AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I'm terribly sorry that I haven't updated, every time I meant to sit down and write, I got distracted with something else. I hope no one hates me now, and this chapter make up for it.
Last time: Lela left a note for Char:
Dear Char,
I have had a wonderful time at the balls with you. You have been such a wonderful host, and a greater friend. I will be leaving two days after the third ball, on December 16.
I have a request of you, to meet me. There is something that I wish to tell you, and I hope that you will understand.
If possible, could you please meet me at the OldPalace before the clock strikes ten times tomorrow morning?
Your friend,
Lela.
Narrative: Still First Person in Ella POV
Scene: Ella's room at the Dame Olga's manor
Chapter 5: The Journal Entry
When I got back to the manor, I stripped off my lovely ball gown, put on my servants' dress, which was disgustingly dirty and needed a good wash, and ran to Mandy's room. I could tell that she was asleep because I heard her soft, steady breathing. Instead of waking her, I put my dress, shoes and accessories quietly into her closet.
I heard Dame Olga's carriage coming upon the manor. I hurried into my room, and quickly shut the door. I couldn't let Hattie, Olive or Dame Olga know that I was still awake, for they would wonder why I was not sleeping, and possibly get suspicious.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard each of their bedroom doors shut from the other side of the house, and found my magic book from its safe hiding spot. I saw the beautiful wolf stirrup cup that Slannen gave to me and smiled.
I was hoping to find an entry from Char's journal in the magic book, but I found none.
I looked in my magic book again the next morning for a journal entry from Char; I found one!
A maid, Julia left a letter in my room for me late last night. I was terribly exhausted, so I left it alone until early this morning. It was from Lela. I can't believe that she will be leaving Frell within two days time. She has been such great friend throughout this short time that we have been together.
I do not have much time to write today; I will be meeting Lela at the Old palace a little before 10 this morning. I must admit, I am somewhat hesitant to go back there, the last time I was there, I was with, no, and I'm not going to brood about it. It's over between the two of us, forever. I will go to meet Lela, but I will not go there. I can't.
I am not quite sure how I am reacting to that entry. I am pleased to see that my instincts were right, and that that maid, Julia, was trustworthy. But I am worried that he will not show because of what happened between him and me during the wedding ceremony. Of course it was nothing sexual, but, we had so much fun together, being ourselves and away from the world.
In less than three hours, I will make up an excuse to leave the manor for a few hours and go to meet my beloved. How will he respond to the truth? Will he hate me? Will he forgive me? Will he even come?
I heard someone in the hallway, so I quickly put my magic book and the wolf stirrup cup in my carpet bag; it turned out to be Mandy, making sure that I was awake, so we could make breakfast and start the day. Together, we devised a plan that would allow me a few hours to see Char.
For the few hours before I had to meet Char, I was a nervous wreck! I almost burned down the kitchen, and, I almost cut off my hand. After those two mishaps, Mandy sent me to feed the hens, because, how could I mess that up, right?
Finally, at about 9:15a.m., I announced Dame Olga that I needed to go to town to pick up some supplies, which she readily agreed to, with me being in my greasy, sooty state, how could anything good occur? How wrong she could be! I grabbed my clean dress, mask, glass slippers, and things to clean myself up with, and left quickly.
AN: I know that most of you probably hate me for ending it so soon, but I wanted to keep the next events together, for the most part. Some reviewers have asked how Ella will break the curse, and I must admit, I don't know! I need some ideas! I do have a few ideas, but I am not exactly fond of them, so if anyone has any suggestions, I am open to them.