As it turned out, dinner wasn't halfway as bad as Alanna had imagined it to be. Alanna had taken a great liking to Lady Ophelia. She has a kind and gracious women in her middle ages, with a wry smile and warm, brown eyes. And Alanna was most satisfied to see Claudette sitting across the room next to a beaky looking hag, barely saying a word, and hardly eating.

The moment Alanna and Rosie sat down Ophelia said something Alanna had never heard from a lady.

"I despised this convent back when I was here." She said bitterly. "Such a waste of seven years of my life, I haven't used a single thing I learned here. Except dancing and table manners of course."

Upon hearing these words, Rosie glanced at Alanna looking scandalized at the mention of her precious convent. Alanna on the other hand, grinned and said:

"I'd have to agree with you, my lady. We hardly learn anything that would come in hand once we actually leave for court!"

"What did you say your house was, Alanna?" Ophelia asked interested.

"Trebond." Alanna replied. "It is located in the northern mountains and normally people don't even know we exist! My father never much liked court, you see."

"Oh," The older lady said with a smile. "Although, the name sounds most familiar." She tapped her chin with a dainty gloved hand.

"I can't imagine from where." Alanna said bluntly. "I have a brother who is a squire at the palace though. Perhaps you've met him?"

"Oh!" Ophelia gasped. "Exactly, my son Gareth has mentioned your brother numerous times! Thom of Trebond, is it? Also a red head I've heard!" She smiled.

"Yes." Replied Alanna with a grin. "We're actually twins."

"How extraordinary! Does Thom share your eye color as well?"

Alanna nodded, just as the first course was served. She and Lady Ophelia continued to chat about everything from Court to fashion. Soon, dinner was nearly over and Alanna found herself wishing she and Ophelia could talk longer. Just as she was about to leave, Lady Ophelia put her hand on Alanna's and said,

"I was hoping that you would agree to come to court with me and meet my son, Gareth. I think you two would get along very fairly and maybe you could even spend some time with your twin, Thom."

"Oh! I would love to, Lady Ophelia! It would be such an honor to meet your son; he sounds like a wonderful man." Alanna lied, smiling convincingly.

"Then it's set!" Ophelia sounded overjoyed. "I was hoping to leave early tomorrow morning; however I can delay the journey back to Corus if you aren't up for it."

"Oh no! Tomorrow morning is a fine time for us to leave!" Alanna reassured her immediately.

"Wonderful!" Ophelia said, getting up. "I'll see you in the morning then. Good night Alanna, Rosette." She nodded at Rosie before beginning to talk to one of the other women.

Alanna jumped, having forgotten Rosie was even there.

"She called me Rosette." Rosie whispered as they left. "It's Rosanna! And did you hear her talk about the convent? How utterly-"

"Alanna! Rosanna!" Isabella was rushing towards them. "Any luck with the ladies?"

"Actually, yes." Alanna replied smugly. "I'm leaving for Court tomorrow morning!"

"With who?!" Annette gasped, having overheard Alanna.

"Lady Ophelia of Naxon. I'm to meet her son, Gareth."

"Ophelia of Naxon?" The cold voice of Claudette sounded for behind Alanna.

Her icy blue eyes her narrowed, her red lips pursed. She glared at Alanna with hatred and muttered,

"I hope you enjoy yourself mingling with my relatives." She snapped, and gestured. "Come on Annette; let's go back to our rooms."

Annie followed her, glancing back at Alanna and shrugging before waving to the girls.

"What'd wrong with Claudette? I didn't know she was related to Lady Ophelia." Rosie wondered aloud as she, Alanna, and Bella walked back to their chambers.

"Actually she is, if all of this talk of her being related to the Contes is true. Lady Ophelia of Naxon was Ophelia of Conte before she married." Bella informed them.

"You mean, she's Prince Jonathan's Aunt?!" Rosie cried excitedly.

Isabella nodded. "Alanna, that means you could actually be related to Jonathan if you marry Lady Ophelia's son!" She said, stating the obvious.

"She's royalty! And she hardly looked at me! She called me Rosette!" Rosie moaned, burying her face in her hands.

"Don't worry, Rosie." Alanna said kindly. "Perhaps Queen Lianne will be here next week!"

Rosie smiled. They had reached Alanna's room.

"See you in the morning," Alanna said, pushing open her door.

"It will be the last time we see you!" Isabelle realized sadly, drawing Alanna into a hug.

For a second, Alanna actually felt sad to be leaving her friends.

"I'm sure we'll see each other at Court and be able to still be best friends." Rosie added, also hugging Alanna.

"See you in the morning, Ladies!" Alanna whispered, slipping into her room.

She shut the door behind her and leaned against it.

"Good bye, Convent!" She squealed.