I couldn't focus on my book. All my thoughts were of the ball tonight, and tomorrow and the next night.

Father didn't take it well that I told him I didn't want to marry. Ella had been the only one for me. Her deception crushed my heart and soul. I wanted to investigate, to find out who she had married, where she was but a part of me just wanted her happiness so I fought the urge.

"Char?" I turned toward the door. Cecilia stood there, holding a tray in her hands. I smiled. "Ceci, I missed dinner again didn't I?" She nodded. Only eight and she's so bright. I crossed the room, lifting the tray from her hands, on it was a goblet of cider, a pitcher of water, two fairy mugs, some utensils, a small plate with petit fours, and a large fairy plate. I smiled.

"All of this is for me?" She smiled. "No, I didn't have dessert so I thought I'd share with you." She walked over to the table, picking up and looking at the book I was reading. "The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson?" Ceci's brow furrowed. "Isn't this where the mermaid truly loves the prince and no matter what she gives up her life for his happiness?"

I nod my head. I set the tray down on the table, and took the book from Ceci's hands. "I was trying to find some sort of comfort, I suppose."

"Because of Ella?" I looked down at her.

"Yes, because of Ella." Ceci looked sad, as if she shared my sorrow. "I met her once. She was really sad."

Sitting down I stared at my sister, who pulled the plate of petit fours to her and a mug, which magically filled with cocoa. "When did you meet her?" Probably at her wedding.

"About a month ago. She looked awful. She was in a dirty gown and an apron. Not at all like a lady. I was with some of the ladies and their daughters at a tea party at Dame Olga's house. Mama couldn't come so they escorted me. Halfway through the tea, the lady with the large teeth,"

"Hattie" I supplied, smiling at my sister's innocent remark.

"Well, she had Ella come out and clear some of the dishes. Ella looked ill, like she was fighting something. She just came in and went back out with the dishes. When we left some of the ladies were appalled. They kept saying that it couldn't be Lady Eleanor's daughter because she was a Lady and couldn't become a servant. I was told to keep quiet about it."

I leaned forward, my food forgotten.

"Did Ella," my heart jumped at her name. " Did she have a ring on her hand?"

Ceci nibbled on a petit four. "Nope. She didn't have any jewelry on."

I nodded, my mind a whirl. Why would Ella lie to me? Hattie obviously wrote that note out of spite, but why would Ella lie? I looked at my plate, now magically filled with food.

"You'll want to eat Charmont, the ladies won't find it attractive if you swoon." Ceci teased me. Smiling at her, I dug in to my food.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

I now remembered why I hated balls. The light inconsequential chatter, the bowing, the scraping, the heat of all the bodies pressed into one room. Especially with all the ladies in here thinking I'm going to marry. I hardly listened to the lady in front of me. She was blonde and nice enough, I laughed heartily at her joke earlier. I still didn't want tobe here. Ceci's conversation with me had made me confused.

The letter of Ella's marriage had come 6 months ago, why at only one month ago she appeared to be unmarried? I felt someone staring at me, almost a familiar stare, I turned to see who it was. I couldn't see anyone but a sea of masks.

It was then I saw Hattie out of the corner of my eye. Oh please not another dance, I mentally groaned. I've already danced with her three times tonight, and with her younger sister Olive twice. Both were tedious dances. Hattie gushing about me, my family, how wonderful she was and Olive, asking about money, and how much a ball costs.

Suddenly I moved on and there was a lovely dark haired lady in front of me. Her eyes were the most intriguing of greens, with amber flecks and an almost gray blue on the outside. Her gown was a bit old fashioned, but it only made her look more stunning. Light green with darker green vines and small yellow rosebuds. Gloves up to her elbows, her jewelry was simple, yet very elegant. It was her mask made her more intriguing, setting her eyes off perfectly. I bowed, she curtsied.

Straightening, it was her eyes that caught me. Ella's eyes were almost the same shade, intricate, and mysterious. Mayhap they were cousins, or distant relations somehow to look so alike. Almost to my height, she was quite breathtaking.

"What is your name, Lady?" I smiled, trying to be a cordial as possible.

