Hello, I am the writer and creator of "To be a Lady," and I hope you like my O/C Anna. Shes a very sensible girl, and just wanted to be herself. Even though I don't write it, I would like reviews. I just hate it when authors hound their audiences for them. Please criticize even. This is my first writing of any sorts. Appreciate the story! Note: This is takes place as soon as Alan becomes a squire, she is currently Johnathan's squire, Anna just doesn't know everything.

The next day Anna got ready, and put on a very casual dress. No one would be dressed up after a night like that – half of the castle had a hang over. Before Anna's mother came over, she knocked on the Ladies door. The lady opened it slightly, just enough to allow Anna in. The Lady was a mess, her hair was a rats nest, and she smelled like liquor.

Anna spoke quietly, "morning mother, I wanted to ask your permission for something?"

"Hmm?" She said, tipping a headache powder in her mouth.

"I wish to get some tunics and breeches. I want to be able to exercise and explore outside."

Her mother looked thoughtful, then she looked like thoughts hurt, and said "Sure, do whatever, just leave me a lone."

Anna smiled and kissed her mothers painful head, and walked towards the castle's seamstress room. She knocked on the door and an "okay" was given.

She walked in and saw a bunch of old and young women at work. "Hello, where may I find the woman who make breeches and tunics?"

There was a silence in the room and many women gave Anna a stupid look. They directed her to the place the room across the hall and Anna thanked them. Silently calling them names in her head, The same names those squires taught my last night.

She had her measurements done by a perplexed tailor, and was given some clothes already made to her size. When the man asked her why she needed this, she told him she wished to exercise. He seemed to believe this, and Anna walked to her room with her new addition to the wardrobe.

She spent a few hours reading her mage books, and then walked out for lunch. She sat with her female friends for the majority of the time, then towards the end walked over and greeted her squires. Raoul had a minor cut on his arm, and Anna was itching to try her gift for the first time. She tapped on his shoulder.

"Hey Raoul, may I see that cut?"

"Yeah, sure." She saw the put was barely skin deep, and worked up her courage to ask.

"May I please try to fix it? I just discovered my Gift, and I would love to try it for the first time." The big squire smiled at her and nodded his head.

Anna felt the power in her, and did as the book said. Her finger tips began to glow barely, and the cut healed itself. The simplicity of it made Anna giddy, she loved the feeling of it, the power inside of her stirring.

Raoul thanked her and the boys set off towards their classes, or whatever knight training they had to do. Feeling excited, Anna asked the girls if they would like to visit the city again, they were all ecstatic.

Anna grabbed her purse and they left, the same female guard accompanied them. Anna and other girls went to mainly book stores, and Anna bought spell books that actually explained how to heal. The ones she had bought before were over the theory of healing, the ethics of healing, and the general rules of healing. Anna realized how many books were now in her possession, she had more than her current bookcase had room for. Women were not expected to read much, but now that she was a mage student she would need her own personal library eventually. She asked the girls if they could go to a furniture store, and they all seemed excited. She purchased a bookcase, which would be delivered to the palace for her later. One of the other girls, Torimel, bought a chest to keep shoes and linens.

They went to a shady looking store deeper in the city, and each of the girls seemed nervous. Anna and her bird friend walked in together, and looked at all the magical things to buy. Some were illusions to make your hair different colors, others were to shrink feet, and after a minute Anna grew bored of the illusions shop. She went into the darker corner and saw something of interest. It was a book that explained how to make the illusions she was seeing, and many more. Anna purchased that book, and the ladies all wanted to go to a lighter atmosphere.

The numerous clothing shops were bright and cheery, and Anna bought loincloths more suitable for running in, and breast bands that would keep her breasts from bouncing around. Many of the girls thought it was strange, but said nothing. They went back to the castle and said their good-byes.

Anna went inside and began reading her illusion book, the magic was very advanced, but Anna was excited to try it. All her attempts failed, her hair changed to a darker shade, but thats all that happened. She changed it back in time to go to bed.

The next day Anna didn't do any magic. She wanted to be refreshed for the next day when the teacher would be coming. So she brought her magic books with her everywhere, reading them all day. The squires asked her some questions about what she bought, and she agreed to let Johnathan borrow her illusions book.

