Increasingly dissatisfied with her life at the palace, and learning that she was chosen to be the prince's bride to keep the family lineage beautiful as opposed to true love, Ella brings up the possibility of breaking the engagement. When she does not back down from her request, however, she is thrown in the dungeon in an attempt to break her spirit. Madame Bisset also posts a monstrous jailer named Quog to keep guard over her, warning Ella that if she refuses to go through with the marriage after the wedding day, he will be allowed to do with her as he wishes. With the help of Mary, Ella digs her way out of the cell through the hole that serves as a toilet, steals some supplies and her father's books from Lucille's house, and makes her way to Jed's refugee camp, which he was given permission to build after Ella's imprisonment so he would not learn what happened to her. Upon arriving at the camp, Jed proposes to Ella, confessing that he was in love with her since they met but said nothing due to her engagement. She tells him to wait six months, however, so that she has time to sort things out and ask again. She works at the camp as a doctor, and then camp leader when Jed's father dies and he has to return to the castle. He writes from the palace saying that right after her escape, Madame Bisset suggested they use one of Ella's stepsisters in place of her for the wedding to make sure the incident does not get out. The prince went straight to Lucille's house and took Corimunde to marry him, and now they and her sister and mother are living happily at the palace. He also mentions that he does not want his father's position and may escape like she did, but wants to wait and see if he can use whatever power he has to end the Sualan war before he does. The book ends with Ella wondering about her future, the true meaning of beauty and happy endings, and realizing her feelings for Jed. Characters Ella Brown (also called Princess Cynthiana Eleanora or Cinders-Ella) - 15-year-old protagonist of the story. She is a form of Cinderella. Ella is described as being very beautiful, free-spirited, witty, and kind. Jedidiah "Jed" Reston - The son of Lord Reston, and