Okay, for those of you who didn't understand what I was rambling about in the beginning of the other fic whose first chapter looked exactly like this, have no fears! Just read this (it's short enough) to refresh your memory, and then if you feel like reading a bit of beyond the norm romance, proceed onto the next chapter. Quite simple really. Enjoy!

Char carefully takes my little bag of things from me. Then gently takes my hand.

"Let's go, you can explain everything in the carriage," he softly whispers.

I numbly nod. But then I say, "Not without Mandy, I can't leave her here,"

"She can come too, I daresay she'll be of help around in the palace,"

I smile up at him. When Mandy's with us, I walk out of the house without the a second glance. His hand squeezes mine and I squeeze his back, unbelievably happy.

In the carriage, my entire story spills out, with a little help from Mandy. Except, of course, the fact that Mandy is a fairy. I tell him the fairy book was my mother's. When I explain about the letter to him and my reasons, he looks at me not with sympathy, but with compassion. And I know he loves me so much that he feels my pain right along with me.

The rest of the day passes in a blur. Char immediately shows me my new room with a warm bath ready. I gratefully sink in. Char had promised that he would explain everything to his parents and that our wedding would be arranged as soon as possible. A smile seems to have found permanent residence on my face.

A light dress, baby purple, awaits me on the bed. I quietly slip into it and sit down the edge of my bed. Then I observe my room, unfamiliar but welcoming nonetheless. The walls are a light peach, and sunlight streams through small windows too high to reach.. I imagine how it will look at night, filled with starts. Beautiful.

The furnishings are quaint and little, leaving a lot of space in the middle of the room only occupied by a large rug. Perfect. A serene painting that takes up the wall above my bureau portrays palm tress by a seashore. A small couch for three, a shade darker than the walls, sits below a window with a tea table across it.

A yawn escapes my mouth and I realize that breaking the curse has taken its toll on me. Without pulling back the covers I lie down on my new bed and in the blink of an, fall asleep. But before sleep reaches me, one thought radiates through my entire mind "I'm free!"

Next chapter > But review first plz!