Chapter 2

Chapter 2
"Kel!! Cleon!! You two are finally here! We've been waiting ages for you!" hissed Prince Roald.

"Sorry." said Kel. They had arrived to dinner late due to Kel's, uh, confession.

"Oh jolly Mithros!!!" screamed Owen.

"What?! What's wrong?!" Everyone started panicking.

Owen raised a shaking finger and pointed at Kel and Cleon. "They are HOLDING HANDS!!"

Everyone, namely Merric, Roald, Faleron and anyone else, followed the direction Owen was pointing and their gaze rested on Kel and Cleon's hands. Blushing deeply, Cleon quickly tried let go of Kel's hand, but Kel held on to his hand firmly.

"Guys, there's something we need to tell you," kel announced, and seeing she's got everyone's attention, she went on, "Cleon and I are dating."

A wave of murmur broke out among the squires, only to be stopped by the new arrivals. Nealan of Queenscove and Alianne of Pirate's Swoop entered, with Neal's arm around Alianne's waist.

"Oh no," said Roald, "Don't tell us you two are dating..."

Alianne stared at him in awe. "Oh Roald!!! You must be psychic! How did you know that!?"

Roald eyes widened, "You mean-"

Alianne nodded. "Uh-huh, Neal and I are dating."

The wave of murmur broke out again, except this time, it was louder. Alianne frowned. "What's wrong, did we miss something?"

Owen nodded furiously. "Oh jolly yes!!! Kel and Cleon are dating!!! They just announced it to us!"

"WHAT?!!" it took Alianne and Neal a moment to sort out the situation in their minds.

"Oh Kel!! Congratulations!!" Alianne said to Kel, who smiled back somewhat uneasily. Gosh, I underestimated Neal Kel thought jealously, looking at the beautiful Alianne, I didn't think he'd be able to date the mostly gorgeous girl in Court just like that...

"What's wrong Kel?" asked Alianne, interrupting Kel's thoughts.

"Huh? Oh nothing, it's just that I didn't know you and Neal would date."

Alianne grinned. "I never thought about that either. I mean, Neal and I have been very good friends since we were like, little kids, since my mum often visited Duke Baird, but I've never felt that way towards him." Alianned blushed before going on, "Just then, when he told me he loved me, I realised that I like him too."

Alianne smiled again, while Kel felt a sudden pain in her heart. He said he *loved* her! Kel wanted more than anything to cry, but she forced herself smile at Alianne. "I suppose I should congratulate you too." she said weakly.

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While the girls are 'chatting', Neal and Cleon are talking as well.

"Gosh! I never knew you and Kel liked each other!" said Neal.

Cleon grinned sheepishly. "I've always like Kel, but I never knew that Kel liked me until just then."

Neal gave him a pat on the back while thinking to himself Wrong judgement there Neal! he scolded himself Kel CAN get a boyfriend. Fast.

"Didn't think you and Alianne would get together. How did you do it?" asked Cleon, jerking Neal from his thoughts.

"Yeah well... Oh yeah, I just walked up to her and sincerely said 'Alianne, I love you', then ta ta! We're a couple!

Well I guess I should say congratulations, Cleon grinned, Seems that you've scored a perfect hit, not that I'm complaining. I'm pretty happy with my little catch.

Hearing Cleon's words, Neal felt a tiny prick of anger --- suddenly, he wanted to be the person dating Kel and not Cleon Don't be ridiculous he told himself; You're in love with Alianne, well that is until the midsummer dance anyway.

Forcing a smile, Neal sat down for dinner with Cleon.

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That night, Neal was still not able to sleep, How could Kel choose Cleon as they guy she's going to date, I mean, sure Cleon is a nice guy and everything but really, they do NOT make a good couple sighing, Neal turned over restlessly, Why am I thinking about Kel anyway?? I mean I've got Alianne, and Mithros, she is a BABE. Not that Kel's ugly or anything, it's just that Alianne has such hot hot little body

Thinking about Alianne's hot little body' suddenly made Neal rather uncomfortable', closing his eyes tightly, Neal struggled to make himself comfortable' again Damn it, I shouldn't have thought about Alianne. Let's see, what's disgustingLord Wydlon's beardum Cleon pubic hairthree day old fishstinking fish.wait! Neal's eyes snapped open suddenly, Kel isn't disgusting.she has such a sexy body, this of course didn't help and soon
Neal was feeling uncomfortable again, Damn! ok lets see.Lord Wydlon's armpits after trainingLord Wydlon's armpitsRoald's used
underwear.Cleon and Owen making out.Mithros that's gross.

Finally becoming comfortable' again, Neal turned over one more time, determined to go to sleep.

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Meanwhile, not far away, Kel could not sleep for a very different reason.

How could Neal love Alianne?? She thought, tears rolling down and staining her cheeks. Kel didn't cry often, but once the tears had started, she couldn't stop them.

How could he love her?? She wondered again, a twisting pain in her heart, Doesn't he realise what he's doing to me?? I love him and he just goes and falls in love with some one else.

Kel sobbed into her pillow, letting her tears well and spill out. He loved Alianne. There was no denying it. The way the two had acted at dinnerwell it had seemed that they were already betrothed. And now that she knewwell there was nothing she could do about it. If Neal was happy, then she could bear it.

Taking a deep breath, Kel turned away from her tear soaked pillow, a sudden determination welling up inside her. She would make sure that Neal was happy with Alianneand she would make sure he knew exactly what he was losing.

Finally reaching to a conclusion, Kel turned over and fell into a deep sleep.