A/n- I own all the convent ladies, but not Alanna or the Contes. Enjoy!
Rain poured down the tall windows of the convent sitting room, as lightning illuminated the stormy sky outside. Inside, however, the atmosphere was warm and cheerful. The future ladies of Tortall sat gathered around a crackling fire, catching up on the latest gossip as they finished their embroidery.
"You'll never guess what I heard was going on at court this-" Maria of Anderspoint began, only to be interrupted by the crash of an opening door.
All eyes turned to the lovely Claudette of Valeponte as she scurried into the crowded room, her dark hair flowing behind her.
"Whats the matter, Claudette?" Rosanna of Nodd asked, spotting the look on Claudette's face.
"I just heard the most interesting piece of gossip from our dear Sister Catherine," Claudette began sweetly.
The ladies moved to make room for Claudette to sit, in her usual spot at the front of the group.
Claudette of Valeponte was very well respected at the convent, by both the sisters and the ladies. It was rumored that the Valepontes were directly related to the royal family. Of course, Claudette was always sure to feed the rumor, especially at social events.
"Well, what is it, Claudette?" Maria sneered when Claudette was seated. Obviously, she had wanted to share her gossip first.
"Well, Maria, it's definitely a lot more important than what you had to say about whatever kind of food was being served at court this week." Claudette snapped, staring at Maria.
The girls just looked menacingly at one another for a moment before Claudette continued.
"It turns out," She said, glancing again at Maria. "That our every own Delia of Eldorne has been in very close touch with my own relative, Jonathan of Conte."
The ladies gasped at the name of their beloved prince.
"Very close, indeed," Claudette continued. "It's been rumored that the two have become…lovers."
"That Eldorne girl…I always knew she was a slut," Rebekah of Lynn sneered angrily. "Have you seen the way she dresses? I'm not sure we should even call it dressing, when your breasts are half way popping out!"
"I agree," Alexandria of Edith said, dark eyes flashing at the mention of Delia.
"I don't know what she has planned, toying with Jonathan like that," Claudette added loftily. "As kin, I'm sure he and I think some what of the same way, and I completely feel that Delia would make a heinous queen, I mean, has she even a thought in that hollow head of hers? And honor? If she had any honor, she'd throw herself into a lake. I'm sure Jonathans just using her; I mean she's most likely nothing but a sex toy, after all."
"Couldn't you ask Jonathan for us, Claudette?" A girl asked curiously. "Since you are related, why not?"
"Oh," Claudette said superiorly. "I wouldn't want to bother Jonathan over something as unimportant as Delia of Eldorne! Why, if he married her, it'd been nothing better than marrying a thief and calling it queen!"
"I would marry a thief," A snide voice sounded from the back of the group. "If there was love involved."
A few of the girls began to cough, than giggle. Soon. The group was laughing in mirth.
"Oh Alanna!" Claudette cried, laughing heartily. "You are absolutely hilarious! I thought you were…serious!"
"Serious?" Alanna said, joining in the giggles, "As if I'd ever marry such a low life!"
Alanna of Trebond was also a well respected lady of the convent. She was everything a girl dreamed to be, pretty, polite, the perfect lady. She sat in the back of the group, red hair tied in an elaborate knot legs crossed and tilted at the ankles, carefully finishing her embroidery as she listened in on the conversation.
A bell rang deep inside the convent, signaling ten minutes to dinner. The ladies, scrambled up, smoothing down skirts and assembling usual groups as they trailed out of the sitting room.
Alanna walked by herself back to her room, trying to avoid the other girls.
"Alanna!" Rosanna called loudly, waving a hand. "Alanna!"
Putting on a painful, but convincing smile, Alanna turned.
"Rosie!" She replied cheerfully.
"Alanna, we're all meeting in the sitting room again before the meal,"
The "we" she was implying to was the posse Alanna had acquainted herself with over the past 7 years, Claudette, Rosanna, Isabella of Rockclift, and Annette of Coppercreek.
"Why?" Alanna asked, trying to sound curiously excited.
"Well, Bella overheard two of the sisters talking about what exactly is going on tonight at dinner, who will be there," She hinted pointedly.
"Who?" Alanna asked, playing dumb.
Rosie smiled. "A few of the ladies from court have decided to drop by, you know, the ladies with son's who need wives?"
"Oh!" Alanna gasped. "Do you think the Contes will be present?"
"I don't know!" Her friend replied thoughtfully. "I doubt the Queen will be there, she has such a busy schedule…"
"Well, I've a lot to do in ten minutes," Alanna pointed out. "I'll see you in the sitting room!"
"Alright!" Rosanna called, scurrying off to talk Maria's ear off.

Alanna unlocked the door to her room and quickly slipped inside. Sighing, she flopped onto her bed. She hated this convent! And the ladies also! Some were okay, but…she'd never wanted to be like that…she'd wanted adventure, excitement.
"No." She told herself firmly, trying to keep herself from thinking of the person she'd always wanted to be. But it was impossible. How could she forget her childhood dream? But no. There was no way she could become one. Ever.
'Only one more day!' She thought, thinking once more of the convent. 'If this goes well,'