Anna went to bed early that day, by order of her mother, and woke up on time. She got ready and had her room spotless. The teacher came in directly after lunch and introduced herself. She was aged beautifully, her face retaining a youthful glow. The woman was pregnant, and said that she was happy to teach her until she had the child.

"What are you going to name him?"

"I have no clue" She said with a smile, and after the short introductions, it was down to business. The woman made Anna take a quiz to see what she knew, and was impressed by Anna learning.

"I've been reading non-stop for a few days."

She gave Anna a few more books, and gave her reading assignments. After she left, Anna got to reading the assignments. It took her hours, but when she was done she felt like she had a firm foundation in healing magic. She kept reading until she nodded off.

The next day was yet another test on Anna's knowledge, and she taught her accordingly. Another assignment was given, and Anna asked her teacher how long until they would try actual magic.

This brought a puzzled look on to the woman's face. "Maybe in a few weeks, your going through the general reading at an alarming speed. I'll be out of a job in 4 months or so," She smiled. "I was worried I wouldn't be able to go through the basics with you before I had this child, but I guess I was wrong."

She added meditation to her list of homework. Anna went to dinner after completing her reading, and found the squires as tired as always. She told them about their lessons and all the boys seemed mildly interested, they added in things they had learned from their teacher, Johnathan's cousin, a man named Rodger. She handed Johnathan her illusions book before she said good bye, and as she was walking away Alan caught up with her.

"Hey"

"Hey Alan!" She gave him her best smile, it was odd for the reclusive boy to speak to her first

"Me and the guys are going to the city this Saturday, but before that would you like to sword fight with me? You can't tell them, it offends half of my buddies." Anna agreed and they planned a meeting point.

Anna read further and attended more classes. Her meditation had improved dramatically, she could pinpoint her Gift and activate it. Next week her teacher was going to take her to a hospital wing and they would observe healers in action.

When Saturday came around Anna put on breeches and avoided her friends and mother. She and Alan met up, this time Alan's black cat came also. Purring the cat walked by Anna, who felt obligated to pick him up and pet him. The cat indulged in the affection and she saw Alan begin to glare at the cat, almost as if they were having a conversation.

"Your cat is very pretty Alan"

"Thanks.. He is very pleased to know you think that."

"Its very interesting that your eyes match"

Alan looked thoughtful, "it doesn't surprise you?"

"No, why would it? I think its wonderful." They had found a completely deserted training field.

Alan gave her a wooden sword and directed her on stances. Anna and Alan fake fought for a while, they more goofed off than anything. Anna had hit herself in the head with her own sword and Alan was doubled over in laughter. A few other laughs joined in and both Anna and Alan looked up startled.

There sat the prince, Raoul, and Gary. Anna blushed and Alan looked furious.

Before Alan could bite their heads off Raoul lifted up both of his hands and said "wait!" Prince Johnathan stepped up to the plate and decided to explain their stalking to the angry red head.

"Alan, I know your mad. I and the other guys were very curious as to what you were up to, normally you don't go up and talk to ladies. We were hoping to catch you on a date..but this is an entirely different circumstance."

Alan seemed to cool off but still look angry, muttering something about it being none of their business. Anna walked over to Gary and Raoul, "did either of you see me bop myself on the head?"

They both smiled at her, the answer obviously being a yes. Gary indicated towards her forehead, "I think you have a bruise there now, you might want to go see a healer."

"Thank you Gary, but I can fix it myself." She closed her eyes and placed a hand over her forehead. The bruise faded and her face was back to normal, "Thanks for telling my Gary, my mother would have been furious if she knew I had bruised my face. Also, she would want to know why."

"So your parents don't know that you have an interest in fighting?" Prince Johnathan had walked over and added himself to the conversation.

"No they don't, but I don't plan on making it public. Alan was going to keep it secret for me, but now I guess it's not."

Johnathan smiled, his teeth were blindingly white, "We won't tell, right boys?"

Raoul and Gary promised they wouldn't, and the five of them walked towards the castle. They invited Anna to go to town with them, but she denied politely. She wanted to study more and hadn't spoken to her mother much today.

She spent the afternoon studying and spending time with her mother. The next day she was going to observe a hospital setting and take notes on procedures.