"Please, your highness I beg of you, I need at least one dance to rest." Amanda breathed as Jon spun her around the dance floor.

With a sigh Jon complied, "If you wish it milady." He said dramatically, causing Amanda to gasp for air in between giggles.

He led her off the dance floor and back towards his group of friends, where Gary was waiting with a cup of water for her. She took it gratefully and quickly downed the contents. She happily accepted another offered mug, from Douglass she thought, and quickly downed the contents without first checking them. She coughed and sputtered, ungracefully wiping her mouth on her sleeve.

"What was in that?!" She asked, glaring softly at Douglass. The boys all laughed at her.

"That was port," Gary commented, "a slightly stronger drink than wine, which from memory you don't handle all that well." His eyes twinkled with mirth but Amanda's heart froze. They weren't supposed to know each other that well for her story and she pointedly looked at Gary. His cheeks coloured slightly.

"Now Miss Danne," Raoul boomed, "You must understand that your reputation proceeds you."

Amanda looked nervously between Gary and Jon, as far as she knew they had all agreed not to mention how they had truly met. "It does does it?"All the boys in the circle nodded while Jon looked confused and Gary rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Well explain." She prompted.

"You see Gary here told us that you have the most beautiful voice. He said he heard you singing from outside your chambers earlier in the day." Raoul explained.

"Of course," she looked at Gary, "outside my chambers, where I'm staying."

Raoul nodded, "So you must know what's coming next then."

Amanda looked at all the boys watching her expectantly. "Oh you really can't expect me to sing my first night in court can you? How, how would that look to their majesties?" She eyed Gary and Jon, hoping one would jump to her aid.

"I think it would impress them beyond measure of a doubt." Jon stated, smirking at her discomfort. "In fact I ask you implicitly, please, entertain us with a tune."

Amanda shook her head in defeat. "If you wish it." She turned to the rest of the group, "now you must remember I am not from here so you probably won't have heard about what I'm going to sing." She closed her eyes and thought, what song could she sing that would be appropriate and not too modern sounding.

"When you know that you know who you love, you can't deny it. Or go back, or give up, or pretend that you don't buy it. When it's clear this time you've found the one, you'll never let him go 'cause you know and you know that you know" She let the lyrics flow through her, attempting to convey the passion hidden in the words. "When you feel in your skin in your bones and the hollow of your heart, there's no way you can wait 'til tomorrow."

The boys all stood in stunned silence, marveling at how angelic her voice sounded, at how much emotion was coming through the song. She continued singing, oblivious to the growing crowd of nobles listening to her sing. When she finished she kept her eyes closed, allowing the emotion to wash over her, unaware of the silent tears that had streamed down her face while she sang. The clapping crowd jolted her out of her reverie and she laughed at their faces. Gary walked up to her and gently wiped away her tears.

"Now I've never heard that song before but it sounds as if you sang it for someone." He marveled.

She laughed as she dried her face softly, "It's an old favourite of mine. I hadn't realized until now that I relate to it I guess."

Gary looked at her closely, seeing the moment she hid her emotions behind her wall again. She looked up at him and smiled, shrugging it away. "Now, I don't know about you but I could do with another drink." She said pointedly; he nodded and quickly turned to retrieve one for her. She turned back to the group who had all resumed conversation, all except for Jon who stood watching her, with a knowing look in his eye.

"Your highness," she curtsied as she joined him.

He waved his hand; "Please you needn't do that around me. Who was that song about?"

She looked down, around, anywhere but at him. "No one, I don't know why you would think otherwise."

"If you don't feel comfortable telling me that's fine, it's just that clearly you were singing about someone. They must've had a big impact on your life for you to feel that strongly just from some song."

She smiled softly, "It doesn't matter. That's from another life time and they practically don't exist anymore anyway." He frowned at her peculiar choice of words.

"Are you sure –"

"Jonathon," she interrupted him, "Would you care for a dance?" She held her hand out to him expectantly, praying that he would leave the topic alone. He stared at her outstretched hand in surprise, mouth slightly ajar. "Something wrong?" She asked, slightly lowering her hand.

"I've simply never had anyone ask me before. Of course, let's dance." He placed his hand in hers and led her out to the dance floor. He watched her as he spun her around, how despite her inherent clumsiness, she moved gracefully as soon as they began to dance, only stumbling slightly every now and then.

He wasn't the only one watching her. From the side Gary stood holding two drinks in hand. Of course, he thought to himself, you leave a girl like that alone for two minutes and his cousin has to sweep in. He leant against the wall watching him spin her around, watching Jon's eyes follow her so closely. He watched as she effortlessly and gracefully moved around the floor. All eyes were on the Prince and his partner, the newcomer. The older nobles watched the young couple move, marveling at how well matched they were physically, how seamlessly they moved together. The younger ladies in the room watched in disgust, picking apart every little failing in her they could find – a slight thread was pulling on her dress, her hair was too loose, too carefree, she didn't stand as straight as a proper lady should.

All of this was lost on the two as they continued to dance, the song slowly winding to an end. Jon remained motionless, captivated by her, still holding onto one hand. She curtsied deeply, glancing up at him under her eyelashes, as she did so her heart seemed to catch in her throat. All of a sudden she felt overcome with emotions. She released his hand, curtsied quickly again before quickly removing herself from the floor. He watched her go in confusion, slowly walking over to Gary who remained against the wall.

"What was all that about?" Gary asked as he passed Jon the drink meant for Amanda.

"I, I don't know." Jon quickly downed the contents of his cup. "Should I go after her?"

Gary stood up quickly shaking his head, "Leave her be Jon. She's new to the country and it's her first night in the Court. She's probably just overwhelmed." Jon nodded. "If…If it'd make you feel better," Gary continued, "I could go check on her, you know just make sure she's okay."

Jon smiled at his cousin. "I think she went towards the gardens. You're much better at this stuff than me."

Gary smiled at him and threw a pat on his back. Downing the remnants of his cup he moved towards the gardens entrance.