Part II

Getting to my room was harder than I thought and the fact that I have a tendency to get lost did not help the situation. Looking for some sort of sign to tell me which way to go I ran into something or perhaps it was someone. All I know is that the next moment I was on my bum with my skirts up over my head. I murmured an apology but I doubt the person could understand a word I was saying. As I was wrestling with my skirts I heard a male voice say "Forgive me, my lady!"

I finally got control over my dress and looked up and peered into a pair of dancing blue-gray eyes.

"Please, sir." I said trying to get my face to return to a normal color instead of the bright red it was at the moment, "Do you know how to get to the guest wing?"

"Yes ." replied the man.

"Could you tell me how to get there?" I asked impatiently.

"Sure, if I wanted to." said the exasperating male.

"You like to be annoying, don't you?" I said fed up at this point.

"Yep! I'm Jarret Salmalin by the way."

"Oh! I'm Isabella of Mindelan."

"Nice to meet you Lady Isabella, and since I have nothing better to do I will escort you to the guest wing." said Jarret

"Err…. Okay." I replied awkwardly.

Finally we got to the guest wing after what seemed like miles of walking. During that long walk I got to know the young man a lot better. "Thank you, I would have never have gotten here by myself." I said.

"Not a problem." replied Jarret.

"Well goodbye." I said rather tired.

I started to close the door when I heard Jarret's voice say "Wait!"

"Yes?" I asked annoyed

"Are you going to the midwinter ball?" he asked.

"Unfortunately yes." I replied by now thinking I was doomed to have an escort.

"Good," said Jarret smiling, "I want you to meet my fiancée Allison of Hollyrose. I think you two would get along perfectly."

After bidding Jarret a goodnight, I quickly changed into my nightdress, crawled into bed and took out my favorite book. Before I fell asleep I thought about an excuse to miss the mid-winter ball. To my great unhappiness I found not a single plausible one and soon fell asleep.

The next morning I awoke to a knock on my door. I opened the door to see Lady Taylor, Lady Nicole, and another young woman. "Bella, this is Lady Allison of Hollyrose." said Taylor, "Allison this is Mage Isabella of Mindelan."

So this was Jarret's fiancée. Allison had wavy black hair with bright green eyes.

"Hello, a pleasure to meet you." I said, and for some odd reason found myself disliking Allison even more then the princess.

"Hello, nice to meet you too." replied Allison.

"We're here to invite you to come to the city with us to get some dresses." said Taylor.

"Do I have a choice?" I mumbled.

"No, not really." replied Taylor with a disgustingly cheerful smile on her face.

"Oh! Fine!" I said as I slipped into the dressing room to get my clothes on.

The entire ride down to the city was torturous. Lady Allison kept talking about her fiancée and her upcoming wedding while my horse kept trying to eat every thing in sight. We finally stopped at a dress shop. "This is Laney's shop." said Taylor as if in explanation. We walked in and Laney came over and said "Oh ladies! So nice to see you again, but you've brought someone new." Laney this is Mage Isabella of Mindelan. Bella this is Laney Dobson." After introductions, Laney measured us and found the dresses that were "just perfect" for us.

For Taylor a periwinkle dress embroidered with pink flowers, for Nicole she picked a bright blue gown with green vines embroidered on it. For Allison, Laney found a green dress with light green stripes on the bodice. All of the ladies' dresses had matching cloaks.

When Laney pulled out my dress it was hard not to gape. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, which I suppose isn't saying much, but Taylor had a smile on her face and she had seen a lot of dresses. My dress was midnight blue and the bodice was embroidered with crystals and the cloak matched exactly as had everyone else's. All the dresses were gorgeous and fit perfectly. "Goodbye! Come again!" called Laney as we left.

A/N: Laney is Lalasa's descendent ok! Also this takes place least a hundred years after Trickster's Choice. Also give some suggestions! I really want to know what you think!!! Sorry it took FOREVER to update my comp is evil and that is my only excuse, but I have a new comp now and I LOVE it! I love you guys who review! YOU ROCK MY SOCKS! Sry… I'm spastic. Peace, love, and Mickey Mouse!!!

Disclaimer: Sadly I own none of T.P's characters nor am I secretly engaged to Neal or Dom. sobs