She swallowed, "Lela" Her voice was only a few tones deeper than Ella's.

Silence ensued. Ask her where she lives. Be polite then run as fast as possible to your room Char.

"Do you live here in Frell, Lady Lela?"

"In Bast, Highness." I nodded, recognizing a town near the elves' Forest that I had briefly stopped in one time during an ogre hunt.

I looked past her, ready to run back to my room, or outside somewhere away from here.

"I hope you enjoy the ball and your stay in Frell." I moved away, but she spoke again.

"Abensa ohudo. Isseni imi essete urebu amouffa." Ayorthian!

"You speak Ayorthaian!" She smiled, I instantly smiled.

"Not well. My uncle was born there. He's a singer. His voice can charm wood." My smile grew, the first time in public in months.

"I miss their songs. I was glad to leave, but now I miss everything."

Lela smiled and started humming a song I heard there. It was about a farmer and his family was starving but a fairy helped him grow food. I began to sing softly. Many people turned in amazement, and disbelief that I was singing.

Once the song was over I bowed holding my hand to her. Lela intrigued me, and I couldn't leave her before sharing a dance. "Would you favor me with a dance?" Please. Please dance with me.

She curtsied, and took my hand. My hand instantly knew where it was comfortable with hers. I started at her, "Have we met before, Lady?"

She shook her head. "I've never left Bast, but I've longed to see Frell my whole life."

It's impossible then. I nodded.

The gravotte was a spirited dance, much too fast to talk to anyone but I got to watch Lela. She was graceful and elegant on the dance floor. A delightful partner to dance with, I was sad to separate from her to join with other ladies of the court. Finally she came back and I spun her and then bowed.

When we straightened we politely applauded. Lela was checking to make sure her mask was in place. "I love the gavotte." Her final inspection of her mask ended. "The rush, the sweep, the whoosh!" She smiled brightly ad I smiled and chuckled. Lela's enthusiasm was infectious.

"It's the same with stair rails, the same feeling. Do you like to slide?" Few people knew I enjoyed sliding down stair rails. Her face grew terrified. Did I offend her? Lela sighed. "No, Majesty. I'm terrified of heights."

Way to go Char, you probably nearly gave her a panic attack. "Oh."

"Do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Like to slide down stair rails?"

"Oh yes, I used to." With Ella.

"I wish I could enjoy it. This fear of heights is an affliction."

I nodded, losing interest as I thought about sliding down stair rails with Ella.

"Especially as I've grown taller." I blinked at her. I then started laughing. Lela was funny, very amusing and refreshing from the other people at the ball.

The clock struck half after eleven. I stared at Lela. "Half after eleven! I've neglected my guests." I pointed to the refreshment room. "Refreshments are in the next room, if you care to partake of them." I turned back to her, smiling "I'll look for you later." I bowed to Lela, then walked over to the Duke of Lanaster, whom I spent the rest of the evening till midnight.

I rushed back to the refreshment room to find Lela, I only found Dame Olga and her family, eating a exorbitant amount of food. I frowned. Where had Lela gone?

The clock struck midnight, and I went to my parents to say goodbye to my guests.

Once they were gone, after all of them promised to come back tomorrow, I was heading to my room when Ceci came down on the stair rail. Giggling like crazy she whooshed past me.

"Hi Char!"

I laughed at my sister, being chased by her governess across the ballroom after sliding down the stair rail. I slid down the stair rail myself and jumped off just as she was about to make a break for up the stairs.

Catching her with one arm, I lift her off the floor. "Ceci! You're suppose to be asleep!" She giggled. "The ball was exciting Char! All the music, colors and masks I just couldn't sleep!"

I shook my head at her. "So sliding down the stair rail?" She looked at me. "You do it."

I laughed again. Luckily her governess just caught up to us. "Here Madame Peony. Your charge is ready for bed." I kissed Ceci in the cheek, and handed her to the lady." Nodding, she carried Ceci up the staircase.

I stood there for a while, remembering the dancing. Lela's singing, the feel of her hand in mine.

I smiled, and slowly started up the staircase, hoping that I would be able to sleep.