Ella was generally a very sad and troubled child. When she was a baby, she would cry constantly, only ceasing when she was asleep. Her parents were convinced she was sick and took her to several herbalists and doctors, but nothing helped.
They had no idea that their little girl was mourning the deaths of her parents and the man she loved in her previous life. Even as an infant, Ella retained all of Guinevere's memories.
Ella Morrell was the only daughter of the lord of Greenhill, a small province in the country of Meria. She had four older brothers, two of whom were knights in the royal guard, one a lord of Guria, and the youngest, William, was living at home with their parents, training to be a knight.
Being the only girl and the youngest sibling, Ella was adored by her parents and brothers, constantly showered with gifts and attention. On top of that, she was uniquely beautiful, the only girl in Greenhill with ocean blue eyes and orangish-reddish hair. Nobles often traveled just to see her, bringing gifts and attempting to secure her hand for their sons.
But Lord John Morrell had high expectations. He intended for Ella to become the wife of the future king of Meria, Prince Nathaniel Aldos, the youngest son of King Bradley Aldos. Unlike his older brothers, who were either uninterested or too playful to be deemed worthy rulers, Nathan was intelligent, focused, and keenly involved in the affairs of the kingdom. John Morrell was determined to make Ella Nathan's wife, and he had a plan.
Sixteen years had passed since Ella's birth, and she had grown into a stunning, elegant young woman. Intelligent and refined, she excelled in her studies, etiquette, and behavior, though she remained quiet and reserved.
The country of Meria was preparing for a grand celebration: Crowned Prince Nathan would be turning eighteen and officially becoming a man. Royals and commoners alike were abuzz. The commoners wanted to witness the spectacle, while the nobles hoped to display their daughters to the prince in the hopes of winning his favor.
Lord Morrell was confident. His daughter's beauty, he believed, would make resistance impossible.
"Aren't you excited, honey?" Emma Morrell cooed as she brushed Ella's long ginger hair. "I hear the prince is very handsome. Just the sight of him is said to make any woman's heart flutter."
[Not mine.]
"You'll be lucky to marry such a handsome man," Emma continued. "You'll have beautiful princesses and princes in no time."
"How are you so sure he'll want me?" Ella asked. "There are so many eligible young women he could choose."
Emma cupped her daughter's face. "There may be many young women, but none like you."
"My lady, the royal tailor has arrived with the dresses," a maid announced as she entered Ella's chamber.
"Wonderful! Bring her in immediately. We don't want to be late," Emma instructed.
The maid left and returned with an elderly woman whose tired eyes belied her age. Her grey hair was slicked back, and she carried a large bag filled with fabric, measuring tape, and tailoring tools.
"Welcome, Mrs. Fletcher," Emma greeted her. "I trust you'll do a wonderful job."
Emma turned to Ella, inspecting her with pride. "You'll be the star of the festival. Your father and I will be waiting downstairs."
*
The royal ball was alive with the nobles of Meria. Prestigious families arrived in elegant attire, exchanging snide chit-chat and showing off their finest. The palace itself glittered with fine silk and polished cutlery. A band played upbeat music at the far end of the hall, near the high table, while smaller tables for other families encircled the dance floor.
"The Morrells of Greenhill!" the herald announced.
Lord and Lady Morrell entered hand in hand, followed by William and Ella walking side by side. The family approached the high table and bowed before the royal family. William and his father bowed deeply, while Ella and her mother curtsied.
"Forgive me, Your Grace," Lord Morrell began. "My three sons could not attend as they are attending to national duties."
"No need to apologize old friend. I'm just glad you could come," King Bradley replied.
"I'm sure you've met my wife," John continued.
"Your Grace," Emma curtsied.
"This is my youngest son, William Morrell," John added. "He is the same age as the prince and training to be a knight."
"Your Grace," William said, bowing.
"And this…" Lord Morrell gestured toward the redhead beside Emma. "Is my beautiful daughter, Ella Morrell."
"Your Grace," Ella curtsied.
The boy seated on the king's right looked up at Ella, and for a moment, their eyes met. Prince Nathaniel Aldos, tall and slender, with honey brown eyes and long silver hair tied back in a ponytail, found himself captivated.
"Ah, she's quite the beauty," King Bradley commented, patting his son on the back.
"Indeed," Nathan said with a faint smirk.
[Argh… kill me now.]
The Morrells took their seats as more nobles entered. Ella tried to ignore the prying eyes, accustomed to the unwanted attention her blue eyes and unique hair drew.
Among the gaze was Prince Nathan's. From the moment he heard her voice, he felt a strange pull, as though drawn to her very soul.
Queen Juliet Aldos, seated to Nathan's left, noticed the same aura surrounding Ella that she had seen in her son. Immediately, she suspected there was something extraordinary about the girl.
Many girls flitted around the prince, smiling and giggling for attention, but Nathan's focus never wavered from Ella.
"Lady Ella," he said, standing before her. "May I have this dance?"
For a brief moment, the hall seemed to still.
"Oh, Prince Nathan, I'm sorry—"
"She'd love to," Ella's mother interrupted, giving her daughter a sharp glare.
Ella sighed, curtsied, and looked up at the prince. "It would be my pleasure, Your Grace."
Nathan took her hand and led her to the dance floor. He wrapped one arm around her waist and held her hand with the other. Ella placed her arm on his shoulder, and they began swaying gracefully to the music.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the ballroom as the couple glided across the floor. Jealous eyes from other women and admiring stares from men followed them.
"Look at the men staring at you," Nathan whispered. "Your beauty is truly enchanting."
"Thank you, Your Grace," Ella replied flatly.
"Imagine how envious they'll be when I make you mine," he whispered with a smirk.
[Over my dead body.]
"Oh, that won't do," Nathan said softly. "I need you alive and well to be my wife."
Ella's heart skipped. Had she spoken her thoughts aloud or had the prince read her mind?
"You and I are connected, Lady Ella," Nathan said. "We are destined to be together. Can you not feel it?"
The music stopped, and Nathan bowed slightly, taking Ella's hand as he led her back to her table.
"I hope to spend more time with you, my lady," he said before returning to his seat.
"Ella? Are you all right? You look as if you've seen a ghost," William asked.
Ella sipped her water and cleared her throat. "I'm fine… just a little parched."
Her gaze drifted back to the prince, meeting his eyes once more. His stare felt as though it could see inside her very soul.
[Who is this guy? And why does he give me the shivers?]