A/N: this is my first Ella Enchanted fanfic. Plz R&R.

Disclaimer: Ella Enchanted belongs to Gail Carson Levine (I love her works), so Ella, Char, and anything you recognize from the book belong to her. But I own Elly, Henry, and Edward.

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"The course of true love never did run smoothly"
- A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

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Chapter 1 – Defiance

"D, come on down, breakfast is ready!" my mother called.

"In a minute." I snickered; it was going to be a long minute.

My real name is Elly, short for Eleanor (like my mother, and grandmother, and so on), but I hate those names. They sound so, so girlish and weak like a quiet girl in a frilly dress doing nothing but embroidery and that's certainly not me.

Instead, my brothers nicknamed me Defiance, D for short, and that's fine by me, though only my brothers and sometimes my mother call me that. Why is my nickname Defiance? Because I'm so disobedient and rebellious. I can't stand orders; they make me feel restricted. Even the smallest orders disgust me. But I'd do what they wanted if they changed their orders to requests.

I wondered how much time passed. I wouldn't go down unless someone asked me to. I wasn't hungry anyways. To pass the time, I looked into the mirror and saw short black hair (long hair gets in my way so I like it short), freckles sprinkled across my nose, and piercing green eyes that stared back at me. Everyone can tell by my eyes that I'm the daughter of Ella of Frell. They say I act like mother, as she's defiant too. But where her contrariness is delightful, mine is annoying.

"Breakfast is waiting Your Highness. Could you please come downstairs and join your family?" A maid came into my room and requested.

"Certainly." I smiled. Ha, so they finally remembered to ask instead of demand.

I walked to the stairs, and without thinking, slid down the banister. My whole family likes to do that, except I'm the only one to do it when others are looking. The others are more discreet about it.

"There's Princess Elly finally." My brother Henry announced mockingly.

"Good Morning." I gritted my teeth. Henry knows I hate the title of princess; it reminds me of a weak girl who can't do anything herself and always needs rescuing.

I sat down and helped myself to some poached quail eggs, ignoring Henry's endless teasing.

Personally, I like my older brother Edward better; he never calls me "Princess". He's 17, and a lot like father – diplomatic, kind, and brave. I can always make him laugh, and we are very close friends. Although he teases me occasionally, he does it in a nice way. Unlike Henry, who's 14, he teases me endlessly and it gets very annoying. But I annoy him back by never doing anything he says, even if he asks.

I finished my breakfast and got up, but I tipped over my chair and knocked my spoon onto the floor. Being the independent person that I am, I don't like others doing things I can do myself. I turned around and tried to pick everything up, only to trip on my tiny feet. I stumbled and fell, and brought my breakfast china with me. I winced at the sound of it breaking into pieces. I felt my cheeks grow hot. My family was doubled over with laughter.

"Perhaps we should sent you to finishing school." Henry said between spurts of laughter.

I scowled at him "Who are you to decide?"

"Maybe Henry's right." Mother surprised me, I was shocked. No way was I going to some place where they teach you how to "properly behave" and how to embroider. But I saw the corners of her mouth twitch, so I decided to go along.

"If you send me there, I'll just run away." That sent them into more laughter. "Besides, I already know how to curtsy."

I tried to demonstrate, but I tripped over my feet again. I flew headfirst towards the table. Luckily I was able to catch myself before my face landed in the pancakes covered with syrup.

"Thanks for entertaining us D, just what we need in the morning." Edward smiled appreciatively, though he was at least trying hard not to burst out laughing (unlike Henry).

"You're welcome." I muttered. I mustered all the dignity I had left and strolled out of the dinning hall.

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A/N: I need suggestions for a better title. and maybe a better shortened form for Defiance (I can only think of D). Plz R&R and tell me what you think!!