make conversation.
"We are headed to my uncle's estate. I haven't visited him, or his lovely horses for a while, so my parents arranged a trip," I answered, trying to making my lie convincing. I had thought of it carefully. If I was lucky, Conner would ask about the horses, something I knew plenty of due to the years of lessons at the castle, and my lies would be quite easy from there.
"You like horses?" he asked, clearly interested. Oh, I am too good.
"Very much," I answered with a smile. "I've been riding since I was very little. My uncle's stables have some truly magnificent horses."
"I do too! I love horses," Fausta cut in, jealous that I was getting along with Conner. I held in a laugh. The last time Fausta was in the royal stables, she was carried out crying because she had stepped in horse manure, after the pony she was with knocked her over.
Conner gave her a polite nod, and again, turned back to me. "You would like my mare. She's an excellent jumper. Very sweet, too."
"I would like to meet her, someday," I said, for once honestly. Conner seemed very kind. I wouldn't mind see him again, and I would love to meet another horse.
It looked like he was to ask something else, but he was cut of by a servant telling me that it was time to leave. Thankfully, she didn't use the title 'princess,' and merely called me Fausta.
"Goodbye," I said to Conner.
"See you later," he said kindly.
I, however, was sure that I wasn't going to see him again.
A/N: Let me know what you think! Chocolate covered strawberries to everyone! Lol, I love strawberries.
